When I woke up, I felt like I was being suffocated. There was an uncomfortable weight on my chest, and I wasn't sure exactly where I was. I tried to open my eyes, but there was brightness that made it impossible to see my surroundings for the moment.

Then, I heard the voices.

"Ray, I think we need to put on another blanket." It took me a moment to process the first voice, who seemed to sound familiar.

"I don't think there's another blanket in this entire apartment. And anyway, I don't think we need to worry about Gi freezing to death. She's inside now." When the second voice spoke, I was more awake, and I knew exactly who was there.

It took nearly all of my energy, but I managed to slowly sit up, fully opening my eyes and looking over at my two friends, who were arguing right outside of my room.

"What time is it?" It wasn't a great question, but it was the first one I could think of.

At least I know my voice is still working, I thought, looking down at the mass of blankets that I had been under.

"It's the year 3000," My friend, who had been the source of the first voice, said, a goofy grin across his face. "We found you inside of a glacier, it seems you were-- Ow!" His elaborate spheal was cut off by being elbow in the ribs by my other friend, Ray.

"That's not funny. Gi could've died!" They shook their head before looking at me, leaning on the doorframe. "How're you feeling?"

"Weird," I said, and that was the truth. Everything ached, and I felt like I had been hit by a truck, but at the same time, I felt like I could run a mile. And, I was starving.

"Uh, we didn't get a protocol for weird, Ray." My friend leaned towards Ray, acting as if he was whispering.

"How about you tell me what time is it, Jacob?" I tried to get out of the blanket-mountain, which was when I realized what I was wearing. I was still wearing the clothes I had been wearing the night before, including the jacket that had been put on me. I could feel that my socks were off though, so at least my feet weren't still wet.

"Fine, it's ten in the morning." Jacob walked over, helping me with some of the blankets, before grabbing my arms and starting to help me stand up.

"We got here 'bout an hour ago." Ray stayed by the doorway, shaking their head. "I don't think you should be moving."

"I'm fine," I reassured them, as I nearly collapsed onto the ground. "I need to get changed into something else, though, so you two, scoot." I leaned against my bed frame, giving the two a shooing motion with my hand.

"We'll make you food!" Jacob patted me on the head like I was shorter than him (I'm taller by two inches), and ran out of the room, before I could yell at him.

When my door slammed shut, I slowly made my way to the one mirror in my room, assessing my current condition.

Assessment: I looked absolutely awful.

My dark hair was still wet in some places, clinging to my skin as if it was holding on for dear life. My face was red, and my face was puffy, like I had been crying.

Had I been crying?

My eyes were unfocused, and the bags that were always under my eyes seemed even more prevalent. Not to even mention my clothing, which was sticking to me in weird places, and the dark purple winter coat, which did not match, was too big for me, and was not mine.

I slowly took the coat off, placing it on a chair before changing into dry clothes.

After changing into sweatpants and a sweatshirt, I walked out into the living area of the apartment, which was when I realized something quite important.

"Where's my dad?" I yelled out as I grabbed a hairbrush from the bathroom, before slowly moving to the couch in the living area.

"He's still at work, since that area hasn't been plowed out yet. Ray's mom drove us here after he called to ask us to check up on you," Jacob answered from the kitchen, which was basically just an extension of the living room.

"Jay, look at what you're doing!" Ray quickly moved something that was on the stove, punching Jacob lightly on the shoulder. I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them, sitting down and brushing my hair out.

"Should I ask what you two are making?"

"No." Ray put the thing that was on the stove back, before turning back to whatever they were doing. "Do you think Greenstein will show up today?"

"Hope not. Need to find a way to cover up what happened... I mean, well--"

"We know what happened. Pretty sure Greenstein knows too," Jacob said in what was an attempt at a reassuring tone, but it didn't help.

"Well, that's it," I laid down on the couch dramatically, "this is the last you'll ever see of me. I'm getting thrown into solitude."

"We're not going to let that happen, Gi." Jacob put down whatever he was holding, which I couldn't fully see from where I was lying down. "After all, we've known eachother how long?"

"Ten years." Ray didn't stop what they were doing.

"Ten years. Exactly. No one's going to tear the three of us apart that easily. And any-- ah crap!" I heard some clanging in the kitchen, but I didn't bother it. I was lost in my own thoughts.

I didn't want to talk about how we were almost torn apart the night before. Now that I was distracted from the cold, I felt a sense of guilt arise within me.

Was I really going to leave everything I know, just like that? I thought, curling up on my side. I've known Nadia for just as long, no longer than those two, but should I have made that decision so quickly? Do I actually want to leave?

Wanting to distract myself, I reached for the remote, turning on the TV and leaving it on the station that it was already on. The news station. Not the most uplifting, but I was too tired to flip through the few channels that weren't blocked.

After a bit of watching the latest on the snowstorm (and nearly falling asleep while doing so), I felt fingers running through my hair. Looking up, I saw Ray standing over me, holding a bowl.

"Here's food." They handed the bowl to me as I sat up, Jacob walking over with two more bowls, one for him, and one for Ray.

"Mac and Cheese? It took you two all that for instant Mac and Cheese?" I couldn't help but laugh as I realized this, with all the changing that I had heard in the kitchen.

"I never said I was good at cooking." Jacob shoved my legs aside so he could sit on the couch, though I put my legs across him as soon as he sat down.

"Well, you should know how to not set my kitchen on fire." I waited until Ray sat down before leaning against them, my head against their shoulder. "But, thanks."

