At the end of the afternoon, almost evening, downtown park was the way it always is; people coming back home and the missing stores were being closed. There weren’t many people on the street, unlike earlier times where there was a fuss. There was a central place at downtown park that some years ago used to have a fountain that had been demolished to give place to people walking, and where a craft fair takes place once a month. Surrounding this central area, there were many local tree patches and bushes.

A bright light began to emerge from one of the bushes. It was the same light that had been seen earlier with the arrival of the two previous enemies: Rosália and Itzel. The light then took shape and revealed a young-looking woman, of average to short height, with fair skin, light pastel pink hair, braided and tied up high on each side. Her eyes were warm and piercing, amber in color, and her makeup was soft. As for accessories, she wore two golden ear cuffs with hanging gemstones that seemed precious. She was dressed in a bodysuit in shades of blue and amber, adorned with embedded stones, and short boots in the same color palette.

“OHHH! I’m here! It is truly real!” said the woman with enthusiasm.

“Welcome, Maureen!” Greeted Itzel.

Maureen’s arrival to the planet has already been expected by the man with aquamarine-colored hair. He brought her a long-sleeved sweater in yellow shade with a small bear printed. The young woman took the sweater from his hands and seemed overjoyed. 

“Ahhhh! So pretty! That's so me!”

“That’s good! I thought you would enjoy it.” he said, feeling content.  “Let’s walk home.” - he announced and started to walk in front of her.  

“Ok!” - Maureen puts on the sweater and starts to follow him. She looks at the places attentively; the buildings, trees, ground, sky. Everything is so different from her homeland. “So beautiful! Living here must be so cool! - she said excitedly to Itzel.

‘Oh, yes. It is.”

Both continued walking. Maureen looked at everything she could; the architecture, plants, people’s behavior… Nothing escaped her gaze. 

“I was worried. Rosália mentioned this place was terrible, full of monsters. And that I would be attacked immediately.” 

“Well, Rosália, tends to overdue a little.”

“Besides that, she was feeling worried about not recognizing you anymore. She thought you were deformed. But you look well.” Maureen saying that made Itzel look confused at her. He couldn’t take what he heard and laughed out loud of the absurd Rosália, his great love had imagined. 

After a walk of approximately fifteen minutes, they stop in front of a two-tower building with sixteen large apartments. There were office rooms in cream shade on the ground floor with an old pink paint and the hallway in brown. Nearby there was a luxury store for restrooms and on the other corner there was a gas station. The building was near the city soccer stadium, however not as near as Adonis’ place, as that was closer to downtown, the young boy one was near school. 

“WOW! You live in a large place like that?” Maureen asked, feeling impressed with the construction.

“HAHAHAHAHA. Not that large, no.” Itzel laughed with her naivety. “This is a building. There are many other people's homes inside of it. They are called apartments. 

Both came inside the place and he conducted towards the apartment he was living in. Getting there, he opened up the door. Inside, there were three of his roommates: Ren, already known as the video store owner; another young looking man, called Dylan, with green eyes, wavy and brown hair covered by a knit hat, wearing long pieces of clothing in saturated blue and orange shades; and another man, Kenta, who was tall, with an aggressive appearance, leather black clothes, hair styled with gel to get spiky and was wearing black make-up on his eyes and mouth, showing up some piercings on his ears and eyebrows. 

The group of men were watching TV, drinking beer and when they heard the door opening, they turned back to greet Itzel. Ren was excited, stood up with beer on hand to offer to his roommate. But after greeting him, he was interrupted because the three were open-mouthed seeing the girl Itzel had brought with him. 

“Do you live with humans from Earth?” Maureen asked Itzel.

“Yes! I do! They are inoffensive.” - Itzel answered excitedly. While both talked, Ren got closer to his friend and pulled him out to a corner to confront him. 

“Itzel, you didn't say you had a GF with you.”

“No, she is just a friend.” he answered feeling a little annoyed.

“Friend? Dude, come on! Introduce us to your friend! Dylan asked, the knit hat boy.

“This is Maureen. I’ll show her the city. See you all later!” Itzel answered swiftly and moved towards the door to go out with his friend.

While they were going out, the group of three just murmured “HMMMMMM” in unison, out loud. Itzel was feeling more annoyed and slammed the door with some force. Maureen got startled with her friend’s attitude. 

“Itzel, is it how Rosália said? Are you being held captive?” she asked, concerned. While they were alone, she pointed to her own eyes and blinked several times. “Blink twice if you need any help!” He glares awkwardly at the light pink-haired-woman and leaves a long sigh. He continued walking and explained a little of his life on the planet. 

“I work with them and split the rent.” 

“What is “a rent"?” Maureen shows some curiosity with the local habits. 

“It’s when you pay to live in a borrowed home.” he answered, searching for simple ways to make her understand. While they talk, his friend Ren, clearly alcoholized, opens up the window and shouts from the second floor. 

“YOU TWO HAVE A GOOD DATE!”

Itzel wanted to curse at his friend, but he was startled that the only thing he could do was face the window with his mouth open. 

“Itzel, do they think we are together?” Maureen asked, noticing she was into an unpleasant situation. “Why don’t you tell them you are dating Rosália?”

“I… don’t talk about my personal life.” Itzel gave no details, only answered in a simple way.

