Monday unexpectedly came; the sun crept on the horizon. It's hard waking up on Mondays when you spend all your energy on the weekends. But I forced myself out of bed and got dressed and cleaned up. I wore my best pink and white blouse and glittery jeans―since it was a special day for Dainu. I went downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast and found Dean eating his breakfast and reading the paper. He looked up at me and smiled. I rolled my eyes and made no eye contact with him.

"Good morning, Kaley," he said. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," I mumbled.

Mom came over to me and hugged me.

"Kaley," she said to me. "Aren't you forgetting something?

I looked at my mom with sudden eyes. No way was I going to apologize to Dean about yesterday. He was the one who should apologize to me for asking too many aggravating questions. Mom's stern expression told me to do it. I shook my head at her, but she gave me one of those looks that meant I have to do it. I hated when she does that to me.

I took a deep breath and said to Dean, "I'm sorry, Dean. I'm sorry I was really rude to you yesterday. I shouldn't have done that. Will you forgive me?"

My stomach turned when I said all this.

"Of course, I forgive you, Kaley," he smiled. "It's OK, we have our bad days sometimes. It's no problem."

"See? Now that wasn't so hard, was it, Kaley?" Mom said. "Now everything's OK again. And I don't want this to happen again, Kaley. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I groaned.

"Good!" she said in a cheerful voice. She grabbed my lunch bag off the counter and kissed my forehead. "Here's your lunch, Kaley. Have a nice day at school."

 I put on my shoes and grabbed my backpack. Dean said goodbye to me but I pretended I didn't hear him as I left the house. I went next door to Kyle's house. I knocked on the door and he answered, looking so groggy. He was still in his pajamas with uncombed hair, unshaven face, and droopy eyes.

"Hi, Kyle," I greeted.

"What's up?" he said, rubbing the sleep off his face.

"Is Dainu ready?" I asked.

"He's in the kitchen having some breakfast. Come on in. I was just about to have some coffee."

I entered his house. Kyle was walking sluggishly like a snail. I entered the kitchen and found Dainu eating some eggs and drinking milk. He hugged me immediately when he saw me.

"Hi, Dainu. Are you ready?" I asked.

"As soon as I am finished with my breakfast," he said.

Kyle entered the kitchen too. He turned on his coffee machine and refilled his mug. A rich, roasted, chocolaty smell filled the kitchen that made my whole body feel refreshed.

"What is that?" Dainu asked Kyle.

"Oh, just some coffee," he said. "We always drink this in the morning. It refreshes our mind and body."

I never drank coffee. My mom won't let me. She said I don't need to depend on caffeine just to fuel myself.

"May I try some?" Dainu asked.

Kyle shrugged. "OK, I guess so. But I must warn you, this has a shot of espresso in it, which means it has extra caffeine, so I think you should just take a little sip."

Kyle filled an extra mug with coffee and handed to Dainu. Dainu examined its rich, chocolaty color, smelled its thick, roasted, refreshing smell, and then drank it. At first, he drank a little bit, but then he started drinking the whole thing in one gulp without stopping to take a breath. Kyle and I looked at him, stunned. I had never seen a person drink the whole coffee all at once. I couldn't believe how easily he drank that stuff. When he was finished, his expression was satisfied, but his eyes were widely huge. His hands were trembling a little and he couldn't stop drumming his fingers on the table. The caffeine really hyped him up big time.

"This is delicious! May I have some more?" he said, handing the mug to Kyle.

"I think you've had enough," Kyle said. "Now you two should go to school. And try not to get into any trouble."

"Sure, uncle," I joked.

Kyle chuckled a little.

We head out to door and into the front yard. I looked carefully around to see if Dean was anywhere in sight. I didn't see his car so that meant he was out to do his work. Thank God.

"I will take you to school in a faster way," Dainu told me.

"Sure," I said. I wanted to see what else he can do.

"Climb on my back," he said.

He knelt down on his knees. I climbed on and he stood up.

