The second half of the sermon was more active than the former. Everyone had a story to tell about how The Worm affected their workplace and even though I may not fully believe in The Worm now or whatever ties it has with Small Sister, from all the years of indoctrination it wasn't very difficult to say that The Worm helped maintain the peace which is true to an extent. As Doctor Soy said previously;

"...our society is about each other and that's why our principle belief is belief; belief in each other and belief in The Worm..."

By each of us having explain how The Worm improves our workplace we also managed to find out what each career everybody got . Although most of us sticked with our dream careers, like Lucas achieving his dream of becoming a teacher, some had a last minute change of heart but those who changed don't regret their current positions. I was slightly astounded by some of the occupations though. Keanu wanted to be a farmer originally as he can be very tender even though he might hide it but it came as a pleasant shock when he told us he became a doctor instead! If that weren't enough Darwin became a miner which stunned quite a few of us especially with the negative stigma related to that profession even though it is maintained at a low profile.

Nonetheless, Darwin seemed happy with his career choice change from  and although isn't allowed to talk much about it due to one of Mytopia's policies about protecting the mines secret or whatever, his description sounded quite familiar to another place - the tomb.

Sylvia must have thought the same thing because she shot me a look when he started giving the same details about the smell and air quality but that must have just been a coincidence. Why would The Preacher need anything from the mines? Now that I think of it what do we even need from the mines?

After Darwin mentioned that he was a miner some tension or former misunderstandings began to clear and Genevieve and Lucy who seemed rather reclusive at first became confident enough to say they worked alongside Darwin in the mine. Soon after that some of the stories about what happen inside the mine almost makes me want to become a miner too. It's strange how attitutes can change change so quickly. A week ago becoming a miner would almost seem repulsive but I guess we've all grown up in our own way. Compared to my other classmates I've grown the most physically, about a few centimeters finally not making me the shortest anymore but, unfortunately, I can't say the same about Sebastian who has only grown to about the same height as the twins.

All in all, everybody seemed pleased with their jobs to such a point some of us would even consider switching just for a day. Everybody had a lot to say and as the hours flew by remembering everything became a challenge but ultimately the definitive careers which I didn't already know sort of matched like this:

Aesop became a chef at a restaurant called 'mush'.
Celine became a media artist.
Menma became a plumber/electrician.
Bartholomew became a shop assistant.
Lucas became a carer.
Kai became a carpenter.
Anastasia became an engineer.
Teagan became a recycling plant worker.
Riley became a scientist studying gene therapy which we discovered kind of merged in with the doctor branch but since there aren't regular costumers and scientific research isn't completely stable, Riley also works part time as a nurse.

Before we knew the working day had almost ended and the preacher rose once more clapping his hands to gain everyone's attention. "I'm glad, in fact I'm jubilant to see that everyone has found The Worm in their workplace." The Preacher looks at me once again but this time I manage to hold his gaze. "I hope that today has been as eventful for all of you as it has been for me and I only wish to beseech upon you one final piece of advice before you vacate the premises if you are already unaware; the microchips you posses are your passports to civilisation. They transact every piece of your adult life from purchases to micro health monitoring but as an additional function remember that that is all it is. It is not a replacement for your brains and its purpose is to merely assist in your daily lives. In short, make sure not to always wear your microchips. I understand that you may occasionally forget to remove it after curfew but for the most part try to remember not to always wear it. The microchip is a part of you so do not become part of the microchip. That is all. My lovely assistant will now show you out, please enjoy the rest of your evening."

Once again we rise in unison thanking the Preacher for his service. He replies with a curt bow before leaving and in exactly the way I arrived the hall fills with chatter again. I stay where I am for the most part watching Sylvia send off our previous classmates one by one until there are only the four of us left reminding me of how we were on the day of the aptitude test which nows seems like forever ago.

"So what are you doing now?" I ask Sylvia as the four of us walk towards the exit.

"Cynthia said she wanted to show me something. Do you want to c-"

Cynthia places a hand over Sylvia's mouth and smiles at Seb and I apologetically. "Sorry guys. The Mayor's office is high security and we can only have one guest at I time. Maybe next time?"

