CHAPTER 4

Jaida kept glancing over at Arius as they walked. There was a disbelieving look upon her face as she watched the way he strolled down the street. He strutted as if he was better than all of them, as if everyone should make room as he came by. He was arrogant, proud, and incredibly smart. The principal had sent the test through their automated grader, and it had stated that Arius hadn't missed a single question. Not only that, but he had finished the test fairly quickly. The principal had announced that he didn't need to pay for his attendance. The plump man even gave him a uniform and said that he couldn't wait to see Arius in school on Monday.

Jaida returned her attention to the streets. It was starting to get dark again, and her mother would worry about her if she stayed out for much longer. At least she wasn't alone. Even if it did get dark, no one would even dare attack her if she stayed with Arius. He was rather intimidating, what with his scowl still present across his face.

"We're here," announced Jaida as she turned to face her house. Arius didn't ask any questions, nor did he make a single comment about its size. He only followed after her as she walked up to the door and opened it. "I'm home, mom," she called out as she took her shoes off and kicked them aside.

Arius glanced around the entryway, making sure to close the door behind him. He was rather fascinated really. After all, he had never seen a house quite like this. He had never seen a city this large before either. Human technology was interesting, and he realized that there was quite a bit he'd have to learn about. That or he could just pretend nothing interested him. That would probably be the safest way to go, but he knew he wouldn't be able to repress all of his questions.

"Hello Jaida," greeted her mother as she walked into the entryway. "I'm glad you're back. I was beginning to worry." Her eyes then fell on Arius, who was just standing there, glancing around. "Well Jaida, who's this?" she asked with a smile.

"His name's Arius," Jaida introduced, and he only nodded in response. Jaida's mother smiled brightly at both of them before Jaida took a step forward. "Actually mom, I need to talk to you about something. Arius, you wait here, okay?" She then took her mom's arm and pulled her into the living room. They both sat down on the couch, and Arius' mother gave her daughter a questioning look.

"What is it?" she asked, wanting to know what this was all about.

"Well," Jaida began, trying to find the right way to ask this. "You see…I have to ask you something. It's about Arius." She noticed that her mother was paying full attention to what she had to say, so she took in a deep breath, preparing to tell the biggest lie she had ever told. "Well, he…you see, his parents sent him here so he could go to school," she explained. "However, he can't find anywhere to stay, and they didn't give him enough money to stay in a nice apartment. So, I was wondering…if maybe he could stay here…in the guest room." Her mother crossed her arms, her expression showing that she really was thinking about this.

"I don't know," she began. "How do you know that's really why he's here?"

"I just do," she told her mother. "Look, he needs help. He's the boy I mentioned yesterday, the one Mr. Owens and I took to the hospital. Can he please stay here? Please mom?" She was really begging now, and her mother only sighed. Out of what, Jaida didn't know, but she smiled afterwards.

"Fine," she gave in. "For now, he can stay here, but if he causes us any trouble…"

"Thanks mom," said Jaida excitedly as she stood up. Her mother followed suit, shaking her head a bit.

"I swear," she began. "You and Mr. Owens are way too much alike, always helping strangers."

"He is a good teacher," Jaida joked as she ran out of the living room, finding Arius still standing in the entryway. She winked at him and then motioned for him to follow her up the stairs. He did so, not saying a word to her. They went down the hallway, and she stopped at one of the rooms.

"This is your room," she told him, motioning to the dark area before her. She flipped a light switch, revealing a very nicely kept room. The walls were a midnight blue color. In fact, everything about the room was dark. It seemed almost perfect for the way Arius was: dark and mysterious.

"I have a question," he began as he stepped into the room. This startled Jaida a bit, but she waited there for him to ask her. "That woman was your mother, right?"

"Yeah," Jaida responded, wondering what he was getting at.

"Well, don't you humans live in family units?" he asked. "Aren't you supposed to have both a mother and a father?" He watched as Jaida's bright eyes faded a bit, her smile switching from one of content to one that was forced.

"I suppose you're right," she answered, sounding insulted or maybe even hurt. "My parents are divorced, meaning my dad lives somewhere else."

"Why?" questioned Arius, probing her further even though he could see this wasn't one of her favorite topics. He was just too curious. He had never heard of this "divorced" concept.

"My mom and dad just didn't get along anymore," she explained. "So when I was seven, he left the city and moved away. I still see him though. On the longer school breaks, I go visit him, and I spend half the summer with him too." Arius watched as she fought back what appeared to be tears. "What about you?" she asked him. "What about your parents?" Arius just shrugged, giving a rather arrogant looking smirk.

"I don't have any," he told her. "Unlike you humans, we live alone. Family means nothing to me." With that said, he closed the door to his room, leaving Jaida standing outside. She sighed to herself and walked to her own room. Things were really starting to get complicated. It seemed that no matter how smart Arius was, there was still a lot he needed to learn. He knew basic knowledge, but human culture was anything but easy. She had a lot to teach him, and she was suddenly starting to dread school on Monday.

Jaida returned her attention to the streets. It was starting to get dark again, and her mother would worry about her if she stayed out for much longer. At least she wasn't alone. Even if it did get dark, no one would even dare attack her if she stayed with Arius. He was rather intimidating, what with his scowl still present across his face.

"We're here," announced Jaida as she turned to face her house. Arius didn't ask any questions, nor did he make a single comment about its size. He only followed after her as she walked up to the door and opened it. "I'm home, mom," she called out as she took her shoes off and kicked them aside.