EPISODE 8: THE ANNIVERSARY ## CHAPTER 1: THE REALIZATION Mei almost forgot. She was deep in the morning rush, pulling shots and steaming milk and managing the constant flow of customers, when Arthur placed a small wrapped package on the counter. "Happy anniversary," he said. "What?" "One year ago today, you opened the Waypoint." He smiled at her confusion. "You really didn't remember?" Mei set down the milk pitcher, her mind racing through the calendar. He was right—it had been exactly one year since that first morning when she'd unlocked the doors and waited, hoping someone would come. "I was so busy, I didn't even notice the date." "That's probably a good sign. You're too occupied doing the thing to spend time commemorating the thing." But now that she knew, the anniversary demanded acknowledgment. The Waypoint had survived a year. More than survived—thrived. From an empty room with a dream to... whatever this had become. "We should celebrate," she said. "Absolutely. But not just us." Arthur gestured at the café, at the beings flowing through it, at the community that had grown from nothing. "Everyone who made this place what it is. They deserve to celebrate too." --- ## CHAPTER 2: THE PLANNING The planning committee assembled that evening. Not everyone—the full roster of Waypoint regulars had grown too...