Okay, sorry these chapters are so short. The story itself is short. But, I promise, I will update as far as I have written before next Monday (Band Camp. You know what happens to me when marching season starts. I disappear… for a very…long…time.). So, here's chapter two! Enjoy!

Chapter 2: The Fortune Cookie

Riley stared at the chopsticks in front of him. "Do they have forks?" He asked with a sigh.

Alexis poked him with her chopsticks, deftly using them with the experience of eating Chinese for many years.

"Yeah, rub it in. You can use chopsticks. I can't. So what?"

"Riley, stop complaining." Alexis said. "Watch this." A waiter set their food on the table and left. Alexis took one of his chopsticks and stabbed on of his shrimp. "See? Makeshift fork."

Riley laughed. "Cool, thanks!"

An older Asian woman wearing a red Chinese dress approached them with a small basket. "Cookie?" She asked, holding up a fortune cookie.

Alexis shook her head. "No thanks."

"Sure!" Riley said eagerly.

The woman placed the cookie next to his plate and left.

Riley looked at Alexis. "Why didn't you get one?"

"I've never liked the taste of fortune cookies."

"Wow, who doesn't like fortune cookies?" Riley asked himself. He picked up the cookie and broke it, then retrieved the paper inside.

"What does it say?" Alexis asked with a sigh.

"It says 'Big changes are in your future. You will learn to accept change.'"

Alexis laughed. "For you, I think that fortune is about four months too late!"

Riley picked up the cookie and began eating it.

"Hey, I've got to teach Sunday school tomorrow. The topic is guys verses girls – the differences in how they think. Wanna be my guy example?"

"Sure." Riley said. "Where's your church?"

"In Bethesda."

"Wow, that's really far for church." Riley commented.

"I know, and it's kinda hard to find." Alexis said. "How about you stay in the guest room in my apartment? That way I can drive both of us there."

"Sounds good to me." Riley said. "What age group do you teach?"

"Eleventh and Twelfth grade girls."

"Sweet." Riley said.


Riley parked his car outside Alexis's apartment complex.

Once inside, Alexis's first concern was feeding Abby and J.Q. Abby glared at Riley as he entered, flashing her teeth and hissing quietly.

Riley returned the gaze. He suddenly felt curiously interested in the cat. He shook off the feeling and left the kitchen.

Alexis moved Riley's suitcase to the guestroom across the hall from her room.

Riley sat down on the couch and turned the TV on. Alexis soon joined him.

J.Q. found his way to them and mewed until Alexis picked him up and put him beside her on the couch.

Riley's ears were suddenly flooded with sounds from everywhere. "I can't here the TV over all of this noise!" He exclaimed.

"What noise?" Alexis asked.

Riley covered his ears with his hands. "Don't yell!" He said pleadingly.

"I'm not yelling." Alexis said concernedly.

Riley was shocked by the sudden array of smells he could identify. "What's going on!" He yelled. Then everything went black.


Alexis jumped up when she saw Riley faint.

"Riley!" She exclaimed, rushing to his aid. She checked his pulse. It was strong.

She managed to lift him onto the couch. "They must have over worked him." She thought. "No wonder they finished early." She decided to let him sleep and recover.