"I'm not too heavy, am I?" I asked.

"Heavy? You are as light as a feather," he said.

I totally forgot he had super strength.

Suddenly, I felt as though we were being lifted up. I looked down at the ground and it seemed at little farther. Up, up, up we go until we were about fifteen feet high. I shut my eyes and trembled a little.

"Do not fear," Dainu said calmly. "You will be safe. I promise you." Then Dainu took off like a rocket. We soared through the cool air, above the trees, above the fences and into the wind. I had never felt so free in my life. All of my worries were washed away. I reached up my hand into the sky, pretending to touch it like water. I felt like a free bird soaring through the sky. I laughed with joyfulness and pleasure. This was absolutely better than a roller coaster.

I looked around to see if anyone was watching us, especially Mr. Jackson. But thank God I did not see his car anywhere. The neighborhood was quiet and still, since it was morning and every teen I know is already in school, and the adults were at work or still in bed. A dog in a yard barked at us, he was probably freaking out. But no one came out of the house, and notices us.

When we got to our school, I saw Amy and Pam waiting for us. They waved at us as Dainu landed slowly on the ground like a light feather. I jumped off his back; my legs wobbled a little, and cheered at the top of my lungs.

"That was totally awesome!" I exclaimed.

"You are very welcome," said Dainu.

"Dude," said Pam. "You didn't tell us you could fly. That was, like, so out of the ordinary. Can I fly with you after school?"

"I wanna go first," Amy protest. They started giggling and laughing again from all this exciting experience. I laughed too because I thought they were being ridiculous.

"Come on, you guys," Amy said. "We better get inside. The bell already rang. We don't want Dainu to get his first tardy." She giggled some more, and I think I saw her wink at him.

When we entered the school, everyone was already at their lockers getting their things for class. One kid stopped and looked at Dainu with astonishment. He tapped on his friend right next to him and he focused his attention on Dainu. One by one, everyone was staring at Dainu. Everything became suddenly quiet, I could still her some gasps from some students, but it was too faint to hear. I took a deep breath, hold Dainu's arm and we walked forward together. I knew that they weren't staring at him because he was a green-skinned being; they were staring because of his beauty and his unique green skin. Dainu smiled pleasantly at everyone. One girl stepped in front of us with lovesick, awestruck eyes, held out her hand and said hi to him. Dainu greeted back and shook her hand. The girl look like she was going to faint, but she picked up her feet and shouted excitedly, "Did you see that? He shook my hand." Other girls started squealing like he was a famous celebrity. Dainu smiled and bowed his head at them, and they sighed deeply and passionately. There were other whispers in the crowd. I heard them say, "What is that?", "Is that what I think it is?", "It can't be an alien, can it?", "Why is his skin green?", "Look at his face, I never saw a face like that before.", and "Where do you think he's from?" Everyone's eyes were so glued to Dainu that none of them even blinked. Even the teachers in the hallway stopped to look at him.

"See? I told you they'd like him," whispered Pam.

"You were so right, Pam," I said. "I thought everyone will freak out or something, but they're not."

All of a sudden, Carmen came up to us.

"Hello, Kaley," she said arrogantly.

"Hello, Car-Man," I greeted rudely. "Would you like to meet my new friend?"

She looked at him, scrutinizing his looks and figures from head to toe. She looked like she was amazed by his beauty too. But she changed her expression and said, "He's OK, I guess. But what's up with the green skin?"

"He's an alien. A real life alien," I said.

Carmen laughed hysterically. "Nice try, Kaley. But I'm not stupid. Did you really think you can fool me and the rest of this school with this painted actor? You're not crazy like Old Man Handy, you're retarded!"

Dainu gave a puzzled expression at her.

"I'm serious!" I told her. "And I can prove it."

"Really?" Carmen said sarcastically. She grabbed his hand, licked her thumb, and started rubbing it on his hand to see if it will come off like make-up. Nothing came off. Everyone gathered around to see the proof. Carmen looked surprised when it didn't rub off. But she wetted her thumb some more and rubbed harder. Still nothing came off. Everyone gasps.