"Yeah, next time is cool." I say nonchalantly. I can already guess what Cynthia is going to show her and if I'm assuming correctly then I wouldn't really be interested. Besides, if Cynthia and Sylvia are gone then that leaves Seb and I alone. Alone to... chat. Chat about important of course. Important thing like, umm, important things.

"May The Worm be with you then!" Sylvia waves as Cynthia leads her to the Mayor's office.

I wave back but I can't say the same. Even if I did they're already too far to hear me and my conviction might have caused Sylvia to give me a lecture on basking in The Worm's grace.

Contrary to what I initially believed, the further Sylvia and Cynthia go the more awkward I feel. Seb and I still haven't confronted what happened the other day and as I looks at expectantly it's getting more difficult to say something with each passing second.

"So, bye then?" I muster not knowing how much lamer that could get.

Sebastian rolls his eyes. "I live in the same direction idiot."

"Oh yeah..." I deadpan. "Let's go then."

Sebastian doesn't say anything in reply so I start walking back to the station and Sebastian walks alongside me. Minutes go by without a word and I decide if I can't tackle the barrier between us I can try and find a route around it. I wasn't planning on saying this this soon though but desperate times call for desperate measures,

"Hey Seb," I start, putting confidence into my voice. "Do you know I have a disappearing microchip accessory?"

"Don't blurt things out like that!" Seb stops suddenly, showing a lot more emotion than anticipated.

"I guess that means you do then." I smirk mischievously. "But how do you know?"

Seb places a hand to his forehead and takes in a deep breath. "That day at school. When you bumped into me I noticed that your microchip had an accessory on it but I couldn't see it so the only explanation is that it can turn invisible."

"Heh. I gu-"

"But!" Sebastian continues and I see his fists start to shake slightly. "You didn't say anything to me and that was a smart move on your part. Accessories with functions are rare and expensive and since you just basically shouted it out for everyone to hear I'm guessing you haven't figured out what it's real function is other than a cheap parlour trick. Even if you are a MOM it doesn't mean you can't be a victim! Crime isn't extinct and you should know that! Why would you give away information like that in public? Do you want to be a walking target?"

I take a few steps back in reflex. I've never seen Seb get so angry before and although he doesn't compare to Officer Penny or even the twins, it's evident that I shouldn't push my luck. Backing away every so slowly I hope that Sebastian calms down quick but as I back up against a tree I brace myself as Sebastian raises an arm. I deserve it though. I haven't been a good friend recently and what Sebastian said just now is true. I should know better and if Sebastian is going to punch me I understand why. But he doesn't.

I feel his arm against me but in the completely opposite way than I expected. He didn't punch me, hit me or even flick my forehead as he sometimes does. He's hugging me. Sebastian, the one who avoids physical touch to the amount of it almost being a phobia is hugging me and I have no idea how to react other than to hug him back. Fortunately that seems to be the right response.

"I'm sorry." Sebastian's voice cracks into a mellow croak to which I would normally laugh at under other circumstances. "I'm so sorry Aegis."

I blink in surprise as Seb leans his head against mine. "For what?"

"For pushing you the other day. For ignoring your friendship. For making all our encounters so awkward. I tried to make things up when we went exploring but I just couldn't. I ran to my comfort zone and when I reached it I couldn't brun myself to say anything and trapped myself in a book."

"Are you joking?" My head feels dizzy as if I'm listening to my own guilt. "I'm the one who is sorry."

"No. Don't say anything." Sebastian squeezes me tighter and if anybody saw us right now I feel that I'd melt straight into the earth. "I just don't want to see you in danger and I want things to go back to the way they were."

"Really?" I say out loud. Getting back with Seb has been bothering me all day and if I'd known that all I had to do was mention the microchip accessory I would have done it a lot sooner.

"Really." Sebastian sniffs, loosening his grasp on me.

"Well can you stop being all koala on me then?" I joke even though I wouldn't mind if Sebastian clung on to me just for a few more minutes.

