Happy Hump-Day! My week has been hectic. It's coming up on the end of my semester so my professors are down our throats about assignments and tests, and final projects. So, I'm drowning. But, I hope your week has been better than mine, please enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter Seven

I walked quickly to my room, hoping no one would see the tears welling up in my eyes. I was relieved to be in my room. I curled up on the couch in front of the massive window and watched the stars drift by.

I don't know how much time had passed, but when the Ova announced that it was dinner time I knew I had wasted the entire day.

When I walked out of the room, Alice was standing in front of my door, she looked surprised to see me.

"I'm sorry—," she started.

I shook my head, "It's okay. Sorry that I turned into a ghost on you. I just—,"

"Yeah, Jacob told me that you were sad and wanted to be left alone. But, I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you were okay."

"Thank you. I'm okay now. I just needed some time to myself," I said, "are you headed to the cafeteria?"

"Actually, I was going to try one of the restaurants. Wanna join me?" She asked.

"Of course." I smiled.

She linked arms with me and we walked off to the restaurant. I really didn't know what they were serving tonight, but, I'm sure it would be interesting.

There was a long line to get into the restaurant, I made a face.

"Maybe we should just go to the café and come back earlier tomorrow?" I said.

Alice smiled, "No, no, I already put our names in."

She grabbed my arm and pulled me to the front of the line. She looked to the android who was acting as the host.

"I put my name down hours ago. Alice Brandon?" She said.

The android nodded and scrolled down her list, "Miss Brandon. Please follow our waiter-bot to your table."

The waiter led us to one of the tables. The menus were on a display screen.

"So," Alice said after she ordered an appetizer, "Do you mind me asking what happened?"

"I uh, just received a message from my dad."

"Oh, I take it, it wasn't a good message?" She said.

I shook my head, "It's a long, complicated story."

She nodded, "Well, I'm glad you decided to come out," she held up glass, "And I'm also glad that we're friends."

I raised my glass and touched her, "I'm glad too."

The dinner was actually quite fun. Alice and I spent the whole time exchanging stories, laughing, and just having a great time.

I had never really had a 'friend' before. I mean, close acquaintances sure, but my acquaintances and I never hung out like this. I really liked it.

Alice ended up paying for dinner, much against my wishes. I had plenty of money to pay for myself.

"So, are you ready for orientations tomorrow?" She asked.

I shrugged, "It should be easy. I mean, I was a nurse for years. I'm guessing this is just kind of a refresher."

She nodded, "Well, I'm a little nervous. Back on earth, my main area of expertise was fashion. But, I've changed my background to environmental conservation. I'll have to relearn a lot of new things."

"Well, I'm sure I'll have to learn some new things too. I mean, Outerrian's have tails, so."

She laughed, "It's weird to think that the alien species that is compatible with ours have tails. It makes me nervous about how the men will look."

"I think they look pretty normal. Aside from the tail. I'm more worried about their morals." I said.

"Hey, do you want to study together? We've got to learn that book inside and out." She said.

"Sounds good," I said as we stopped at my cabin door, "Do you want to study here? Or at your cabin?"

"Um, we can do mine. Just come over in an hour or so. We'll make it a slumber party." She laughed.

"Sounds good, do you want me to bring anything?" I asked.

"Just your book and yourself!" She bounced away gracefully, chuckling as she went.

I smiled and pressed my hand against the door recognition scanner. The door opened immediately.

Before I went to Alice's cabin, I took a shower. I would've liked to have taken a long shower, but, unfortunately the timer only allowed me a twenty-minute shower. I stepped out and looked for the night clothing.

It was pretty much the same appeal as the day clothing, but it was slightly thinner with tighter sleeves and pant-legs. It wasn't uncomfortable, just different.

I pulled on a pair of slippers and headed towards Alice's cabin. Her room was 380 on the platinum section, which was quite the walk from my cabin. I was panting by the time I arrived.

She opened the door, wearing the same thing I was but just in a pink instead of blue.

"Welcome to my cabin," She said as she moved aside to let me through.

"Wow, it looks exactly like mine." I laughed.

