Volume I - Genesis

Chapter 7—Extraterrestrial

Patrick

While my best friends were off saving the world as Power Rangers and Sanders and Kevin were busy raiding Doc's fridge, I sat staring at the holo screen in silence. There wasn't really anything for me to do. Doc seemed to have this covered and just being in the same room as the Red Ranger Morpher and having it ignore me completely was getting to be too much for my patience. Not to mention the fact that I was starving. And I was always a dick when I was hungry.

"Patrick?"

Doc was calling my name. And I could tell from the tone of his voice that it wasn't the first time. Guess I had really been zoning out.

"Yeah?"

"I said are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded, clearing my throat. "Yeah, just…adjusting, I guess."

He gave me a thin smile that let me know he was trying to empathize, and then he took off his earpiece.

I raised an eyebrow. I knew he was about to give me another one of his "you still matter even without a Morpher" pep talks, but I was more confused as to why he felt it was important enough to put the Rangers on hold.

I didn't ask though.

I just listened. Well, I pretended to. I heard what he was saying, but I didn't retain it. And it wasn't because I didn't value what he was saying, because I knew where he was coming from, but it was because I just couldn't accept it yet. I wasn't ready to.

"Keeping that bottled up is going to kill you, Patrick."

Now I was confused.

"Keeping what bottled up?"

"That anger," he said. "I know firsthand what it does to you. Why do you think Rita chose me to be her evil green ranger? I did horrible things for her without even batting an eye—things they would never show in the Ranger Documentaries." A deep silence filled the room now, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he no doubt reflected on his past with a heavy conscience and broken heart. "But…you know, it wasn't just because I was the new kid who knew martial arts. That wasn't what she needed to beat the Rangers. She needed anger. And I was mad at everyone and everything because things didn't go my way. I had the same blind rage that you have—where you attack anyone and anything that gets in your way because someone or something had pissed you off.

"I'm not mad because things didn't go my way," I snapped, ignoring everything else he'd said, "I'm not five. I'm mad because things always go everyone else's way. It just gets old and I'm tired of feeling like I'm one step behind."

He smirked, and for some reason, it really pissed me off.

"You're missing the point," he said, "the point is that you're angry. And even you don't know why sometimes. Trust me when I say, Mesomorph is going to look for cracks in our defenses—he's going to exploit our weakest link and use it to take us out from the inside."

"Oh, so now I'm the weakest link?"

"Look at yourself. Then you tell me."

I scoffed, jumping out of my chair. "I don't have to take this. I don't need to be here. I wanted to stay to help, but all I'm doing is sitting here watching all my friends and two of the biggest assholes on the planet show off their awesome new powers."

"Patrick," he said calmly, raising his hands defensively as he swiveled to face me, "I'm not calling you weak. I'm saying that your anger will make you weak. This is what Mesomorph will want."

"So what? You don't think he'll go after Sanders and Kevin? Those two have a combined IQ of a pet rock. They'll tell him everything if he offers them a combo meal from any fast food place around."

"Don't worry about them," he said, like he had some kind of a plan. "I don't leave loose ends. But I specifically asked if you were in or out for this very reason. You need to decide whether you want to throw this opportunity away because of your pride, or if you want to be a stronger person by letting go of the anger."

I sighed. More like huffed. I dunno. I was dizzy now. I really probably should have eaten something when Sanders asked. Was it still considered rude to eat someone's food if another person asked first?

I think Doc noticed my lightheadedness or something, or maybe he just knew I was an asshole when I was hungry, because he pointed to the stairs. "Go get something to eat."

I didn't respond, I just made my way up the stairs. I couldn't decide if I loved Doctor Oliver at the moment, or if I hated him. I knew he was right, but…at the same time he wasn't. I wasn't him, and Mesomorph wasn't Rita. I wasn't going to be the team's weak link because I probably wouldn't even be a link.

I tried to shut my brain off as I went through the arbitrary motions of making a sandwich. Sanders and Kevin were talking loudly about something, but I wasn't paying attention to the words—I just heard the obnoxious sounds of their baritone voices grinding my gears even more. I needed to hurry up and eat this sandwich before I killed them both with the steak knife set staring me in the face.