"Yeah, of course." Sebastian lets go and stares at the ground his face even redder than mine.

I cough in slight discomfort but inside I'm jumping with joy. "Shall we continue walking then?"

Sebastian nods and purses his lips as he catches us to walk by my side. Looking at him now he almost seems like a geode. A tranquil exterior but one that you have to crack to see what they're made of and seeing what Sebastian is made of makes me like him even more, as a friend of course. Sadly, only as a friend.

"It was nice."

"What was?"

"The hug dummy." I grin. "You should give them more often, but only if you want to that is. It's nice but only if they're true."

"I'll think about it..." Sebastian returns the grin to which I roll my eyes but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way.

"So Seb, what's small sister?" I ask hoping to get answers from him now that he's slightly softened up.

"Hmph?" Seb looks at me with his usual stare as if the events that just unfolded didn't include him. "What's that?"

"What do you mean what's that?" I retort feeling inside my pocket. "You were the one who looked more shocked when you saw the loose pages!"

"Well duh!"

"See! You do know."

Sebastian shakes his head. "I think you might have me confused. I was shocked because someone made confetti out of a book I didn't even have the chance to read yet!"

"Oh." I say trying not to sound embarrassed. "I knew that..."

"Sure you did." Sebastian says sarcastically and I give him a playful punch. Sebastian says that he doesn't know but for some reason his tone is slightly off. Generally I would be pretty miffed for him holding back the whole truth but instead I'm glad because it means I've found the crack in Sebastian's iron curtain or maybe it's because it feels like the incident the other day has brought us even closer.

We walk in silence again for a bit but this time it's a comfortable silence. A tranquil silence like the eye of a storm or the halcyon before the first leaves of autumn fall to the ground. A silence in which no words are pressured. A silence so congenial it's as if you're bathing in a field of cotton. A single ember in the ocean, doused as it ignites.

Regardless of amicable atmosphere surrounding us it is ineludible to ignore the passing glances that we shoot at each other from time to time. With each passing glance it's more and more difficult to figure out what Sebastian is thinking but although telepathy would be cool I'm glad it isn't integrated into the microchip system especially after the events that unfolded. I feel my face warm from the rather NSFW thoughts that creep into my head and I realize I'm not just glad that telepathy isn't integrated - I'm absolutely acquitted.

I cough trying to brush off the scarlet hue on my cheeks as a slight cold and as parsimonious as it seems I have to break the silence to fixate my mind on something else.

"What do you think the true function of the accessory is then?" I ask discretely keeping my voice low.

"How am I supposed to know?"

"I dunno." I shrug. "I just thought you might have a hint is all. You normally figure things out like these in class so..."

"Oh wait yeah. Just let me get out my crystal balls." Sebastian perks up. "Just one thing though. Do you think they're made of crystal?"

"What?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Nevermind." Sebastian shakes his head with a mysterious smile. "I'm sure you'll find out eventually but in the meantime please try not to advertise the fact that you have a functional acessory. Like I said earlier I don't want you to get hurt or anything..."

Sebastian suddenly stops again and I wonder if I did anything wrong but as I look around it seems we've already arrived at the station.

"So I guess I'll see you later then." Sebastian says hesitantly with his arms slightly raised. I feel a coy smile creep onto my face and wonder if he's going to initiate it or if he's waiting for me.

Anybody could see that Seb's uncomfortable right now but seeing him try to break through his comfort zone has almost left me struck in awe. I can't let him do all the work though so I slowly open my arms as well hoping to savor the moment. My plan doesn't work though because with a sudden confidence boost I feel Sebastian's warm body press against mine and by the force exerted you can definitely tell that he's new to this. It doesn't matter though. I just want to enjoy the bittersweet moment but as I hear a door slide open I feel the embrace collapse as quickly as it started.

I hear Sebastian give an embarrassed cough as he pulls his arms to his side. I'm tempted to do the same but if I act suspicious then it may dampen Sebastian's already fragile confidence and I don't want that. Additionally, if I look guilty then whatever Officer is coming our way will probably question me and if that happens it'll no doubt lead to an awkward conversation.

