Page 38

Jennette

It takes me longer than I expected to fall asleep.

And when I wake, it’s with Seeker’s words still burning like embers in my mind.

I don’t think I have any choice in the matter.

That makes me inexpressibly sad—both for him and for me.

Because I adore spending time with him. In fact, I probably should be alarmed at how much I’ve come to care for him.

Sure, we’ve been talking online for a while, and I had that crush. But now he’s a person to me on a deeper level, one with complicated problems I never could’ve envisioned. But any connection I pursue with him with always be shadowed by the fact that he doesn’t have that many choices.

He can’t trust most people. While we’re together, I’ll always be wondering if he’s making the best of a bad situation. If he would have chosen me if he’d possessed other, better alternatives. That’s a shitty way to live. And I don’t even know if he’d choose to stay here, if he had other options.

Does he want to go home? It’s a silly question. I’m sure he does.

That doesn’t mean I’ll cut him loose, however. I’m greedy enough to soak up these moments with him, even if they’re limited. The room is very dark, the blackout blinds still tightly drawn, so nobody can see how he truly looks. In these moments, he’s mine alone.

I blink away the remains of sleep and roll over.

Seeker is awake beside me, still on top of the covers.

He is indeed quiet in repose. I barely noticed that he was there last night.

There are stars in his eyes, pinpoints of brightness sparking around the vertical pupils.

I could stare at him for hours, but I’m afraid it might make him feel self-conscious.

I don’t want him to feel studied, just…appreciated.

Today, the patterns in his skin are a muted lavender, maybe denoting relaxation, and as I gaze closer, I detect a faint shimmer.

“Morning,” he says.

His voice never fails to elicit a response, one that would be embarrassing if it wasn’t also purely involuntary.

I can’t decide if it’s most akin to a growl or a purr, but it vibrates at precisely the right frequency, sending shivers down my spine.

God, I wish I could rub my face against his throat.

“Good morning.”

Thankfully, it’s not weird or awkward between us.

I didn’t cross any lines and I backed off when he expressed hesitation.

I roll out of bed and stretch, rotating my shoulders.

Ridiculously, I’m a little sore from all the walking yesterday while carting my backpack around. I really should exercise more.

“Hungry?” he asks.

“Starving. How much soy powder do you have left, by the way?”

“Enough to see me through today and tomorrow.”

“What brand is it? I can order some and have it delivered.”

He leans closer to show me what he’s been buying and I place the order, willing my pulse to settle down. I was already ridiculously into him before I knew he was from beyond the stars. The wonders he must have witnessed… I wish I could skim through his brain and see for myself.

Once I finish the online shipping, I get ready quickly. I’ll get dressed in another quick cosplay. Dr. Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation . I just need to put on my uniform and a red wig. There, I’m good to go.

Seeker has been using appliances or gizmos that I don’t recognize while I rush around. I suspect one of them must be hygiene-related. I should have asked even more questions last night, but I was super tired.

“Ready?” I tilt my head toward the door. Seeker hasn’t activated his tech camo, so I drink in his natural beauty.

“Tad sent a message. He wants to meet for breakfast at a restaurant nearby.”

I quickly check my phone. “Oh right. They’ve been waiting for a table since the place opened! Talk about going above and beyond.”

“We should hurry,” Seeker says.

I lead the way to the diner nearby. The crowd is stunning after the quiet of our room.

Already, the day has warmed up to a shocking degree with the sun beaming overhead.

Outside, the con-goers smell like body wash and sunscreen, applied preemptively, while the diner inside delivers the welcome scents of bacon and coffee.

Poppy waves energetically from a big table in the center of the room.

Her hair is a rainbow today, one of the gorgeous, flowing mermaid wigs that I frankly covet, but I haven’t figured out what costume I’d use it for and I try not to buy things without planning them out.

Along with Seeker, Jaz and Ravik are all hiding in plain sight today, boldly brightening the day with their alien hues. And I’m the only one who knows their secret.

Tad is devouring an impressive stack of pancakes and eggs while Ravik and Jaz abstain. Poppy has fruit and yogurt in front of her, her spoon hovering in midair as I take a seat opposite. They’ve left a spot for Seeker next to me and I smile a little over that.

