Going from living on the streets to living in a home with two parents and two toddlers has been a really hard adjustment, but not for the reasons I thought they would be. When I came to Earth, I learned that I have to deal with going to sleep shivering, and I wake up with the sun so that no strangers can come and take my minimal personal items and money. I spend the next while living in an actual home. I sleep on a real bed; in a room I can call my own. Ben and Grace have really taken me in as a part of the family, and we all go out for family dinners, watch movies together, and just hang out. Whenever I'm not at college or trying to bond with and bring back together Michaela and Zeke, I'm spending time with the Stones. I keep up my end of the deal, and I've actually found it fun to take care of the twins.

Unfortunately, bringing Zeke and Michaela back together is proving to be harder than I thought.

My first day meeting Zeke was one of the coolest days I've lived so far. He has been teaching me how to cook a bit of good food, and I make it for the twins when I'm watching them; they approve. Michaela had been going to college with us for a while, and she had always talked about studying business. She had told me, "Lina, you might think it's boring, but I want to own my own company one day, and I will use it to help people. Just you wait and see." Michaela has always had such hope, and she is very determined. When that girl sets her mind to something, she will stop at nothing to get it. Most people will call her stubborn, but I'm envious of her for her stubbornness. She always seems to find solutions to problems and never listens to people if they stand in her way. I know that I have the capability to have as much of a drive as her, but I'm so scared to. When problems come my way, I tend to shut down. Zeke is similar unless something is affecting the people he cares about. I thought that it would interfere with his need to let his family break apart, but I assure him that him and others he loves will be saved forever if he follows through, and it's seemed to get through to him. When I was there with Michaela on her prom night, I told her that she needs to take control of her life and see the night in a different way, and she changed the past. She saved her friends because of what I said to her, and I've had to watch her memories of Zeke vanish. Mick is still the same kind, selfless, and stubborn girl I met last April, but she also has been very irritable. Her relationship with Jared has made her rebellious. He controls her; I can see it, but others can't. The few times that she can be herself without Jared around used to be in college and when she's having family outings and dinners, but that all changed. Michaela came up to me today and announced that she's dropping out of college. "To do what?!" I asked her, but she just sadly looked away from my eyes and shrugged her shoulders. I hung out with Michaela at college, and many times, I tried to get Zeke to join us. I thought he'd eventually catch on that she was Michaela, but her actions caused him to start to forget her too, so he just walks off. Now that she's dropped out, my only options are to hang out with him in my room at Ben and Grace's house, and just hope that she stops by for a visit. Although, whenever Michaela visits for Stone family dinners, she always comes dazed and alone. We used to have a very fun time, but there's been a new tension in the air. Like something is just weighing everyone down, but nobody talks about it.

I walk into one of my classes on what I thought would be a normal Wednesday, but when I walk in, I see that the only empty seat is next to someone, a man, that I haven't talked to yet. As I sit, he looks at me in a way I've never had someone look at me before, and as quickly as he looks at me, he looks away. I contemplate how to proceed, but I eventually decide to tap him on the shoulder and say, "Hey." He seems surprised that I'm talking to him for some odd reason, but he quietly and shyly responded back, "Hi."

We sit most of the class in silence, but at the end, I finally decide to formally introduce myself, "Hi, my name is Angelina, Angelina Meyer."

He looks into my eyes for the first time. His eyes are kind, innocent, and nervous. He has deep blue eyes, fair skin, light brown hair that falls to just beneath his shoulders, and just a bit of stubble on his round and slightly puffy face. Once he stands up to face me, I realize just how tall he is. I am already just a mere 5'2", but he towers over me. I think he's at least 6 feet tall. Normally I would feel intimidated by a man that is strongly built and stands so far above me, but I don't feel that with him. His presence feels almost calming, and I feel safe and like I have the ability to speak up and talk to him.

"Um, hi? I'm Pete…Baylor."

Why does he seem so nervous to talk to me? I'm small and thin, and I don't think I'm acting overbearing or intimidating?

"Well, nice to meet you, Pete. Are you enjoying college life so far?" Since the class has ended by now, we walk side by side to one of the common areas as we talk.

"Yeah, I guess? Wait no I mean yes, I do enjoy it. Sorry, I don't know why I said that before. I very much like this life. It's crazy that I almost didn't come."

"I love it too, but why did you almost not come?"