"It's...not coming off," she said slowly.

Amy, Pam, and I gave her an I-told-you-so look.

Then she asked Dainu, "Do you have a skin condition?"

Dainu looked confused and probably offended. "Not that I know of."

Carmen was suspicious. "What kind of freakin' trick are you playing, Kaley?" she asked aggravated.

"I'm not playing a trick," I told her. "He is really an alien. You're standing right in front of him, but you just refuse to believe. Dainu here will prove it to you. Go on, Dainu, do something amazing."

"Like what?" he asked.

"Anything you want," I said.

"Do I have to heal your wound again?" he asked. "It was tragically disturbing when you cut into your flesh the last time."

I chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't do that again. Just do whatever you could think of."

Dainu looked around the hallway, thinking of something he can do phenomenal. Then his eyes stopped and grazed at a locker. He told Carmen and everyone else to watch closely at the lock on the locker. To everyone's eyes, the lock started to move on its own. The knob on it turned left and right, stopping at each combination number to unlock itself. It was like the lock had a mind of its own and is trying to figure out its own password so it can unlock itself free. At the last number, which was thirty-four, the lock unhooked itself and fell off the locker. Everyone gasped so loudly I didn't even hear Carmen's gasp. The locker door swung open by itself, and a book floated towards Dainu and landed in his hands. Carmen's eyes were so wide that it glittered and shone so attractively. Her expression froze in bewilderment that could mess up her face. The whole crowd was silent with amazement, except I heard one student in the back exclaiming, "Wow!"

Then the whole crowd chattered all over the hallway.

"Did you see that?"

"That was amazing!"

"How'd he do that?"

"It must be some kind of magic trick, is it?"

"He's incredible!"

"He really is an alien!"

"He's so gorgeous!"

Carmen finally found her voice again. "That was, like, totally awesome! You are unbelievable! I am so sorry for doubting you!"

"I forgive you," Dainu said gently. Does this mean Carmen will stop bothering me and will get along with me?

She grabbed his arm and started to walk with him. "So, are there other hot, beautiful guys on your planet?" she asked him flattery. "What else can you do? Can you change your skin color? Are you a telepathic or something? How old are you?"

She started pouring questions on him that were both personal and annoying. I've seen her do this before. Whenever there was a newbie in school and he was gorgeously handsome, she would start flirting with him, and try to make him fall in love with her. She always likes to play the goody-good just to capture guys in her nest.

I marched forward towards her and yanked her away from him.

"I know what you're up to, Carmen," I scowled. "Don't even try doing it. I found him first and he sticks with me and only me. I know you're just going to break his heart, just like the rest. You're not going to lay a finger on him. You hear me out, witch?"

"What bitter words you speak, Kaley," Dainu said. "Carmen is not a witch; she is a beautiful hummingbird with honey-sweet lips."

"That is so romantic," she sighed passionately. "I think we'll get along fine." She smiled at him but I know she always has a fake smile with a lying tongue.

I started trembling with anger and clinching my fists. I wanted to punch her right on her lips. But I didn't want to ruin Dainu first day of school. So I relaxed myself and took some deep breaths. Dainu could see I was in anger and pain. I think he can sense it too, since he has super cool powers.

He moved his arm away from Carmen's grasped and said, "You are a very nice young woman, Carmen." She smiled. "But I would like to stay by Kaley's side, she has promised me guide me around her society. She has comforted my heart ever since I met her, and I trust her deeply. I do not want to displease her if I linger around with someone that makes her uncomfortable. I will remain by her side, for now and forevermore. When the time is right, I will then come to you."

Everyone sighed. Carmen's face turned red with anger and jealousy. Her eyes burned with revenge. She always does that to me that when I'm luckier than her.

"You have more jealousy in your heart than goodness," Dainu said to Carmen. "I can sense your emotions within you. Do not hate upon us. It is unnatural and unpleasant. I will soon be with you whenever I can. Do not let your jealousy outrage you."

