"Welcome to your new humble abode," Brian's father announced six hours later.
"A little isolated, isn't it?" I asked. Of course it was- my new home was in the middle of a forest on an island whose only occupants were monkeys, birds, and other wildlife.
Brian set my bags down inside a log cabin which had been built for me. "Now, I know it's a little remote, but it's for the best. I'll try to come visit every day, but I won't always make it. Maybe after I get aquainted with some people, I'll bring them to visit. Hopefully you won't go insane from isolation."
"Don't be silly, I've got James here to keep me company." I motioned towards my cat. "I can always talk to him if I get bored."
"Yes, but how good is he at talking back?" Brian joked.
I didn't answer.
"Anyway...we have to get going. I start school in three hours," he continued. "Bye, Alex. I'll see you later."
"Farewell, Brian," I replied.
After they had left, I let James out of his cage. "I thought I'd never be free," he muttered. "Well, I say we go explore this place."
"You go," I told him. "I'm going to put everything in its place. Well, at least a place."
"I'll tell you if there's anything peculiar here," James said as he walked out the door.
"Hey Alex." I looked around, but didn't see anyone. "I'm in the other room."
I walked into the bedroom. "Hey, Jen!" I exclaimed. No, Jen was not in my home, but she had conducted a spell that put her there, in a way.
"Goodness, Alex, what did you do to your hair?" Jen asked. "Nevermind that. Where are you?"
"I can't tell you, Jen. Sorry, but I can't."
"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were safe. Did you bring your spell book?" I nodded. "Good. Well, so we can keep in touch once I arrive on Jagmas, I want you to cast a talking-seeing spell on a mirror, and I'll do it on one of mine also." She looked behind her. "Well, it's time to go. I'll miss you, Alex. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Jen. Contact me as soon as you land."
"I will," she promised, and then she was gone.
The sun was not yet risen, but I was tired and, after putting a few more things away, I went to sleep. The spell would have to wait.
Although I was in a new place, there wasn't a whole lot to do, so the weeks crawled by. The only time that didn't last long was when Brian came to visit.
"I got a letter from Jess," he announced one day, about a month later. "She mentioned you."
"Oh, really?" I asked. "What did she write?"
"She said, 'I wonder what Alex is doing right now, although I know she's supposed to be sleeping. She didn't want to go, which means she's probably awake and not enjoying it. Did you see the outfit she was wearing when they left? It looked like something her sister would wear. I hope this turns out for the best and they didn't take our Alex away for nothing...' And it goes on," Brian read. "Which reminds me, how did you get filmed entering the shuttle, when you were already down here?"
"Oh, that wasn't real," I told him. "That was previously filmed. Yeah, like me mum would let us be taped at five in the morning, half asleep. That wouldn't look good."
"Oh..." Brian said, but he didn't seem quite convinced. Whatever was on his thoughts, however, he didn't ask.
"So, how's school going?" I asked.
"It's school. No matter where I go, it's the same," Brian said. "Only the people's names change. Now, you and your friends were unique. You put a dent in the school system, which I liked."
"Well...thanks."
"Anyway, I just wanted to share this letter with you," Brian said as he stood up. "I have to go now, because I'm going out for track, and there's practice in an hour." He walked to the doorway.
"Brian?" I called, and he turned around. "You put a dent in the all-boys-are-jerks-and-just-want-sex theory," I told him.
Brian smiled. "Thanks, Alex." He opened the door. "Oh, you've got company. A chimpanzee, actually."
"Oh, that's Henry," I told Brian.
"Henry?"
"Yes, Henry. He was abandoned by his family and now lives with me. I'm trying to teach him how to talk," I explained.
"Oh, that would explain the small hammock in your room..." Brian said. "I had meant to ask about that. Well, goodbye."
"Bye, Brian," I said as Henry climbed in my lap. "Now, what book do you want to start today?" I asked as I held up two of my favourite books: Anne of Green Gables, and Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora. Henry picked the latter. "I think you'll enjoy this book. It's written by someone who was in a band in the 1960's, but that doesn't matter to me. The book itself is enchanting. I was captivated by the first page. Okay, here we go. 'The legend is the soul emerging into form, a singing soul which not only carries hope but which contains a promise and fulfillment...'" I read.
"Ooh," Henry cooed.