A/N: MWAHAHA. I really love cliffhangers! No worries, this one is not a cliffhanger! Er, sorry for the horrible updating. I keep apologizing, but do nothing to fix it and I'm truly sorry! Thankfully, I'll be on break soon, so you'll get frequent updates starting next week! Anyway, enjoy this chapter! P.S: Thank you all for your lovely reviews, favorites, and follows! They definitely keep me motivated!

10. The Truth

The couple laughed nervously, awkwardly staring at themselves and the crazed girl in front of them.

"I'm really sorry, uh, we don't have a daughter…" the man stated, talking for the first time. His eyes showed pity and concern for the girl standing in front of them. She was covered in patches of mud and parts of her clothes were tattered; a pitiful sight, indeed.

"But, I'm your daughter! You had me on June 11! You're names are Ella and Antonio Novoa!"

Ella and Antonio were perturbed. This girl knew their names, yet they did not know her.

"I'm really sorry, but we do not know you. Have a good day," Antonio said stiffly, ushering his freaked out wife around the strange girl and onto a boarding train. It probably wasn't their train, but he needed to get away from the girl. She gave off an eerie vibe and made him feel unsettled.

Gia watched them go, tears accumulating in her eyes. She felt the reality set into her brain. She did not belong here. She did not exist here.

She needed to get home…home-home.

But, how?

She didn't have a clue.

Gia looked around and, upon noticing people beginning to fill the town a little more, she made her way towards them, wishing she had on better clothes.

Let's hope someone knows how to get to Bunkyo…and isn't afraid to tell me.

My hair and clothes destroyed, I walked into Chi's apartment. It was eerily silent, so I assumed Chi was out shopping, since she was not in the bookstore either. This made me sigh in relief as it gave me time to clean up and prepare a good, believable story.

Now, to deal with my dirty self first…

I pinched my shirt and surveyed the mess, oblivious to the opening door.

"No-chan?!" Chi shrieked, her voice mingling with the thuds of the dropping grocery bags.

Shit. Caught red-handed.

I winced at Chi's tone and readied myself for reprimanding, but was surprised instead to be hugged tightly.

"Um…what?" Okay, I was officially confused, more so than the time she appeared at Ouran Academy.

"You were supposed to come back Sunday, but you didn't! No one contacted me I thought something had happened to you. I was going to call you, but I realized you didn't have a cell phone. Oh my god, No-chan! I'm so glad you're okay!" Chi exclaimed, clapping her hand over her mouth as tears escaped from her pretty brown eyes.

I felt guilt make itself comfortable in my gut. Not only was I imposing on her, but now I made her feel worried. Gee, I'm such an awesome guest.

"I'm sorry, Ka-chan! I was out when a storm hit and got lost, so I made my way back alone." Yes, that sounded like a plausible story…somewhat.

Chi's eyes narrowed, making me sigh. She didn't believe it.

"Erm, by the way, what day is it?" I asked, hoping to knock her off her trail.

"Tuesday. Now, No-chan, care to tell me the truth?" She asked, picking up the fallen groceries.

I helped her carry some into the kitchen and began putting stuff away. Here was this woman, who had no reason to help me, yet she did. She gave me a home, food, clothes, and never questioned my lies. I hardly think she believed my lie on why I didn't have shelter, but she graciously dropped the subject and took my lie. Damn, I was a horrible person.

My stomach grumbled, making Chi smile motherly yet sternly. I liked to call this her just-because-I'm-about-to-take-care-of-you-doesn't-mean-I'm-forgetting-you-haven't-answered-my-question look. She gave it to me often, especially when we breached the subject of my parents and previous home. Somehow, I always found ways to avoid it, but this time, I knew I couldn't.

I owed her that much.

"You're going to hate me, so can we eat first? I haven't eaten since Saturday…"

Chi nodded tersely and began reheating rice. Normally, she would've cooked a fresh meal, but she seemed tired and anxious to hear the truth.

We ate in silence, occasionally commenting about the weather or any other insignificant topic. It was one of the most awkward dinners I've ever had.

