The street in the residential area is empty as compared to the continuously thinking crowd at the market.

We have been walking for a few minutes now.

I can't still stop internally chuckling at the scowl permanently itched in Skye's face as we went different ways.

Good for him.

My brothers have been in the same school as me and having three bothers is not easy.

Especially when they are determined on chasing away any guy that shows any interest in me other than friendship. That is the reason Thane had stuck for so long or my brothers, even Ash would have made it their lives mission to keep him away.

Zane walked a few feet ahead of, me, pale yellow light occasionally illuminating his well-built frame. He hasn't said a word since the ice-cream parlor.

Not that I mind, I am actually quite grateful that he has not brought up that specific topic.

The air here in Urydale is still warm; humid, despite it being October. As I had so intelligently chosen to wear a full sleeve shirt with jeans, they stuck to me like a second skin.

" Why is it so hot here" I grumbled in irritation, folding my sleeve up to my elbows.

Zane chuckled, his laugh echoing in the nearly empty street.

" Urydale is next to Kavery, it is a coastal town so we get to share the humidity but have no part of the beach here" He explained, slowing down to walk beside me.

I wanted to smack my head, again.

Of course, I had read about that, I could have avoided wearing these suffocating cloths.

" So that is why people were looking at me weird because I am covered head to toe" I answered, motioning a hand to indicate my clothing.

" No" He answered beside me and I turned to face him, walking backward to catch the fleeting expressions on his blank face.

" Why then, care to enlighten" I probed further, desperate for even a drop of information on this strange town.

He looked at me, studying my face with an intensity that caused a light blush to slowly creep up my cheeks.

I turned back, hiding my face from his clear view to walk beside him.

" What brought you to Urydale" he changed the question. I tensed at that but didn't slow my pace hoping to hide any indication that I was bothered .

" My grandma, I wanted to see her" I replied meeting his gaze.

Lying 101 - Look in the eye while speaking.

He nodded at me, " why now" He questioned further, but I didn't reply.

We can continue to play this game all the way to his house. Because I am not gullible enough to stupidly answer his questions and he is clever enough to hide them from me.

" Why should I tell you, you didn't answer mine" I replied in a teasing tone, but we both knew the meaning. I have simply put forth the unspoken game.

Neither of us spoke after that and a peaceful silence fell in the gap.

I raised my head and took in the enchanting sight above me.

Stars twinkled on the thick black canvas.

No, not the sparse kind, the magical kind, dotting the blue-black night sky with shining pearls.

A full moon smiled from between the clouds. I craned my neck back desperate to click the scene in my eyes.

A smile graced my lips, the street is not huddled by tall buildings, rather they are lined with small two-story houses on both sides.

Staying low, to the ground and not trying to grab the heaven above.

I sighed in content, how I wish to stay here, under the clear sky in a forgotten town where no one knows me. No one to judge me.

" It is beautiful" I breathed into the slowly cooling night.

" How is it in Athesy, how does it look," Zane asked in a calm voice.

I looked at him, his face tilted upward to watch the stars with me. Blue eyes shining with silver.

" It is beautiful there too, not the natural kind but still beautiful." I paused and looked back up. "there are buildings, marvelous buildings dotting the city, admirable bridges, architecture. At night the whole city is illuminated with lights, colorful lights that create a breathtaking pattern when seen from above. But there are no stars, I barely see them there."

We must look like idiots, walking on the empty street with our head stretched back to look at the sky.

Lost in our own thoughts I didn't even notice that we have turned a corner and we were approaching a house.

There were houses on both sides of the street, but they didn't have a very angry Skye standing at their door. Arms crossed as he tapped his foot on the ground, a scowl still pasted on his face.

I quickly composed myself, snapping back to reality. I speed walked to reach my brother at the door to a house.

He unfolded his arms and opened the door, stepping inside. I stole a glance at Zane who was walking lazing to the door and quickly stepped inside, leaving the door open for him.

" Ariel you are late" Ash, no Mick grabbed my hand and pulled me to a room.

Dinner sat on the table with a chair occupied by a man in his fifties. Hairs peppered with grey and white he smiled at me, raising from his chair to greet me.

" Hello Ariel I am Jason, Mick told me what you did for him and I can't thank you enough for that."

" No no, thank you Mr. Romaro for letting us stay in your house" I shook his hand, returning his smile with a warmer one.

" Ariel take a chair the food is getting cold" Kera directed gently as she lowered in a chair beside Mr. Romaro.

I quickly nodded and drew a chair next to Skye. Mick took the chair beside me and soon Zane occupied the only empty chair on the table.

Dinner went peacefully smooth and uneventful. I nodded at Kera before letting Mick tug my hand to the staircase. I followed the overly enthusiastic seven-year-old to a door. Mick clutched the handle and pushed it open.

" Here is your room" Mick went and sat on the bed proudly showing me the room that was supposedly just one door from his.

The room wasn't much. Paling in comparison to my room in Athesy but the generosity showered by the family increased the worth its ten folds.

It was accommodated with necessities, a bed, a small table, and a closet.

Not like I had any use for a vanity. I chuckled at my thought.

The sight of the bed before me suddenly drew weakness to my limbs. The toils of the day showing symptoms in the form of cramps in my legs.

Now I didn't want to do anything but jump on the bed and wake up in the next century.

If only I could hibernate.

After ushering Mick out of the room I unzipped my suitcase and pulled out my panda print nightsuit.

I bolted the door and quickly changed into my night suit, I can't take a shower now when I can barely stand. I picked up my toothbrush and walked to the bathroom door. I twisted the doorknob and yanked it open, stepping inside.

I patted the wall to locate the switchboard and flicked random switched before I found the one. There was a sink and a mirror on my left and the shower on my right.

What should have been questioned was the door directly in front of me. But I was too tired to bother with that so I quickly rinsed my brush under the water and applied toothpaste on it.

What is an aftershave doing here? I picked up the unmistakable bottle of aftershave. There were male products on the counter. I have enough brothers to know them without the need to read their labels.

I shrugged it aside and took on with the task.

I brushed my teeth while looking at my appearance in the mirror. My silver hairs were still tied in a now sloppy ponytail. Fatigue clear on my droopy shoulders to my almost closing eyelids. I forced my hand to brush my teeth quickly.

Unannounced, the door to my right opened outwards and Zane stepped in, clad in t-shirt and shorts.