Another day. I can't stand another day like this. Life was too short to be waiting tables at one of the small restaurants in London. I needed to get out but I couldn't make myself do it. Besides, I was broke and I had family who needed me. I've heard of tales of traveling to distant places but I've never really believed them. My little sister told me of these tales, telling me she heard them from her friend, Luke Smith. My sister, Janessa, loves to believe in those tales. She's only twelve and loves to hang out with Luke, who's fourteen. But I just got with it.

I live in a small neighborhood in London with my mother and sister. I'm needed but only at some times. Most of the time I just run away from everything and try not to look back. I really need to get out but I don't know how.

Lauren, my coworker, called me in. "Aridena, stop gazing off. It's time to get to work!"

I looked at my journal on the table. It had all of my ideas in it, everything I wanted to do. But Lauren just shot me down, telling me to work, work, and work!

"I'm coming, Lauren! I'm just thinking."

"Well stop thinking and start working!"

I scowled and started my shift. Some customers came in, and I took their orders. The cook, John, made the food and gave it to me.

"Don't listen to old Lauren. She's just a hag," he whispered.

"I heard that!"

I chuckled. "I better get to work."

I delivered the food and went to other tables. Just then, a man in a striped brown suit with a white undershirt and a tie stumbled in. He had light brown hair that was shaped like a Mohawk. He had on black, shiny shoes that make him look respective. When he fell, a blue and white device fell from his jacket. He groaned and collapsed. I gasped and ran to him.

"Sir, sir, are you alright?" I asked worryingly.

He gasped through his teeth and he had raspy breaths. "I…I need…"

I took his hand and looked him in the face. He had breath taking brown eyes and a sharp pointed nose. His lips were thin and hard. His eyes were full of pain and history, but they also showed sadness and kindness. He struck me as someone I could count on. He wrapped his fingers around my hand.

"I…can't…" he muttered.

"What? What's wrong?" I gasped.

"I don't know. I think I'm…sick."

Sick? He must be very sick. He continued. "I need to lie down somewhere quiet."

I draped his arm around my shoulders. "I'll support you. I know the perfect place."

He struggled to get up as I dragged him to the back room behind the kitchen. John didn't mind that I brought stranger in there. I lied the man down on the couch in the room. Then I put a blanket on him and a cold cloth on his forehead. He was still in pain and writhing. I started humming a tune my mother taught to me. The man relaxed and listened to me.

"That's…a beautiful song," he muttered.

I smiled and continued humming. Since I couldn't remember the words, I sang, "La la la la la."

The man smiled but then writhed in pain some more. I rubbed his hand and tried to calm him.

"What's your name?" I asked quietly.

"The Doctor. And yours?"

I smiled. "Aridena Nickels. I work here as a waitress. Is there something I can do to help you?"

He struggled to sit up. "Well, Aridena, can I have some tea? I need tea. I think I may have a…oh, what's it called…a cold."

I was confused. "A…cold?"

He looked like he mentally kicked himself. "Is that not what it's called? I can't remember."

"No, that's not it. It's just…you seem to have worse symptoms than just a common cold."

The Doctor scoffed. "When I get sick, it's bad."

I studied him. "You're…different. I don't know how, though."

He smiled and shook his head a little to the side. "You don't know the beginning."

I just smiled back. "Well, I'll get you some tea and then let you rest. Where do you live? I could take you there?"

He cleared his throat. "I, uh, don't really live anywhere."

I gasped. "Then you can stay with me. I'm sure my mother and sister won't mind."

The Doctor smiled. "That's very sweet, Aridena."

I chuckled. "You can call me Ari, or Luna. Either works. I'll go get your tea." I walked out but then remembered the device I found. I walked back in the room. "Oh, is this yours?" I held out the device in my hand.

His brown eyes widened. "My sonic screwdriver! I love this!" He smiled up at me. "Thank you for returning it."

I blushed and walked out of the room and into the kitchen. "John, do you have any tea. That man in there is asking for some."

"Sure. Look in the top cabinet."

I gave him a death stare. "John. I'm five foot four. You expect me to reach that?!"

He chuckled and got it for me. "Here you go, love."

I rolled my eyes and returned to the Doctor. He was messing with his sonic screwdriver. He saw me with the tea and his eyes brightened. "Thank you."

He grabbed it from my hands and drank it up. Then, he shot up and rolled his neck. He sniffed and gave me a broad smile.

"Thank you for your help, Aridena. I have to be on my way."

He took one step and collapsed. I "tsk"d him. "No way, Doctor. You're coming home with me."

I helped him up and dragged him into the main room of the restaurant. "Lauren, I'm taking the rest of the day off. I have a man who needs medical attention."

"I'm a Doctor! I give medical attention!" Doctor protested.

Lauren shook her head. "Take him home, Luna. He needs you."

I smiled and walked outside to my car. I opened the passenger seat and set the Doctor down. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blue police box, just sitting there. I shrugged and forgot about it.

I shut the door and walked to the driver's side and climbed in. I started the car and drove home.