On second thought, maybe I needed two sandwiches.

With bothin hand and a drink in the other, I headed back to the basement, feeling just a little bit better than before.

"Hey, Miss Adams? It's Tommy Oliver from Reefside, I was wondering if you had a minute to talk about Patrick."

I stopped on the stairs, my face scrunching up in confusion.

"No, no, it's nothing bad, I know Patrick already told you about the fight."

I peeked around the banister, eyeing him as he spoke into his headset—the same one he used to talk to the Rangers, I noticed.

He was quiet now, nodding as my mom spoke into his ear. I couldn't make out her words from up on the stairs, but I could imagine her tone—she was pissed and making it known to him that I would be disciplined at home. That was mom's go-to strategy when dealing with an upset teacher. Or principal in this case.

"Well, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about," he said in response to whatever she was saying. "Patrick has done well at Reefside aside from this little…fiasco…and trust me when I say, I'm dealing with all the kids involved. But a lot of them are student athletes and will be completing their community service with their coaches and through the school."

Now mom was reminding him I wasn't on the swim team anymore. But I knew she wasn't doing it in a neutral way—she was making it seem like I was non-committal and wouldn't stick with anything. I just wasn't that big a fan of swimming. I only did it the first couple years because Matt talked me into it. And soccer just wasn't the same here in America. No one cared about it enough, so neither did I.

"Right, right, well, it is a tough sport, that's why it's in the Olympics." A small laugh as he pivoted back and forth in his computer chair. "But that's what I was calling about, though—to suggest something a little different."

Like what?

That's what she and I were both wondering, I'm sure.

"Well, I'm working on several different projects at the moment and could really use a personal assistant—the only problem, though, is I would need him pretty late some nights, maybe even all night. But, as you know, I live pretty far out and as I understand Patrick doesn't have his own vehicle."

I could almost picture my mom now, pacing the living room of our apartment that doubled as our dining room while she smoked a cigarette. And I knew she was probably telling him she didn't want me having a car because she didn't think I was responsible enough for one.

Nailed it, apparently.

"Yes, I agree, responsibility is key."

Then there was more talking on her part, probably saying that I wouldn't remember to make my payments or I would be a reckless driver—damn, mom could really sabotage the shit out of me sometimes.

"Oh yeah, oh yeah, I know how it is. But like I said though, he'd be with me the whole time and it'll look fantastic on his college applications. I don't mean to brag, but a letter of recommendation from me goes a long way."

Now they were both laughing like they were old friends.

What the hell? What was Doc doing? Why was he doing this?

"Oh yes, he's here with me now. He and several of the students involved in today's brawl are helping SPD with a…recycling initiative. Great for the environment, especially in this day and age."

I tuned out now, because they were just sounding like old people. Making small talk about how much things had changed.

On the holoscreen in front of him, I saw Aaron take down Gigadroid after Gigadroid and fought the urge to be impressed. The dude was good, I'd give him that. But I'd probably be good if I had a helmet telling me exactly what to do and feeding me data 24-7. Same thing with Matt on another screen; he was still playing transport with Grace as he flew up and down from the building and she poofed back and forth like she was Nightcrawler in a Black Ranger suit.

"Whatcha spyin on?" Sanders asked, surprising the hell out of me on the staircase.

I hoped it didn't show too much.

"Nothing," I said, "I was finishing my food. It's rude to eat in front of people."

I gave him a pointed look, but he shrugged carelessly, stuffing a sandwich in his mouth greedily.

"There you go," Doc said, turning to me as I made my way down stairs. Stupid-ass Sanders made me miss the end of the conversation. "You'll now be the proud owner of your very first car when you get home."

I blinked.

"Wait, what?"

"Well, I'm sure you heard me talking to your mom from up there," he said knowingly, "and I meant what I said earlier. I'm going to need all the help I can get with these Rangers. I won't always be here to walk them through everything, and…to be honest with you…I don't think like a teenager anymore—thank God. I need someone who can understand them."

