Maggie’s house is one of the few homes from the 20th century that has miraculously survived earthquakes and landslides. Why it remains untouched is a mystery to Felix.

He runs his fingertips over the gritty, red bricks as Alex goes to knock on the door. In an instant, a small lady is there with silvery hair piled on top of her head. She has on a loose band t-shirt that almost covers her gym shorts. They expose the swirling patterns on her arms. They remind Felix of a textbook photo he may have seen while cramming for a test. 

“You two are late,” she scowls.

“Sorry, Maggie, saying goodbye takes time,” Alex casually shrugs. He stands over at least a head taller than her. 

Maggie sighs and lets them inside. “Destiny and I are basically done unpacking her stuff. We’re having apple juice right now if you want some.”

“Destiny?” Alex half gasps.

“Alex?” Sitting on a linen couch while watching the news is a more mature looking girl. She has porcelain skin and soft, blonde hair that flows down her back. When she smiles, she resembles someone you would see on a brochure for a top academy because of that perfect vibe radiating off her.

She springs up and rushes to hug Alex. His duffel bag thuds to the wooden floor, causing Felix to step back. “I can’t believe you’re the other roommate. I haven’t seen you in forever! God, when’s the last time we worked a shift together?” She grips both of his shoulders. Unlike Maggie, Destiny looks the same height as Alex from a distance.

“Oh yeah, you switched to evening shifts in winter. How’s vacuuming?”

“Painful.”

“You two both work at the library!?” Maggie claps with excitement. “How cute is that!” She looks over at Felix for a reaction, but he's too busy questioning if this is reality. He's heard people throw Destiny's name around campus and in the library's staff room. Rumour has it that the school paid her to attend and influence everyone else to be better like a role model. He doesn't understand how he got here, shaking her hand. He also doesn’t realize she just asked him something.

“You are a warlock, right?”

He nods.

“Your eyes are gorgeous.” She smiles and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I hope we become great friends, Felix." 

Maggie gives the boys a fast house tour — Felix can’t believe the four of them have to share a single bathroom — and then leaves to work in her room beside the attic's door. She said to never go upstairs because it gives off "creepy vibes." Felix makes a mental note to go when she isn't home.

Unpacking is slow and tedious for the two guys. To save space and money, they agreed to buy a bunkbed with drawers on the side of the steps. Their desks sit pressed together, posters fit like Tetris blocks, and both personalities blend together. It's like a sleepover where one person brought their entire room instead of a backpack. In the corner sits Alex’s violin and music stand with Felix’s box of questionable and probably illegal family heirlooms.

Someone calls Alex in the middle of the afternoon. Felix looks over his shoulder to see Alex frowning at the phone. "Hi," he answers in a light tone. "What do you need? ... The house is great. I'm actually unpacking right now. ... Yes, I have the picture of us. ... Um, I don't think you can come now. ... Oh, right, of course. Yeah, that was dumb," he nervously chuckles. "I'll ask and tell you later, okay?" He catches Felix's gaze during a long pause. "I love you too." He smiles and holds up a heart with his thumb and index fingers. 

For dinner, Maggie cooks some rice with potatoes and carrots. “Sorry, this is all I have. I’ll go grocery shopping tomorrow.” She stands to pour tea into each person’s cup. The four are seated around a circular, wooden table beside the kitchen's window. “Anything in particular you guys want?”

“Whatever’s on sale,” Alex jokes even though he probably means it. 

“Honestly, same.” Destiny scoops some sliced carrots and potatoes for her bowl. “How about you, Felix?”

The three look at him. “Tea.” He thinks this might his word spoken word since arriving here. 

“What kind?” Maggie asks. Felix has an endless list of favourite teas. He tries to think of his top favourite then thinks about how long he’s taking to respond and how he’s creating an awkward situation now and how he’s lost focus on which tea he wants.

“Why don’t you bring him to the store?" Alex suggests. "Help him adjust to the neighbourhood, y'know." 

"Adventure time! Oh, I remember one times at the store— " 

At night, Felix gets in bed before Alex. When he hears Alex change into his pjs, he sneaks a peak. Alex's back is a small piece of art and history with scars dotting his skin like stars in the sky. The north star, the biggest and brightest, is a burn scar the size of a palm. "Alex," Felix says from the bottom bunk. 

"Hm?" He pulls a t-shirt on and turns around. 

"When did you meet Destiny?" 

"Oh," he draws in a long breath, "September? Last, late September during our first shift together. Why?" 

"Is she always so... friendly?"

"Friendly?" He steps closer and squats so that his face his less than a metre from Felix's. "Does it bother you?"

"... A bit..." Felix turns away to face the wall. "Don't tell her I said that," he adds before pulling his blanket over his face.

"She just wants you to feel welcomed, bud. That's all. She's kinda like Diana from high school. Perfect looks, perfect grades, perfect personality. Kinda intimidating, right? Makes you wonder where her flaws are." He flicks off the light. Then he climbs the steps to his top bunk. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."