Juliana Robinson was different.

Very different.

On the outside, she looked like your average woman: brown hair that came down to about her shoulders, about five foot six in height, and a smile that could launch a thousand ships.

On the inside, however, is wherein the difference lied.

Aaron Euilberg blended in, so much so that he was practically invisible.

Aaron had a routine: he went to work at the veterinarian’s office, he went to lunch at a local cafe, and once a week, he went grocery shopping. Simple as that.

One day, Aaron was doing his normal grocery shop. He stared mindlessly at his phone, tumbling into a void of cat videos and political debates. He lost control of his feet and bumped into the person in front of him.

And by the universe’s will, her name happened to be Juliana Robinson.

“I’m so sorry!” Aaron exclaimed, almost immediately.

“It’s all right.” Said the calm, collected woman in front of him. She was getting ready to pay for her load of groceries, and strangely, using cash. She twirled a penny between her fingers.

She turned to look at Aaron, and his knees buckled.

Her smile was soft and warm, like a sweater knitted by a kindly grandmother, but with a hint of mischief. But the first thing Aaron noticed were her bright emerald eyes that seemed to glow.

“Juliana.” She said as she offered Aaron her hand.

“Aaron.” The young man responded, not exactly sure what to say or do.

Her smirk grew even more devilish as she said, “You know, I don’t have any plans tomorrow night. Usually, I like to get out and have some fun. But I guess don’t have anything scheduled.” She kept twirling the coin in her hand, as though it was some kind of hypnosis.

He didn’t know why exactly, but Aaron did something he usually wouldn’t have.

“Oh, yeah?” He responded, and a sense of pride filled his chest. _What am I doing?_, he thought. “Me- me neither.” He felt his mouth dry out, but he kept talking. “What about Mama Lucia’s? 8 o’clock?”

Juliana simply turned away and said, “That sounds lovely.”

She stopped spinning the penny, and it seemed to vanish into thin air. And nobody, not even Aaron nor the grocery clerk, saw her green eyes glow…

The next night, Aaron stood in front of the bathroom mirror, contemplating the suit he decided on for his outfit. What would Juliana think?

That’s when he heard something at his apartment window.

He sauntered over to the window, but before he could even reach it, a man climbed through it.

Aaron let out a shriek, like most people would if a full-on man climbed in through their bathroom window.

“Who are you?!” He spat, half terrified, half perplexed.

“Never mind that it how I got here.” The man commanded. “My name is James Robinson. I’m here to warn you about your date.”

“Juliana?” Aaron asked. He was certain a girl as seemingly innocent as her would be any trouble.

“Yes.” James reiterated. “She’s not who she says she is. She’s different. Not right in the head.”

“Like… mentally ill?”

James sighed and pinched the area between his eyes. “My sister, she… I can’t really talk about it. Legal contracts. But she’s different. She was born that way. Don’t go to Mama Lucia’s tonight if…” he trailed off, biting his bottom lip.

“If what?” Aaron demanded. He couldn’t believe this idiot standing in his bathroom.

James gave another sigh, defiant and annoyed this time. Finally, he said,

“If you want to stay alive.”

Aaron paused for a moment, and then he completely lost his mind…

“Get out.” He said. His breathing grew heavy, and he wore a scowl on his face. “Get OUT! Get out of my apartment and go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under!”

He dashed towards James and slammed straight into him. James tumbled out the window, disappearing into the wind.

_He’s just a nutte_r, Aaron thought.

After James was gone, he went to the restaurant at 8:00 pm sharp. It went well, for the most part.

Except for the fact that Aaron Euilberg was never seen again.

And Juliana Robinson left the date with her eyes glowing green.