Chapter 2: Change of Style

Hali had adjusted to the new way of living, but some things still baffled her. "What did you put on this?" she asked, sniffing at a piece of fried chicken that Ali had served.

"It's breading. We fry chicken now." Ali replied.

Ali and David had adjusted to Hali being in the house, making her feel welcome to ask questions. Hailey had explained the situation and they allowed her to stay.

"Strange. We would just roast them over a fire." Hali took a bite of the chicken, the skin crunching. "Not bad. You are a good cook, Ali."

"Thank you." Ali smiled. "So polite. See, Hailey and Luna? The old ways are better than the new way of parenting. She was raised by parents who taught her right."

Hali looked down. "Let us change the subject. I do not like talking about that."

Sensing Hali's distress, David changed the subject. "So, should we register you for school? I bet you could be tutored by one of your friends."

Hali looked up, hopeful as she recognized the word "tutor" "I could have my husband tutor me."

Ali and David shared a glance before Ali said, "In this time, it's unusual for a sixteen-year-old girl to be married. You should tell people that he's your boyfriend. You know that you're dating."

Hali looked blankly at her. "How do you do this dating? I've never heard of much use for a date except to eat it."

David looked confused and then burst out laughing. "No, Hali. Dating is the social at of getting to know someone romantically. To see if you want to marry them."

"Oh." Hali took a sip from her water. "Do they have to be chaperoned? A lady in my day did not go with a young man on her own. Especially if they were courting."

Hailey, who was taking a sip of water, choked on the drink. Luna patted her back until she got her breath. "That's called double dating here. Two couples do something together."

"I shall speak to…Atem and see what he thinks. I have a few habits to break." Hali giggled weakly.

When they were done eating, Hali, Hailey, and Luna got up from the table to go upstairs. "Before you go, don't forget to clean the dishes."

"You're not going to say this is beneath a royal?" Hailey raised an eyebrow as they entered the kitchen to wash the dishes.

"No, I was not raised a royal. I do know how to wash dishes." Hali raised an eyebrow at the modern stainless sink as she approached it. "Although, it seems I am going to need a class on how to do it in this time. This is definitely different from how we did it."

"I'll wash if you'll dry." Hailey tossed Hali a dish towel. When Hali looked blank, she explained, "I'll hand you a wet dish and you dry them with the towel. Luna, you willing to put them away? At least until Hali learns where things go?"

"Sure." Luna took her place beside Hali and they set to work, the clink of plates and glasses sounded as they worked.

After the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, the girls went into the living room, where David and Ali were watching TV. "We're done. We'll be up in my room if you need us." Hailey gave David a kiss on the cheek, as did Luna.

"Okay, have a good night." Ali replied as the sisters hugged her.

Luna led the way to her bedroom where she sat down on the bed. Hali went over to the mirror and shifted her hair over one shoulder. "Do you think I should cut my hair? I have noticed that women here have their hair shorter."

"Do you want to? I think you'd look cute with shorter hair." Hailey agreed, sitting on the bed beside her sister.

"Then I shall do that. Where can you get your haircut here?" Hali asked, looking at them in the mirror.

"The hair salon. I'll see if Ali will take us. She's been complaining about how long her hair is getting, anyway."

The next morning, the girls went with Ali to the hair salon. Atem was working the game shop when the bell on the door tinkled. "I'll be with you in a moment."

"Atem, what do you think?" Hali asked from the door.

Atem glanced up and his mouth dropped open. The girl looked like Hali and looked at him like her, but her hair was in a sleek pageboy cut, which shocked him. "You do not like it, do you?" she asked, doubtfully.

Atem hurried around the counter and went over to her. He ran his hands along her hair, smiling. "I like it. It's totally you. You like it?"

"I will have to get used to it. The lady at the salon suggested this would, as she put it, 'Shake up my look'." Hali giggled.

"Well, it definitely shook me up a little." Atem chuckled. He gave her a kiss.

"Hey, don't cheat on Hali!" a Brooklyn accent demanded as the bell tinkled again.

Hali rolled her eyes and turned to Joey. "It is me." She managed a giggle at the bewildered expression on Joey's face.

"Hali?" Joey asked, surprised. "Wow, your hair. It looks good."

"Nice save." Atem chuckled. "I would never cheat on her."

"Good. Because you know I am good with a weapon." Hali turned and tapped him on the chest. "So do not dare hurt me or I will hurt you."

Instead of looking frightened, he smirked. "You couldn't beat me. I'm the king of everything competitive."

"Oh, is that a challenge?" Hali raised an eyebrow.

"I've been in this world longer than you. Bring it." Atem gave her a lingering kiss. He glanced at Joey. "Go away, Joey."

Joey rolled his eyes. "I'll go watch TV and pretend I don't know what you're going to do."

Atem ignored Joey and led Hali up to his bedroom. They fell onto the bed and made love right then and there.

Afterward, Hali raised herself up on her elbow to look at him. "Competition really works up an appetite for you, does it not?"

"Hm…I guess so. I was so busy saving the world I didn't notice." Atem shrugged. "Or maybe it's just you and that haircut." He grinned.

"Whatever it is, I missed this." Hali kissed him.

"One thing I would like you to learn is the role of the woman in a relationship. Women are more free to do what they want than they were."

"Like what?" Hali raised an eyebrow.

"Like…a woman can take charge during…certain activities."

"You want me to be more adventurous?" Hali guessed.

"Not anything really out there, but take charge. I like a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it."

"What I want…" Hali trailed off, letting her body finish the sentence.

After their second time, Atem chuckled suddenly in the afterglow. "You are a quick learner."

"I have the best teacher." Hali beamed at him.