“You’re the last ones here! Wild night?” Poppy teases.

Poppy practically sparkles today; she seems to be loving Space Con so far. The spark of mischief in her conspiratorial look hints that she’s got big plans for the day, but I’ve already made my own with Seeker. The others are welcome to come, of course.

“Define ‘wild,’” Seeker says.

“Did you do anything I wouldn’t do?” Tad asks.

Seeker pauses. “I don’t know what that entails.”

I’ve noticed that he hesitates sometimes, likely unsure of how to respond to easy jokes. But to him, the humor may not be self-evident.

Luckily, Tad laughs. “Point taken.”

“Anyone have good dreams?” Jaz asks.

I wonder if her people dream. But I’m not supposed to know that she’s an alien. Ravik either. So I’ll do my best not to react with undue curiosity to everything she says.

“Oh, man,” Tad says. “I got chased by a giant buzzer that wanted to step on me.”

Poppy laughs. “Clearly a result of the trivia contest.”

“The idea of dreams is fascinating,” Ravik says.

Before any of us can reply, the harried waitress brings a plate of French toast to Poppy. “Sorry about the delay. What can I get you folks?”

I set down my menu with a smile that probably doesn’t sweeten the overwork from the town population doubling for a week. “I’ll have the garden omelet and sourdough toast.”

“Water for me,” Seeker says.

Once the server hurries off to her next table, Poppy asks, “You mean, like hidden meanings or something like that?”

Ravik shakes their head. “More the idea that random hallucinations can refresh one’s mind. I find it curious.”

Seeker is nodding and I press my leg against his, hoping he’ll realize this is quite an inhuman observation.

We don’t really reflect on how odd it is that sleep and dreams can recharge our brains because that’s how our bodies function.

It’s like using a microwave to heat up some pizza; I don’t spend time pondering how it works.

Tad joins the conversation. “Once I dreamed about being lost in a corn maze after watching a horror movie. The implications are interesting.”

Okay, maybe humans and aliens have more in common than I realized. But I figure a subject change is in order before Poppy and Tad realize that three of us are not like the rest. I spot the waitress heading our way.

“Food’s here!”

The omelet is amazing with lots of fresh veggies and gooey melted cheese. Poppy is digging into her French toast eagerly, not seeming to pay much attention to the rest of us as her eyes drift half-closed.

“Mmm. Real maple syrup,” she practically moans.

“Is there fake maple syrup?” Seeker asks.

Which is a reasonable question, but most humans would know, I think, that there are imitations. Poppy gives him a look, raising one brow. “Are you being clever?” she demands.

“That depends,” Seeker says.

But he doesn’t get the chance to elaborate because Ravik stuns everyone by saying, “You’re a very…sensual eater.”

“Thank you,” Poppy says.

They pause. “It wasn’t necessarily a compliment.”

Poppy sets down her fork with a frown. “Oi! Why are you picking on me? Are you implying that I’m trying to be sexy and failing?”

“I don’t think I said that,” Ravik replies.

“It’s, um, the noises. I think,” Tad offers, his face turning quite red.

“Okay, before this devolves further…anyone else up for checking out the UFO Museum with us today?” I ask.

“I’d rather go back to the fairgrounds,” Poppy says, side-eyeing Tad and Ravik.

“Likewise.” Ravik is exceptionally skilled at saying as little as possible.

“Agreed,” Tad chimes in, pushing away his empty plate. “There’s a folk music session later that Jaz and I talked about checking out.”

“Then I guess I’ll buddy up with Ravik. What’re we doing today?” Poppy nudges Ravik with a telling smirk.

Yep, that’s what she was planning earlier. Now she can poke at them all day to get even for the “sensual eater” comment.

“I didn’t consent to any such plans,” they protest.

The teasing light in her eyes fades, and I think she’s genuinely hurt. “Fine. Then you can wander around alone.” She gets up. “See everyone later!”

“Wait! I didn’t say I was entirely opposed to the idea.” To my surprise, Ravik gets up and goes after her, a move that seems to startle everyone else.

“My treat this time. You two can get moving too, if you like,” I add to Tad and Jaz.

A few minutes later, after I pay the bill, I wink at Seeker. “Alone at last.”