Elijah Mendez had bought a postcard of his temporary home at the train station. It had a long, sweeping view of the beach: beautiful sun glinting off the waves, shining on the sand, and casting short shadows under palm trees. These palms grew taller than the ones back home, much more suited to this climate. Elijah had packed a light wardrobe, but he already felt the sweat sticking to his neck. He zoned out, gazing through the window, the end of his pen in his mouth. He'd arrived the previous day and gotten a decent sleep before this train ride, thankfully, so he'd be ready to meet his new roommate. If everything went well, he'd stay for the next year, finishing his high school diploma. Maybe, in a place like this, he wouldn't feel like such a failure. Realizing he was biting the pen, he took it out of his mouth and wrote a shaky address on the back of the postcard. It would be easier to write somewhere that wasn't moving under him, but he didn't want to wait. [i]Ezzy - You wouldn't believe how big the trees get. The ocean smells different. I miss you. I'll send a letter later.[/i] Due to the shaking, each letter took up much more space than it was supposed to. He barely had room to sign his own name. It didn't matter, though. He had cell service. - Basically_a_toad Today at 3:14 PM Ezzy you wouldnt believe it its beautiful StormChild664 Today at 3:18 PM I'm glad. It sounded lovely from the description. Basically_a_toad Today at 3:18 PM im meeting my roommate in a bit im nervous what if he doesnt like me StormChild664 Today at 3:19 PM Don't be ridiculous. Everyone likes you. Basically_a_toad Today at 3:20 PM yeah you and newt thats not everyone StormChild664 Today at 3:21 PM I understand why you're anxious, but I'm sure you'll make a fine first impression. Actually, now that I think about it, have you decided what your book will be about? Basically_a_toad Today at 3:21 PM okay i actually have been trying not to think about that i know im supposed to do this at my own pace but i still feel like im under so much pressure StormChild664 Today at 3:22 PM Well, try to take it easy. You have a whole year, after all. I get why you're so nervous. - (Ezra clearly didn't get it.) - StormChild664 Today at 3:22 PM Call if you need anything, all right? I have to go. Newt is coming over. Basically_a_toad Today at 3:22 PM oh!!! im so glad. tell newt to write to me StormChild664 Today at 3:23 PM I will. Don't worry, Eli. Just give your roommate one of those big smiles and I'm sure it'll be fine. Basically_a_toad Today at 3:23 PM i will - Eli loved his best friend, but he got the feeling that Ezra really didn't get what he was dealing with sometimes. It didn't matter, though. The train was pulling into the station. Eli slid the postcard into the outside pocket of his suitcase, grabbed his things, and got ready to greet the bright sun with the biggest smile he could manage.