After we had finished our dinner and cleaned our mess, Chi sat in front of me, patiently waiting for me to tell her the truth behind myself.

"…I'm not from here?" I began questioningly. Despite this being my third time explaining myself, I still didn't know how to properly word it.

Just blurt it out like you did to the hosts.

I shut my brain up. I will not think about them.

Clearing my throat I began again, "You're probably not going to believe me, and that's okay. It's not like you can react worse than other people." I blinked away tears and shakily composed myself.

C'mon, Gia. You got this.

"You see, Ka-chan, I'm from another dimension, universe, whatever you want to call it. I was in my school's library, looking for my best friend, when I broke a vase. I cut myself trying to pick it up and bam! Next thing I know, I'm here. I've been trying to find a way back home, but, I can't. I found a book that seemed helpful, but some pages were cut off. I'm really sorry! I know I probably sound crazy and you want me to leave, but-"

"I believe you."

"What?"

"I said I believe you," Chi repeated, handing me a tissue to wipe away the few tears that managed to escape you.

"Why? Why do you believe me? It's crazy! I wouldn't believe myself! Why?" I yelled, standing up. In the back of my mind I knew it was stupid to question the one person that seemed to actually believe me, but I couldn't deal with another host incident. I wanted to be helped, not laughed at or kept close, because there was no information on me. I assumed that's the reason Kyoya kept me close and pretended to believe me, but I guess I would never know.

Chi stood up and pulled me into a hug, gently tugging me to the floor. I cried my heart out, letting out all my sadness, homesickness, and anger.

"I believe you, because one, no one can come up with a crazy story like that, and two, you're crying."

I looked at her in confusion.

"Gia, no one that's acting can cry with that much anguish and despair. They can come close, but emotions aren't easily mimicked. And, your eyes…they're filled with sincerity. Didn't anyone ever tell you that the eyes are the windows to the soul? Also, I've gotten to know you since you've been living with me. How do you think I know when you're lying?"

I blushed with guilt and happiness. How was I so lucky to find such an amazing person?

"Now, you mentioned a book? I have a bookstore, No-chan! I think I might be able to help you!" Chi announced, pulling me up to drag me to the bookstore below us.

We ran down the stairs, only stumbling a few times. Luckily, we managed to make it in one piece.

"Now, let's get this search party going~"

I had lost track of time. Piles of books surrounded me as I sipped on some cool water. Sunlight filtered in through a tiny window, making me feel exhausted. I could only imagine what Chi was feeling.

She had let me stay home from school, stating that getting me home-home was a priority. Like the wonderful person she is, Chi had helped me look through numerous books, but had to leave me to manage the bookstore, leaving me to scavenge through the remaining books. We had not slept a wink, so we were both quite sluggish and somewhat cranky. Chi, though, was better at covering it up and smiled enthusiastically at all the customers.

I thanked the stars I was in the backroom. I was not in the mood to deal with people. Feeling somewhat rejuvenated, I began my quest again.

I browsed through an untouched pile of books. The titles were a bit quirky and time-travelish, so I hoped the book was in there.

Reaching the ending of the pile, I was disappointed.

No book.

I grumbled in annoyance, but it quickly turned into one of curiosity as I spotted a hidden book.

Please, let this be the book. Please, let this be the book!

Pulling it out, I rejoiced! The book cover seemed to match the one Mori was reading while I studied him.

I blushed slightly, but forced it down as I remembered Saturday's event replay in my mind.

So much for being a gentleman.

Emptying my mind for the umpteenth time, I opened the book and began to skim, looking for the page.

Though many claim to have travelled to another dimension, science has not been able to prove it. This, of course, does not mean it isn't true.

"No-chan! Can you come help me? It's getting a bit busy!" Chi asked, popping her head into the backroom.

I suppressed my sigh of annoyance. I had stopped around the same place as last time, but Chi needed help, and I owed her a lot.

I nodded in response and plastered a fake smile on my face, folding the page I was on as a sort of bookmark. I closed the book and placed it on my seat, promising to come back and read it as soon as possible.

I'm coming home soon, guys.