The Fallen Goddess

The Unexpected Visitor

"I'm thinking that the River is by the manufacturing building," I explain to Koreena as we sit in another diner together. "All we have to do is look up where the largest amounts of hover boards are made."

"What if it's too far though?" She questions, sipping her drink. "I mean, it could be anywhere for on Earth."

I hadn't thought about that.

"Yeah, you're right. And it's probably China, too."

"Wait, why China?"

I just smile at her, laughing at her ignorance.

"You don't live in Earth. You don't understand," I say, still grinning at her.

"Don't understand what?" She asks, smiling too now.

"Everything on Earth is made in China. At least, a frick ton of things are," I explain to her as she takes another sip of her drink.

I can't help but notice how her lips curl around the straw, and how her eyes glisten with happiness.

Although we've been significantly happier since this morning because of it, the kiss has left behind an awkward trail, mostly because of Crissy.

I'm not sure if Koreena remembers that I have a girlfriend, but I do, and I cheated. I don't know how to act anymore, and I'm not sure what to do about my and Koreena's relationship.

"So, we have to go to another library. And then we can find the River..." Koreena says, though I think I hear an edge of disappointment in her voice.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

She nods quickly, obviously realizing the tone she had just taken on.

"Assuming it is in China, how do we plan to get there?" I ask, changing the subject.

"We telep-"

"No," I say firmly, interrupting her. "You can't. You've had less than a day to rest."

"So we let me rest another day, and then we take it slowly," she says defiantly.

I sigh, but know that there is no other way.

"Let you rest another two days," I demand.

She nods, though slightly hesitantly.

"Okay, then we should get over to the library. The main one is just down the block, according to some strangers I asked earlier," I say.

I suddenly realize how ridiculous this statement sounds, but Koreena just laughs. We get out of our chairs, pay, and walk out the door of the diner.

Like we have so many times before, we walk down the sidewalk together, but this time it feels different. It might be because we walk closer to each other than normal and our hands keep brushing each other's.

We arrive at the library in what feels like no time at all, and we go inside the doors. I head over to the computers like last time, but this time, Koreena follows me.

"What?" She says at my look. "I have to make sure you don't act like an idiot this time."

I smile as I log into the computer, and when the monitor turns on, I immediately look up "where is the largest supply of hover boards made?".

A lot of information comes up, though it's mostly about how to choose the highest quality hover board, but as I scroll down, I see a short, almost invisible sentence that says China does indeed make most of the world's supply of hover boards.

I point this out to Koreena, and joke, "Is this good enough for you?"

She nods, smiling, and says, "So we just find this specific company or building, and the River should be there."