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Apparently , we’re changing the subject. “ I have no clue. Something with a porch would be nice, but for the most part, I don’t care.”

“ Do you want one that can expand so that your entire family can reside with you?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“ Do you not want a mate and offspring of your own?”

“ I never really thought about it. I mean, I was raised in the Bible Belt , where everyone has two and a half kids with a picket fence out front, but I didn’t see that as my future, maybe because it wasn’t … as I’m here now.”

“ You can cut your younglings in half?”

I can’t help but laugh at his horrified look, “ No , it’s just another Earth expression, a saying I heard over and over growing up.

I’d been in college for two years with no idea what I was really going to major in.

To this day, I still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up.

I always enjoyed working with my hands and tinkering around with Papaw in the garage, but that’s not a career or a way of life.

I more than likely would have ended up a waitress or a receptionist, to be honest.”

“ No females work outside the dwelling on my home world. It is the male’s responsibility to provide what is needed.”

“ Maybe that works in a perfect world, but that’s not realistic. Think of how many of your girls would love the opportunity to do something if they were allowed.”

MeK doesn’t say anything else, just simply walks over and lifts the first panel, motioning with his head for me to start placing the pins so that we can get it lined up correctly.

We fall into an easy, but steady routine, with all conversations based simply on what we’re doing at the moment.

Twice , I accidentally brush into him, and I catch myself rubbing my hip where it feels like I’ve been stung by something.

When KyT and a few others show up later, I’m glad to have an excuse to leave.

The more I’ve been around him today, the easier it’s become to see through the wall he’s built to keep everyone at a safe distance.

To be honest, our conversation from this morning just keeps replaying in my head, and I feel like I’ve lost him before I ever had a chance.

Suddenly feeling sad, I know I need to get away before I make a fool of myself.

This man … alien, doesn’t want someone like me, and this crush I’ve developed for him is going nowhere, I need to figure out how to categorize him as just a friend in my mind and quickly.

“ MeK , I told Briar I would go see her latest project before we left today. Is it okay if I go on ahead while you guys discuss the location of the other houses?”

He tilts his head while looking at me, and at first, I think he isn’t going to answer. “ I will meet you in the sustenance area later.”

Quickly , I gather up my stuff, reluctant to leave my tools behind with his, but there’s no reason for me to pack them around.

Walking the now cleared path toward the pavilion, my heart feels heavy in my chest, and the last thing I really want to do is be around a lot of people.

Making a last-minute decision, I walk away from everyone, headed for the beach.

The cool breeze flowing through the tall trees is fresh and untouched by the world suddenly invading this area.

I smile as I once again walk through what looks like a fairy gate.

In my mind, I continue to call this place the Enchanted Dark Forest .

At some point in the past, some of the large trees have fallen, only to be taken over by flowering vines and dark moss, making the area seem haunted and much darker than any other I have seen so far.

The place seems more alive, like the forest, the flowers, and even the mist that permeates the air feel curious about the intruders in their world.

A few feet past the gate, I step into an entirely different and brighter world.

Before heading onto the deep sand I take off my shoes, enjoying the sensation of the powdery sand between my toes.

Stopping just short of the water, the first thing I notice is the odd lack of waves.

The water gently sways back and forth, but the soothing sound is faint.

However , the silence is calming in a mind filled with chaos.

Sitting down, I pull my knees up in front of me, staring out at the colors reflecting off the water.

One question runs through my mind over and over: ‘ What do I want?’ Oddly , the only answer I receive is silence.

The solitude has helped my mind, but it seems like my heart still isn’t listening.

‘ Who do you think you are, Lacie ? You can’t change his world or his way of thinking.

What makes you think that out of all the women in this massive universe, he would want you?

Like an idiot you grabbed onto him, practically throwing yourself at him because he saved your ass a few times.

At no point has he encouraged your little infatuation, and before you make a bigger idiot out of yourself, you need to get hold of this little crush. ’

Sighing , I catch myself rubbing my hip again, only to tell myself I need to look at that when I get back.

I have no idea how long I sit here, but I know I need to get up and head back before they send a search party after me again.

Stopping just a couple of steps into the forest, I put my boots back on, and it takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust, only for a gasp to leave my lips.

Suddenly , I’m surrounded by little lights dancing in the air.

They are so small that they resemble tiny specks of dust, yet they remind me of home and chasing lightning bugs when I was little.

Smiling , I take my time walking through them, not wanting to disturb their happiness as I pass.

When I notice the area brightening, I stop for a moment and turn around, but it’s as if they have vanished into the darkness.

For a split second, I think I see a flash of something off to the side but dismiss it as my eyes playing tricks on me.

Passing the pavilion because I really don’t want to face MeK right now, I head to my dropship, thankful to see a few others are already there.

Grabbing my seat, I close my eyes and lean my head back, pretending to be asleep since I have no ‘peopling’ left in me right now.

Once our ship is full, we lift off and my hip instantly starts burning.

When we get back on ANDI , I feel like I can breathe again.

Hungry from not eating all day, I head straight for the replicator in my and Briar’s room.

After trying three things that taste nothing like the pictures, I clean up and head to bed, shocked that Briar’s not back yet.

I have no idea how long I’m asleep before I hear the door slide open.

Sitting up in bed, I see Briar sneaking in.

“ Young lady, you are out way past your curfew.”

“ Sorry mooommmm, had to work late. You can thank me in the morning.”

“ That will be enough sass from you, get your ass in the bed!”