by Kara L. M.
Chapter 14: One month until departure
We started to prepare a little each night we spent together. This also helped keep our make out sessions from blanketing our whole lives. Austin educated me about his planet. He explained that Octavia was alive. The chemicals in the air not only portray alien emotions with light but that the air fills your lungs and brain. The air helps when it comes to communicating with others, you would only hear what makes sense to you. I was relieved I didn’t have to learn another language; Spanish was hard enough in middle school! He taught me all the customs of his people including the royal customs. They didn’t actually crown people like we do in fairy tales on Earth. It was more of an informal celebration where everyone gives there support to the new King and Queen. I sat in a daydream fantasizing about the duties of an alien queen and laughed out loud since the last job entailed me making frozen treats.
“Is that funny to you?” he asked curiously. “No it’s just, we haven’t even left Earth and I am already day dreaming about my new life on another planet, it’s unbelievable.” I smiled. He frowned. “I said you didn’t have to do any of this. I can stay, just say the word.” “No, no I just think it’s surprising how easy all of this is to hear.” He smiled and held my hand as he showed me photos in an old book.
“This is from my parents wedding on Octavia. Weddings are considered huge for our kind since you bond to one person for life. The gatherings are large so you can imagine what a royal wedding is like.” The ancient castle had an eerie look to it. Not the beauty from Cinderella but a Lord of the Rings Two Towers creepy look. The spires were spiky and the stone was jet black. I saw a beautiful lady in a yellow glowing dress with long sleeves. It appeared as if it was made of stars that were dripping down her thin body and flowing forty feet behind her. I noticed her blonde hair was styled in intricate loops on top of her head. Her eyes were covered with black make up in unique designs fading away from her brows. Her lips were the same color yellow as her dress. Austin’s Dad was in a black gown that reminded me of a graduation gown with a gold beaded neck. In between them was a crown with long crystals sticking out, obviously meant for her. The photo was captured from a high angle which showed the whole square filled with thousands of people.
“Wow, no pressure huh.” I cracked a joke. “He laughed.” It’s customary to show off your love especially when the leaders are meant to rule everyone.” I tried to imagine me up on that tower looking down on everyone. My stomach knotted at the thought of a huge audience. My dreams at night became steadier. Each time I would see more of the dark corner of the planet these poor alien beings were being held captive. As much as the dreams made my heart ache I focused on journaling what I saw and even came up with a map. Austin was shocked that I remembered everything in detail. “This is perfect!” He said studying my sketch. “My dreams are never this detailed.”
My Mom was used to seeing Austin by now. We were together all the time but my grades didn’t slip which was easy with an intelligent alien boyfriend. He was even attending Sunday family time with us regularly which won my mom over. He was over for dinner one night when my Mom spoke up.
“You guys going to the Christmas Dance?” She smiled. I knew it was coming up but my departure from Earth was taking priority. “Of course!” Austin said enthusiastically. I stared at him in wonder. Why were we going through the earthly charades now? “That is fantastic.” My Mother clapped. “I heard it’s being held at the State Capitol and they do an unbelievable job decorating for the holidays!” My Mom sounded like she wanted to go. “Sounds like fun.” I tried to seem interested.
Chapter 15: two weeks until departure
Austin had been thinking about the dance more than I realized. The next day my room was covered in chocolate kisses with white roses on my pillow. The poster read “Now that I have showered you with flowers and kissed the ground you walk on, will you go to the Christmas dance with me?” I smiled at the sweet gesture. He told me later that he had booked a helicopter ride over Temple Square to see the Christmas lights and reserved dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I was excited for our date too but I felt it was silly to waste any time we had to get prepared. Today I went dress shopping with Katie and had no luck. Every dress was so skanky and showed too much skin. Katie didn’t understand why I was being so picky. When I returned home I anxiously waited for Austin to get off work.
