Chapter 2- "You Said What?"

In the closet sat Luxa. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. "How did you get here, Luxa? Why are you here? I thought there was a rule that you couldn't be here!" I practically yelled.

Luxa put out her hand for me to grip, and I helped her up of the floor of the closet. "Greedy New York cab drivers. They'll drive anyone or anything, anywhere." Luxa said as she laughed. I hugged her tightly, and then pulled back for another long look.

"But why are you here in the Overland?" I asked.

"I've had a long journey and it was extremely tough to get here and find you guys. So I was wondering if we could just sleep and I could tell you all the details in the morning?" Luxa asked. This was certainly not what I wanted to hear. I wanted all my questions answered, and patience was not my strength. I really wanted to know why she was here because it could mean many different things. It could be really urgent and I might be needed right now. But then again, if it was urgent, Luxa would not wait until the morning.

I sighed. "Sure." I looked at her again, trying to figure out how or why she was here, in my closet! Finally, I added with reluctance, "I guess."

Luxa smiled a tired smile and glanced around my room. "Where can I sleep?"

" Well, we don't have a spare bedroom. You will sleep in my bed. I will sleep on the floor," I said, moving toward the pillows and grabbing a blanket off the bed.

"Oh, no!" Luxa said, shaking her head. "Don't sleep on the floor-you won't really sleep well. Your bed is big enough for two I think."

"Yes, it is big enough for two," So Luxa and I got into bed. Although we hadn't seen each other in a long time and there were so many things to say, we were exhausted and fell asleep side-by-side.

I woke up first, tiny lines of sunlight filtering through the blinds on the window. It took me a few minutes to replay in my mind the surprise of last night. But she was really here. As a matter of fact, Luxa and my arms were all tangled up. I laughed to myself at the sight, and then just sat watching Luxa sleep for a while. But my stomach told me to get up, so I carefully untangled our arms so I could go get something to eat and not disturb Luxa's sleep.

When I walked into the kitchen Liz was already awake and cleaning up her mess from breakfast.

"Liz you'll never guess who I found in my closet last night!" I announced.

"Who? Paris Hilton?" joked Liz.

"Good guess, but no!" I laughed.

"Umm, a robber? Hmmm, Boots?" Liz continued to guess. "No!" I put a stop to her guessing game. "Luxa!"

"What?!?!" Liz shrieked. She whirled toward the doorway, continuing her questions as she moved away from me and toward where she believed Luxa to be. "Where is she, in the living room on the couch?"

I shook my head. "She's in my room. I offered to sleep on the floor but she said no."

"That's typical of you, Gregor. Always giving things up for others! Not! You would only do that for one person, and that person is Luxa!" proclaimed Liz.

A few minutes later I went back to my room. Luxa was still sleeping like a rock. I loved watching her sleep because she looked so peaceful. But I still had a lot of unanswered questions. I woke her up gently, saying "C'mon, you can't sleep all day!"

"Yes I can!" Luxa said while she yawned. Luxa rubbed her eyes and asked, "Why are you getting me up? It's early."

I was anxious to get Luxa fed and awake so I could learn more about why she was here. "You want to eat right? If you do, you have to eat your breakfast early or none at all." I said. "So you can either sleep or follow me to the kitchen." Luxa hurriedly followed me into the kitchen saying she hadn't eaten in two days.

When we arrived in the kitchen Liz excitedly grabbed Luxa and hugged her. "Hi, Luxa!" Luxa was like her older, cool role model. Mom couldn't fit the description because she isn't cool in Liz's eyes.

"I guess Liz didn't believe me about you being here, Luxa," I teased Liz.

I was at the end of my patience and really wanted answers. "So why are you here, Luxa, because you wouldn't tell me last night." I asked.

Luxa still was not ready to answer me. "Let's just wait till everyone is up before I tell you guys, because it's a long story that I don't want to tell two times." Luxa Said.

So they all waited for everyone else to get up which didn't take very long. They had nothing to do but talk to each other and fill them in on what's been going on. They talked about life, school and of course they talked about the Underland, and Overland. Given all the racquet, it was no surprise that Boots woke, and came walking in the room.

"Hi Luxa," she said. Then her eyes flew open wide and she repeated, "Luxa? What?" Boots grabbed Luxa in a tight squeeze. Then she dashed out of the room and went to get their parents. After a few minutes two sleepy parents headed into the kitchen. "Luxa?" They both gasped at the same time. "What, what, what are you doing here?" mom asked. "Are you hungry? I could fix you something." Dad said.

"No, I'm not hungry. I already ate." Luxa said.

"Luxa why don't you tell us your story now? Because you said you would tell the details once everyone was up." I reminded her.

"It's a long story I've been waiting to tell. Why don't you all sit down so I can tell you?" Luxa asked. "But the first part I have to tell you, Gregor, is this: Ares…"