Carmen huffed and walked away, stomping her feet furiously until she was out of sight.

"You sure showed her," Amy said.

"Yeah, nobody messes with Dainu!" Pam remarked.

I smiled thankfully at him. "Thanks for choosing me over her, Dainu. You know I can stand her. I'm so glad you understand."

"It was no problem, Kaley," said Dainu. "I could have chosen to accompany her, but it made you frustrated. I would never leave with somebody that makes the other distress. It is impolite and unreasonable. And I would never do that to a friend like you."

Everyone sighed passionately. It was the sweetest, caring, adorable, nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Amy and Pam looked like they were going to cry happily. Then Mr. Donny, the assistant principal, came by and ordered everyone to get to class or else they will all get a tardy. He, then, noticed Dainu and was speechless just like everyone before. I came up to Mr. Donny and introduced him to Dainu.

"Mr. Donny, sir, this is Dainu. He wants to join our school."

Mr. Donny spoke up again. "Yes, it's good to see you," he said shaking Dainu's hand.

"May I join your school and study all of your educational programs?"

Mr. Donny was stunned by his perfect articulation. All the students here speak in slang terms and use improper grammar in their sentences. Mr. Donny always told us not to use words like "ain't", "gotta", "git", "fo shizzle" and "no more." This was the first time for Mr. Donny to actually hear someone speaking exquisitely.

"Yes, you may," he said. "Come. I will get you signed up and everything."

I took Dainu by the hand and lead him to the office. As soon as he walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Dainu. Dainu smiled kindly at all of them and they all welcomed and smiled back. Mr. Donny gave Dainu a sheet of information and enrollment form. He gave Dainu instructions on how to use it and where to sign and what he's suppose to write down.

"You also need your parents' or guardian's signature at the bottom," Donny said to Dainu, pointing at where the signature box was. "Is your family with you on this planet?"

"My family is not present at the moment," he said. "I came alone, exploring your remarkable planet."

"Why, thank you!" Mr. Donny said proudly.

"He's going to be staying with me," I told Mr. Donny. "I promised him to show him around the school, and to know what it's like. I'll probably get my mom to sign it for him."

"Very well," Donny agreed. "Bring it back tomorrow. Now you must take him to the principal and introduce him to your new friend. I'll work on his schedule."

Mr. Donny told the principal on the intercom that he was going to have some students come into his office. I knocked on his office door, and he bid us to enter. He was too busy filing some paperwork and signing some forms that he didn't even look up to welcome both of us or stare at Dainu's gorgeous appearance.

"Sit down, please," he said.

We sat. Finally, the principal stopped what he was doing, looked up at Dainu, and smiled welcoming at him.

"Welcome to J. F. Kennedy School," he said, shaking Dainu's hand. "My name is Mr. Connolly. I'm the principal and it's my duty to make sure this school is well behaved and proper. I can see that your friend here, Kaley Langstrom, is going to show you around and help you with your new classes."

"It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Connolly," Dainu said.

"Honor," Connolly laughed joyfully. "You have a perfect speech, my friend. I have never heard a student speak so perfectly. Everyone here uses slang words and improper grammar. But you, you have a perfect articulation and I like that."

"Thank you, sir," said Dainu smiling.

"You're most welcome," Mr. Connolly said. "Now can I have you name please?"

"Dainu," he said. "My name is Dainu."

"That's a very interesting name," said Connolly. "It sounds Swedish or something. And do you have a last name?"

"No, sir," I spoke. "It's just Dainu."

"OK," he said. He took out a small card and wrote "Newcomer" on it. He clipped the card on Dainu's shirt.

"Mr. Donny?" Connolly spoke into the intercom. "Do you have Dainu's schedule ready yet?"

"Yes, sir," Donny answered. "I'll give it to him as soon as you're done with him."

