After a few days of school, Evanthia and I decided to go shopping. It was a Sunday. Eva and I wanted to spend the whole day together so we decided to go to a mall. Elliot Shopping Centre, we decided.

As we entered Elliot, we began conversing.

"So, do you like this place now?" She asked me.

"Of course I do. It's a little different and new. But I still miss New York. It will always be my first home." I replied calmly.

"Good to know. And don't worry, very soon you'll be so comfortable in this place that you'll never feel like going back. " she told me.

I fiddled with the ends of my hair. "Maybe. Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"You know, you don't have to ask me that. Please, ask whatever you want to. No objections at all." She replied.

I gently asked her, "I was wondering, where you bought that necklace? It looks..."

"Exactly like yours. I know. I've been wanting to ask you the same question. My grandma gave this necklace to me." She replied.

"Oh my god! My grandma gave mine to me too." I said.

"That's so cool! What a coincidence!" She exclaimed.

"I know right! I'd like to meet your grandma sometime." I said.

"She's no more. She passed away when I was four years old. I don't even remember how she looked." She said, trying to cover the pain.

"Oh, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have brought up the topic." I said.

"No problem. I'm over it now." She replied.

We tried on a lot of dresses and helped each other in choosing some of them. It was a lot of fun. The last time I felt so happy was when I spent time with my best friends in New York.

Later, we went to the McD and ate lunch together. I came to know a lot about Evanthia that day. She had a small family too. She had a younger brother named Caleb, who was very mischievous. Her grandma was no more and she missed her a lot but wouldn't admit it. She was still a little lonely and loved reading books.

"Why do you love reading so much?" I asked out of curiosity.

"The same reason why you like watching movies and television." She replied.

"Because, I find it more interesting. Plus, it's much easier to picture it as a movie." I said.

"Same. Only that I feel like I've entered a new world when I'm reading. I can imagine any scene the way I want to. It's like I'm a director of the film in my mind." She said.

"That's a good reason, only that it still wouldn't reduce my love for movies."

"It isn't intended too."

"Okay, so my parents and my grandma want to meet you. They're very surprised that I've made such a good friend in little time. "

"Sure, I'll come over whenever you want."

As we went out of the mall, we bumped into Eva's good friend.

"Dina! OMG! I'm so glad to see you!"

"Me too! We're talking after so long! What are you doing here? Who's this?" Dina asked.

I looked at the dark complexioned girl standing in front of me. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wore a black shirt with blue jeans. She was a little taller than me.

"She's my new friend, Callidora! We had come here to shop for homecoming" Eva told her, trying to ignore the fact that I was still staring blankly.

"Already? Homecoming is a month away." Dina replied.

"Dina darling, the sales don't always show up.", Eva said.

"Point noted. Hi Callidora, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." Dina said as she turned towards me.

"You have?" I asked. " I actually remember seeing you somewhere." I said curiously.

Dina and Eva started laughing.

"You must have seen her in school! She's in your English and French class." Eva said.

"Right." I said, remembering the time Dina had helped me cover up notes in French class. I was so embarrassed at that moment.

"It's okay, mistakes happen. I couldn't even pronounce Eva's name properly in those early days we met. Well, I should get going. It's late. See ya girls tomorrow in school." She said and went into the mall.

"Looks like I should get going too. Mom's going to freak out if I'm gone past 7." I said.

"Sure, shall I drop you then?" She asked me.

"You don't have to. I'll walk it. It's close by." I answered.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes. I'm good. Thanks, by the way. I had a lot of fun today." I replied.

"Me too. See you at school tomorrow." She said and rode off on her bicycle.

"See you." I said and waved.

Somehow It was a little weird how both of us clicked so quickly like as though there was some past connection. But maybe I was overthinking so I let the thought roll over my back and headed home.

Little did I realise that I was being watched.

In the evening, I showed my mom and grandma everything I had shopped. I gave grandma the purse I had bought for her and gave mum the perfume. They truly loved it.

After dinner, mom and dad went to bed. Just as I jumped on my bed, Grandma came inside my room. She wanted me to massage her head as she had been having a headache. As I slowly brushed her white hair, I told Grandma all about Evanthia. Grandma patiently listened to my entire story but surprisingly she didn't utter a word throughout.

After the massage, I asked her "Why didn't you say anything, Grandma?"

She replied "Do I always need to talk?", slightly annoyed.

I didn't quite understand the question.

"What do you mean, Grandma?"

Grandma sighed.

She said "Let it go, Cal, dear. I'm really tired. I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight."

"You know, you can always trust me and share your problems with me, right? Please don't pretend that everything's okay." I assured her.

Grandma gave another sigh as slowly said, "It's just that I feel bad for the girl. She sounds like a good person. She doesn't deserve the sadness."

"What sadness grandma?" I asked.

"You said that she was sad that she lost her grandmother. I was referring to that." Grandma replied.

"Yes. You're right, Grandma. But whenever I try to ask her about it, she avoids the question. I wish I could do something to make her feel better. " I said.

"Maybe you can. I'd like to meet that girl sometime. She sounds fun. Call her for supper tomorrow." Grandma suggested.

"That's a great idea, Grannyyyy!!! You're the best! I'm sure she'll like you too!" I exclaimed and gently kissed her on her cheek.

We wished each other good night and she left, leaving me with my thoughts.

The next day I walked my way to school. It felt like the day was going to be really long. It was a Monday and I hated Mondays to the core. I would always end up mentally sleeping during classes.

Just as I sat beside Evanthia during English, I noticed two more new students.

The girl came and sat in front of me, next to Dina. She had light brown, curly hair and wore a sleeveless shirt and mini skirt. The boy placed himself somewhere in the front of the class. He looked really cute. He had chocolate brown hair, brown eyes and was tall and fair complexioned.

Just then I whispered to Dina and Eva, "Cute boy at 12 o clock!"

Dina said, "Yeah he's cute, but not as cute as the boy at 3 o'clock!"

I replied, "Not as cute as mine!"

Dina said" ooooohhh yours already. Ooooohhh Cal! Full on!!"

I giggled softly trying to hide myself blushing.

"Are you talking about my brother?" The new girl suddenly questioned.

"Umm, actually..." I started saying nervously.

"It's okay. I have no objections. I agree he's cute. My name is Lucy by the way. "

"Hi Lucy! I'm Callidora." I said and then Eva and Dina introduced themselves.

Lucy seemed like a sweet person, we thought. She was really cheerful and kind.

The English teacher came and began her lessons.

"So what's your brother's name?" I asked just as class ended.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Lucy asked me.

"No way. Are you serious? He'll think I'm a creep to randomly go and ask him that." I replied.

Lucy laughed and said "I see what's going on here!"

"No. Nothing's going on yet. I just think I can't approach a cute guy." I said.

"Aw, Cal is shy! Look at her blushing!" Dina exclaimed.

"Dina shut up!" I scolded her.

After that I attended Chemistry, Physics and even French. Lunch break also flew by but I didn't get to know that cute guy's name. I was so restless by the end of the day. Yet, Lucy was determined make me stronger and ask him myself for some reason.