Page 4 of I Fell for an Alien Popstar

I didn’t even remember getting back to my flat after work. My brain was so excited about going to Vela that I barely noticed the journey. I crammed panties and a few bras into my pink glitter rolling suitcase, along with socks and a few baggy T-shirts for sleeping. I threw together a few outfits for the remaining days of sightseeing and then focused on my concert outfit.

I changed into my favorite, totally high-frequency miniskirt and a lavender butterfly tank top. I scooped up a handful of butterfly clips from my vanity and shoved them into the pocket of the jean jacket I’d managed to throw on. I grabbed my notoriously comfortable chunky-heeled boots and slipped my feet inside.

After doing my makeup and adding the finishing touches of star gems around my eyes, and applying Cosmic Girl lip gloss, I stood in front of my full-length mirror.

“Wow, you look totally out of orbit,” I told my reflection, smiling.

I grabbed my things and headed out to the street, flicking my wrist comm awake to call a cab. Ten minutes later, I slid into the back seat, and we were off—merging into the slow crawl of London traffic. By the time the skyline thinned and the space station came into view, my attention had drifted somewhere far beyond the city. The cab pulled into the terminal, and just like that, I was there.

I stepped out with my stuff and made my way inside the station.

Everything looked like the shuttle stock photo online, just sharper and brighter. White arches, stupidly high ceilings, and security lines snaked back and forth, breaking up the giant room. There were even luggage drones zipping past my knees.

I walked over to the departure board, watching it cycle through the star systems.

I was nervous, but it was the buzzy, electric kind, not the hide-in-the-bathroom kind, which was usually what I got. You would have thought that being dragged around Earth for my dad’s government job while growing up would have meant I wouldn’t be nervous about traveling alone. But I was. We got to see a lot of new cities every few months. We even traveled around Canada, where I ordered poutine at every restaurant for dinner.

Most of the hotels we stayed in were very luxurious—high-rise buildings with hundreds of rooms, rooftop pools, and bars. But we did end up in a few shitholes too. Because we traveled so much, I knew how to move through terminals on autopilot, which helped to some degree. This really was the same, just… bigger.

I had never seen Zhari in concert before, so with the sale price and her being so close it was perfect. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so of course I had to take it. Who knew when there would be another deal again?

Just as I came back to reality, a cheerful voice came from my left. A young-looking Velan woman with softly flowing cheeks and pink skin stood there. She had a backpack slung over one shoulder and Zhari’s tour poster clutched to her chest.

“First time going off-world?”

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, looking around.

She smiled. “You’ve been staring at that departure board for a few minutes with a blank look on your face.”

“How can you understand me? I don’t see an ear translator on you, and I’m not wearing mine,” I said, confused. I reached into my pocket and dug it out. I flipped the on switch with my thumb and popped it into my right ear.

She laughed, a bright, cackling sound. “We Velans are taught many languages in school. Human language is among them.” She adjusted her backpack so it rested higher on her shoulder. “I’m Pia’re.” She stuck out her hand to shake.

I looked down and reached for it. Regardless of how long extraterrestrials had been on Earth, I had never actually touched one. Steve from work had never shaken my hand.

“Nice to meet you Pia’re, I’m Vada Lamoth.”

“I live in Lumara City. I was just in Toronto for the week. The nightlife there was spectacular.”

Her stare never broke from my eyes. Not even for a blink.

“I take it your going to Vela for Zhari’s concert?”

“How did you know I was going to Vela for her concert?”

“Well, for one, you’re wearing glitter makeup and star gems on your eyelids.” She tapped her right eye. “You’re also wearing a pastel purple crop top with butterflies on it and the words Cosmic Crush in silver rhinestones. Plus, the only departures from this space station right now are to the surrounding cities on Vela because of the concert. It happens every time she’s in town.” She reached out and grabbed my arm. “I think it’s safe to say you’re going to see the coolest pop star alive.” She laughed. “I’m going to see her too. I’ve been her biggest fan since forever. It’s so cool that she’s from my home city.” Her glow brightened. “Her Lumara shows are always wild. Last time, she floated the entire arena. Like, a full gravity shift during the bridge. People were crying.”

My brain was trying to follow everything Pia’re was saying, but my mind was stuck on the gravity shift. “She what? She floated people? In a good way or in a ‘lawsuit’ way?”

“In a religious-experience way.” She hugged the poster tighter. “I think it’s because she feels more connected to her home city.” She smirked. “You’ll see.”

“Okay, I guess I will. I am pretty excited. So that must be a long day for you, traveling from Toronto to London just to catch a shuttle back home?”

“Yeah, but only when Zhari is back in the city. I’m not really sure why they close the other locations. I think it has to do with this one being a sponsor. But I try to come back through London anytime I visit Earth. A few of my close friends live here. They work over at that big advertising building downtown,” she said proudly.

“The one with all the windows? Mulder and Scully Marketing? I have to deal with them sometimes for work. Well, next time you’re here, we should totally meet up!” I exclaimed. This was my chance to make a new friend, so I just went for it. I was sure my mum would be happy to know I was trying.

“As if I wouldn’t!” Pia’re beamed, pulling a chrome flip phone from her pocket. She flicked it open and activated Orbit Palz. A bright pink hologram popped up with the words Add Pal glowing in the air.