Page 65 of I Fell for an Alien Popstar

“Then you will tell her,” she said. “And we will figure it out together. You do not get to disappear without saying goodbye. That is not allowed.”

“Is that a tour rule?”

“That is a me rule,” she said.

She tugged lightly on my hand.

“Come lie down,” she murmured. “Let today be done. Tomorrow, we can think about labels and planets and which side of the stage has the fewest cameras. We take off for Minia tonight. Tomorrow is a brand new day.”

I let her pull me up onto the bed. She flicked off the main light, and the fiber-optic stars overhead brightened, scattering soft points of light across the ceiling and duvet.

She curled in beside me as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. One leg hooked over mine. One arm looped around my waist, her hand settling flat on my stomach. She leaned in and pressed soft kisses against my shoulder blade.

I needed someone to pinch me because, despite being the girl everyone was gossiping about, this was the greatest dream I’d ever had.

Isat in the back of the mess hall by the large window overlooking the docking bay. I decided to start my late morning with some sketching since Zhari was in rehearsals all day. I hadn't had a chance to step outside to walk around Minia so I drew what I could from the window for now. The meadow across the road that went on forever. The workers coming and going, and the giant holographic tour buses all parked together in the lot.

Just as I set my sketchbook down to grab my pens, my wrist comm pinged. It was Pia’re. I tapped the live-stream notification to bring up a holo.

“Hey, friends! It’s me, your favorite vlogging girly-pop, Pia’re! I’m coming to you live from Minia, Tessara.”

Oh my stars! Pia’re was here, somewhere in Minia. I tapped Orbit Palz and sent her a message.

ME: Hey! I’m watching your live stream. I’m in Minia too! Let’s meet up for lunch if you have time today.

I flicked away from her live stream and swiped back to the Orbit Palz home screen. While I waited to see if she responded, I could send a quick text to my mother and Thomas, letting them know I was having so much fun on this work retreat.

I opened my family chat first.

ME: Hi, Mom. Just checking in. Everything is going well with the training. I’m having a really great time and I’m eating properly.

The three dots appeared almost immediately.

MOM: Are you sure? You’re eating proper meals? Not just noodles? Where are you staying? Is it safe? Are you alone? Is Carla with you? Did you bring enough clothes? Are you sleeping?

I stared at the messages, already feeling a headache forming behind my eyes.

ME: Mom, that was eight questions.

MOM: You didn’t answer all of them.

ME: I’m safe. I’m eating. I have enough clothes. I’m sleeping. I’m not alone. Carla is not here, but everything is fine.

MOM: You sound suspiciously vague.

ME: I’m working. I have to go. Love you.

I swiped away from the chat before she could send another message.

Then I opened my conversation with Thomas.

ME: I’m in Tessara today. I’m meeting up with Pia’re for lunch. She’s the girl I met boarding the shuttle.

THOMAS: You’re exploring another planet alone?

ME: I’m meeting a friend for lunch. I’ll be fine.

THOMAS: Where is Zhari?