"Thank you." We got out of our seats but before we headed out the door, Mr. Connolly asked Dainu, "By the way, I don't want to butt into your personal business, but do you have a skin condition or something?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, it's not a skin condition. That is his actual skin. And he's a real alien, of course."

Mr. Connolly looked at both of us, dumbfounded. Then he shook his head and said, "Ms. Langstrom, I have no time for games and make-believe. Just tell me the truth, I just want to know."

"Kaley is telling the truth, sir," said Dainu. Then he stretched out his hand towards a pen on the desk, and it levitated like a feather. Mr. Connolly stood up and stared at it, astonishingly. He waved his hand over and under the floating pen to see if it was some kind of a trick. But he felt no invisible wires.

"Incredible!" he exclaimed.

"I know, right? Isn't he amazing?" I said.

Mr. Connolly asked Dainu, "Are you hear to see the leader of our planet?"

Dainu looked confused. I wanted to laugh out loud. I couldn't believe Mr. Connolly actually thinks that Dainu is here to see the leader. Maybe it's those old alien movies that made him think like that. When I first met Dainu, he did not say "Take me to your leader," he just wanted to explore our planet. I had no idea Mr. Connolly would bring that up.

"He's not here to see our leader, Mr. Connolly," I laughed.

"Oh. My mistake," he laughed too, feeling embarrassed.

When we left Mr. Connolly's office, we went up to the front to desk, to get the schedule for Dainu. Mr. Donny handed him the schedule and wished him good luck. Dainu had the same schedule as I did. I had calculus first, then history, gym, science, art, physics, and last literature. I thought that was nice of Mr. Donny to let us have the same classes with each other, so that Dainu won't feel lost in school or anything.

As we walked in the hall towards Calculus class, I was telling him what the teachers were like and how nice or mean they are.

Mr. Smith is my calculus teacher; he's the only British guy in our school. He's really hard, I could never keep up. But he's really nice and smart and he's always there if you need any help.

Then there's Mr. Digman, he's not so bad. He always turns history into a joke just to keep the class from falling asleep. Miss. Lowe was the gym teacher. She's very energetic, always makes us run laps as soon as class starts (I hate it). But she's a heck of a teacher. But sometimes when the whole class is misbehaving, she makes us run more laps. It can be a killer!

Mr. Snout, the science teacher, is so grouchy all the time. I hate him the most. If we don't answer any of his questions right away, he gives us more homework. Art and physics are my favorite classes. Mrs. Lakes is a very nice art teacher. She always makes us draw, paint, or sculpt whatever we want in her class. She barely gives us homework, and if she did, it would be drawing something. She's a little weird sometimes, but she's a fun teacher.

Ms. Kopaz teaches physics. It's a fun and interesting class, but sometimes complicated. And last but not least, Mrs. Manners. She teaches literature, and it can be boring when you're reading random short stories that are complicated to understand. Sometimes we have to write a three-page essay on what we read, and it's crazy. But I think Mrs. Manners hates me because whenever I have in opinion, she calls me a knuckle-head or narrow-minded. I don't know why she hates me so much, but I think she likes the smarter people better than the opinion-minders.

As we entered the Calculus class, I explained to Mr. Smith why we came so late. He accepted our excuse, and greeted Dainu with wondrous eyes. Mr. Smith explained to Dainu what he was teaching the class and that he will come to him after class if he needed any help. Dainu sat next to me while Mr. Smith was continuing with his complicated problems. I was doodling in my journal, not caring what Mr. Smith was teaching since this class is so hard. Then Dainu raised his hand and spoke, "Excuse my interruption, Mr. Smith, but the equation you have presented is incomplete."

Everyone gasped, thinking that Dainu had insulted the teacher. Mr. Smith didn't look mad at all, just puzzled.

"You're new here, Dainu," he told him, "and I think you're a little confused with this equation. A calculus teacher is never wrong."

"I am not saying you are wrong, sir," Dainu said politely. "I said it is incomplete, and I can prove it. Where I come from, our studies are highly advance than this. May I demonstrate it to the class so I can confirm my statement?"