Ah ha. So that's why he was so dead-set on this. I had to admit, I could understand why he was so good at being a Ranger. He knew how to negotiate. And if he couldn't, he'd find someone to negotiate for him. In this case, he went straight to my mom. Now there was no getting out of it. He was forcing me to stay true to my word about helping them. And while I of course wanted to, a small part of me was hoping they wouldn't need me so I could remove myself from the situation entirely. I just wanted to forget it ever happened. I mean…dealing with constantly being reminded of my rejection was going to be more of a challenge than tolerating Aaron and Jay.

And that was saying something.

—7—

"And remember to come to a complete stop—none of those California 'rolling stops' you love so much."

"I know, mom," I said for about the hundredth time. "This isn't my first time driving."

"Yeah, well, it's your first time driving your own car, and I remember what 18-year-old boys are like in their first cars."

"What, you mean back in the Model-T days?"

She looked up at me, plugging her hairdryer up to a wall socket. "Keep that up and you'll be Fred-Flinstoning your ass to school."

I couldn't help but laugh as I plucked my onion bagel from the toaster and proceeded to slather it with cream cheese. Lots and lots of cream cheese.

"Just remember to come straight home after you're done helping Doctor Oliver," she reminded me again. She was standing in the hallway of our small apartment, brushing her dark wavy hair and spraying on perfume at the same time. "It's my turn to cook tonight and I'm making spaghetti."

Now, I knew it was a common belief everyone shared that "mom makes the best spaghetti." But that's because they'd never had my mom's spaghetti. Granted, bratty kids wouldn't like it, because it was chock full of peppers, mushrooms, olives, and stewed diced tomatoes, all stirred in a sweet garlic sauce and seasoned ground beef; but, to any well-rounded person with taste buds, it was the best spaghetti you could find. I wasn't sure if it was because it was the only remnant of my now extinct family, passed down from generation to generation, or if it was because I just loved spaghetti. Either way, whenever she made it…I always felt like everything was alright.

Mom always said it was because that's how Italians really believed food made you feel—if it didn't touch your soul, it wasn't real food. And to be honest, my soul could use a little love after all the Ranger shit yesterday.

"Are you finally gonna tell me your 'secret' ingredient?" I asked her, leaning against the wall and watching her morning routine. I guess it was part of my routine.

"Then it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?"

I rolled my eyes. "I guess not."

"Pop out a couple grandbabies and then we'll talk."

Our eyes met for a second and she read my mind before I could even get my quip out.

"Not any time soon."

I just grinned back at her.

"Okay, I'm running late as usual," she said hurriedly, tossing a blazer over her slender shoulders and peeking in the mirror that hung on our door. "I love you, have a good day at school, and please, for God's sake, be careful with that car."

I mimicked her jokingly, "I love you too, I'll try my best, and trust me, if I'm making 400 dollar payments on it every month, I'll be more careful than you are when you dye your hair."

She glared. "I have no idea what you're talking about, I'm all natural." Before I could reply, she shouted down the hallway to my bedroom. "Bye my sweet T!"

There was a faint rustling of fabric and a small bark from behind my door, but mom was already halfway out the apartment, leaving me alone with the scent of her perfume and the sound of my own chuckle.

It didn't take long for me to hear her revving up her car and screeching out of the parking lot, and I just shook my head to myself at the irony of her telling me to be careful. Then again, with the way my friends and I were treating our cars lately, I guess it did kinda make sense. They felt more like weapons lately than anything else.

Aw shit…there I was again, somehow letting my mind wander back to the "Power Rangers." Just thinking about it made my stomach clench up in a fist of molten jealousy. I knew I was jealous, I wouldn't lie. But who wouldn't be jealous? And of all the people to get the leader's Morpher—the special "Sixth Ranger"—it just had to be Aaron. It wasn't that I was mad at him for it, it wasn't really his fault, but I was still struggling with trying to be a good person—trying to give him a second chance. Jay not so much, but Aaron had been decent and he did do an okay job of keeping everyone alive. But to be honest…everyone knew the selection process was just weird. Now I was going to be stuck carrying around the Red Ranger Morpher all day until it picked someone.