They arrive at the nearby snack-bar, a not so large place, however, comfortable and famous in town. Located on the corner, the place serves snacks, the specialty which is called X Salad with homemade mayonnaise, corn, peas, beef, and of course, lettuce and vinaigrette.

“Ohhh! Are we going to try Earth’s cuisine?” the woman asked gladly. 

“We are! I invited Koa and Adonis too!”

Both searched for a table for four so everyone could sit. Meanwhile, a red-haired young lad got closer to the place. Seeing his colleagues, he opened up a smile and greeted them excitedly. 

“What’s up? Itzel, Maureen, how are you doing?” Adonis hurries up to get closer.

“Hey, Adonis! Is Koa coming?” Itzel asked.

“Hm, no. He said he wouldn’t because you were going to take care of me.” Itzel didn’t like hearing those words because he realized he would have to pay for the snacks all by himself, besides being a babysitter. 

“Sit down!” Maureen pointed to the chair.

“Cool!” the young guy replied, pulling out a chair to sit down.

“I’ll order what I think you’ll enjoy eating.” Itzel begins analyzing the menu as he seemed more familiar with the place, and as he already knew his colleagues, he would know best to choose for them. 

“Is that good?” Maureen asked, looking at the picture of a X salad on the menu. 

“I don’t get it.” Adonis takes another menu and reads the options but he couldn’t understand well what every dish and beverage was.

Itzel calls the waiter and orders for everyone. Meanwhile, Maureen begins talking with the youngest one. 

“Tell us, Adonis! What have you been doing here?”

“Me? Ah, trying to find the Potentia.” said the boy with an annoyed tone of voice.

“That’s because you are the same age as them. It’s easier this way.” Itzel joined the talking, explaining to Adonis why he was the most suitable for the mission.

“But that doesn’t even make any sense!” The red-haired guy was full of indignation. “Why you and Rosália don’t search for them? You saw them! Wouldn’t it be easier?”

“Rosália got terrified, and didn’t want to come back. I just saw the oldest one. Never saw the appearance of the others. And at school it gets easier to search for them as a student.” Itzel replied with a nice smile to persuade the young one. 

“Got it..” Adonis replied placing both hands on the head showing annoyance. “But dude… I hate school.”

“HAHAHA! So you’re fitting in.” The older man couldn’t take his laugh. “I guess you need to find someone with strange behavior.”

“But they are all strange. I think I have to do the opposite…” Adonis said in a sarcastic tone.

“You should get yourself a girlfriend.” suggests Maureen in an unusual way.

“WHAT?? THAT’S GROSS!” Adonis shouts startled, making a fuss in the snack-bar.

“Maureen…I don’t think that would help on the mission.” Itzel replied, controlling his voice, but similarly shocked with her suggestion.

“Ahhh! It’ll help build good memories! I had so many at his age!

Both stared at her seriously, not even replying. Maureen was unfocused on the mission with that suggestion. They continued talking and exchanging ideas about the planet and what they were passing through. During the time, a tall waiter, with brown hair, in his mid-twenties came in to bring the beverage and serve the table. The woman looked at him and couldn’t let it pass that she found him handsome.

“Here are the beverages!” Itzel said excitedly. The beverages were served at the table. The yellowish liquid in Itzel’s glass called Adonis’ attention and then the younger one asked.

“What is that beverage you are going to drink?”

“That’s beer. Only for adults. I and Maureen can drink.”

“And this black one with some bubbles, what is it?” The young boy asked while Itzel was pouring it.

“It’s called soda. That’s what kids drink.” Maureen listens attentively to the explanations and takes Itzel’s glass to drink. Feeling excited, she drinks beer all in one sip. After tasting the sour and salty taste from the beer, she spits it all, feeling a little sick.

“THAT’S AWFUL!” said the young woman feeling repulsed and giving back the content into Itzel’s glass.

“DON'T SPIT ALL OVER MY GLASS, MAUREEN!” This time, Itzel couldn’t stay calm. He was at his limit with everything.

“Hey, Itzel! You have more?” Adonis showed the empty soda bottle and put his leg on the chair.

“YOU DRANK ALL OF IT?” Itzel was surprised. “And sit up properly!”

“Is that good?” Maureen asked, showing some interest.

“For real!” the ginger-haired guy replied.

“Bring two more soda bottles.” Itzel ordered the waiter.

“I’ll bring them right away!” the waiter said, taking the order down on a notepad.

The evening went on as they drank, ate snacks, and laughed. When they were leaving, Maureen was full from overeating. Itzel was happy to see all his friends having fun, and Adonis was excited about meeting them again.

“Wow, I ate too much!” Maureen said, placing her hand on her full belly.

“Let's get going, then!” Itzel paid the bills and headed home.

“Thanks a lot, Itzel! Call me again sometime!” Adonis said goodbye to both of them and ran toward his home. Itzel and Maureen walked together toward the building where he lived.

“You’ll spend the night at my place tonight.”

“Oh! I’ll be your rental friend?” she asked, her hand on her face, feeling overjoyed.

“Haha, no. Just for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll look for a place for you.” he replied, ruining all her excitement. “The weather forecast said there will be thunder tomorrow.”

Maureen's facial expression changed abruptly, and she became more serious. She smiled, as if signaling that she had understood the message.

“Great! I’ll get ready for it.” she replied.