Bira walked through the streets. It was nice to finally be able to act like a normal kid. Since, she could only do so when she

visited her uncle. He was a simple,humble man and she was always happy to see him. Plus,it was easier for her to sneak out

under her assumed identity. She never liked the attention she got as "Princess Bira" and wanted to be a normal seven year

old. Her visits to town gave her a temporary escape and she referred to herself as "J" while she was out. Granted,she acted

like a boy during those times but, it was worth it. By the time she was ten she had perfected her "J" persona and visits to

her uncles were regular.

As Bira,her atire consisted of uncomfortable,frilly dresses. As "J" she wore baggy jeans and a long t-shirt,with a pair of

worn sneakers and a backwards baseball cap, to hide her hair. None of her family knew of her second identity and she was

planning on keeping it that way.

' I'd never hear the end of it.'

She thought. Her latest visit to town had been pretty interesting and she wished that she could stay longer than she did. A

boy she had made friends with told her about a trip where the school was sending some students to New York for a week, to

give them the chance to take in the culture. He mentioned that the teachers were purchasing the ferry tickets the next day

and asked if she wanted to go. She told him that she wanted to go but,wasn't sure. So,he told her that he would ask them to

buy another ticket just incase. She made her way back to her uncles house with no problem. To her hurt surprise, she saw a

horrible scene unfold on the television screen. They reported the brutal murder of the Sesshir family,without mentioning a

word about her. She understood the reason for their actions. She knew that had they spoke of her,whoever had committed

this crime would attempt to do it again. She went to the guest room,where she stayed and cried, changing her clothes. Her

uncle came in after hearing the news and tried to console her. After a few minutes he left her to herself again. A while

passed and her tears waned. She sat there thinking.

' I can't stay here. Whoever did this will be after me. I have to leave. '

Her decision was final.

' I'm going to New York,and I'm starting over. '

She thought, determined. That night, after everyone was asleep, she packed an old brown duffle bag with the majority of her

clothes,leaving the frilly dresses alone. She shoved the money she had into the bag along with a few small, personal items.

One of which was a silver, heart, locket with her name engraved on it. Then, she snuck out of her uncles house, dressed in

her long shirt, baggy jeans, sneakers,and backwards hat to hide her hair. She ran to her friends house and knocked. His

mother opened the door and let her in. She stayed the remainder of the night and went with them to the dock the next

morning,ready to board the ferry.

When asked for her name she replied,

""J" Sedjer"

Then was allowed to board. The ferry left as soon as all the passengers were there. She was headed to New York to start

her new life, with her new identity.

Present Day

Bira got up,turned on her stereo and blared the music as she did every morning. It had been her early morning ritual for the

past ten years now.Yawning, she went into her bathroom,cleaned up, and brushed her teeth. Going back into her room she

pulled her hair into a ponytail and put on her hat,tucking the hair underneath it. She threw on a baggy red t-shirt and a pair

of loose fit jeans. Then she put on her socks and sneakers.

' Another day, same old "J" '

She recited in her head,tying the laces of her shoes. Then she went to her jewelry box, taking the locket out of a drawer. She

looked at the name engraved on it.

Bira Janine Sesshir

She read softly. Than she put the locket around her neck and tucked it under her shirt.She put a thicker chain around her

neck to hide the delicate one the locket hung on. Looking at herself in the mirror,she took a deep breath and walked out of

her apartment,snagging her keys along the way. She went to the door next to hers and pounded on it.

"Yo,Dave, get up."

She yelled with her "J" voice through the door.

"Yeah,yeah"

She heard him mumble on the inside.

"People gotta eat ya know."

She yelled,pounding on the door again. Dave was up and out of his apartment within minutes and they headed to the pizza

shop where they worked. The place was usually full of hungry aggravated people,which they were used to.What they weren't

used to was the shop being packed when they were so under staffed. All but,one other person, Joe, had taken their vacation

time within the same week and they were left to run the joint.

" Take the front."

Dave instructed.

" I got the back."

He stated. She nodded in agreement and they split off into different entrances of the shop. The place flooded instantly with

customers,and they were filling orders one right after another. The rush calmed down after about an hour and they were able

to switch off. "J" was even able to get a short break in before going back to her work. They would also switch off to make

short distance deliveries, which she didn't mind since they got her out of the shop. An hour passed and things started

speeding up again. They didn't slow down again for a few hours and Dave was getting axious to leave. He was looking at the

clock every five minutes and she noticed in between orders.

"Hey, Dave"

She yelled to the back.

"Yeah"

He responded

"Quit lookin at the clock,time ain't goin any faster."

She said.

"What am I s'posed to do?"

Dave asked.

"How bout your job?"

She replied sarcastically.

"How'm I gonna tell time?"

He questioned.

"It's called a watch,get one."

She threw back. Joe could be heard laughing as he came up to take the counter. She was on delivery now and worked with

the oven as she waited.