Michaela had seen the Smithsonian come to life, but she was still amazed. She jumped when the t-rex roared and hid behind Larry.
Larry laughed. "Don't worry. Rexy won't hurt you."
"You named a t-rex fossil Rexy? Good name."
Rexy roared again, then took off.
"Lawrence, I see you brought someone new to the museum."
Michaela turned and saw Theodore Roosevelt on a horse.
"Yeah. This is Michaela. Michaela, this is Teddy."
"Michaela? The one who helped at the Smithsonian?"
"Yep, that's me."
Teddy got down from his horse and held out his hand to Michaela. "Good to finally meet you. And thank you for bringing everyone back."
Michaela shook his hand. "Uh, you're welcome. Does everyone know about me?"
"Pretty much." Nick said.
"Hey Nick, why don't you show Michaela to the diorama room." Larry said. "I'm sure a certain cowboy would be happy to see you."
"All right. This way." Nick said.
Michaela followed.
Along the way, Nick was pointing out where things were. He also introduced her to some of the other exhibits. They passed Sacagawea, who was happy to see Michaela. It wasn't long before they got to their destination and the first thing Michaela noticed was Jed was arguing.
Michaela shook her head. Some things never change.
"Nothing good is going to come out of this." Jed said.
"You don't know that." Octavius said. "This could be a good thing."
"Nothing good comes from pirates. Have you ever met a pirate?"
"Well…no."
"Have you met a pirate, Jed?" Michaela asked, sitting on the ground next where the two were standing.
"No, I haven't, but I've heard stories and…" Jed turned and when his eyes landed on Michaela he smiled. "Nice to see you again, Michaela."
Michaela smiled. "You too. So, what's this about pirates?"
"The museum is getting a new exhibit. A pirate exhibit. Do you know how rowdy pirates can be?"
"Not personally, but I've heard stories."
"And those stories never end well."
"These pirates might be different." Octavius said.
Jed scoffed. "Doubt it."
"Maybe we should change the subject." Michaela said.
"Good idea." Octavius said.
"How long you here for, Michaela?" Jed asked.
"I'll be here for a while. Moved here to attend college."
"Good for you."
Michaela knew without having to ask that Jed really did forgive her for what had happened. She was afraid that he had only forgiven her because they may not have seen each other again. It was silly now that she actually thought about it.
They sat and talked a while longer before they decided to join the others in the lobby. Michaela stopped at the top of the stairs when she saw someone dressed in Egyptian clothing. She assumed that was Ahkmenrah. Larry had said that Ahkmenrah wouldn't hate her and she believed him, but she was still a little nervous meeting him. What if Larry was wrong and he did hate her? Well, there was only one way to find out.
"Ahkmenrah is cuter than his brother." Michaela said.
"Are you serious?" Jed asked from her shoulder.
Michaela glanced at him. "Did I say that out loud?"
"Yep, you did."
"Let's just keep this between us, all right?"
"My lips are sealed."
Michaela made her way down the rest of the stairs and placed Jed and Octavius on the desk. She then walked over to Ahkmenrah to introduce herself. Different scenarios played out in her head, some were good and some weren't.
Michaela shook her head. She should stop making things up. It wouldn't do any good. And she has recently learned that nothing is as bad as she makes it out to be.
"You must be Michaela." Ahkmenrah said when he saw her.
"Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you." It came out more of a question than a statement.
"Nice to meet you as well. Excuse me for a moment." He then walked passed Michaela.
Michaela stood there wondering what just happened. She turned and watched as Ahkmenrah left the lobby. Maybe he really did hate her. Well, if he did hate her then he should say so and not just ignore her. With determination, Michaela followed the pharaoh.
Ahkmenrah was faster than he looked. By the time Michaela walked to the top of the stairs she had lost him. Which way was it to the Egyptian exhibit? Shouldn't be that hard to find.
This museum wasn't as big as the Smithsonian, but she still got lost. She had to ask one of the exhibits for directions. Eventually, Michaela found her way to the Egyptian part. She hesitated on going in. Michaela needed to know of Ahkmenrah hated her for what she had done, but at the same time she didn't want to know the answer.
Taking a deep breath, she walked in. She didn't get very far when two giant Anubis' blocked her path with spears. Michaela shrieked as she stepped back.
Ahkmenrah turned. He said something in Egyptian and the Anubis' lift their spears.
