My first waking thought is strangely of my first grade teacher, Ms. Dugger. She was a kind-hearted lady with an even kinder voice. So tender and sweet, it was hard to imagine her as anything other than a first grade teacher.

I don't know why I thought of her, only that I did and waking up, I'm slightly confused as to where I am.

Home. I'm home, okay.

Warm sunset colors fill my room, indicating my cat nap wasn't too extensive.

"Xalale." He's my next thought. The one that gets me out of bed and in search of him. He should've been finished with his shower and already changed.

I don't have to search too long to find him wandering the family room, observing everything in the it.

His hair is still damp and he's inspecting the wall of pictures near the television set.

"Oh God, don't look at those." I don't realize I spoke out loud until he turns his attention to me, slightly startled.

"Uh, sorry," I mumble coming closer. "I just hate some those pictures of me."

I'm so unphotogenic it's not even funny.

Glancing over at me, he resumes perusing the collection of framed memories, not saying anything.

Nearly every shot had me in it, save my parents' wedding picture, a portrait of my maternal grandparents, and a picture taken of my parents on their honeymoon cruise.

A collage of photos with me at different stages of my life hang on the wall. Me as a young infant only a few days old, a smiling face propped between my radiant parents, six years old with a Sleeping Beauty backpack and lunch box ready to start the beginning of my education, a tooth or two missing from my smile. There were others, but I never realized how embarrassed I'd be having someone else other than family observing my pictures.

"How did you create these?" His eyes held that same intrigue that I saw when showing him the shower.

"Uh, well I didn't create them per say, but-" I walk over to the closet and pull out a camera. "I can show you how to make them, I guess."

He watches in silence as I turn on the device and face it at him. The flash surprises him but he recovers once I show him.

"See, you just hit this button and it takes a picture of you."

"Hm."

"It can also take videos."

Confusion clouds his eyes. "What's that?"

"Let me show you."

I switch to the video option and click the button to start recording.

"You see the blinking red light in the corner?" I ask focusing the view on him.

"Yes, what does it mean?"

"It means it's recording right now. Then if I hit the button again,"- I press the button- "It stops recording hence the blinking light ceases to blink."

I find the saved video and show him the results.

"It's like a moving picture with sound," I explain.

I've never seen such a look of bewilderment on his face before as he observes the footage. Well, this has to be like alien technology to him seeing how he comes from a place with no plumbing.

"You want to try?" I ask already giving him the camera.

He appears apprehensive at first but decides to give it a shot. I make sure to switch back to camera mode.

"When you're ready just press down on that button on the top, okay?"

Not responding, he holds up the camera, the bright flash blinding me momentarily.

"That was really bright." I rub my eyes. "Next time a little heads up would be nice."

"Who made this?" He asks, ignoring my last comment.

"Oh God, I hope he won't try to quiz me on the history of every object." If all else fails I could always make up an imaginary person.

"The camera or like the invention of the camera?" I asks confuse.

"The inventor." He says with slight exasperation at my inability to read his mind.

"Uh...crap."

"Alexander Graham Bell."

"Sounds factual enough."

"Hm." He sets the camera aside and returns to observing the framed pictures.

I don't know what to do with myself so I head into the kitchen.

Returning home has countless perks, one of the biggest being that the foods I enjoy are right at my reach.

Opening up the fridge, I peer in to take inventory.

"What to have, what to have?" I ponder silently.

Reaching in, I pull out a slice of peach pie that my dad brought not too long ago. At least it shouldn't be too long ago- my mind is still out of tune with the time delay.

Walking back through the family room to head to my room, I notice him inspecting the television this time.

"What is this?" He asks, glancing at me.

I stop and set my plate down.

"It's a TV."

"What does it do?"

I'm already answering that question as I pick up the turner, point it at the television, and watch as the screen brightens with life.

His expression is mostly unreadable, but the fascination in his eyes tell it all.

Apparently the last channel my mom was watching was the Home and Garden network. I press the guide button and scroll through the infinite channels.

"There's practically a channel for everything. Even some things we don't need." I add.

"What do you mean by channels?"

I stop at Animal Planet. "A channel is kind of like a main topic for the shows and movies that the channel features if that makes sense.

North Woods Law is on and in the middle of a tense scene.

"I still am not fully understanding the purpose of this."

I purse my lips. It's actually kind of hard to describe something you use so often and is so simple to you.

"It's mainly for entertainment and enjoyment," I explain. "TV shows are usually 30 minutes or an hour depending on the show. Movies are longer and have to show a continual story in a certain amount of time. Sorry if this isn't making any sort of sense, I suck at explaining."

The tense scene is cut short as the commercials begin.

"And this," I sigh. "Would be the devil's work. A.k.a commercials. They're usually pointless, annoying, long, and just a waste of time. It's just companies trying to get you to buy their crap."

"Isn't this whole invention a pointless, waste of time?"

"Huh?"

He glances at me. "Why would you spend an hour watching this?"

"Because..." Damn him for making a valid point.

