Page 83 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

“I find your transformations fascinating,” he says then.

Oh good. Maybe he’s not upset with me.

“Yeah? Which has been your favorite?”

“This one.”

“Really?” I glance at my Amethyst outfit, my favorite Steven Universe character. Today I’ve simply gone with the clothes and the wig. Painting myself lilac will take too long.

“You look interesting.”

I laugh. “Thank you. Ready?” I grab a bag filled with essentials like water and snacks.

“Yes.”

I drive us to the fairgrounds, where the crowd is already amping up. Colorful banners flap in the breeze, and it’s not as hot as it was yesterday. The rain shower seems to have cooled things down, a fact I appreciate as I hop out of the car.

“Jen! Over here!” Poppy is the enthusiastic waver in our group, signaling me like she’s trying to land a plane.

I spot Tad, Ravik, and Jaz nearby. Jaz is dressed as herself again. But I’m not supposed to know that she’s really purple. Or that Ravik’s ice planet barbarian thing is a cover. I remind myself of it so I don’t get Seeker in trouble. I wonder if Tad and Poppy have noticed anything weird.

Just as I think that, Poppy bounds up and bounces on her toes, clearly stoked for another day of fun. She glances at Seeker, then Jaz and Ravik. “Damn. You’re all so devoted to those costumes. Are they the only ones you packed?”

“Yes,” Ravik replies.

I take initiative and change the subject. “Let’s not split up like we did yesterday. I need face time!”

“Sounds good,” Seeker agrees.

“Did you two catch the daybreak cosplay parade?” Tad asks.

I shake my head. “We missed it.”

Before Poppy or Tad can tease us, Jaz steps in. “Let’s just wander and see where the day takes us.”

“Lead the way,” Ravik says.

Jaz takes them at their word, weaving through a maze of booths. There’s a cotton candy machine today. That’s new. And I don’t recall if I smelled churros before either. That reminds me that I didn’t have breakfast. I don’t know how Seeker does it, consuming only one protein beverage a day. His body must be upgraded in terms of efficiency.

Seeker’s hand finds mine, warm, steady, and familiar in its strangeness. My cheeks heat as I remember how he touched me last night and how much I enjoyed it. As I study him surreptitiously, his otherworldly eyes drink in the vibrant chaos. It’s odd that he hasn’t attracted more attention because I can’t look away. He’s magnificent without trying—the shade of his skin, the intricate lavender patterns swirling across it catching the light.

And his eyes. Starbursts and stardust, like the cosmos at the beginning of time. His eyes are like otherworldly kaleidoscopes, shimmering with fantastical beauty that seems more magical than interstellar. I feel as if he houses all the marvels of the universe. Seeker catches me gazing at him; hopefully, he can’t discern the full extent of my giddy wonder.

“Did you see something you want to examine closer?” he asks, turning to assess the souvenirs on display behind him.

I realize it then. He has no clue how compelling and irresistible I find every facet of his being. That’s probably a good thing.

“Just getting a sense of the big picture,” I say.

“There is a scientist speaking later today. He has some interesting ideas about quantum entanglement. Would you be interested in going to the panel with me?”

Would I? Oh yes. But then, it would take a lot for me to reject any offer Seeker made. I’d probably hesitate over leaving the planet, but otherwise…

“Sounds interesting! I’m down.” I could fill a thimble with what I know about physics, but I’m always willing to learn.

“It’s not for a few hours yet. We can wander around until then.”

The others move off a bit, Tad charting a course toward some rare comics. I get cut off by a surge of pedestrians, and now I can’t see them anymore. This is when it sucks being vertically challenged. Poppy wanted us to stay together, but I’m sure we can catch up. I just need to—