"Sorry about that." Ahkmenrah said. "They can be a bit protective."
Michaela nodded. "It's all right."
"You can come in." Ahkmenrah said when Michaela hadn't moved from her spot.
"Are you sure they aren't going to spear me?"
"Yes. I told them not to hurt you and that you are a friend of Larry's."
Michaela took a cautious step forward as she kept her eyes on the Anubis'. When she realized they weren't going to stop her she walked all the way in the room.
She turned her attention back to Ahkmenrah. "Listen, I know you must hate me for what I did to your brother. I'm sure Larry told you all about that. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. Kahmunrah would have hurt me and the others if I didn't do anything. I don't know your exact relationship with him. I assume you weren't close, but he was still your brother so I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I hate you. I don't. I understand what you had to do."
"You don't…hate me? Then why did you leave when I introduced myself?"
Ahkmenrah was silent, looking as if he was debating on telling her. Finally, he shook his head. "Just a lot on my mind."
Michaela wanted to ask what, but didn't question it. They didn't know each other so he may not feel comfortable talking to her. Maybe Larry would know what's bothering him.
Michaela noticed the tablet and walked up to it. Strange how everything that's happened was because of that tablet. She may have been terrified when the museum came to life and she was sure she was going to die, but she was grateful it happened.
"Kahmunrah wasn't that bad." Michaela said, still looking at the tablet. "I mean, he may have threatened everyone and was going to take over the world, but aside from that he wasn't bad." Michaela then thought about what she said. She looked at Ahkmenrah. "I just realized how that sounded. Probably shouldn't say he wanted to take over the world and then say he wasn't bad in the same sentence."
"I know what you mean. Kahmunrah did have his good moments. He hated that he was passed over for the throne."
Michaela nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. She wanted to ask how he died. Realizing that it was a bit personal and they had just met, she didn't think Ahkmenrah would share.
"So, now that I know you don't hate me how about we start our introductions over? Hi, I'm Michaela." Michaela held out her hand.
Ahkmenrah smiled as he took his hand. "Nice to meet you, Michaela. I am Ahkmenrah."
Michaela smiled back. "Good to know you can smile."
"Shall we head back to the others?"
"That might be a good idea. Jed is probably having thoughts about us."
"Why?"
Michaela felt her cheeks turn red. "Um…Uh…no…no - no reason." Michaela gave a nervous laugh. She then cleared her throat. "Um, let's go."
Ahkmenrah just stared after her with confusion. He then followed her.
It was a bit awkward walking back to the lobby. Michaela was sure her face was still red, and Ahkmenrah would occasionally glance at her. Michaela was relieved once they got to the lobby.
"And just where have you been?" Jed asked.
"I was talking with Ahkmenrah."
"Talking about what?"
"Just about what happened with his brother." Jed eyed her. "I swear, that's it."
"Leave her alone, Jedidiah." Octavius said. "She's a grown woman and can look after herself."
"Oh, you didn't see the trouble she caused. Gotta keep my eye on this one."
"What do you mean the trouble I caused? If I remember correctly we all caused the trouble. Well, Kahmunrah and his goons more so, but still."
"I was locked in an hourglass most of the time. I wasn't causing trouble."
"You may have been in an hourglass, but you were riling up Kahmunrah pretty good."
"Now that's something I would have liked to see." Ahkmenrah said.
Michaela wasn't aware that he was listening.
"Anyway, let's change the subject." Michaela said.
The rest of the night was spent just hanging out and talking. Michaela enjoyed getting to know the other exhibits. She was surprised when she found out that Teddy and Sacagawea were a couple. Exhibits needed love in their life too, she supposed.
Morning soon came and all the exhibits went back to their respective places. As Michaela, Larry, and Nick were walking out the museum, Larry asked her how the night was.
"It was great now that I know Ahkmenrah doesn't hate me."
"I told you he didn't."
"Yeah, I just had to find out for myself. Oh hey, Larry. What's going on with Ahkmenrah? When I first introduced myself he walked away."
"I'm not sure. He can be secretive sometimes."
Michaela just nodded.
Larry and Nick went home while Michaela headed back to her dorm. She was glad she didn't have to start school for another day.
As she curled up in her bed she thought about everything that has happened and what will happen. She had a feeling that this year will be interesting for sure.