"There are actually useful channels. Like the news." I change to the news channel, which happens to be showing the 7 o'clock news. "The news tells you important events happening around the country and throughout the world. So even the most distant people can know what's happening. It's quick, easy, and informative."

"Hm."

I could tell this impressed him a bit more.

"Communication doesn't take long here does it?"

"Not at all." I go over to a side table and point to the phone. "You can call anywhere in the world and speak with anyone using this one device."

"How does it work?"

"Um...I'm not really sure, something with switches and radio waves...maybe."

Unimpressed with me, he faces the TV again.

I pick up my plate again but am stopped, this time, by the familiar sound of tires driving on gravel. My heart skips a beat once I realize what this means.

Hastily, I find the remote and turn off the TV, much to Xalale's dissatisfaction, and begin trying to drag him to my room.

"Come on, you've got to hide." I insist.

"What are you going on about?" He growls.

"My parents are home and if they see you here they're going to flip then there'll be a lot of explanation on my part and- no, you've got to hide."

We make it to my room just as I hear a vehicle door being slammed.

"Stay here and don't make any noise." I instruction.

I'm out the door, closing it behind me before I can see the annoyed expression on his face. Hurrying to the front door, I try not to appear too flustered as my dad steps into the house.

He smiles upon seeing me.

"Hey Mal, whatcha been up to?"

He gives me a kiss on my forehead and walks to the kitchen. I'm trailing closely behind, praying to God that Xalale doesn't cause any loud interruptions- but then again it's him and not me, so there's probably nothing to worry about.

"You get my toolbox out the shed like I asked ya to this morning?" He says, setting his work hat down at the table.

"Hm?"

"My toolbox. I called you this morning for it."

"You mean two weeks ago." I think.

"Uh, no, sorry. It must've spilled my mind. I can go get it for you now."

Secretly I'm hoping he says no and I don't have to leave the house leaving him alone to find Xalale in my room. Imagine the mess I'd have to clean up then.

"Nah, I'll go out and get it." He says waving off my offer. "Your mom not home yet?"

"I guess not."

I feel the need to stand in the entryway leading to my room, though I know my dad would never walk in there anyway. Still, I'm nervous he might get curious.

"Well let me go and head to the shed 'fore it gets pitch black out there."

A small sigh of relief leaves me as he gets up and heads for the door. I don't know how most storybook heroes do this with aliens and robots they're trying to hide- I find it tiresome.

Watching him disappear into the woods through the screen door, my relief is short-lived once I spot another car pulling into the driveway.

"Great."

My mom is ten times more observant than my dad. She could tell something was off just by walking into the place. This might turn out bad for me.

"Hey mom," I call out the screen door. I hope my voice doesn't give me away.

Smiling, she closes the driver's side door and walks around to the passenger side to pull out two big bags of takeout. I head outside to help her.

As I approach, she greets, "Hey sweetie. I see your dad's home already-"

Cutting her off, I run into her giving her a crushing hug. I wasn't half expecting it myself so I know it catches her by surprise. Seeing and hearing her voice again remained me how desperately I missed her. I try to hold back the tears, but a few escape and stain her shirt.

She lets me have my moment before finally pulling me back and giving me a concerned look.

"Mallory, what's wrong?"

Her concerned face causes me to smile- tears brimming in my eyes- and hug her again.

"Nothing. I just-" I step back and breathe. "I just realized how much I missed you today. Can't a girl act strange every now and then."

The lines of worry start fading away and she shakes her head at me, a smile returning to her face.

"You're such a spontaneous spirit. Strange doesn't cover it."

We share another smile before she hands me one of the bags to take into the house.

"What took you so long to come home?" I ask.

She lets out a frustrated sigh. "Traffic was a beast going to and from the Chinese place."

"Aww, you went all that way for us?"

"Only the best for my family. Even if it means having to deal with knuckleheads who don't know how to merge properly."

"I'm never learning how to drive. My bike is good enough."

"Yeah, well, that bike won't be fun when it's raining and you're stuck in rush hour."

We begin our usual routine without even knowing it. Taking out plates and utensils, setting the table, plating the food, laughing and talking- it felt normal, it felt like home.

We're only interrupted by the sound of the front door and my dad's voice.

"Fran, you home?"

"In here." She calls.

"Well this is probably the best sight to see." He smiles kissing her and sitting down. "My family and a nice meal."

"I got you a big thing of dumplings that'll be enough for the rest of the week."

"Knowing dad, it'll probably only last him a day or two." I joke.

We all laugh then settle down to pray and eat. I couldn't help but treasure this simple time more than ever. Eating Chinese food, talking and sharing stories with my parents, sitting at my own seat in my own house. Nothing in the world could ever compare to this moment.

"Mallory?"

I glance up at my mom, a dumpling halfway to my mouth.

"Mrs. Mershire called me on my way home today and asked if you would be interested in watching Clifford tomorrow."

Opening my mouth to protest, she beats me to it.

"I know you said you were done babysitting, but she seemed desperate and Clifford, he's a good boy, he's not too much of a handful."