The rooms were exactly the same. The furniture in the same place, same linens, some wall décor… This ship reminded me of a hotel.

"Alright, so, I don't know how much you've read of the book," Alice said as she walked to the couch, "But I have read nothing." She laughed.

I followed her to the couch and sat beside her, "Yeah, I haven't read any of it either."

"Well, good. We'll be in the same boat," She sat her book on the coffee table then turned the switch on the side. The book opened and projected a screen above it. Alice and I sat back as we waited for the book to begin start.

"Hello, I am Libby, you're virtual tutor for this book. As we learn about Outerra, I will guide and answer any questions you have. We will start with chapter one."

"I wish we had popcorn." Alice said.

"What's the Outerrian's closest substitute for popcorn?" I chuckled.

Alice pulled the throw blanket off the couch and covered herself as we sat back and watched Libby give credit to the people who created the book.

"Chapter one started with the treaty agreement between Earth and Outerra. In this chapter, we'll break down the dynamics and regulations of it."

Alice shot me a look of complete boredom. I had to stifle my giggles.

"Outerra was discovered in the January 2928 by telescope Range. We made successful contact in 2930. Communications between the two planets become frequent, messages being sent daily. In 2933, the ship 'Voyager,' was launched. In the Voyager, David Gaines, Michelle White, and Theodore Thomas travelled for one year to Outerra."

"Wait, I thought it takes 103 years to travel to Outerra?" I asked, interrupting Libby.

"The Voyager was a small rocket that is called comet. These ships are able to travel through many galaxies with speed and ease. The Mayflower is a very large ship that supporting thousands of people. It must move slowly through the galaxies, as to not disturb or disrupt the passengers."

Libby paused for a moment before starting up again, "When the three travelers arrived, they learned everything they could about the culture and the people. The Outerrian's had a very different view on life, which we will get into later in the chapters."

Libby showed us various pictures of the agreement and the world.

"The former spokesperson, Aro, who is Carlisle's great-great grandfather, proposed a treaty between Outerra and Earth. The purpose behind the treaty was to grow the population of Outerra as well as decrease the population on Earth."

"Why were the Outerrian's population so low?" Alice asked.

"Outerrian's were a small population when the three travelers arrived. The population was totally at 202 people. The Outerrian's were beginning to be related somehow to their neighbors, and the accidental inbreeding was causing problems with fertility."

Libby paused against before restarting, "Almost immediately, the W.W.L agreed. The prospects of becoming allies with Outerra proved to be an amazing step towards our future. Their technological advances and ways of life were beneficial to the Earth."

Chapter one proved to be very boring. Alice and I were having trouble staying awake and listening to Libby teach us. At the end of the chapter, Alice cut it off.

"Okay, I can't take anymore." She said.

"Good, that was so boring!" I groaned, "Ugh, I guess it's good though, you want to start chapter two tomorrow?"

"Yeah, chapter two is Outerrian terrain," she said, "That should be interesting."

I nodded, "Did you get your housing space?"

"Yeah, did you get yours?" She asked.

I nodded, "I was just wondering because I haven't seen what my plot of land looks like yet."

"Really? Here, let's take a look," She pulled out an air-tablet, "Your location number?"

"It's location Forty-seven North."

She typed the number and waited for the tablet to search the terrain. After a moment it brought up several pictures and information on the location.

"Oh, wow," Alice said, "It's beautiful."

I nodded in agreement. The lot was located in front of a large, sparkle lake. The two suns lined up directly with the location. The lot seemed large on a slightly hilly plain with large blue trees. It was the perfect place to build a home.

"Your location is so beautiful, mine's closer to Islo, how'd you find this location, you only have one neighbor."

"Really? Who's my neighbor?" I asked.

"Doesn't say, but it's an Outerrian because the house it already there."

I patted her on the back, "Thanks for looking this up. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast?" I asked.

"I'll meet you at your door." She smiled.

Islo is Outerrian's version of a city. It's the most populated area where everyone works. Most Outerrian's live on the outskirts of Islo. (It's pronounced like Isla, but take out the A and add an O.)