"Aegis?" I hear Officer Penny call out. "You're finally back are you? Well you better be because I didn't go through all that trouble to cook for you if you're going to eat it cold so get your sorry as-"

Officer Penny stops short as she notices Sebastian and I standing together. She too gives a slightly embarrassed cough and stands up straighter ignoring her sudden outburst. "Aegis! You didn't tell me we had a guest coming."

I rub the back of my head. "Yeah. Sorry. I didn't know either."

I see Officer Penny's eye twitch slightly but it quickly fades when Sebastian looks up at her. "Sorry Officer Miss. I didn't mean to intrude."

"Oh that's no problem at all." Officer Penny waves it off making me sweat drop. "But Aegis. Who is this cutie?"

I shoot Sebastian an apologetic look as Officer Penny leans in to pinch Sebastian's cheeks making the even redder than before but seeing him all flustered is so endear- I mean ethere- entertaining! Yes. Entertaining. It would be a shame to let this opportunity to go to waste and even though I believe it's true I've never actually said it out loud before.

"He's Sebastian. My best friend in the world!" I say before grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"You what?" Sebastian gasps. "S-shut up! It's embarrassing..."

Officer Penny lets go of Sebastian's cheeks with a faint smile. I have to admit his response wasn't exactly 'Sebastian' like but seeing a new side to him is actually something I'm looking forward to. I just wish his response wasn't so ambiguous but you can't have everything I suppose even in a Utopian society.

"Well Sebastian is there anything I can do for you?" Officer Penny says in her retail voice. "You're about the same size as Aegis so we should have enough ingredients to meet your nutritional needs if you'd like to stay for dinner."

Sebastian shakes his head. "No, that's quite alright Officer Miss. I've got some pineapple pizza waiting for me when I get back but thanks for the offer."

Officer Penny gives an understanding nod and I give Seb a cheeky smile to which he returns one as well. "Bye then Aegis. Bye Officer Miss."

"Bye Sebastian." We say in unison as he walks away.

He doesn't look back, he has no reason to but I stand and watch him regardless as his body tapers into the urban landscape. Even at a distance he seems so out of place, easily overlooked, but if you focus intently you can see the odd glimmer of gold from the back of his  head kind of like the rising sun at the crack of dawn. Like a gleaming star; close enough to see but not close enough to fully grasp.

"He's a nice boy. Definitely partner material." Officer Penny says out of the blue.

"Officer Penny!" I exclaim, astonished. I thought thinking like that was the mindset of a schoolgirl but I suppose even grown women can see it too.

"What?"

"You can't say things like that!" I continue to which Officer Penny gives me a bemused look. "...But yeah... Yeah he is."

Officer Penny doesn't say anything in return but from the expression on her face I can tell that if she did I wouldn't be prepared for that sass storm. Thankfully the 'Mmm Hmm' look doesn't last long and Officer Penny retires back into the station to continue whatever she was doing before I experienced one of the top ten moments in my life.

I feel my cheeks warm as I accept that I actually enjoyed today more than I could have ever expected too. Sebastian's made a big leap today and if I'm lucky the leap's trajectory has a bearing somewhere near me. Even if it isn't, I've managed to shed some light on the true nature of The Worm even if I still don't know where I quite stand with my belief. One mystery just paves the way for another but perhaps this is just part of being a MOM.

"Oi kid!" I hear Officer Penny yell from within the station causing my hair to stand on end more than it already is if that's possible. "Stop staring wistfully into the distance and get your sorry ass inside and eat some food!"

I gulp as my brain goes into overdrive. My legs have gone to sleep which doesn't help and when I do get my priorities straight I turn towards the opposite direction in which I'm supposed to be going in. Although things may be mentally improving for me, spatial awareness and general control of my body is one thing that I'm slowly starting to lose the hang of.

"Don't make me say it again Aegis! Get in here now!"

"Yes ma'am!"