"That's what everyone said about all the other kids I babysat so far," I grumble.

"I know, but it's only one more time and she's offering a good amount of money for the trouble."

Sighing, I slump in my chair, contemplating the situation.

"Okay, fine. I give. This is the last job though. After this, I'm done."

My mom smiles at this response then resumes her meal, not before adding, "Oh good, because I already told her you would."

I roll my eyes. "You're the best mom."

After dinner, I help my dad do the dishes and serve out some milkshakes I make using the blender. We enjoy our milkshakes in the family room. Dad, relaxing next to mom, watching some pro golfing, while mom returned to her steamy novel, and I entertain myself with some of my old teenybopper magazines.

I finally convinced my dad- with some persuasion from my mom- to watch a movie. We watched Disney's Aladdin until it neared eleven, much to the dismay of my parents.

They kissed me and said their goodnights before retiring to their bedroom, leaving me all alone to watch some adult swim until I tired of that and decided to go to bed myself.

Since it got dark outside, my room is pitch black with only a sliver of moonlight creeping in from the window.

It turns out, to my surprise, that I'm not alone.

"What the hell!" I recoil and jump back, making too much noise to be ignored.

"Mallory."

My stupid brain finally catches up as I realize it's only Xalale. I nearly forgot he was back here. Everything almost felt alright- almost.

"What are you yelling for?" He hisses.

"Mal. You okay?" My dad calls.

"Uh, yeah, just tripped over something," I yell back, hoping he won't come check on me.

"Alright. Goodnight."

"Night."

I breathe a sigh of relief then close my door so no noise can be heard. Flicking on my light, I sit at the edge of my bed while Xalale continues to shoot daggers at me.

"What took you so long to come back?"

I smooth my hair, unfazed by his hostile tone. "Sorry, I got caught up."

"We need to talk."

"I agree. There's a lot to sort out."

My mind kicks into gear as I begin assessing the situation. So many issues to resolve, where to begin?

"I think the biggest problem to tackle is how to get you back home." I begin.

"What about my mother? She will be the first and most problematic issue to handle."

"True, but I think we need to take this one step at a time."

His brow furrows at that. "We need a better tactic than one step at a time."

I hold back a sigh and maintain a calm voice.

"Let's not overwhelm ourselves. First things first, getting you home."

He's unsatisfied with this method but says no more on the topic.

"How did you enter my realm?"

"Um..." I don't know if the portal or whatever sent me would still be there, but it's worth mentioning. "I fell through this hole in the ground in the backyard."

"Fell through a hole?"

"Yeah, in the forest area. We'll check it out tomorrow."

This whole time I've been braiding my hair for the night and have just finished. Sleep has been waning over me for quite some time and it's reached its peak right about now. Maybe if I slept hard enough these issues will go away- it's worth a shot.

I pull out my pajamas of sweats and a tank top and walk to the door.

"I'll be right back. While I'm gone, there's an extra mattress stored under my bed that you can pull out. I'll bring back some blankets and whatnot."

Leaving before he responds, I head to the bathroom and change into my night clothes. Comfortable and ready for bed, I remember to rummage in the closet for some extra blankets and pillows before returning to my room.

Tossing him the items, I chamber into bed feeling drained from everything that's happened today. So many good and bad things have arisen just over the last 24 hours, I need a moment to slow down and rest. What better place than my own bed in my own house. It would've been even more relaxing if the reminder of my troubles wasn't lying down on my floor.

Turning off the light, I lay there, my eyes adjusting to the dark. It feels awkward knowing somebody else is in the room with you.

"Night." It felt better than just laying there trying to fall asleep. "I snore by the way, so you've been warned."

For a second I didn't think he'd respond, but surprisingly he answers, "I know."

"Right, he does know." We've slept together before, of course. We actually slept, not just in the same room, but the same bed. He already knows firsthand how noisy I can be.

A few seconds turn into a few minutes which become at least an hour and still not a wink of sleep as visited me. I peer down at Xalale only to find him already asleep.

"Come on eyes, just close."

I give up forcing myself to sleep after a few unsuccessful minutes roll by. Instead, I pull out my dream journal from under my pillow and flip to a new page.

I waste another twenty minutes staring at the page trying to decide what it was I wanted to record.

"Nothing."

Sliding the journal back under my pillow, I try again to slip into sleep.

"Ugh, what gives? I was just exhausted not too long ago and now I'm not!?"

My thoughts are interrupted by a strange sound. Not just a sound, a voice, mumbling something. I peer down at Xalale again and realize it's coming from him.

"Glass...Emmony...right...sun?"

"What is he going on about?" I think, confused. "Sun? Glass? Emmony? He's sleep-talking and not making any sense."

I listen in as he mumbles a few more, unconnected thoughts until he stops talking altogether and silence returns.

"That's...interesting."

Returning my efforts to getting some rest, I find it a little easier to drift into a light sleep. Thoughts bumping around in my head- I would soon be an expert on falling asleep with a million thoughts still active in my head.

Another day gone, another soon to be faced.