Zoe was very flustered and didn't know quite what to do, but he said "I like you too, Xiao, but you still have a whole year, let's take it slow. Besides, we don't need a magic book to let you stay in the US, you just need to marry a US citizen."
"Jon... you marry me? I be good wife, I promise!"
"Umm, maybe... like I said, let's take things a bit slower, ok? Why don't you go get ready for school?"
Xiao got a worried look and bit her lower lip, but headed back to her new room to choose some clothes for her first day of school. She picked out a pleated skirt, a cute blouse with a flower print design, and sensible shoes with a low heel. This felt so different that what she used to wear to school... back in China? What was school like back in China? She couldn't remember... she couldn't recall the name of the school, her friends faces, her subjects... That was strange. She knew she was Xiao Lee, and that she was from China, but she couldn't even remember her parents' faces or her home there! It must be the jetlag, she figured. Maybe she'd ask Jon about it later.
Her day was mostly spent getting her class schedule, introducing herself in each class, and getting her books. It was strange... while she couldn't recall her school in China, this American school looked so familiar. Even some of the students seemed familiar to her, but none of them seemed to know her, so it must be her imagination. The other odd thing was that when she introduced herself she kept feeling like there was another name she'd once had, but her name was Xiao Lee, she didn't go by any other, not even a nickname. So why did her tongue keep pausing for a half-second, as if it wanted to say something else but couldn't?
At lunch time, she saw a poster with various school clubs listed, and she immediately felt she had to go join the anime and cosplay club! She wasn't sure why, it just seemed like the right thing to do, and she kinda liked anime, though she'd never cosplayed before.
After school, she walked shyly into the room where the cosplay club was meeting. She introduced herself, "I Xiao Lee, from China... I would be honored if I could join club?"
The other students were happy to welcome her... the boys especially were drooling at the sight of her large chest, dainty figure, and beautiful face. There was only 1 other girl in the club. She was small, with mousey brown hair, glasses, and a conservative-looking brown dress. "Hi, I'm Heather Bergman, and it'll be nice to have another girl in the club! We are actually having a cosplay tomorrow evening at a small local comic book convention, would you like to join us? I'm sure we could find something for you to wear..."
"Oh, I rove that, thank you so much! I be there," Xiao cried. Why was she so eager to cosplay when she'd never done it before? Whatever the reason, she felt a thrill at the mere thought of it.
"Ok, come to my house after school, I have some old costumes that I'm sure I can adjust to fit you," Heather said.
Xiao saw Jon and told him about joining the cosplay club, and he was very happy at the news, telling her that he'd inform his mom of where she was and why she'd be home late.
Xiao walked with Heather to her home... her parents weren't there, and Heather explained that they often worked late, and she took care of herself much of the time. Heather asked several questions about China and Xiao's family there, but Xiao still couldn't seem to remember them, so she simply made up answers.
Heather opened her closet door, and said "Why don't you pick which one you like and we'll get started on the alterations?"
Xiao was amazed... Heather may look shy and conservative in her school clothes, but her costumes tended to be quite sexy and revealing. She saw a costume for the Scarlet Witch from Marvel Comics, one for the Baroness from GI Joe, and one that was red and black that included a long black wig.
"Who is that one?" Xiao asked.
"It's Litchi Faye Ling, from BlazBlue... I think it'd look great on you Xiao! You want to try it on?"
Xiao agreed, and she shyly undressed while Heather helped her into the costume. Heather was amazed at how well-endowed Xiao was, and the bra that was part of the costume wouldn't fit her, but luckily Xiao had worn a black bra of her own so it worked fine. In a few minutes, Xiao had the costume on, and after adjusting the wig and giving her an old pair of her glasses, Heather stepped back to take a look.
"You look incredible Xiao! The guys are going to be drooling! Here, take a look in this mirror to see what you look like!"
Xiao had trouble walking in the high heeled boots, and felt very exposed in the costume, but couldn't help but admire what she saw... she was drop-dead gorgeous!
