Maria realized the world 40 years later would take some getting used to. There were so many changes. Color TV, cars with all kinds of gadgets, green energy, new products, etc. She wasn't sure how long she had stood on the sidewalks staring at the world that had changed so much during her absence. That world stared back at her. Everyone on the street turned around to look at the beautiful woman standing there. After a while Maria began to feel uncomfortable, and she quickly walked out of the street. She had to find a place to stay. She couldn't sleep on the roof of a house like she had done before, and she didn't have any money to rent a room somewhere.

Just when she considered finding a job and saving up money until she could afford to stay somewhere she noticed a sign standing in front of a large house. Next to the large house, there also stood a smaller building that appeared to be for personnel. She read the text on the sign.

Bed & breakfast Hunter's cabin

NOW HIRING!

Maria smiled a little, glad that she finally had some luck. She nodded to herself and entered the larger building. The room appeared to be some sort of lobby: there was a counter with a small bell on it, two leather couches a magazine rack and a coffee table on the other side of the room, and she could see a door with 'restaurant' on it and some stairs. Behind the counter stood an elderly man, around 60 years old. He looked up and frowned at the sight of Maria. 'Aren't you a bit young to look for a place to sleep alone?' He asked. Maria blinked for a moment. Young? She looked about 20, was that too young to look for a place to stay? She wouldn't know: she had always lived in Peter's house.

'Um… Actually, I came because of the job…'

'Hmm…' There was a long silence in the room before the old man spoke again.

'Do you have any experience cleaning?'

'Yes, I used to do a lot of household chores.' Maria had often helped Peter clean his mansion, since he was terrible at everything even slightly related to household chores. He was good man, just very clumsy.

'I see. I take it you also need a place to stay?'

'Y-yes.' Maria said, feeling uncomfortable with how that man appeared to know exactly what she needed. The man sighed.

'You'll start tomorrow. If you do a good enough job I'll let you work here. The rooms for personnel are in the back.' With his hand he gestured at the door behind the counter Maria only just now noticed.

'There isn't anyone else here but me, so you can take any room you want. Any questions?'

'No sir, everything's clear. And thank you.' The man just nodded.

Maria let out a sigh of relief as she sat down on her bed. She had chosen the most modest room out of all available ones. The building for personnel had been surprisingly large. As Maria brushed her had through her hair, she thought back about how the man had appeared to think of her as too young. Was it really that strange for a 20 year old to be looking for work? She stood up and walked out of her room, into the shared bathroom in the hallway. She looked into the mirror that hung above a sink and gasped: she now understood why the man had thought of her as young. Instead of seeing herself as a 20 year old, she saw a 16 year old version of herself in the mirror.

'How is this possible…?' She hadn't changed that much: she had become shorter and her face looked younger than before, but still! To suddenly find yourself having grown younger would be enough to shock anyone. And on top it of, Maria had never aged. She was a painting after all.

'Almost done?' Maria was startled by a sudden knock on the door.

'Yes, I'm finished.' She said, opening the door and stepping outside.

'Good. I have something else to tell you. You don't go to school do you?'

'Well, no.' Maria said.

'Then good news: I'm an old friend of the principal of a nearby school, and he's agreed to let you attend school there.' Maria's eyes widened, speechless. There was a minute of silence while she thought of what to say.µ

'Well… That's… T-thank you!' She eventually managed to stutter.

'You'll start school next week, then.' With that the man turned around and left, leaving Maria behind in the hallway, stunned.

'I'm… going to school.' Was all she managed to say.