He seems really nervous, but responds, "You see, I come from a rough family. My parents really didn't pay attention to my brother and I, so he started acting out. He and his friend, Kory, have spent a while in jail, and I used to spend lots of time with them. Our parents supported him and bailed him out whenever possible, and pressured me to do a trade or something. I almost followed in my brother's footsteps, but I always had a love for children and I decided that I didn't want to spend my life in a jail cell, but in a classroom making a difference so kids don't turn out like Jace."

He looks away again, almost seeming ashamed. I don't know why, as his story is one of beauty and redemption.

"Aw, Pete, that's a cute story. It's never too late to turn your life around." He looks back at me, and suddenly, a joke comes to mind. It's the kind of joke that I sometimes hear Lourdes and Evie say, but I've never been a jokey sort of person, so this is just odd. Before I can stop myself, I just say it. "Also, I'm glad you didn't decide to live as a jailbird. You don't seem the type that would look good in bright orange."

I laugh, and he does too. His smile and laugh is comforting and infectious.

"I'm not usually the type to make jokes, I'm sorry. Anyways, I'm meeting Zeke here in a bit if you want to join us." Pete's smile goes away immediately.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you have a boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?! Haha, I don't have one. Zeke is just a close friend of mine." He seems glad at that statement.

"Ah. Anyways, I have to go somewhere so I can't stay, but it was nice meeting you, Angelina. By the way, I'm surprised that you don't have a boyfriend since you're so beautiful."

I've never been called beautiful before, especially by a guy that is as sweet as he is. I stand, silent, in the middle of the hallway just stunned. He looks back at me when he realizes that I've stopped walking. After a few seconds, I smile and say, "Enjoy your day Pete, and please save the same seat for me tomorrow, since I'll definitely sit in the seat next to you again if you'll let me. One last thing, I think you're pretty cute too."

The next day, he does save that seat for me. During our whole class, we catch each other just staring at each other. It feels like there are butterflies in my stomach every time I look at him, and I wonder if he feels the same. After it's over, I stand up to leave, but Pete adjusts his light blue sweater and walks over to me.

"Hey, Angelina, I never really do this, but I just wanted to ask so that I know. I feel, like, some sort of connection to you. I know that we only met yesterday, but I think there is something special between us. So, no pressure at all, but would you like go to see a movie with me tonight?"

Oh wow, he's asking me out. I don't even have to hesitate on saying my answer this time.

"Yes, I'd actually like that very much. On one condition, we will go to a drive-in theater instead. I've heard about how fun they are and never been. Also, I don't drive, so you'd have to pick me up, but I will pay for my own ticket and popcorn."

"I love that idea, but I'll pay for all of that. It would be my pleasure since you're putting up with me."

He laughs again, and I just feel so giddy. Then he asks for my number, but I inform him that I won't have a phone for another week since I had to save up for it. I give him my address, and then we part ways. Almost immediately, I call Michaela from a pay phone for dating advice, but she's not available to talk. I go back home, and Grace is there. I inform her of my first date tonight, and she gives me tons of advice and even picks out a dress for me. Michaela had already taught me how to do my makeup, so that was no problem. By the time I see Pete's Mini Cooper arrive in the driveway, my hair is half up and half down, my makeup is basic, but brings out my eyes, and I am wearing a pink, knee length dress with silver high heels on my feet. I walk out to his car, and he smiles, stunned.

"Wow. You're so gorgeous."

I spend the whole night smiling, sitting next to him in his car. Once the movie, The Notebook, is over, he takes me back to Ben and Grace's house. Pete follows me in, but the house is quiet. I see a note on the counter, and it's from Ben and Grace. They are away at Tarik's house for the night, as he needed some last-minute help and he lives in New Jersey, so it will take a while for them to get back.

"Wow," Pete says, looking around at the house, "your siblings have a great house. It feels so cozy."

"They're not my actual siblings, they're my best friend's siblings. Although, I like to think of them as family."

"Family doesn't require blood. They can be your chosen family. Family requires love, and it seems like your heart is open to lots of love. I mean, you chose to go on a date with me."

"Yeah, I did want to go out with you, Pete. You're so sweet and handsome. It doesn't take a big heart to love you, in fact, it's easy. Ever since I met you, I felt like there is something so special between us. You make me feel so special and wanted, and that's something I haven't really felt before. If family can be chosen, I want you in it."

He walks over to me, grabs my hands, and kisses me. I kiss him back, and soon, we wind up in my room. I kiss him over and over again, and when I look in his eyes, all I want is to feel this way forever. I know that my job is to save the world, but is there really something wrong with having a little something for myself? I close my eyes and embrace the moment, never wanting it to end.