"Are you sure you want four outsiders sleeping in your house?"

She gave me a half–smile, seemingly with disbelief. "Yeah, right. The day outsiders step into the city is the day I'll shave my eyebrows," she said while brushing her fingertips in that area.

I tilted my head and returned a similar look. "Then you might want to get shaving."

I watched as she chuckled at my 'joke', assuming it was something stupid I said. But as my expression remained serious, her laughter died out, replaced by confusion. Her eyelids opened wide, revealing unwavering pupils. They stared through my soul and back.

"You're telling the truth?" Her voice was low as though someone could be listening. It was just a little louder than a whisper.

There was still time to back out, I could pop a surprise and say it was a big joke. I seriously debated that in my head.

On the other hand, I didn't want to lie to someone who reminded me of myself. Something about her running away from her past and wanting to take care of her family ignited a spark in my veins. It was the complete opposite of despair. It was hope.

Would she be able to relate to me? I did not know. I wish I had done so, I didn't have to take this gamble.

I squatted to her eye level. "The truth and nothing but the truth." I used my hands to push my knees back up. "I thought I'd share that with you since you kinda remind me of myself. I relate to your life, or at least what you've told me." I looked down, not wanting to see her reaction. "I hope telling you the truth doesn't get me or my friends in trouble."

With my head still down, I fidgeted with my sweaty fingers, rubbing my nails and twisting my skin.

Before I could say anything else, her hand touched my shoulder. I almost jumped out of my pants. I slowly lifted my head and was greeted with something unexpected. A smile.

"This gives me all the reason to provide you shelter." Her other hand met my other shoulder. "Please, allow me to care for you and your friends."

"How can I say no to that?" I extended my arm towards her waist. "My name is Jill. I hope we can be good friends."

She met my sweaty palms with her hand. They clasped together, then quickly loosened.

"The name's Sydney. It's a pleasure to have a roommate or two… or four."

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That reminded me.

"Oh, I have to find them. Hopefully they're still there."

Sydney grabbed my arm as I attempted to walk away. "No need. I told my brother to stay with them. I'll give him a call, and we can rendezvous with them later."

"Call? Meaning?"

She pulled out a square thingy from her pocket and pressed on its flat surface a few times before putting it up to her ear. "Hey—" She pulled her head away from the square device, sucking the fresh air through the gaps of her teeth. She stepped away and yelled at the square thingy.

I stepped back, not wanting to get in the middle of it. What could that square thing be? She was talking, or yelling at someone through it. How was that even possible? Was it necessary

Whatever it was, her voice dimmed as the conversation grew. Looks like yelling wasn't needed.

She returned with a half–smile. "Your friends are okay. They're a little crazy, according to my brother. All of this is new, so I'm not surprised. Anyhoo, we decided to rendezvous late at night back home. They want to spend the entire day there, and truthfully, it's completely possible if you want to hit every event. That leaves us with the entire day to do anything. I say we go back home, freshen up, eat, and then figure out your living situation. Sounds good?"

"Sure, but why don't you want to meet your brother at the convention?"

She waved her hand in a downward motion. "Not my thing. I only went because I don't like to be alone at the house for an extended amount of time. Anyhoo, I'll get us a taxi because my brothers are going to need the car to get home."

She pulled out her square device again and tapped more than the last time. While she was busy with that, I thought about what she said.

"Brothers? You have more than one?"

"I have two, unfortunately." She spoke without taking her eyes off that square device. "You spoke with Nathan. He's more outgoing and loves conversing with strangers. The other one is Kaze. He's the complete opposite. He's so quiet. Even I forgot he was there. Aaaannnnddd, alright. A taxi should pick us up in about three minutes. Let's head towards the road so it can find us."

I followed her lead to the corner of the sidewalk. We stood by a pole that flashed a green and red light for a certain time. The corner of the sidewalk was bright yellow. I slid my foot back and forth. It was a little bumpy. The sidewalk itself was fairly clean. There were a few cans on the ground, but nothing that would deduct from its beauty.

While standing, I questioned Sydney about that square device. It's called a "phone." She listed the possible things you can do with it. She lost me at texting, whatever that was.

Sydney said she'll teach me the basics later on. I nodded while looking at my fingertips. Would I be able to fit in with this crowd?

I shook my head. This wasn't the time for doubts. I didn't come here to be defeated by a pocket–sized device.

A silver car, similar to the other one, pulled over beside us. The driver leaned forward and asked for our name. I stood back in silence as she did the talking. Once everything was settled, the doors automatically opened. That was completely new. Or was there a ghost this time around? Whatever it was, it caught me off guard.

I sat in the car, and it drove off. With all the new technology and stuff, it made me wonder how much I needed to learn to fit in.

It may take a few weeks or even months. Regardless, it was a necessity in order to fit in.

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