Sorry this took so long in getting out; finals are approaching all too fast, and the huge studying and cramming sessions have begun.

While on my break today, I did get some writing in, though! So here it is for you.

>*<

After a few days, 26 soon found out what the other dolls had talked about.

The workers that came in were sometimes picky about who they chose, and sometimes, they weren?t. When they were fussy, boxes would be picked up and examined carefully, then set back down as only one box was taken into the next room to be Called. Other times, they?d quickly sift through the boxes, snagging the first one from the back. They never picked from the front.

?Is there a way to get into the back?? 26 had asked 24 one day.

24 shook her head. ?Even if we did find a way, they?d just take from the front instead. I don?t understand sometimes why they choose what they do. They just?do.?

It was during those days that 26 learned more about the other dolls surrounding her. 23 was a perky little thing, full of grins and youth and bouncing. She did a lot of bouncing. She was like sunshine in a box, literally. She made the days pass by quicker, but when they didn?t pick 23, but another box beside her, 26 saw even 23?s smile falter, but it was only for a brief moment. Then she was back and bouncing again.

24 was the obvious leader of them all. She had a cool, clear-headed approach to most things, and was optimistic and pessimistic all at the same time. Optimistic enough to keep smiles in place and hearts from being broken when another box was picked, but pessimistic about their being chosen in the first place. For some odd reason, the two never conflicted, and things flowed smoothly with her around.

15 was harder to talk to. Not because 15 didn?t want to talk; on the contrary, whenever 26 was down, 15 was more than encouraging with her soft, gentle tone.

The problem was, 15 didn?t want to talk about herself or being Called. At all.

?She?s?had some problems,? 24 finally said when 26 continued to ?pester? her about it, or so said 24. ?Just leave it alone with her, okay? There?s plenty of other things to talk about.?

But after another few days, 26 couldn?t take it anymore. She wanted a name for herself, and why wouldn?t they just Call her already? She was getting tired of sitting on the shelf. Well, standing. But still; same thing.

So in the middle of a conversation a week later, the other dolls weren?t surprised when 26 finally yelped, ?Why aren?t we being Called already? How long does it take them??

24 sighed. It was a sigh that 26 was getting all too used to. ?Who knows? Some dolls come in one day and they?re out twenty minutes later. Others?are here for much longer. We never know.?

26 was tired of the same old answers. ?But there has to be a way for them to notice us! Isn?t there? C?mon, we should be able to think of something.?

?Are you still on about that whole ?name? thing?? 23 asked. ?What?s so important about that ?name?, anyways? I mean, you don?t have one now, and you?re okay.?

?Yes, but?it?s like?? 26 tried to find the right words. ?It?s like a part of me is missing. Like I?m not me until I have it. There?s no confusion. It?s not a number on someone?s shelf. I?m a real being then. I?m?someone. I?m special, I?m unique, and no one else is like me.?

The other dolls were silent, thinking it over. ?There are a lot of us?s in here, aren?t there?? 23 finally said. ?We don?t see them very often; they don?t like coming out of their boxes all that much. We?re so alike. Too much alike. That name thing might be cool.?

?And the home,? 15 said quietly, startling 26 by speaking. ?With that name comes the home.? She started to continue, then stopped, turning away and closing her box.

24 sighed again. ?Look, this is useless. We can?t do anything about this, 26. We?re stuck up here until one of them notices us.?

?I know, but?couldn?t we do something to help them notice us?? 26 asked weakly.

?Like what, throw ourselves at them?? 23 asked, rolling her eyes. ?Not gonna happen.?

26 stared at the bottom of her box in dismay. ?Then I?m stuck here,? she whispered. No name, no uniqueness, no home.

?Maybe not,? 24 said suddenly. 26 glanced up, surprised at the determination she saw there. ?Maybe there is a way to get them to notice us. Don?t ask me about it yet; let me work it out in my head first. But if there is a way, you?ll know by tomorrow. Got it? Good. Go to sleep.? And before 26 or 23 could ask her any questions, 24 had shut her box up.

?Yeesh, mysterious much?? 23 said, sighing and closing up her box as well. ?Night, 26.?

?Good night,? she replied back, before glancing over at 15?s box. Not a sound issued forth, no shifting, nothing.

Worried about her friend, and still puzzled over 24?s sudden inspiration, 26 closed her box and went to sleep.

>*<

*Kas