I was surprised when he showed up at my house in a dark mood. “Liv we need to talk.” My stomach dropped. “What is it?” We began walking up the dim lighted street. “My dreams were more detailed last night.” “That’s great! Maybe you can help me with the map.” He shook his head. “You were in my dreams.” I didn’t know what to say. But the silence was daunting. “What did you see?” I pleaded. “You were suited up for battle and fighting.” He cringed back as if he couldn’t stand the thought. “That is great! That means we will succeed!” I said wondering how heroic I appeared in his dreams. “I never expected to bring you there to battle. I wanted you to help me fix my planet but not physically. The bow you carried looked wrong in your hands. The danger I could feel that you were in was all too real”. He stopped walking and hugged me tight. My body melted into his and we charged together. We had been together so long now that our electric touch was no longer shocking but more natural.
“Austin, I can promise you this. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.” I put my hand on my heart. “I am yours forever. I will do whatever you think we need to do to keep us together.” “Then don’t come.” He said. “Like Hell.” I yelled at him now furious. “Where you go, I go” He wouldn’t look me in the eyes. “In two weeks I will go to check it out, if it’s safe I will come back to get you.” He said. I knew he wasn’t telling the truth. We both know he wouldn’t come back for me because we both know it wasn’t safe. I went to fight back but I could tell his mind was set. I had to take another path to get us back on track. “Austin we can talk about this later.” I pulled him into the park and we sat on the cold bench where I kissed him carefully, hoping to drown his bad mood in love.
The next day I was on a mission. To find a dress that would knock Austin’s’ socks off and to find a way to convince him I was ready. Katie was trying on a gorgeous emerald gown when I spotted the yellow sparkling dress. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed it was long and flowing similar to his Mom’s gown. There was absolutely no star quality to it but the rhinestones spreading down the dress gave off a close enough effect.
“Is green making me look to Christmasy?” Katie asked. The dress showed off her shoulders and was elegant and long. We both had the same taste when it came to modesty. “I love it, not to Chirstmasy” But I quickly turned my attention to the yellow dress and grabbed it off the rack. I slid the dress on and the store worker helped me tie up the back. I came out to peek in the mirror and Katie gasped. “Wow that shimmery yellow is perfect for a winter dance!” She squealed. I hadn’t even thought about the winter effect. I was trying to get Austin to see me as an alien queen, a bit too much to tell the best friend who I would be abandoning. At this point I wish I could tell Katie. She was the only friend that stuck by me as I disappeared with Austin for the last few months. She was genuinely happy for me and understanding of what it meant to have a boyfriend.
“Thanks Katie, but I need to get sleeves made. “Sleeves?” she asked confused. “Won’t you just wear a coat until you get inside?” “Sleeves will make this perfect, even if were inside.” She seemed confused but let it go. I ran home and studied over my alien notes. I was memorizing the map and then a genius idea came to me. The day of the dance I would plan the morning activity. Austin had dinner and the helicopter ride but this would be a perfect plan to win myself back on the ship. I made a few calls and gathered the snowshoes and gear I needed. I stared at the gear on the floor. “This had to work.” I smiled bigger and brighter than ever. Austin was surprised that I didn’t talk about the ship the last few days. I kept going on each day like our lives were
normal. We didn’t do much studying now that he figured I wasn’t going but I convinced him into telling me more stories. The night before the dance we cuddled in my room.
“Liv, you’re everything to me.” He said while tracing circles into my arm. “Right back at you babe.” I said as I poked his side. “Hey! I am trying to be cute here.” “Then stop making it sound so final.” I complained. He laughed. “You caught that huh? I am just nervous about being far from you.” “Then don’t think about it, were close now.” I tangled in his arms more. I smiled in confidence because I knew my plan tomorrow would have to work. We wouldn't be separated. “Even if I brought you along when the ship lands we both knew there was a chance they wouldn’t bring you. My decision to leave you behind just makes it more final. It’s to keep you safe.” He said again. “Well whatever happens you have to come back to me.” I countered back. I knew this wasn’t an issue since I knew I could change his mind in time.
