Shoving her emotions down Crystal moved about the rest of the school day with Astronova's words ringing in her head.

You deserve to be happy too.

Not at the expense of Shaggy's happiness.

Never.

So when the bell rang for the end of the day, Crystal began the long walk of despair back to her ship.

"Hey, Crystal, wait up!"

She stopped watching as Shaggy and Christina wove their way through the crowd to stand before her.

"How'd you like the school?" Christina asked cheerfully.

"It was interesting"

"Like, where are you staying? The dorms are full already," Shaggy asked next, clearly concerned for her.

"I was just going to sleep on my ship"

"I wouldn't feel right about that"

"You can come to stay with me, Crystal," Christina beamed, "Trust me we have the room, what do you say?"

With only one other option, Crystal readily accepted. Following Christina to her sleek black car, turning away when Shaggy kissed Christina goodbye.

"I don't bite," Christina giggled, climbing into the car.

Crystal slid into the passenger seat while Christina tossed her bag to the backseat.

The car was clean, smelling of baking supplies.

"Are you sure I can stay?" Crystal asked quietly as they pulled out of the parking lot.

"Of course, it'll be like a sleepover and I don't often have those"

Crystal wasn't sure what to make of this cheerful but quiet hybrid. She had been expecting a scathing talk down about how Shaggy was her boyfriend now and she'd better stay far far away, but, Christina didn't say anything like that. She hardly said much at all.

Maybe those movies she'd watched were wrong?

Oh, the movies. Funny things they didn't have back home. In her first trip to earth Crystal had loaded many many data crystals with more movies than one could ever watch but she, of course, watched them all finding the teen movies very interesting using them as points of reference for all the people she'd encountered. So far, everyone had matched up with the groups she'd been filing them into. Christina. However, broke the mold entirely.

"Go ahead, ask," Christina said suddenly causing Crystal to realize she'd been staring, "It's alright,"

"What...are...you?" those words felt wrong, so wrong but she wanted to know.

"I'm a hybrid, my father was a vampire, my mother a dark fae"

"Fae?"

"Fairy"

"I don't recall learning about fairies last time I was here"

"I could teach you? If you wanted?"

"Would you?"

"No problem but today I have a party to get ready for, so I'll be in a rush when we get home, are you going to the party?"

"I'm uh, how do I put this? Not good in social settings? Is that right?" Crystal wondered nervously, "All the transmissions my home picked up were from the sixties, and when I was sent to explore I was in a small town"

"Hey, I'm not good in social settings half the time, I know what it's like to stick out but Shaggy will be there too, stick close to him, you'll be fine, he's an expert at these things"

"He is?"

"Trust me"

...

the next few hours were a whirlwind. Christina showed her to a more than big enough guest room before speeding down the hall changing from a nice school outfit to a faded shirt and paint-splattered jeans. After that, she raced past once more, headed downstairs. Crystal followed at a much slower pace.

"Do you want to come with me?" Christina asked before climbing back into the car, "Or would you like me to come to get you later?"

"I think I'll go with you"

Crystal didn't want to be left alone, smothered by thoughts.

"I'm going to warn you, the De Nile's palace is huge, get your shock out before Nefera sees you or she will never shut up"

"Nefera?"

"Cleo's older sister"

"I thought Cleo was an only child?"

"No, she's the middle child but she is the heir to her father's throne"

"Does Succession usually depend on the middle child?"

"No, there are extenuating circumstances, just don't mention it okay? The last thing anyone wants is a Nefera meltdown"

"Noted"

"Here we are"

"Oh, my-" Crystal was taken aback by the mighty Egyptian pyramid-shaped palace, sand-colored stones, and golden pillars with Nile blue accents.

"I know"

"I think I need a moment"

"Take all the time you need, I'm heading inside to get started on the menu, just ask for Cleo when you get to the door"

"Okay, thank you"

…...

Cleo was eager to show off her home, happily taking the awe-struck Crystal on the grand tour. Crystal found herself blown away by how much there was to see in the opulent space. The tour ended in the kitchen which Christina ran like a drill sergeant, commanding magically animated objects.

"Stiff peaks! STIFF!" she ordered

"Christina you'll give the thing anxiety!" Cleo giggled.

"Don't be silly," Christina waved the comment off as an oven buzzed.

"That's one tray of double chocolate cookies down, twelve more to go!" Christina counted, tray whizzing overhead to land on a very empty cooling rack.

"Should we help?" Crystal offered despite knowing nothing about baking earth foods.

"No, no, I've got everything under control"

everywhere crystal looked there were things flying. All kinds of rich, wonderful smells danced throughout the space.

"We should get out of your way," Cleo decided, taking Crystal by the arm.

Crystal was dragged to Cleo's room where she underwent a makeover for the oncoming party.

…...

Have to hurry!

Christina hit the ground running.

"Vhere are you headed now?" Radu questioned from his reading chair.

"Can't talk now, Daddy! I have to get ready for Cleo's party!" Christina thundered up the steps only to trip on the top step and crash on the landing.

"Why can't you just magic yourself ready?"

"I'm spent!" Christina called to her mother, sliding into her bedroom.

Shutting the door, Christina threw off her baking clothes before wriggling her way into her flouncy magenta and green party dress, hopping her way into sparkly black boots she went to the bathroom to slap on some makeup.

With a long exhale accompanied by the beginning of a headache, Christina wearily snapped her fingers falling back into Cleo's room, finding Crystal mid makeover,

"Christina, are you okay?" Cleo dropped her eye makeup, extending her hand to the fallen Christina.

"Fine, Cleo, thanks," Christina stood, "How are you handling the makeover?" she questioned Crystal.

"It's intriguing," Crystal allowed.

Truthfully, she truly wasn't certain about how to feel.

"Just thank your stars she isn't using you for experimentation," Christina shuddered.

"I did apologize"

"I know Cleo but I had to wear sunglasses for a month"

Even Crystal who was naturally curious knew better than to ask what they were referring to. Instead, she stayed perfectly still, letting Cleo continue her work. Evidently, she was going to be there for a while.

…...

"What do you think?"

Crystal blinked rapidly. Makeover now complete she couldn't decide where to look first.

Cleo had styled her very straight hair in waves that fell down her back before picking out a short honey-colored party dress with boots to match. Clear sparkly lip gloss and something Cleo called a cat-eye finished the look.

"I like it!" Crystal finally managed, meaning it.

"I'm glad, you're welcome to keep it, I've never worn it"

"Thank you"

"The guests should be arriving soon, come on, it's the best way to meet everyone"

"Whatever you say"

Crystal' only hoped that she wouldn't do something embarrassing.