Bill Dickey ★ Eltingville.

I had been waiting for that day for weeks, I was euphoric, but above all, desperate.

He'd finally gotten a job at the local comic book store, Joe's Fantasy World. And even though it was pouring with rain outside, Bill stood outside, his hair and clothes soaked.

When Joe opened the door for him, let him into the store, gave him a T-shirt to change into, and explained the basics of his job, Bill could hardly believe his dreams were coming true. Even though he didn't like sorting, and Joe wouldn't let him go behind the counter, he still felt like he was in a dream.

At some point, Bill and Joe started talking about Joe's past, but as Joe finished his story, Bill wasn't listening anymore. His gaze was fixed on the front door, and it seemed like he'd seen a ghost, and not just him. But everyone in the store, everyone except Joe.

Standing in the doorway was a girl, a girl carrying geeky merchandise who was asking about something too specific to be random.

Everyone stared at her like she was an alien, and the boys soon took out their phones and started taking pictures. They just stared at her like she was something strange. And even though they didn't want to admit it,

She was quite cute... She reminded him of an avatar he'd seen on the internet before