The three of us started to eat, not speaking much as we did so. I didn't mind. It was better that I didn't have to talk about what happened the night before.

I didn't think I would even know how.

Our relative peace was eventually ruined by a piece of "Breaking News", as the news anchor put it.

"There have been more sightings of Albany's newest threat as of last night," I froze as the news anchor began, feeling my eyes lock onto the television screen, "traveling through the storm was Agnidev, who..."

I felt Ray wrap their arm around my waist, holding me tightly. I pulled my eyes away from the screen, trying to tune out the voice and instead focus on the two beside me.

Agnidev was not a name that people wanted to hear. At first, he was a joke. Some white dude that, somehow being jealous of the warming relationship between Roopal and the government, found the first "cool" name he could find and claimed that he was the greatest. That was, until, people realized that he was really a Superhuman. One with the ability to summon fire on command.

People's worst nightmare.

To make matters worse for people like me, he was constantly scouring the city for people to bring into his new "army". The government was always a step behind him.

Had he seen Nadia and I last night?

"Hey, let's watch the cooking channel," Jacob said, trying to break the tension that had fallen over us.

"Good... good idea." I sunk against Ray as I spoke, feeling every muscle in my body being a bit too tense for my liking.

Jacob fumbled for the remote, but before he could change the channel, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it." I stood up, feeling my heart work a bit too hard for what could be considered normal as I walked over.

Don't let it be Greenstein don't let it be Greenstein don't let it be—

"Mrs. Greenstein! I, uh, didn't expect you were coming in this kind of weather." I forced as best of a smile as I could, though I didn't know why I even tried.

"Giovanna, you should know that—"

"Hi!" Before Mrs. Greenstein could scold me about whatever, Jacob popped up behind me, cutting her off.

"Hello, Jacob," Greenstein's eyes darted to the side for a moment, before regaining her composure, "I'm guessing the third one is here too?"

"Yes." I moved to the side to let Mrs. Greenstein in, feeling my face flush slightly. Her movements were deliberate, and she set some things down the kitchen counter a bit too hard for my liking. I kept my eyes down, becoming very interested in a scuff on the floor.

"How are you feeling, Giovanna?" She asked, opening up her computer and beginning to furiously type a password in.

"Tired." I saw Jacob's feet leave my field of sight, probably going back to Ray. Greenstein stayed quiet. I stayed quiet. I knew her tricks.

"Why don't you sit? We need to go over a few, arrangements for the next few weeks," Mrs. Greenstein sighed, rubbing her temples. "And I know you'd tell those two as soon as possible, so I'll let them stay."

I rushed over back to the couch, now sitting on the end, next to Jacob. All for the better, though, since I knew that I needed to not lean on top of the two. In front of Greenstein, I always felt awkward doing things like that.

"So," Mrs. Greenstein began, sitting down, "I have good news, and bad news. What would you like first?"

"I bet there's an order to your news." I gripped the edge of the couch, keeping my eyes away from Greenstein.

"You need the good news first." I glanced over as she muttered this, typing on her computer. "Well, you aren't in any trouble. Roopal spoke for the two of you, he could tell something was, off. So, we can pretend that it never happened, and focus on your recovery."

"And the bad news?" Jacob spoke before I could, stopping Mrs. Greenstein's train of thought. Like he always does. It's surprising she still lets him around.

"Well, I'm guessing you three already heard of Agnidev's whereabouts." Mrs. Greenstein pointed at the television, which was still on the news. "Because of the timing of your, incident, you're going to have to be under constant surveillance."

"Aren't I always under surveillance?" I asked, in a sort of sarcastic way, and a sort of non-sarcastic way.

"I mean, you have to stay here. In this apartment." Mrs. Greenstein lowered her computer screen slightly, waiting until I was looking at her to continue. "No leaving."

"Are you trying to make me go insane?"

"No, I'm making sure you stay safe." Mrs. Greenstein opened her computer back up, typing quickly. "The world is becoming more dangerous right now. We're protecting you."

That shot me like a bullet. Nadia was trying to protect me. But she wanted to leave. They wanted me to stay.

"Gi!" I didn't realize I was frozen until Jacob shook my shoulder, snapping me out of my daze.

"I'm fine." The words came out like clockwork; I felt them before I thought about them.

"You sure?" Jacob's hand laid on my shoulder, and I felt myself come back into reality.

"Yeah."

"We can talk more tomorrow, Giovanna. For now, why don't you take this." Mrs. Greenstein fished a small red book, complete with its own matching pen. "I want you to write diary entries in it. It'll be private, don't worry, I just think it would be good for you."

I took the diary from Mrs. Greenstein, holding it close to me as I watched her pack up. I wasn't planning on really using it; I always felt that diaries were a waste of time.

"Thank you," I said anyway, knowing that I had to be polite.

"Well, Giovanna, Jacob, Raymond," we all cringed on that part, for no one really uses Ray's full name. It just didn't sound right to us. "I must be going now. I hope to see you all soon."

After our chorus of "goodbyes", Mrs. Greenstein walked out, leaving the three of us alone again. I felt agitated, and I just needed to be alone with my thoughts.

"I, I need to get some more sleep." I rushed into my room before I was given an answer, shutting the door behind me and jumping into bed.

I wasn't lying, though. Soon after my head hit the pillow, I let myself be taken by the relief of the unconscious, and fell asleep.