Almost seven months have gone by since I met my creation face to face. In all that time, we still couldn't figure out why she was here or how to get her back home. We learned everything there was to know about each other, but there was one thing she didn't know; her birthday, the day I made her and she began to evolve into who she is now. I was impressed with how much she slept. She gave me and my younger sister a run for our money. I would often find her passed out on the couch while being serenaded by Bullet For My Valentine's record "The Poison". Today, though, was going to be a little different.

"Hey, wake up, sleepyhead."

"What time is it?"

"It's about eight in the morning. Can you come into the kitchen for a sec?"

"Okay."

I went in first. She followed soon after.

"Happy Birthday, Atmospheric."

She placed a hoof over her mouth with wide eyes. There was a breakfast spread on the table with a bouquet of flowers.

"You said you liked every kind of flower, so I got a mixed batch for you."

"It's beautiful, Kyle. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I just thought you needed to see the brighter side of things today. It's a special day; even more so for you than most."

"I never knew when my birthday was."

"Yeah. I wanted you to go through some tough times to strengthen your own opinions and beliefs. Now I think it's time you were compensated for all that misery."

"I really appreciate that you want to make it right."

"It's the least I can do. Let's go ahead and eat breakfast. I have a surprise for you after."

She nodded at me with the softest expression I'd ever seen. Whatever icy anger she held against me was deteriorating. That was one less weight on my shoulders at least. We sat down and began eating.

"That was good. I've never had that type of bread before. What was that?"

"A croissant. Not really sure what ingredients are used, but we can figure it out."

"The strawberries and whipped cream were an amazing combination."

"Glad you liked it. I learned about this breakfast from my mom and dad."

"Are they close?"

"Oh yeah. Most definitely."

Her face lit up with a warm glow. She must've thought it was really sweet.

"Do you have work today?"

"Nope. I wanted to spend today with you. I let my superiors know I needed to take a personal day off. I usually try to do that when I see my family."

"It really means a lot you would go out of your way for me."

"I would've for anybody, but I'm glad not a lot of people in this town suffer."

"I know what you mean."

"Anyway, I think it's about time you open your present."

I took the gift from my side and handed it to her. There were clothes in the bag.

"What's this for?"

"We're going out for a bit today."

"!?"

"I want you to see some of the world."

"But...why now?"

"Honestly? I didn't think about it before."

"What are we gonna' do?"

"It's up to you. What are you in the mood for?"

"Can we go out shopping for a bit? I want to find some horror games and records."

"Absolutely. What do you say we get going, then?"

"Mm."

"What kind of music do you want on the way there," I asked her when we got in the car.

"Harmonic liked a band called bleeding through. Was that a real band here?"

"I don't know," I lied, "but here's a record you might like."

"You jerk! Hahahahahaha!"

"Got ya'!"

We laughed while I started the car.

"You guys both share the same sense of humor, don't you?"

"We learned it from you."

"Me?"

"Yep. You're a manifestation of all my positive emotions."

"I am...?"

"When I made you, not only was it a reflection of my ideal partner, but it was a reflection of my ideal self."

"What's your ideal self?"

"Someone who's very personable and who people feel like they can trust and relate too."

"I think I know what kind of person you are?"

"What kind?"

"You make up for your lack of academic intellect with your spiritual and emotional intellect."

"I think that's giving me a bit too much credit. If I was emotionally strong, I would get along better with my family."

"From what I've seen, human relationships are much more complicated than anything I've experienced. You had your reasons for fighting with them."

"Not very good ones."

"Maybe not all the time."

"Anyway, no more doom and gloom. This is your day. You deserve to enjoy it."

I popped the CD into the disc player. Before I could start driving, I felt something on my cheek. I looked over to the front passenger seat. Atmospheric was...Smiling?

"It's okay, Kyle. I know what you're feeling now."

"What about Harmonic?"

"You two are the same person, right?"

"I guess, but I don't want it to be awkward, you know?"

"Don't worry. Harmonic will understand if I explain to him."

"You think so?"

"I know, because I know you would if the situation was reversed. You never struck me as the jealous type."

"To me, there are more important things than petty grudges. My health and freedom come to mind."

"That's a good way to look at it."

"Are you ready?"

"Are you going to treat me to a romantic dinner," Atmospheric joked.

"That's a secret. I'm saving the best for last."

"I can't wait."

Atmospheric and I shopped for several hours. She found several RPG and horror games she thought were interesting, along with a number of metalcore and melodic death metal records.

"Which one do you want to listen to first," I asked her after we got back i the car.

"You said you listened to Heartbreak System a long time ago, didn't you?"

"Yeah. One of favorite records from the late 2000s."

"I want to hear it."

"As you command."

"So that's where he got the charm from."

"Hm?"

"Harmonic. He talks the same way."

"I learned it from the people I knew in the goth culture growing up. It's kind of like hypnotic vampire speech."

"In that case..."

Atmospheric moved her hoodie to expose her neck.

"How about a drink, hottie?"

"HAHAHAHA! I don't remember making you such a tease! It's tempting, but we should save room, don't you think?"

"Are we going to eat?"

"Mhm. We're going a bit early because my big gift comes after dinner."

"You're spoiling me."

"Hardly. This is the best way I can think of to say thanks."

"What for?"

"When I felt like the whole world was against me, I kept the collection of personality traits that made you in the back of my mind. For fifteen years, I haven't forgotten."

"Kyle..."

"Let's go ahead and eat."

Atmospheric nodded. I played the CD she requested, and we drove to the restaurant.