Suddenly, I didn't feel like finishing my bagel.

I headed back to my room, collecting my backpack and all my school crap, and then grabbed my keys and enjoyed the feel of them in my palm.

Finally, my own car.

I'd been saving for one since I started tutoring Amy back in '26, but it wasn't like I charged her much to teach her French. Especially when most of the French I was teaching her had to do more with the kissing kind than the language kind. But when I did finally find a job, it didn't take me as long as I'd thought. The only trouble was, mom wasn't big on me driving or having a car. Not just because of the money, but because of the responsibility.

But hey, I was responsible enough to take care of my dog!

"Isn't that right, Ti-Ti," I cooed.

Sure enough, our little German shepherd poked her rusty golden head out from under my covers to peer at me with her warm mocha eyes. Tia was a recent addition to our duo family—mom had finally caved and let me get her for my birthday earlier this month. She said it was the first test of my responsibility, and so far, I had done a remarkable job. At least, in my opinion. She'd only peed in my room twice!

I hunched over my bed to pet her head and scruff, and then checked her food and water before heading out the front door. Keys, wallet, backpack—check.

I hurried to my car, an old 2020 "sports coupe." Or something. I didn't really know much about cars. All I knew was that it was high-rated online and got good gas mileage. Good enough for me.

The scent of a new car fresh in my nostrils, I cranked up and turned on my music before I hit the road. And damn did it feel good to be cruising by myself. It just reminded me of how long I'd been walking everywhere for the longest. It was awkward here in Reefside—people didn't walk anywhere. Back home, it was normal to walk or bike somewhere. Then again, that was how I'd gotten into most of my trouble was on the streets.

That was the main reason we left Toronto in the first place. I had fallen into a rough crowd and had a little run in with the law just a couple times, but I'd tried to put that behind me. Everything changed when I moved to Reefside; from my clothing style to my music choice, from my group of friends to my plans for the future. I had finally started to live a normal life, and now, so to speak, I felt like I was in the fast lane. No more walking.

"Oh God," I groaned to myself. "Seriously?!" I shouted at my roof, though the sky was my intended target.

Whoever was upstairs was just trying to test me. Cuz not even five minutes after I'd left home, just when I was starting to enjoy the feeling of being alone in my car, I just happened to see the new White Ranger skulking down the street like he was ready to blow up the world. And holy hell did he look pissed.

I forgot Rheas had blown up his truck.

I growled to myself. This was beginning to get a little ridiculous. Yeah, I was trying to be a better person, but I had literally just saved his life yesterday. Couldn't I have just five minutes of me-time before I had to interact with my "former" sworn enemy?

I slowed my car down to a crawl as I pulled up beside him. Begrudgingly, I rolled my window down and called to him. "Need a ride?"

Okay, so maybe I didn't need to be so angry at the heavens. Because if I thought it was bad that I had to offer him a ride, I'm sure it was a million times worse for him. And judging by the look on his face, I was right on the money.

He looked like he wanted to turn and run away. No joke. I could tell he was thinking the same thing I'd been thinking just a few minutes ago. Can I get a break?

Finally, he silently made his way to my passenger door and squatted his towering self into my little car.

Suddenly, this coupe didn't seem as spacious as the reviews said.

"Thanks," he said shortly, staring out the windshield at nothing in particular.

"Nooooo problem," I lied.

And then there was silence. For at least a minute. Maybe thirty seconds. I dunno. It seemed to last forever.

"So," I finally said, clearing my throat. "White Ranger, huh?"

He nodded, lips tight.

I didn't need to be friends with Aaron to know when he was pissed about something. Hell, I was usually the reason he was pissed, so I knew the angry face. Something was eating at him, and it was more than just having to get a ride from me.

"You, uh…you okay?" I asked him tentatively.

God this was weird.

Again with the nodding and pursed lips.

"Right…" I muttered, mostly to myself. "Well...did you study for our—"

I fell short as I slammed on my breaks, swerving into the other lane. I barely dodged what looked like a…metal soccer ball?

And then I saw them in my rear view window.

"Gigadroids?! For real?!" I shouted. "This day just keeps getting better and better!"

