Setting my cup down, I grab a nutrient bar out of the cabinet before sliding my boots on. I’m already running late and I know BuK is wondering where I am, since he’s always on time. Sprinting down the path that’s becoming more worn as time goes on, I’m practically out of breath when I see my pink alien standing exactly where he told me he’d be.
The first time I laid eyes on him will be forever burned in my memory. At the time, it seemed like my mind couldn’t grasp all the differences around me because there were just so many. We were told to pick a job, and I clicked the first thing on the list I thought I could do, only to be paired with BuK— a charming, but shy, pink alien. I should’ve been terrified when I saw him since he’s quite a bit larger than I am, and most humans for that matter, but when he smiled…
I think I fell a little in love right then, and to this day that smile gets me every time. Now, the view of those muscles and the body that’s barely covered by his work vest doesn’t hurt either, as he’s very easy on the eyes. If you can ignore horns, the pink, possibly all the runes that mark his skin, or the fact that he’s like six foot six … nope, it still wouldn’t help; he’s all alien. Back home, a guy who looked anything like BuK would have been a jerk, cocky, and arrogant. I’m not sure BuK would even understand that description, because he’s naturally calm and mild-natured, though he is slightly confused from time to time.
I can’t help but smile inwardly as several of the other girls walk by him as he’s standing there waiting for me. You can see them openly flirting, trying to get his attention. He’s polite, but his eyes never stop scanning the area for me. The moment he sees me heading his way, it’s like his face lights up and my heart does a little dance.
“You are tardy. I was beginning to worry.”
“Sorry, I was just wool-gathering.”
“What?”
“Never mind honey, it just means my mind is all over the place, and I’m moving in slow motion this morning. Too bad we didn’t get a honeymoon day off like the newlyweds. We could have used some extra hours to relax now that all the excitement is over.”
“You would have spent the entire rising with me, willingly?”
His words make me frown, “Absolutely, why would you think differently? You’re my bestest guy, and other than Lacie, you’re my favorite person.” And there’s that smile again.
“I am honored, as I prefer you as well, Briar.”
A gust of cool air brushes past me and I shiver. Looking around, I don’t see anything different, but I don’t recall the temperature ever changing either.
“Do you think it’s cooler today?”
“My skin is not as sensitive as yours, so the temperature has to drop significantly for me to notice.”
“Maybe it’s just me then.”
“Where is your comm unit?”
“Crap, I must have forgotten it on the counter. I don’t remember even looking at it this morning. Did I miss something?”
“Only that Grandfather and Victoria are leaving sooner than planned.”
“Have they gone yet?”
“No, I do not believe so.”
“Good, I need to speak to Victoria about an idea I have.”
We head right to the shuttle area, only to see multiple people gathered at the ramp. The moment we get closer, Keida runs over with her arms open wide, quickly pulling me into a hug before stepping back.
“I’m so glad you made it. I thought we were going to leave before I could say goodbye.”
“Sorry, I would have been here sooner, but I was under the impression that you all were going to stay for a few days?”
“That was the original plan, but Papaw Ty and Papaw DaR are being called back for a meeting with the elders. I don’t completely understand all of it, but Destiny found something that shouldn’t be there. All I know is Uncle EvO contacted Papaw DaR, his father, through SCOUT a little while ago about several new races he found. Still, even though Papaw DaR is the Commander, he isn’t allowed to make any final decisions on this matter without the elders’ approval. Apparently, a veil hides part of our universe, and it has become a refuge for pirates and banned species. I don’t know the whole story, but I thought I heard Papaw say humans earlier, and if there are some out in that sector, he won’t stop until they are safe and more than likely brought here.”
“Wow! Okay, that seems interesting and a little scary. Are you guys going to come back afterward?”
“I’m not sure, but we hope to visit regularly. Maybe I can talk Mom into coming. She would really enjoy meeting all of you, but she hates traveling; she is such a homebody.”
“Crap, I hate that you guys are having to go. I was hoping to talk to Victoria about opening a possible boutique or clothing store here and wanted her advice on where to start.”
“Oh, she would love that since that stuff is right up her alley. I know she won’t mind talking to you because all of you are going to need new things and places to shop, especially when all the housing pods are finished. I am so used to going to the market to shop that I’d go insane if I couldn’t do it. Not to mention having only a handful of outfits. I would go get her, but she was going to lie down. Mamaw Vic is not a fan of space travel and normally she puts herself in a trance-like state so that she doesn’t have to experience the lift off or the landing.”
“I keep forgetting who and what she is. You have to understand that normal people like me only thoughtvampireswere a myth; something fun to read about or dress up as on Halloween. To think the legends were real all along makes me wonder what else was true that we were too stupid to see.”
