Page 14 of Enzo

"They said girls, no matter what planet they were from, could be mean, especially when they realized they would never be as pretty as the other girl. I keep trying to tell myself that those two girls could be pretty like Angel if they had more curves." He shook his head and turned to look at Deja.

"They can never be pretty," he said softly. "It wouldn't matter how many curves they got. They're just too mean on the inside."

"You're right," she said softly and pulled him away from the house.

"I wish she would talk to me." He got quiet and followed Deja.

She found herself wrestling with the question he asked earlier. What earth woman would talk to one of them?

We would talk to Enzo.

Deja gave a nod to acknowledge the voice in her head.

Angel would talk to him,Caring and Compassion said.

Two things out of her in one day. Deja almost felt as if her life was making a change for the better.

"You should eat some dinner. You're starting to sound hungry."

Deja came to a stop and stared at him. Would he try to hurt her?

"I would never hurt you. I promise you're nice."

He stood there waiting, his heart buried deep, but she could almost see it through his eyes. He was waiting for her to reject him. If his parents could reject him, why would she want him?

She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.

"You can't hug me," he whisper-screamed. "I'm a stranger, and girls don't hug strangers 'cause that's scary."

"I'm going to make an exception for you." He pretended to struggle in her grip but stayed right where he was until she let him go.

"Let's go get dinner, and then will you stay so you can walk me to the club tonight? That way nothing can happen to me."

He thought over her words. His face was serious as he weighed them. Finally, he nodded.

"I think that's a good idea. You are very fragile, and Enzo will be upset if anything happens to you."

"Good to know." She turned and started walking home. She, on the other hand, would be upset if anything happened to Ven.

She made dinner then got ready for her day at work. Before she knew it, they were walking out of her apartment.

"Why do you live here?" He looked around; the hallway floorboards were pulled up, exposing nails everywhere. They had to be careful when walking out, so they didn't hurt themselves.

"When I first moved here, this place was nice. As the years went on, it changed hands, and the new landlord didn't care who he let in. He jacked the rent up and then sold it to new owners who see this place as a potential sweet income. I can't even be mad at them because if I had the money, I would have bought and upgraded it. I came up with several excellent ideas on how to make this property better. The thing is, I don't have any place to go, and I have to be out by the end of the month."

"What will you do?"

She just shrugged and smiled it off. There were people in the world worse off than her. She'd find a way; she always did.

They were standing in front of the club.

"Are you allowed in the club?" she asked, worry in her voice.

"Of course, I am." He squared his shoulders, reminding her of a proud teenaged male.

"Are you allowed to drink?"

"Drink?"

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