"I'll handle this," Aaron said, and for a second, he looked like he was excited to fight them. Maybe he wanted to blow off some steam or something. "You get to school."

"Dude, there's like 30 of them," I reminded him. "They'll shred you!"

"I got this," he said, unbuckling his seat belt and stepping out of the car. Then he looked back at me and said, "I owe you, anyway."

And then he slammed the door and stepped behind my car.

Dilemma number two of the day: stay and wait to make sure he was okay, or go to school like he said so I didn't end up getting my car blown up too.

I was really starting to hate this "good person" thing.

I peeled off the street onto another little side street, and then parked at a local apartment complex. I rolled down my windows to keep an ear out, just in case, but I had already texted Grace. Hopefully she wasn't too busy to check her messages. I wasn't just gonna leave the guy, and it wasn't like there was much I could do, but I could at least get him some backup. Maybe. Those things almost beat him when he was morphed.

But the Gigadroids were standing perfectly still in the middle of the street, unmoving and unblinking. Aaron didn't look like he was moving either, and he wasn't morphing quite yet. I wasn't sure if he was trying to be dramatic or if he had forgotten how. Knowing him, it was probably the latter.

And then I saw why.

Rheas was standing in the middle of them and was making his way to the front, his armored blue frame masked in the tall, lean Gigadroids.

"Well, well, well," he gloated, "look who it is."

"We've got a score to settle," Aaron taunted, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck from side to side. "You jumped my friends, blew up my car, and now, you're making me late for school."

"You're just the one we're looking for," Rheas gloated. He placed one foot forward and bellowed to the Gigadroids, "Seize the Eyr!"

I shot forward in my seat.

No way.

That's why they attacked us at school yesterday? They wanted Aaron. He was this "heir" guy?

No. It just had to be Rheas being stupid and assuming, right?

Right?

"I'll be happy to show you what you're gonna seize!" Aaron shouted back, anger thick in his voice. He was pissed, but was it because he really was the heir? He stepped forward and executed his Morphing procedure flawlessly, arms exact, posture perfect. "Execute Download, Cyber Ranger Mode!"

But nothing happened.

And now, he didn't look so confident.

"What the…"

So he tried again.

Still nothing.

"Hah! Not so tough now, huh Ranger boy?" Rheas baited him arrogantly.

Obviously he hadn't learned from his friend Mira's mistake. Never trust a teenager with a car.

"I am so dead…" I Moaned as I revved up my car and floored the gas.

When I whipped out on to the main road was when Aaron noticed I hadn't really left him. And in his eyes I couldn't tell if there was relief or fear.

Probably because I only saw them for a split second before he jumped out the way and let me ram into the wall of Gigadroids.

But Rheas wasn't as slow or dumb as he seemed. I remembered that, suddenly. Right at the exact moment that he flipped over my car and roared at me. And then he started running toward me like a charging bull.

Aaron came in like a bolt of lightning, a white streak in my rearview mirror that slammed into Rheas' side and sent him flying through the air.

Guess football really paid off.

He was in my car before I knew it, and I didn't need any instructions to get my ass out of there as fast as possible.

I didn't know where I was going, but the Gigadroids weren't following. I took as many side streets as I could, the silence hanging over us much like it did in Grace's car after our first attack.

"Okay…I think they're gone," I finally said, breathing a sigh of relief when I didn't see any sign of Rheas or his robotic soldiers. "We're a few minutes from my house, we can just wait it out there until Grace texts me back."

I was still frantically and constantly checking my mirrors. I was so sure they would pop up at any moment and blow us both up. But Aaron was absolutely silent.

"What happened back there? With your Morphers."

"I have no idea," he answered, staring at his wrists. I noticed the Morphers had become a leather band and a fancy white-gold holowatch. "I really have no idea what's going on anymore."

"Yeah, which brings me to my next question: why the hell does Rheas think you're the Heir?"

Aaron sighed, "I don't know, dude, I'm telling you. I'm as confused as you are."

My eyes narrowed.

He was lying.

"Bull."

"What?"

