Page 62 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

“Tell me?” She sits down on the other side of the bed, finally done pretending that she needs a vital item in her bag.

“Only if you promise to keep it between us.”

Jen sighs. “More secrets.”

“This one isn’t mine to share, but I don’t like keeping things from you. The fact is, Jaz and Ravik are from somewhere else as well.” I point straight up, hoping that will be enough.

I don’t believe in the surveillance state that some forums on 97-B refer to, but just in case, it’s better for me to be cautious. Jaz and Ravik didn’t give me permission to tell Jen about them, and I hope they’re not too angry.

Her mouth opens. Closes. She can’t seem to figure out what to say. I wait, patient as the ancient moons of my homeworld, for Jen to break the stillness. I’ve endangered the peace between Jaz, Ravik, and me, but perhaps they don’t need to know that Jen knows? I don’t favor the capacity for deception I’ve embraced on this planet.

“How long have they been here?” she finally asks.

“Ten years for Jaz. Longer for Ravik. Jaz wanted to talk about telling Poppy and Tad about all of us. Ravik is against trusting anyone.”

“But they know you looped me in already,” Jen says.

It’s not a question, but I incline my head anyway. That’s a human gesture I find useful for simple affirmation. “If it helps, Jaz wants to tell you. Ravik seems paranoid. Living here so long, in complete isolation, has altered them.”

“Loneliness is painful,” she says softly.

I know that all too well, and it seems as if Jen understands the searing chill of isolation also. I study her, seeking clues in her demeanor. I want to be closer to her, not divided by these conflicts. I reach out, and she meets me halfway. Her hand is soft and small, her skin contrasting the bright and dark patterns of mine. She traces a rounded shape on my skin, and a shimmering current of sensation passes between us, more pleasurable than a static shock. My mating colors deepen to violet. I feel her pulse, quicker than mine, a rhythm that thrums like a promise. Warmth floods my being, desire that sparks with surprising strength.

She leans in, and I mirror her movement. Her breath mingles with mine, a delicious intimacy on my homeworld. Humans would kiss now. I have witnessed their courtship rituals, but I do not share that experience. Yet I wish to touch her, learn the contours of her face and the lines of her form.

We’re a breath apart, the question of what comes next like a star in the night sky, beautiful and shimmering with heat.

Group Chat

February 12 | 20:02

Stargazer: I forget who mentioned Never Have I Ever last time, but now we have to play.

SquidHead: That was me. Me and my big mouth.

Stargazer: Thanks, Squiddy! Let’s see who’s the most innocent among us. 😇

Jeneticist: Define innocent…

Seeker: How do you play?

Stargazer: Seriously?

Jeneticist: At parties, it’s a drinking game, so if you’ve done the thing, put a 🍺

JazzyPlum: And if you haven’t, it’s ⛔

FarfromHome: One day, I will leave this chat and never return.

Stargazer: Don’t be cranky. Who’s starting us off?

SquidHead: I’ll go first. Never Have I Ever…gone skydiving.

FarfromHome: ⛔

Stargazer: I had a daredevil ex.🍺

Jeneticist: ⛔