The morning of the dance I told Austin to dress warm. His jeep swished through the snow up my driveway. I climbed inside and directed him to head towards the mountain. Once we were at the trailhead where I had almost died he went to put his jeep in reverse.
“We are not going anywhere here.” He sounded frustrated. “Austin, trust me I said as I grabbed his hand.” The expression in his eyes was pained as if the memories here were fresh for him too. We slid on the snow shoes and my breath was fogging all around me. “Holy crap its cold up here.” I shivered. “Well hiking will solve that.” He said unhappily. I could tell he was annoyed by being here again. We started climbing and it was a bit quiet for my taste, but eventually the endorphins from hiking must have kicked in because the fresh air was making him smile. “The snow covered mountains are breathtaking.” He commented. “Yes but nothing is more breath taking than you.” I said so cheesy that I felt a bit embarrassed. He eyed me with that devilish grin and bear hugged me to the ground. “Ah!” I said out of surprise. He slid my ski goggles off and kissed me. The heat of our charge warmed my body all the way through.
Once we reached the bridge he started to go over and I pointed to the path he had taken me that summer. “Liv, you can’t be serious.” He frowned. “It’s where it all began, please Austin.” I begged in a whiney voice. He inhaled and exhaled with a sigh. “You are too good at getting what you want.” He complained. “I know.” I smiled. He helped me up the steep terrain and my stomach twirled a bit as we passed the cliff I almost fell off. Once we reached the top the view was spectacular. The waterfall had frozen into an ice castle that was sparkling in the sun.
I pulled out a pair of shoes from my backpack and he eyed me with surprise. “Climb Austin”. I said passing the shoes to him. He was excited when he saw the metal cleats and ice picks. “Are you sure you won’t run away?” He said with a devilish grin. “Try me!” I laughed. He slid the shoes on and hopped across the frozen river. He climbed the frozen wall and I could hear the cracking of his metal cleats into the ice. I watched in awe as he easily maneuvered up the waterfall. I had never seen ice climbing in real life but it was magnificent and crazy dangerous without ropes. But this was Austin and he could do anything. I was hoping this act of bravery would earn me some points for the trip to Octavia but just as he started to descend he turned to me and smiled. Then I heard a CRACK! A large chunk of ice broke off above his head and was hurling at his face. Normally Austin’s muscles and intelligence would kick in to save his butt but I could tell the piece was way too large. I started to panic. I knew I couldn’t do anything. I closed my eyes avoiding the inevitable squishing of the love of my life. I felt as if I was watching a bad memory play itself out again, but this time it was real. I closed my eyes and willed in my heart that he would survive. That by some cosmic miracle the ice would miss him. My heart wanted it so badly that it felt like it was bursting. I willed in my heart that he could be in my arms, taking breaths, charging my heart and all of this I was thinking in a matter of milliseconds.
The ice chunk exploded when it collided with the ground and I felt as if I was going to throw up. No way could I open my eyes. No way could I live without him. The pounding of my heart was blaring in my ears. Then like an angel I heard his voice. “Liv.” I kept quiet wondering how long I could hear him in my head till he was gone. “Liv.” He said louder. “Liv! What are you doing?!” He sounded panicked. I opened my eyes to the bright sun shading his profile. Wow God must love me to let me see him one last time. I stared closer to his face and there was blood. Oh I don’t want to remember him like this. I started to sit up hoping it would make his blood stained face fade but it didn't “Liv, how did, what did you do?” He was now holding me in his arms. Electricity was flowing. He wasn’t dead he was very much alive.
