The Next Generation: Chapter four: "Of course. Millions."

"Wow, your room is pretty," Lynna said, smoothing out the lilac coverlet on my twin matress.

"Thanks."

She gets up, and begans studying the pictures on my walls. I love taking photgrahps, so I have an expentional amount. Pictures of flowers, the meadow, the woods, Mom shooting, HayHay Jr. learning to swim, Dad painting, Cousin Lily and her Husband smiling together, Uncle Haymmitch frowning/feeding his geese, and a few of friends.

Lynna brushes the one of my favorites, a hummingbird sipping nectar from a Rosebush. It was a hard one to get-It took hours to wait for the perfect momment. She smiles and says, "They're my favorite birds."

"Same. The smallest, yet fastest bird. Amazing, aren't they?"

"Very," and moves on my desk covered with clay, film, messy sketches, and pencils that I found under my bed the other day.

I decide I don't feel like her making fun of me for such a messy desk, so I say, "You want to sleep in my room tonight?"

She looks up, her face brightening even brighter, somehow. "Sure. I brought my sleeping bag."

"Cool! You can sleep in front of the window,"

"Awesome."

We brush our teeth and manage to get away to bed without Mom or Father asking any annoying questions. I turn on my radio and it begans to play POP 2K, my favorite station. I'm drifting off, when Suddenly, Lynna's voice break *Rihanna's Take a Bow.* "Willow, Do you think your friends will like me?"

"They should." I reply drowisly.

"What are their names?"

"James, Lane, Mercedes, and Madge."

"Tell me about them."

I sigh. "James is the sporty one, outgoing and friends with like, everyone. Lane is the loud one who doesn't care much about school, He's also trans-girl to boy. Mercedes is fast thinker, and great at roasting people and keeping secrets. Madge is the shy one, who loves drawing and hanging out with us. She was Mercedes's friends, and James mine. Then We all got put in a social studies group together, and became best friends."

"They sound awesome." Her voice sounds so wistful, I began to speculate.

"Lynna, do you have friends?"

A pause, then, "Of course. Millions."

I can tell she's lying but I don't say so. I just say, "Oh, well mine will just add to that."

The Next morning, I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom. I take a quick shower and dress in my tights, white blouse, and open flannel over it. On my boots. I brush my dark hair as quickly as I can to dry it and gently add some blush to my cheeks to my eyes pop. Done, I rush to the kitchen to grab some toast and to my surprise, I find Lynna standing there, fully dressed in a Hunter Green dress and a Jean Jacket. Her Golden hair is brushed and curled, her brown eyes carelfully lined with with eyeliner. She smiles at me and says, "After you woke up, Your mother told me she called the school last night! I just have to go to the Office so they can put my name in the system and give me my schedule! She says I'm to have the same one as you, that's why I can come so soon!"

I'm surprised, and a little annoyed. "Oh-Ok. I can't wait for you to meet my friends!"

I grab my toast and off to school we go.

"7th grade, right?" I ask.

"yep!"

I notice she's skipping, which is very odd, because she seemed so uptight per our first meeting. When we reach the school doors, James is waiting for me, looking handsome with his shaggy black hair, gray eyes, and Sports Jacket.

"Willow! Your so slow!" He jokes, and embraces me in a hug, like he always does. I hug him back and say, "Says your Track Coach."

He burts out laughing at that and turns to Lynna, looking suddenly shy and output.

"And this is?" He says, bowing to her for some reason.

I'm about to answer, but Lynna cuts in. "Lynna Marie Hawthorne. I arrived yesterday, on a mission. Visiting Willow here,"

"Ah, and have you completeted your mission yet?" He asks, smiling.

Lynna gives him an look that say "Why do you wanna know~" and says, "Yes, but I'm staying for sightseeing. This is a very famous place, you know."

He winks. "Yes, yes, I know, Don't flatter me."

At this her gaze goes dark. "I wasn't, sweetie."

I cut in before he can flirt anymore and make it any worse. James had the same reaction to me, he does it to like everyone. Flirts, but never means any harm. I say, "Lynna, This is James. James, we have to go the office. She needs her schedule."

"Ah, of course, of course. See ya in Math?" He says.

"If I survive Science."

Another laugh and wink. "I'll come to your funeral!"

"You'd better, or you won't be getting your part in my will!"