"Leaving so soon?" Tess asks as June rises from the table, gently smoothing out her skirt.

"I'm sorry, Tess. I have a meeting in the morning and I can't stay out late," she lies. I don't know how I can tell, but I just know she's fibbing. Maybe it's the way her eyes are calculating. It's a familiar look on her face, though I don't know why. I only met her tonight, after all. "But this was really nice. Thank you for having me over."

"At least take some left over cake," Tess replies, hurrying towards the counter to box up what's left of the deliciousness. Only the "J" remains painted in frosting on the cake.

"You're too sweet," June laughs as Tess hands her the box. She reluctantly accepts it. "Thanks again for the dinner, Tess. It was nice seeing you," she says as she leans in to hug her. Tess squeezes her tight before letting go, saying farewell as she heads to the door.

I don't know why, but I stand up and call her name. I couldn't help myself. It just happened, a reflex.

Eden stares at me in confusion; Tess giggles to herself. And June - June is standing with her mouth open, her eyes wide, and her cheeks burning. She looks radiant. "Yes, Daniel?"

"I . . . I thought . . " Quick, think of something, Daniel! "That, uh, maybe I should walk you home? It's dark and, uh, late." Smooth, Daniel. Real smooth. Usually I'm great around girls - impeccable, if I do say so myself. They practically hang on me when I introduce myself. But June makes me speechless. Just looking at her sends shivers down my body, freezes my brain and shocks my words.

"Oh," she says, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "But Ed - "

"I'll be fine, June," Eden interrupts, giving her a meaningful look. I wonder what's hidden behind the glare, but I don't ask him. I'll save the interrogation for later. "I'll help Tess clean up while Daniel walks you home."

"Yes!" Tess agrees, too enthusiastically. Usually Tess would immediately turned down an offer for help, but she is practically overjoyed at the idea of Eden staying her so I can take June home. Why? What is up with them?

"Okay. Fine," June says. I walk over to grab my coat and turn around to see June staring daggers at Eden and Tess. Both are holding in laughter, though I don't know why. When she notices me watching, she smiles hesitantly. "Thanks, again. I'll see you later."

"Happy birthday!" Tess calls as I close the door. It's just June and I, now. Alone.

A few moments pass in silence as we head down the streets of Ruby sector. I watch quietly as June tucks strands of her dark black hair behind her ears. She wraps her arms around her stomach as if she's hiding something. The way she's walking, the way her eyes continue to analyze everything around her, makes something spark inside of me.

A memory.

"I remember you," I whisper, stopping in my tracts, studying her face in detail now, trying to make sure this is really her.

She freezes as if she's seen a ghost, and a look of dread mixed with hope fills her face. Her eyes are big and glossy; her lips are parted as if she's ready to say something. But all she murmurs is, "What?"

The memory floods back to me in a rush, making me smile. "You were there when I woke up. 10 years ago. It was you, right?"

"Oh," she says, a look of disappointment drowning her. "Yes. The Republic sent me to check up on you."

I smile at the memory. Her sleek black hair. Her fragile, yet deathly, features. The shiny uniform of a Republic soldier. "It was nice to have something beautiful to wake up to," I say, regaining my composure. She blushes, her cheeks crimson red, and fidgets with the hem of her jacket. "Why didn't you saying anything?"

She shrugs. "It was unimportant, I guess. I . . . I didn't think you'd remember me."

We walk in silence for a moment longer before she points to an apartment building. "I live right over there," she says, guiding me through the somewhat familiar streets of Ruby.

"You live alone?" I ask, though I know that's a bit intrusive. I just met her - I shouldn't be bothering her with my questions. I shouldn't even have asked to walk her home.

"Yes," she replies immediately. I get the feeling she doesn't want to talk about it, but I can't help myself. For some odd reason, I want to know everything about her.

"No boyfriend?"

She inhales sharply and I get the sense that I've hit a rough spot. "No," she murmurs, obviously unwilling to discuss the matter further.

I think about apologizing, but realize that it's better to just leave it.

We reach her building and she guides me to her floor, and then to her door. She slips the key in, opens the door, but remains in the hall. Her stance is rigid, her face blank, as if she's trying to cover up something.

"Thank you for walking me home, Day," she smiles, though her eyes are still cold.

I hesitate to reply, startled by my nickname. Nobody's called me that in a very long time. So why would she? Let's find out. "Why did you call me that?"

"What?" she says, her brows furrowing. A small puppy comes rushing in through the crack of the door and she leans over to pet him. "Not now, Ollie," she murmurs to the dog, kissing him on the head. He scurries away and June stands up at him. I can't help but think that I know that dog.

I brush the thought away and focus on the current issue. "You called me Day. Nobody . . . nobody ever calls me that anymore."

"Oh-" she starts, but then seems to realize what a mistake she's made. The only people who call me Day are the ones who only knew me as Day. "I'm sorry. I just . . I only know you through the Republic. I just always thought of you as Day, not Daniel."

She's lying again. She has the same look on her face, as if she's trying to manipulate my thoughts. Why would she lie? What is she hiding?

I look down the hall and check that it's empty, before taking a step in closer. "I don't know what's going on her, Ms. Iparis," I whisper against her ear. Her eyes flutter closed and I take that as a sign to continue. "But I intend to find out what you're hiding." I step back and give her a slight bow. "Good night, June. And happy birthday."

I walk away before she can stop me.