"You're hiding something," I said, though it sounded more like a question than a statement. I stopped at the stop sign leading into my neighborhood and looked at him. "You are the heir, aren't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he denied again.

But this time, he didn't sound so sure. And he wouldn't look at me. He was focused on everything else. Like his seatbelt and his shoes, apparently.

"You're a terrible liar, dude" I said after studying him for a few more seconds. "You've been acting weird ever since I picked you up. I know we're not exactly pals, but you could at least tell me the truth. I did just save your life. Again."

Now he looked at me, but it was that pissed off glare. Obviously he didn't like being reminded that I saved him. Poor pitiful White Ranger was embarrassed? Tough! I almost died for his selfish ass!

As I moved through the intersection, I suddenly remembered why I hated him for so long.

"Are you deaf?" he snapped. "I said I don't know."

I slammed on the brakes.

"Okay," I fired back, "then I'll just ask Rheas. I'm sure he'll be happy to tell me the truth before he drags you off kicking and screaming. Bad guys love telling their plans."

"Are you kidding me?!" he screamed. "Quit being a dick about this."

I stared at him silently, letting my face do all the talking I needed. He was glaring back at me, his anger almost tangible. But I knew as well as he did that he hated eye contact.

And he broke.

"Fine," he spat, like I'd just forced him to nuke a city, "You wanna know who I am? What I am?"

I could already feel the confusion on my face.

"My name is Eyr Aryn Drayk-Zolanix-Vaas Zeta ban Eltar."

The words (if that's what he called them) flowed from his mouth in a weird, unnatural way, like they'd somehow been jumbled up or something. But I could tell it was natural for him, somehow. It just didn't sound...human. Not that I knew of.

"Zod Exod dex Eyr."

"Y-you…you're Xeno?"

Suddenly, a hell of a lot more made sense, especially when he looked at me with those alien aurora eyes.

"They're not looking for an 'heir,' they're looking for the Eyr—the Prince of Eltar."

—7—

"So," I said as I handed him a bottle of water, "let me get this straight. You're the son of Hunter Zeta, the Crimson Thunder Ninja, who is the long lost son of Zordon? Which makes you crown prince of Eltar, but you live on Earth because you want to be normal and no oneknows who you really are—but now that people are looking for you, you're worried your parents will ship you back home?"

He didn't respond, drinking from the water bottle to distract himself from reality. The past ten minutes had turned everything I knew about him upside down. And I kind of wanted to punch him in the face for two reasons: one, to make sure he was real, and two for the fact that he was just too lucky.

He sighed before he spoke, a trait we both seemed to share when we were about to talk about something we didn't want to talk about. "This is home."

"Well, maybe Doc can fix it, did you try talking to him? Does he know?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. But you don't get it," he said, "it doesn't matter what he says—dad's decision's already made."

"What do you mean?"

He looked up at me and I could see how much this was stressing him out.

"Sorry," I said quickly, "I'll…I'll drop it. Sorry I pushed you to tell me, I guess it wasn't really my place."

"No," he said, a little louder than he expected, "no…you were right. I shouldn't have lied. I just…I was still mad from this morning…dad and I were just talking about this before I left for school. He found out what happened to my truck and we just…we argued. And, I mean, you know—I'm awful at that. I guess I just wanted to have one last day of normal before I'm back to being 'Eyr ban Eltar' again."

"I'm not gonna lie, it's really weird when you speak alien," I said.

That got him to laugh a little with me.

"But seriously dude, why don't you ask Doc about this? Maybe he can talk to Hunter and get him to change his mind."

"It's not…" he paused, biting his tongue and huffing, "it's not Hunter he has to worry about. Hunter is my Dyn, or dad in every sense of the word."

"I thought you said you were arguing with your dad?"

"I did," he said lowly.

"So…"

There was another heavy, heavy pause, and then I made the connection.

"Oh! Oh…you have…you have two dads?"

He shook his head, his face as red as stripes on his polo. "Sort of…it's…it's complicated."

"Well," I said, trying to side-step my faux-pas, "still. I'm sure Doc can talk to him, right?"

"You don't know my dad," he said with a small laugh, "he's…he's a little bit of a worrier."

