Near looked at me again and said, "Yes, I can see the resemblance." Roger laughed and said, "Nerissa and you are more alike than you know, Near." I looked at him, and smiled. Then I frowned and said, "Are you angry with me? Because I left you? Because I've had no contact with you for 8 years?" Near looked at me and said, "Well, that couldn't have been helped. Nobody knew that I had siblings, except for you and me, of course."

Roger gaped at Near. "You KNEW that you had siblings??!!" Near stared at him. I didn't come here at the age of 3 for nothing, you know." I laughed. Roger listened to Near and I talk for a few minutes more and then he couldn't take it anymore.

"Okay. Nerissa, you are only 12, and you are extremely intelligent, according to these exams I found on your file. Therefore, you must stay at the orphanage until you are old enough to leave." I looked at him and said, "Okay, sounds good." I ended up sharing a room with Near, which was fine with me, of course.

And that is how Nerissa and Near first met.

To be continued…………………………………………………….