"Yes, sure. I would like to see what you'd learned on your planet," said Smith, excitedly.

Dainu got out of his seat, took the chalk from Mr. Smith's hand and started writing. He wrote some extra problems to his equation that were so unknown to us. Mr. Smith stared at it with puzzlement and astonishment. I could tell he had never seen those before. It was like a hidden message that was never discovered before. I still didn't understand it, but it was unbelievable what Dainu had discovered for us. When he was finished, he explained it to Mr. Smith and the whole class what that hidden answer was. Mr. Smith looked at him with eyes of experienced, mouth opened with awed, and an expression of excitement.

"Unbelievable!" he breathed. Then he slowly started clapping his hands, then it was followed by another echo of clapping hands, and then another, and another. The whole classroom roared with claps and cheers, I was cheering the loudest anyway. Dainu smiled thankfully at everyone and bowed. Finally, he sat back down and the class relaxed.

"Class, I want you to learn from Dainu," Mr. Smith said. "He is an exquisite genius like no other and has provided us a new discovery. Remember this, class, he is another being from another galaxy with advanced skills than us, and I say, he is truly quite out of the ordinary. We should all be proud of Dainu!"

Everyone clapped and cheered some more. I noticed a few kids in class looked disappointed and jealous at Dainu. The rest was amazed and happy for him. I knew he'd be successful from the beginning.

During the whole day, Dainu had pleased some of the teachers. In history, Mr. Dignan asked Dainu what he learned on his planet and what it was like there. In science, Dainu answered all of Mr. Snout's questions professionally. Mr. Snout was impressed and pleased for the first time. But when no one else answered his questions, he became furious again and gave us extra homework, except for Dainu. But Dainu knew it wasn't fair for the rest of the class and instanced on getting extra homework too. That was thoughtful of him.

After we ate lunch, we went to art class. Mrs. Lakes fell in love with Dainu as soon as he walked in. She welcomed him, introduced herself in a flattery way, and compliment on his features. She told him he had a god-like, "Orlando Bloom" face, a warrior body, skin smooth like milk and shaded like grass; and eyes like emerald. Dainu thanked her and told her that she was like a blossom with a sweet, attractive aroma. Mrs. Lakes looked like she was going to faint in his arms. Then, she ordered the class to draw him. She made him stand on a pedestal, draped a white cloth on him like a toga, gave him a plastic golden apple, and told him to pose. We drew Dainu the rest of the period, and when the bell rang for the next class, we all handed in our drawings to Mrs. Lakes and headed out. Mrs. Lakes kept Dainu behind, thanking him for joining the class, and complimenting him. But I think she was starting to flirt with him when she asked him how old he was. I told Mrs. Lakes we had to go and grabbed Dainu's hand and headed out. God, she's so weird; I'm going to have to keep an eye on her.

In physics, Dainu used his powers to demonstrate the magnetic forces. Ms. Kopaz brought out magnesium, and Dainu held it in his hand. Everyone in the lab came closer to watch Dainu's next cosmic magic. Everything was quiet and still, until unexpectedly, a pen zoomed in the blink of our eyes and attached itself to the magnesium. So did other metal things, like paper clips, pins, nails, washers, hair pins, bracelets, and leads. That was an amazing magnetic project I had ever seen. Unfortunately, the magnetic forces were so strong that some of the girls' metal earrings started to tug at their ears. One girl's nose ring was tugging so hard, her head was pulling close to the magnesium. I was afraid those earrings would fly off those girls' ears and nose. Without any gesture, or a wink of an eye, Dainu released the magnetic tug, and the metals relaxed themselves, even the girls' earrings. Everyone cheered and applauded at Dainu. The girls with the earrings hugged Dainu, thanking him for saving them from a bloody accident. Looks like that opposite forces does attract.