"I'm sure Doc can handle it."

"I'm glad you have faith in him," he said, "but unless he does it before school lets out today, you guys are gonna have to find another White Ranger."

Normally I would have been ecstatic to hear this. Aaron was leaving! And his Morpher would be up for grabs! But…I dunno. Suddenly I felt bad for him. Even Tia could tell he wasn't like us. She hadn't stopped sniffing him since we got in the door, but she seemed to like him well enough. Which was weird. I thought dogs had a good sense of people? She wasn't picking up on the fact that he was a major douche?

Probably because he really wasn't. Maybe it was just part of his cover or something.

"Well, maybe that will be reason enough for them to stay? Won't they realize how important this is?"

"Not as important as keeping me sheltered and as far from normal as possible"

"Dude, trust me, normal is overrated," I said, "I was just having that same problem myself with all this Ranger crap. This was the last thing I wanted…but I've kinda started looking at it as a blessing instead of a curse."

"Yeah, two totally different things. You get to choose, I was born into this. Not a whole lot of choosing."

"Well yeah, but what's so glorious about life here?"

And then, he surprised me with his brutal honesty. In the whole time I'd known him, he'd never really opened up to me about anything—I mean, he never really had a reason to. But no one was responding to my texts about Rheas and I was starting to wonder if we'd be stuck at my house forever. And I think that because he had it in his mind that today was his last day here, he was finally letting down that wall of bullshit I'd always seen.

"You don't get it," he said, leaning against the counter beside me in the confines of the apartment's tiny kitchen. He stared down at Tia now as she munched on her puppy chow. "I know you think I'm awkward, it's the reason I fucking hated you—because saw through my shit. But I've spent my whole life trying to be normal. I watched movies on repeat, memorizing quotes and mannerisms just to fit in—just so I could feel like I wasn't weird. But…damn…"

His pause was only made more bearable because it was filled with the crunchy sounds Tia was making with her new teeth and her food.

"Pretending to be human…it's hard," he said now, looking at me. Now that he wasn't squatting down to play with Tia, I realized just how much room he was taking up in the kitchen, and I inadvertently looked toward the dining room to give us more space, but I waited for him to finish. I didn't want to cut him off—not while he was having his emotional breakthrough or whatever he was doing. "I…I know I'm a jerk—an asshole, really. But…I dunno…I guess I just wanted to be somebody else. And I figured that if I was a dick to you, or to anyone really, that people wouldn't ever know me well enough to know it was all a lie."

Then he let out a small, self-pitying snort.

Wow.

Wow.

Did I mention wow?

I didn't really know what to say. What was I supposed to say? Never in a billion years would I expect a confession from this guy—for him to admit that he was fake, and self-centered, and awkward, and over-the-top, and like one big walking cliché. I never thought I was actually right, I just thought it was how I felt. Nobody else seemed to notice, after all. Everyone else thought he walked on water.

"Well…" I said, "at least you're not an asshole by birth, right?"

He looked down at me, his aurora eyes confused at first. And then I laughed a little. And he laughed a little. And it kinda just grew into a more natural, all out laugh.

"Thanks," he said, "I guess."

"It was a compliment," I assured him. "Everyone's different, man. Nobody's really normal, but everyone has their own definition of normal. You're normal for you. I like your normal."

Oops.

Too far.

"I'm sorry."

I was confused. "For what?"

"Everything," he said, shrugging. "I mean, if this is really my last day, I don't want to leave with people hating me for all the shit I said or did. Especially you."

I forced a mock laugh. "Why me?"

He opened and closed his mouth several times, and I could literally hear him start to stay something at least twice. It was like he just couldn't explain whatever it was that was making him apologize to me above everyone else. I guess it should have been common sense, but whatever he was trying to say never quite made it past his lips.

And then, out of nowhere, those lips were on mine. I mean, I guess I saw it coming. We were close, yeah, but there was a good second or two where I could have pulled away. Like when his face was hovering right over mine, so close I could count the stubble on his jawline. But I didn't move. And I wasn't quite sure why. The only thing I knew was that, for an alien prince, he really sucked at kissing.