"According to Alpha, UserPFM5 lives this way," Ally said as she and Mateo walked across town.
"I don't know what I would have done without you and Alpha," Mateo said.
"I'm glad we could help. I know how much you want that comic," Ally said. "And as Alpha said, powers or not, I'm still an Astralian, and it's my prime directive to be helpful. Plus, I enjoy being helpful. My parents would be surprised to hear that."
"I hope I get to meet them one day," Mateo said. "Then I can tell them how helpful you've been to me."
"That would be nice."
Mateo suddenly froze. "Now that I'm going to be face-to-face with UserPFM5, I'm super nervous. What if this person gets mad at me for tracking the address?"
"Just explain how you've always wanted this comic, and I bet UserPFM5 will sell it to you," Ally said. "Ask nicely, and if UserPFM5 says no, say thank you, and we'll leave."
Ally looked down at the address on her phone. "We have to turn here, onto Cactus Road."
"That's funny," Mateo said. "This is Bethany's street. I wonder if she knows the buyer of the comic book. I should ask her about it."
"Good idea," Ally said.
While Mateo took out his phone, Ally walked off, looking for the right house.
"Wait, Ally!" Mateo was still trying to text Bethany. "I don't even know if she's back from vacation yet."
"So ask her," Ally said as she rang the doorbell.
"I will. But . . ." Mateo looked confused. "Why did you stop here?"
"Because this is 1232 Cactus Road, silly," Ally said. "Alpha said that this is where UserPF—"
The door flew open, and there was Bethany.
"Hi!" Bethany said. "I was going to text you, Mateo. We got back from our trip a little while ago. Come on in."
"No thank you," Mateo said coldly.
Bethany looked confused. "Are you mad at me? I told you I couldn't text while I was away. My dad never lets us use our devices while we are on vacation."
"Yes, I'm mad, but not about that!" Mateo crossed his arms. "You're UserPFM5!"
Bethany blushed. "How did you know?"
"Alpha . . . I mean, my new computer figured it out," Ally said.
"What?" Bethany blinked in surprise. "How is that possible?"
"Um, I bought the best computer at the store," Ally said quickly.
Bethany still looked confused, but Mateo was scowling at her.
"How could you do this to me, Bethany?" he snapped.
"I just wanted to surprise you," Bethany said.
Mateo scowled. "Surprise me?"
"I knew how much you wanted the first Cosmic Quest comic, but I didn't want you to spend all your prize money on it," Bethany said. "So I bought it for you using my prize money. I put in a high bid that I knew would win the auction." She smiled. "UserPFM5 stands for Present for Mateo."
"Wow! That's so nice, Bethany!" Ally beamed. "Isn't it, Mateo?"
But Mateo just stood there.
Ally nudged him with her elbow. "Isn't it?"
"Yes!" he finally said. "This is the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me."
"I'm sorry I made you worry, Mateo," Bethany said. "The comic arrived a few minutes ago. I was going to wrap it, but since you're here, do you want to see it?"
Mateo grinned. "You bet I do!"
Bethany grabbed Mateo's hand and pulled him inside. "Come on, Ally! You can look at it too. It's awesome!"
"That's okay," Ally said. "I've got lots of stuff to do at home. See you later, Mateo."
Ally turned to leave.
"Well, Alpha fixed one problem," she thought. "Here's hoping she can solve my passport problem next!"
As soon as Ally got home, she pressed Alpha's power button. "Okay, Alpha, wake up. Let's get to work."
But Alpha didn't respond.
"I said, wake up, Alpha!"
When there was still no response, Ally pushed the button again, and then again.
"Oh no. She's broken again. This is worse than worse!" Ally wailed. "Now I'm going to have to call Lainie and tell her I can't make the trip to view the eclipse!"
"Eight more years on Earth . . . that's like ten years on Astralia!" Ally sank down onto her bed, trying to console herself. "Maybe the years will go by quickly. At least I have a job here and friends and . . ."
Brushing away a few tears, she picked up her phone and dialed Lainie's assistant.