Daniel

I know that I've seen her before. I had to have. Her eyes, her hair, everything about her seems familiar. It can't be a coincidence that we are both going to Tess's tonight. I have to have met her before. At a conference, maybe? I've haven't been in touch with the Elector for a while until lately. We returned so Eden can interview for a position as an engineer. But I know that I know this girl. I could tell in the way she looked at me that she knows me as well. June Iparis. I know that name.

I'm going to find out how.

I offered for her to walk with us to Tess's and she agreed. June walks on my right side while Eden walks on my left. It's getting darker now and the sky has taken on a red orange glow. The moon is only just beginning to rise and a cool breeze has begun stirring.

I can't bear the silence any longer so I ask, "June, do you know why Tess invited you? She told me I was invited to celebrate that I had returned." I bite my tongue realizing that my statement sounded rude. It's not that I don't want June to be at dinner but I'm just wondering why she was invited. Maybe Tess knows why I recognize this girl.

"It's actually my birthday today," June says looking down. "I just turned twenty-seven."

"Oh," I say surprised. "Well that's much more of a reason to celebrate than my return." I notice that when I say this June shakes her head as if she disagrees with me but I decide to ignore it. My finger goes to the paperclip ring on my wrist. Eden told me that someone had made it for me while I was in my coma but tells me that he doesn't remember who it was.

I open my mouth to ask June about something when I realize that we've arrived at Tess's apartment. It's in the Ruby Sector and the building all look nice. They are tall with large windows allowing the last lights of day to seep into the rooms. We go up two flights of stairs before coming to Tess's. I knock one the door and I can already smell soup and chicken from standing in the hall.

A moment later when the door open the smell is forgotten when I see the girl standing in the doorway. She has auburn hair and soft blue-green eyes. I haven't seen her and ages and she's changed a lot. She's only slightly shorter than me but her stance shows the tenderness and care that she's had her entire life.

"Tess."