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the necklace,” I began, my grip slipping on the surfboard as I tried to muster up courage. “I’d like to pay you—”
    â€œI don’t want money,” she insisted. “I want my necklace.”
    â€œBut I want to thank you, properly. After school…Take you to the pier for dinner…Then I’ll give it back.”
    She didn’t respond, but impatiently looked toward the ocean.
    â€œWhat’s your favorite restaurant?”
    â€œI can’t stay for dinner,” she blurted out.
    I glanced around, wishing Chainsaw were here. What would he say now? Then I noticed the Starbucks on the pier. “Then how about a cup a coffee now, on the pier?”
    She looked up with sudden interest. “I’ve never been on the pier before.”
    â€œThere’s a first time for everything,” I said, leading her to my favorite hangout.

Lilly
    I had a few hours left before my potion lost its effect, but for safe measure my plan was this: spend a little time with Earthdude—I mean Spencer—make him feel he’s not indebted to me anymore, and at the same time catch a few more Earthly sights, smells, and tastes. After half an hour, I’ll say, “It’s been great, thanks, gotta go.” He’ll hand over great-grandpa’s necklace, and when he looks away for a second, I’ll dive safely back into the water.
    I was overwhelmed by the pier’s magical brilliance. Previously I had only glimpsed it from the rocks below or viewed it from the ocean, miles away. And now it was within my reach. A huge white wheel with red and silver dangling chairs stood in the distance,nautical shops lined the boardwalk, and tiny huts sold T-shirts, sunglasses, and shell necklaces.
    I wheezed from climbing the stairs and leaned on the boardwalk railing that overlooked the ocean, trying to recover my breath.
    â€œWhat kind of coffee do you like?” Spencer asked kindly, leading me into a shop with a freakish mermaid on the sign.
    Latte, Frappuccino, cappuccino. The funny words I read meant nothing to me. I didn’t even know what coffee was! “I’ll have whatever you have,” I said.
    â€œTwo double lattes,” he ordered.
    I’d never thought I’d even visit Earth for a minute, much less a day, and here I was standing in a shop ordering drinks!
    I ran my fingers over everything—drinking cups, bottles, hardened treats inside beautiful papers. I gazed at objects shaped like sponges and sea cucumbers beneath a glass counter.
    â€œWant something?” he offered, close behind me.
    â€œDo you?” I asked, looking for guidance.
    â€œSure. But you pick this time. Anything in the store,” he said proudly.
    I was overwhelmed with choices and scanned the counter. There were mudlike squares displayed on a dish, a jar filled with red and white striped tubes.Overwhelmed, I pointed to a solid white cup with a black label.
    â€œI’d love some tips!” I exclaimed.
    â€œYou’re hilarious!” he said, as he and the perky counter girl laughed at my choice.
    â€œTwo scones, please,” he ordered, pointing to a puffy sand-colored orb inside the case.
    He led me outside where we sat on a wide wooden bench facing the ocean. I ingested my Earthly world at the same time I ingested my hardened spongy scone. Children ran along the beach, a young couple splashed each other in the water, two elderly Earthees walked arm in arm, an athletic man ran along the shoreline with his panting black dog.
    â€œSo tell me everything,” Spencer began between bites. “Were you swimming or surfing the other day? Where did you live? Why did you transfer? Where do you live now?”
    â€œUh…I live west.”
    â€œBy the planetarium?”
    â€œCloser to the beach…”
    â€œOh…by Yates Bluff.”
    â€œWhat about you?” I asked, as a seagull called out overhead.
    â€œI live with my dad in Pacific