Pennywise watched her speak about him. It sounded foreign to him, seeing her vulnerable. She opened up to a front he's put up, a human she calls 'Paul.' He was going to devour her with his wide mouth with sharp teeth, but when she sighed and said she liked his company, everything in him whirled into a feeling he's never felt before.

It confused him although the feeling was clear for the demon clown. He did not want to feel it nor say it. But he felt like he wanted more of it. He fed on the children by luring them with their fear, but he's never fed off passion and lust. No, Pennywise sneered at the thought. Alissa heard this but she kept speaking about him.

Pennywise? The dancing, singing, and feeling clown? No. It didn't sound right.

The clown listened carefully on Alissa's rant. But she never mentioned anything about a clown. The feeling whirled inside Pennywise. He felt it growing stronger. But then, he heard an alarm go off. He glanced quick and saw that it's her watch. His eyes widen. It's the supposedly the end of the cycle, the end of summer, his end of days.

But why is he still here?

He's supposed to burn into ashes, blown by the wind as this demon clown is set to rest and awaken in the next twenty seven years. But he's wide awake, his eyes glow brighter and golden than before. It's pupils dilated, and he felt stronger. He looked up at the sky and eyed the moon. The clouds disappeared, and so did the stars. He sensed a storm coming as well. He inhales the air he'll be breathing for who knows until when.

Pennywise exhales. The glow in his eyes faded now, he's calmed himself down. He feels a strange force awaken inside him. The demon clown thought that he needed proof of this force before he does anything.

Alissa stood up and excused herself. "See you real soon," the demon proudly mumbled to itself, knowing that it will be existing for a long, long time.

"Have a great day, Alissa. You'll do well." My mom says as she hugs me, I wrap my arm around her and pull away as I head out of the house. She's been supportive. I really appreciate that. It makes me smile.

My dad is waiting for me to leave as he sits in his car.

I ride my car, the one they surprised me with last night. Dad drives past me and honks his horn once. I nod as a response then observe my reflection in the mirror. I observe the color of the sweater I decided to wear today. Teal looks perfect with my black pants and boots, just in case it rains hard again today. I start the engine and start driving to my apartment near the college.

I just finished unpacking and convince myself that I'll be fixing everything in order at home when I get back. After dropping my things in my apartment, I finally park my car at the lot.

Making my way to the main building, I observe the whole place. It looks amazing, to be honest. Students are roaming everywhere. It's crowded, as expected. I love this, honestly.

I convince myself not to be scared of a little peer pressure. Then, I eye an array of organization desks just outside the building. I push myself to approach it. It's time to meet new people.

There are clubs for photography, videography, religion, aspiring-politicians, dancers, and...a search group for the missing kids.

My hands feel cold all of a sudden. I can't stop staring at the posters posted on their tables and hanging on the edges. There's a familiar face on one of the posters, and it's Kyle along with another kid that were onto me that night. I get shivers down my spine. I can't stop staring at it and at everyone approaching them. One student approaches me instead, noticing me stare, she hands me a paper to fill up with in case I'm interested, she says. She smiles lightly and returns to her table.

I look at the paper in my hand,

"Do you dance?"

I squint my eyes at the person beside me. It's Paul.

"What?"

He smiles at me, then points at the dancers' club in front of me, "Do you dance? Are you gonna join them?"

I suddenly let out a chuckle, and he laughs with me, "Oh, no. No, I don't."

He looks down at the paper in my hand, "What about that?"

"Oh, this?" I look away, "She approached me and gave it to me. But I don't know."

"I see."

I look at him again, "I'm sorry. I don't think I ever introduced myself to you. My name's Alissa." I reach out my hand to him,

He looks at my hand with a light smile on his lips, he slowly reaches for my hand to firmly shake it. I look at his hands. His hands feel soft, as if he doesn't work at all. I look at Paul and catch him staring at me, "Paul,"

"I didn't know you go here," I say and pull my hand away,

"Oh definitely!" he says enthusiastically but with poise,

I couldn't help but smile. It's like I'm already making friends at the first day, "What courses did you take?"

"I'm taking classes under Creatives." I nod, "I like photography and videography and all that."

"Are you?"

"Yep, what about you?"

"The arts." He says, "Arts and crafts."

I chuckle, "Really? I didn't...I hope you don't find this offensive, but I didn't think you'd be in the arts." He laughs,

"I like to be creative, too," he assures me, "But not with cameras, though. I like to be resourceful."

"Do you paint? That kind of stuff?"

He nods, "I'm more of an interpreter. A critic." He says and nods,

I pause, "That's pretty cool. Well, are you gonna be joining any of these?"

He gently takes the paper from my fingers, he looks into the poster and frowns, "Certainly, Alissa. If anything, I'd join the search group."

I gulp, "You would?"

"Those poor, poor children..." he says, "Justice is what they need. Don't you agree?"

I nod once, "Yeah. They deserve it." I mutter,

I look at the poster again and pause. I feel guilt creep up in me,

"But of course, I might as well join dancers club!" he says with so much excitement, making me snap back into my senses,

"Oh, you dance?"

He smiles warmly, "Very much."

"That's cool." I had to say quick,

"Are you going to join the search group?" he asks as he heads over to their table, whipping out a pen, he starts writing on the registration table,

Stuttering, I approach him, "I don't know,"

"Don't you agree they deserve justice?"

"I do-"

"Well then!" he says and writes my name under his:

Paul Walsh
Alissa Dunn

He returns his pen inside his pocket, "There we go." He says and looks at me as he stands up again with poise, "Now that'll help you move on."

"I'm sorry?"

"You said you met a guy last summer. This will be good for you." He smiles warmly at me.

I almost forgot about that? Holy hell. I fucking forgot I told him about Pennywise lowkey. I start to nod at him repeatedly, "Oh yeah, yeah, him. Yeah."

I feel stupid almost instantly just by hearing and remembering about Pennywise. I almost forgot about It. I remember the children, but the thought of It escaped my mind. I wonder where he is.

The bell rings and it alarms me, "Oh shit. I'm late for orientation!" I widen my eyes at Paul, "I have to go." I glance at my wristwatch and start running away, "I'll just find you later, alright?"

He waves at me, "See you soon, Alissa." He chuckles as I start running into the building.