"Childhood is not from birth to a certain age, and at a certain age the child is grown, and puts away childish things. Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies."

"Umm..."

"I know, brilliant wasn't I? I must be an amazing poet!" Poe bragged. Everyone was seated in the library, reading, with the warm fire crackling behind them. Well, except for Scaredy, who was clinging to Iris for dear life, shivering vigorously.

"P-Poe, with all do r-respect, I do not think I can endure any m-more of your poetry," He managed to say.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Boo Boo muttered to himself.

"Wait, wait there's more!" Poe dramatically blabbed on and on. Ruby shoved a brown paper bag in Scaredy's mouth to stop his hyperventilating.

"...You drink it standing up, and leave the house. Quote Edna Mallay," Skull Boy finished for Poe, holding up the book Poe was reading and tapping the cover. Poe laughed nervously.

"Heheh...who knew my poetry and Edna 's were the same..."

"Bravo! Magnificent!" Ruby jokingly applauded. Skull Boy and Poe bowed.

"You know, it's kind of ironic you read that considering Skull Boy just turned 13, so he's not a 'child' anymore," Misery mumbled, her nose still in 'World's Most Deadly Tornados'. Scardey fainted. Ruby caught him and gently placed him on Doom Kitty's bed.

"Skull Boy's party is already over...what happened to the cake, Ruby?" Frank asked.

"Yeah, I'm starving!" Len added.

"It burst into flames," said Ruby, stifling a laugh, eyeballing Misery.

"I had to cough," Misery said in defense.

"Well don't worry, the new one should be ready any minute now," as if on cue, a high-pitched ring went off in the kitchen. "Oh, it's ready!" Ruby ran into the kitchen.

"Hey, what's that funny-looking book Ruby was reading?" said Len, pointing to the small blue book with a skull heart on it on Ruby's chair. Misery scooped it up and began to read it.

"Today was Skull Boy's Birthday, we threw a great surprise party..." Iris gasped.

"Misery, that's Ruby's journal! Remember what happened last time we read it? Put it down, put it down!" Misery held it so Iris couldn't reach it, and flipped a few pages back.

"Oh, look it's about you, Iris," Misery said, smirking. She knew Iris couldn't resist. Iris hesitated, biting her lip. But then curiosity overtook her and she leaped into the chair with Misery.

"Ooo, ooo! She said I'm the life of the party, haha!" exclaimed Iris. "Guys, there's stuff about you, too!" Doom tried to swipe it away, but was trampled by everyone crowding around Misery's chair, trying to get a glimpse into Ruby's mind. They could almost hear Ruby's voice when Misery read it.

"Do you think we're...you know...like 'invading Ruby's privacy'?" Skull Boy asked, rubbing his neck.

"Pithy! She said we rock..." started Frank.

"...And roll!" said Len, ignoring Skull Boy.

"Ruby thinks I'm a good poet...oh look a page on you, Skull Boy," Poe pointed to the page. Skull Boy couldn't help but look. He could feel guilt stabbing through him as he leaned over to see what she'd wrote. Iris read aloud.

"I spent most of my day today with Skull Boy...a perfect day if you ask me. I rode my bike around the house and he rode on his cool new invention. I'm not really sure what it is, but it looks like fun. It's a board with wheels on it with a little rocket on the back to make it go faster. He's so smart, and always makes the most incredible stuff. He's really sweet and funny, too. Sometimes, I think he's my favorite person in the world. Even when he messes up it's cute. Haha like when he tried to act like a brave adventurer and corner 'Mystery Man' on the train...but he got stuck in the trolley. Oh, Skull Boy. Even though he doesn't know who he's related to, I bet he's related to the most amazing and extraordinary people he world. The day he feels the same way about me is the day Scardey bat becomes fearless...only that could happen. But on the bright side, being best friends is more than I could ever ask for." Everyone stared at the page, even after Iris finished, in shock. Skull Boy's knees nearly buckled.

Suddenly a loud crash scared them out of their trance. Their heads whipped around to where the sound came from. Ruby stood there, shaking, pale as a ghost, with a smashed cake at her feet.