Aloren had hung blue polka-dot curtains, used a matching tablecloth and a huge, brightly-colored rug, and put random things on the bookshelves. Vases or statues or something—Jacob didn’t go close enough to see what they were.
“Isn’t it awesome?” she said, spreading her arms wide. “I love it. And what’s even better—there aren’t holes in the ground like at the tower.”
“It’s, uh . . . it’s great.” Jacob grinned, putting his hands in his pockets. They’d started sweating the moment he and Aloren had walked into the tree. They were alone. Alone. He crossed his fingers that things would go well—that he wouldn’t embarrass himself by saying something stupid.
How would she feel if he tried to hold her hand again? Would it be better to wait? Or should he just reach out and grab it? He chewed the inside of his cheek. No, he’d wait—he needed to figure out how not to be nervous around her first. The last time he’d tried, it had taken him several minutes to get up the courage, and just as he had, she pulled away.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked, walking to the refrigerator. “This thing keeps food cold. It’s pretty awesome.”
“Yeah, I love them too.”
Jacob shook his head at himself. He loved fridges? He hadn’t ever even thought about them before—aside from being something that was in the kitchen. “And yes—I’d like a drink. What’ve you got?”
“Water. And soda. Do you like soda?”
“Definitely.”
She pulled out a two-liter bottle of root beer and poured him a glass. After putting the soda away, she sat across from him at the table, tracing patterns on the tablecloth. The colors in the air around her changed from bright green to a light orange—nervousness.
She took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking . . .”
He put his cup down. “About what?”
“And I’ve talked to the Makalos and they think it’s okay if . . . I . . . I’d like to attend your school, so I can meet humans my age and learn more about your world.”
She’d told Jacob a couple days before that there weren’t a lot of teenagers in Macaria. He was constantly amazed at how many people were killed by the Lorkon. After Jacob and his parents had escaped, the Lorkon went around killing infants and children, trying to find him. Guilt flooded over him. He’d caused so much destruction to Eklaron, simply by existing.
Then what she’d said hit him. “Wait. You want to come to school? That’s a great idea!” It made him excited to think he’d see her on earth too. He paused. “We’d have to ask my parents, though. Make sure it would be okay.”
She nodded. “Can we do that right now?”
“Why not? Mom’s home, and she’ll call my dad at work.”
“Great. Let’s go.” Aloren got up from the table, stepped to the door, and turned, smiling at Jacob.
His heart skipped around inside his chest—her smile was so pretty—and he felt his ears redden. He looked down, fumbling with the key in his hands. Finally, he got it in the lock the right way and took them to his house.
“Mom?” he called out. “You here?”
“In the office, honey.”
Jacob started across the living room, heading to the doorway of his parents’ study, but paused when he noticed that Aloren wasn’t following. She stood at the front door, staring as if she’d never seen it before. He looked around, seeing things through her eyes. The piano, fireplace, couches, pictures on tables and walls would all be foreign to her. He couldn’t wait to show her the TV and sound system in the family room!
“Wow,” she said, running a hand across the worn couch, fingering an old blanket, then crossing to the fireplace. “I love it—it’s so . . .” She turned to him, and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “So much like a real home. Where people who care for each other live.”
He raised an eyebrow, then quickly hid his surprise. That wasn’t what he’d expected—she didn’t even comment on the things that wouldn’t be in her own world. He cleared his throat, determined to ignore her emotions. “Yup.” He motioned her to follow him to the study.
“Um . . . Mom, you remember Aloren, right?”
“Your Majesty,” Aloren said, sinking to one knee.
Jacob’s mouth popped open, and his mom blushed.
“Oh. Oh, dear,” Mom said, walking around the desk. “Thank you—very much.” She pulled Aloren up.
“It’s such an honor to finally meet you—Gallus spoke of you and King Dmitri all the time.”
Mom’s cheeks flushed even redder. “It’s been many years since I was anywhere other than Taga Village.”
Aloren nodded. Then she looked at Jacob, her expression reminding him why they were there.
“Oh,” Jacob said. She wanted him to ask. He quickly explained Aloren’s idea to Mom.
“Well, I think it’ll work—it’s an excellent opportunity for you to increase your experience.” She walked around the desk. “But I need to talk it over with Dmitri first. Step out for a moment, please, and shut the door. I’ll call him.”
They left the room and Jacob sat next to Aloren on the couch—his mom had just called Dad Dmitri! Weird.
Neither said anything. Jacob folded his arms and looked at the wall in front of him, careful not to inadvertently touch Aloren. She leaned back and gazed at the ceiling, staring at the light fixture, twirling a strand of hair in her fingers. Mom’s muffled voice came through the door, but Jacob couldn’t understand what she was saying. Finally, she put the phone down and came out.
“King Dmitri and I would like to talk it over with both of you before giving our go-ahead. Come on in.” She held the door for Jacob and Aloren.
“Aloren?” Dad’s voice came out of the speakerphone.
Aloren jumped, then leaned forward, looking at the device on the desk. “It’s really a phone. Wow.”
“Yes. We want to make sure you’re absolutely clear on something before we allow you to attend school here.”
Aloren nodded. “Whatever you think is necessary.”
“No one—not one person—knows anything about another world and the link to it near our house. You must be extremely careful in your communications with others—both students and teachers.”
“I will. I promise.”
“And we’d rather you not get involved in any after-school activities. Once the final class lets out, you’ll return to Eklaron right away.”
Aloren folded her hands in her lap. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Last, have you spoken with Gallus about this? He’s the one who needs to give permission.”
Aloren blushed. “I haven’t—it didn’t occur to me.”
“Do you have your Minya with you?”
Aloren lifted the knapsack she always carried. “Yes—Hazel is here. I’m getting her out now.”
“Good.”
No one said anything while Aloren opened Hazel’s container. Hazel’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at Aloren, then she waved to Jacob, who grinned back at the little creature.
“Okay, she’s ready.”
“Hazel, can you hear me?”
Hazel nodded. “Yes.”
Dad asked the Minya to deliver a message to Gallus, telling the man about Aloren’s desire to attend school on earth with Jacob.
Jacob leaned forward in his chair, paying close attention to the conversation between Gallus, his parents, and Aloren as Hazel flitted back and forth, delivering messages. He crossed his fingers, hoping everyone would agree that having Aloren attend school would be a good idea.
Hazel flashed back with Gallus’s final message, giving his permission just so long as Aloren made sure to follow the king and queen’s instructions closely.
“All right, Aloren,” Dad said from the phone. “It looks like you’re going to be Mountain Crest High School’s newest student.”
Aloren grinned broadly, getting to her feet. “Wonderful!”
Mom smiled. “I’ll take you to the school in a minute to meet with a counselor and set up classes—we’ll say you’re an exchange student.” She looked over Aloren’s clothes. “Those should work for now—the leather pants aren’t too different, and people here occasionally wear cotton tops like that. You won’t stand out too much, and I’ll take you shopping later.” She paused, thinking. “But we want to make sure your first day isn’t awkward. Jacob, how about you take her over to Tani’s after school lets out?”
Jacob knit his eyebrows. “Why?”
“It would be nice if she already knew someone outside of our family.”
“Oh, yeah. Tani’s great.”
Mom and Aloren left right away. Jacob shot hoops in the driveway until it started snowing, then he stood looking up at the sky, enjoying the feel of the falling snowflakes. They didn’t stick to the ground, and nothing would for probably another month.
He waited outside for a long time, then finally gave up when it got too cold and went to read in his bedroom.