Chapter 8

The Brat Pack looked at each other. They didn't know how to tell the parents with out having to be separated until they were thirty.

"All of us our soul-mates; Liz and Max, Alex and Isabel, Michael and Maria, and Tess and I," replied Kyle.

The parents looked at each other. "You all went camping together!" screamed Amy.

"We the space-farers didn't know until the earthlings helped us recover our memories," replied Michael.

"Space-farers, earthlings?" asked Diane.

"Oh these are the nicknames we gave each other," replied Maria.

"Isn't that nice, it still doesn't explain why you all went camping together," said Nancy.

"Mom, the whole story was that we weren't suppose to be together, we," she said indicating Alex, Kyle, and Maria "we weren't sure if they would remember us or not. Please don't be mad nothing happened," Liz explained.

"None of us know why we were sent here. We have grown up our entire lives and don't really know each other any more. So we are taking things slow. We want to get to know each other before we get serious," Max told the parents.

The parents looked at each other, "Well," said Jim "I think we all need to head home and mull over what each of us has learned. We can meet in the next two or three days and decided what we need to do about soul-mates issue and the River Dog issue. Does everyone agree?"

All the parents nodded while the kids looked at each other. The Brat Pack knew that now that their parents knew a lot of the decision making privileges would be taken away. Max didn't know weather to be relieved or worried. All the kids said goodbye and went off with their parents. After that little announcement about soul-mates, Michael went home with Isabel and Max.

The next morning Philip sat down and had at talk with Michael. "I know son, that you probably are wondering what is going to happen to you. First off I can assure you that you won't have to worry about Hank. He is going to be leaving town, people here knows that he drinks so they won't believe any of his story not that he can remember much of what happened. Second, we have a few different options for you. One you can be put back in the foster-system, two you can either live with us, or with the Valenti's and three you can get your emancipation from the court and live on your own legally. If you chose number three you are responsible for your shelter, food, clothing, and schooling."

"Um thanks Mr. Evans," said Michael, "I would like to think about the options before I make a decision."

"That's a good idea Michael, and please call me Philip or Mr. Philip," he said noticing the uncomfortable look that passed Michaels face when he mentioned just his first name.

"I will try Mr. Ev… Philip," responded Michael.

At that moment Isabel and Max appeared in the kitchen with their school stuff. Glancing at the clock Max looked at Michael, "We have to go or we are going to be late to school."

Michael nodded at Max thanked his dad again and went out to join Isabel in jeep. Five seconds later they were on there way to school.

Arriving at school the Brat Pack quickly met at their lunch table out on the quad. Kyle sauntered up a few minutes later, "Can you believe that after last night we still have to come to school."

"What do you mean Kyle?" asked Liz, looking at him blankly. That question threw the whole table into a fit of laughter.

"Thanks Liz I needed that, after this morning," said Michael.

"What happened this morning?" asked Max.

Michael opened his mouth to tell them what had happened and the bell rang. He grinned and said "I'll tell you at lunch." The group dispersed walking towards their classrooms, but Maria pulled Michael into the eraser-room.

"Spill," she said. Michael told her everything that Philip Evans had told him. When he reached the point about being able to live on his own Maria began to smile. "Pick the last one, unless you really like choice one or two, but if you pick the last one. We can meet more than just in the eraser room," she said before she kissed him.

"Umm…good idea," he whispered huskily before reclaiming her lips.

Lunch

At lunch Michael told everyone what had transpired. Kyle looked shocked; obviously his dad hadn't said any thing to him. Michael smiled at him, "As much as I would love to torture Kyle, and as much as I would like for Max and Isabel, to legally be my brother and sister, I really want a place of my own. A place where we can hold our own meetings with out the well-intentioned parents putting a cramp in our style," said Michael to the group. Everyone began to give there two cents about what they thought Michael should do, but in the end they agreed it would be a benefit. Michael and Maria just sat back and smiled. The group sat around discussing some more trivial issue's like who do you think would get prom queen and king until the bell rang.

For the next couple of days, life seemed to fit the pattern of normality. Michael got a job at the Crashdown and Max took a job at the U.F.O. Center, no one believed him. On the second Saturday that followed the parental growth of the I-know-an-alien club, the parents called a meeting. The group resembled at the Crashdown after closing time. "We have decided that the soul-mates are allowed to date, but only on Saturday nights, you will also have curfews. If any of you ignore or fail to abide by the curfew all dating privileges will be revoked. We have also decided that now is not the time to go to the Indian reservation, we can discuss about going later," the parents explained.

"Now, Michael have you decided what you would like to do?" asked Philip.

"I have thought about it and the truth is I think I would feel better living on my own, I don't really fit into the Valenti's or your lifestyle. I think I need some space for a while so I would like to get emancipated," Michael answered him.

The parents looked like they were about to say other wise when Maria jumped in, "Well I for one think that it is a stupid idea. I mean Michael can't take care of him self. It's not like he took care of himself when he lived with Hank."

"Wait just a minute young lady," said Jim "If you think to imply that Michael can't take care of himself you're dead wrong, I have complete faith in the boy."

"Well Jim if you think Michael is up to it then I will take care of this Monday," said Philip. No one but Michael saw Maria's small smile. The group exchanged some more pleasantries and then broke apart. None of the Brat Pack had said anything against their parents but they had plans of their own. That night as Michael lay on Max's floor he and Max had a good laugh. Especially when Michael explained why Maria had acted the way she had.