“Austin!” I screamed and hugged him tight. “Ouch,” he said as he pulled from my arms a bit. “Liv I felt the ice hit my face and I went to move and it was as if I was teleported to you.” He said with shock in his voice. I shook my head. “Are you saying it worked?!” I asked incredulously. “What? Did you mean to do that?” He stared at me wildly. “I didn’t want you to die and I just closed my eyes and wished with all my heart that you were in my arms.” I said desperately as I stretched my arms back to him. I wanted our electric current stream to help make sense of all of this. “This is incredible; you have a power, a very rare one.” He said shocked. I was so elated he was breathing and uninjured that I didn’t catch his last words. “Liv, you saved me.” He breathed into my ears. Then it all clicked. I had a power and maybe it only worked on him but I grinned. “You know you can’t leave me now.” I cried with happiness, he was alive and I had saved him! He kissed my head and answered “You are right, this is incredible.” The walk down the mountain was slow as we both felt drained of energy.
“What did you mean it’s rare for me to have a power, isn’t any human having a power rare?” I asked. “Well you’re not completely human.” Hey eyed me. “And yes, most aliens with teleportation power can only do it to themselves. Moving someone else is a whole other ball game.” He explained. I nodded. “I love that were connected; I attribute my new found power to my love for you. My heart was bursting as I wished for you to be in my arms.” He stopped walking and flipped me towards him and kissed me so tender that I almost cried. He pulled away. “It’s time to start thinking of what you will tell your Mom.” We were almost to the parking lot now. “I thought I was going on a study aboard trip?” I asked confused. We had figured this out already when I was first going. “I mean about us. We may come home married; at least I hope we do. Once we save the survivors it will be the first thing we do!” He said with hope and love in his voice. I blushed at the idea of us standing on the medieval castle holding hands being brought together forever. My heart sped up from the day dream of us being wed. But now I had other things to think about, my powers and how I would use it to save the Octavians. I could dwell later on how to break the news to my sweet Mom and brother.
That night I worked tirelessly to curl each piece of hair on my head. I wasn’t much of a girly girl so this was a stretch for me. Katie ended up dropping by to help get the pieces on the back of my head that I couldn’t see.
“How was your day date?” She asked. “Snowshoeing was fun and Austin loved it!” Not to mention the near death experience and my teleportation power. No big deal. I still felt bad that I was keeping so much from her. “What about you?” “Oh we went laser tagging it was pretty fun.” She smiled. “So Liv, I was wondering do you ever think Austin is a little strange.” She bit her lip. “By supremely hot and into me then yes.” I said sarcastically. “No, I mean we haven’t hung out much but when I am around him he seems different. I mean more grown up and a bit aggressive with you.” She said carefully. “Aggressive?” I eyed her. “He seems to not understand the high school relationship life; he treats you like he owns you.” She said with concern. “Oh Katie, it’s hard to explain. You know how some people that get married are called ‘High School Sweethearts?’ That is all it is. We
are more than the typical; we just know were soul mates.” I said with my heart on my sleeve. “Just be careful, I don’t want my goody best friend to end up Prego!” She said half joking.
Normally I would be offended by the comment but I knew she was being genuine. Austin and I were inseparable and about to be married on another planet possibly. Katie had the right hunch but I could never admit it. I helped her fix her makeup and she left to get her dress on. I slid on the sparkly yellow dress and smiled at my reflection. I wonder what he will think when he sees me in this. I couldn’t wait for him to pick me up.
A white hummer parked in the driveway and I knew it was him. I checked myself one last time and came out to the living room. My Mom “oohed” and “ahhed” over my dress and clicked a stream of pictures until Austin came inside. He sweetly brought chocolate covered strawberries for my Mom which is her favorite. He moved into the living room and spotted me standing by the fireplace. His eyes became misty. “Liv, there are no words.” My heart almost leapt out of my chest. He was stunning in his black suit and yellow tie. I have no idea how I ended up with the hottest alien boyfriend ever but I was sure I would never get sick of his perfect features. “Thanks babe, you look like James Bond but hotter.” I said closing the distance between us. He laughed and held my wrist and placed the yellow rose corsage on it. My Mom snapped more photos and we headed outside. My clear high heels were no match for the icy ground. His arms lifted me up and he cradled me close while walking to the Hummer. The electric charge warmed me instantly.