Every student and teacher immediately adored and loved Dainu. Finally, Dainu and I are popular, even more popular than Carmen. There were some kids I saw were jealous of Dainu: the jocks, the computer nerds, the math geniuses, and the girls like Carmen that wanted to have him. But I didn't care. They can be jealous all they want, it wasn't going to help.

When school was finally over, all the students said good-bye to him. Dainu said good-bye to them back. Soon everyone started to crowd around Dainu, like he was a popular celebrity. It was getting to chaotic around us, with all the yelling and pushing. I tried to push them back, but they didn't even notice me, like I was just another crazy fan. Somebody knocked me over, and I was on the ground in the middle of a stampede. I guarded my head with my arms so that I wouldn't get hit hard. I looked around for Dainu, but I couldn't see him anywhere with all this mess. I called to him, but I couldn't hear his response. I got knocked at the corner of my eye, almost sending my head on the floor. I yelled for Dainu, no one seems to hear me or they don't seem to care.

While I'm expecting to get stepped on, I noticed a hand reaching for me. I knew who it was, how can I forget that green hand. I was so relieved when Dainu had found me at last. I reach out and grabbed hold of his warm, smooth hand. With a blink of my eyes, I was not in the school anymore with all those crazy, excited people cramming the hallway. I was outside in the parking lot. I had a hunched that he teleported us out here from the calamity in the school. Thank God he found me and rescued me in time before I became a human pancake.

"Are you all right?" he asked gently.

"Yeah," I breathed. "I am now."

He pulled me up and smiled at me. His smile was so relaxing, I love his smile.

I heard other voices calling our names. They weren't the voices of crazy, excited fans; it was the voices of Amy and Pam. They were coming towards us, asking us if we were OK.

"Yeah, we're fine," I told them. "Dainu rescued me from that stampede in there. I was about to be stepped on."

"I know, it was getting too crazy in there," said Pam. "Me and Amy wanted to help you guys get out, but everyone was pushing and shoving all over the place. We were in the back, and we couldn't get through the crowd."

"But then we decided to wait for you two out here," Amy continued. "We had a feeling you two would be all right."

"Yeah, we're OK," I said. "But it was a killer in there."

"I know! I felt so claustrophobic in there," Amy laughed.

"You always feel claustrophobic everywhere," Pam joked.

Amy grimaced, and stuck her tongue out at her.

"Well, see you guys tomorrow," I waved.

"Wait!" Amy exclaimed. "What about my ride with Dainu? You promised, didn't you?"

"I wanna ride with Dainu first," Pam protested. "Why do I have to go second?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not you two!"

We couldn't help laughing. It was too funny the way Pam and Amy were fighting over Dainu as if he was a special Ken doll. Pam and Amy gave Dainu a big hug. Dainu said he likes getting affection from nice people like us.

"You're so sweet, I could eat you up," Amy said, pinching his cheek.

"Ooo-kay," I said. Pam and I looked at each other, and then back at Amy and Dainu.

Dainu laughed and said, "That would be very cannibalistic of you. Moreover, I am not very edible."

We all laughed some more. Amy cracked up so hard she even snorted.

We finally said over goodbyes and Dainu flew me back home. Still no sign of Dean anywhere, thank goodness.

When Dainu landed at my front yard, he thanked me and hugged me some more.

"It's no problem, Dainu," I said. "It was great having you at my school."

"Will you be showing me your city someday?" he asked.

"Um, I'm still thinking about that," I said, "and I'm still a little iffy about the society."

"Everyone at your school showed me great respect, so your society would not be a hassle."

"Maybe, but I still have to think about it, OK?"

"Understood," Dainu said. He reached out his hand and touched to corner of my eye. The spot where I was bruised during the stampede at school went away by his magical touch; even the pain was gone too. I touched it with my fingertips, and felt nothing. I smiled a big happy smile at Dainu, he smiled back. He's always happy and joyful, I like that in him and I want him to keep that.

We went into our houses. Another school day will be waiting for Dainu, and I want him to be happy. I don't want anyone putting him down, not even Carmen. I want this to be the time of his life.