by Robin Martin
‘Maybe I just understand it more now, and I’m getting to understand humans, especially girls, better now.’
‘Very occasionally, you might just be a little smarter than me.’
‘Newsflash, buddy, I’m a lot smarter all the time. And, to answer your question, no, it’s not too late to show Zoe you’re not a complete jerk.’ She turned and headed up the concrete path.
Maybe I’d head back to Emerson’s house, and if I was lucky, she wouldn’t slam the door in my face. I went down the street, eyes on my phone, thinking I’d text her to let her know I was coming. Suddenly, I ran into someone, my head crashing into his.
‘Sorry,’ I said as I took a step back.
‘That, my boy, is what they call an understatement. I’m surprised you’ve even lasted this long as a human.’
I looked at the one person I never expected to see again. ‘Archimedes!’
It was hard after Rion left and Emerson was so upset, but finally, Emerson decided he would talk to me. He even agreed to have the cookies and milk his dad had left for a snack, and we watched Despicable Me together. Mr Stewart had bought some DVDs for Emerson, unlike Mrs Stewart who wouldn’t let him watch TV, let alone movies. After that, he let me put him to bed, and even allowed me to give him a hug. It seemed I had been forgiven. But he said, ‘Zoe, are you ever going to get back with Rion?’
I thought for a moment. I was already regretting letting him walk out that door. I was being stupid and stubborn. I missed him so much. If I could have that moment back again when our eyes met over Emerson’s head and he waited for me to say I was ready to take him back, I would have. And now… maybe he wouldn’t want to come back anymore. I’d seen the hurt look in his eyes.
I sighed. ‘I don’t know, Emerson. I want to.’
His eyes brightened up. ‘Then tell him. Text him right now. He could come back here. I’m going to sleep now, so you can have some alone time.’ He gave me a little smile.
Jeez, even a six-year-old could make me blush. ‘Not tonight, Emerson. It’s late. But I will think about it.’
‘Tomorrow then,’ he said, falling back on his pillow and giving a yawn.
I pulled the blankets up and tucked him in. ‘You’d better get to sleep. I let you stay up to finish the movie, but it’s way past your bedtime.’
He turned on his side and closed his eyes. ‘That’s okay. Dad doesn’t mind.’ But within seconds his breathing became regular, and I knew he had already fallen asleep. I tiptoed out and turned off the light, then closed the door gently.
Back in the lounge room, I opened my chemistry book. Chemistry wasn’t my strongest subject, and I’d need to study if I had any hope of passing that exam on Monday. But somehow, the words were making even less sense than usual. Rion was good at chemistry and even better at explaining it. If he were here right now… I put the book down. I had to stop thinking about him. I leaned my head against the sofa and closed my eyes. I had never felt so connected to anyone in my whole life as I had to Rion. It was true that Harry and I shared a history together, but it was different. Yes, we got each other, and I would always care about Harry. With Rion, it went deeper. Once we had shared each other’s thoughts, but it was only when he materialised that I realised how close we were. I used to laugh when people talked about soul mates. And yet, that’s exactly what Rion was to me. I realised that I had forgiven him, and more importantly, somehow, I needed to get him back.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Archimedes, what are you doing here?’
I looked at the being who had once been my guardian. His sandy hair, blue eyes, and middle-aged looks did not indicate that, far from being human, he was a nearly 5000-year-old alien. He had not approved of my decision to be human, and we had parted on cool terms. As he hated materialising in physical form, I couldn’t imagine why he was here.
‘Because, yet again, my superior abilities have been called on to sort out another problem, and it is all your fault.’
I hadn’t expected a warm or cordial greeting, but this was too much. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You made the foolish decision to materialise and then, when our indulgent supervisor gave you the choice, you turned against your own people and became human.’
I felt my face turn warm and my body tense. I didn’t experience anger often, but maybe it was because he was saying one of the very things that had caused me to break up with Zoe, I was feeling it now. ‘You have no right to criticise my decision and even less to criticise our supervisor, who has shown a lot more wisdom than you. If that’s all you came to say, you can leave. Or better still, I will.’ I turned on my heel and started to walk away from him.
‘Stop!’
I hated that my steps slowed, and I turned around.
He was standing under the street light, and I could see he was struggling to compose his facial expression.
‘That was discourteous of me. I am sorry.’
An apology from Archimedes—that was a first.
‘I need your help.’
Another first. I waited for him to continue, curious as to what this self-professed ‘superior being’ could possibly need my help for.
‘It’s about the rogue being who calls herself Pandora. Following your example, she has decided to materialise, but unlike you, she has ignored our communications. She has also broken several of our most important rules, including her influence over the human, Maude Butterfield. It cannot be allowed to continue. She is jeopardising our entire space mission with her foolish and reckless behaviour.’
Of course. Pandora. I should’ve realised she would attract the attention of our people sooner or later. She hadn’t exactly kept a low profile.
‘I don’t see how I can help. I’ve already asked her to return, but she refused. Perhaps you should try, Archimedes. She might listen to you.’ I walked back a few steps to stand in front of him.
Archimedes gave a heavy sigh. ‘I’ve tried, several times. She is the most irritating, self-centred, and stubborn creature I have ever encountered, and that includes humans.’
‘I didn’t know you had contacted her. She never said.’
‘No, she wouldn’t, would she? She doesn’t want you to know that she has been commanded to return to the mothercloud at once. It’s only a matter of time before she tells people who she is, and someone might actually believe her. I’ve always thought newbies should not be allowed to leave the mothercloud until they are at least 1000 years old. But no one listens to me.’ His face had a martyred look. ‘I was endeavouring to contact her yet again this evening, when I saw you. It was one of the few times the sight of you has given me pleasure.’
Archimedes didn’t even realise he was insulting people most times, so I decided to let that one go. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Try talking to her again. Tell her it is imperative she return. Use whatever means are at your disposal. You might even tell her human life is a disappointment and you’re sorry you made the choice to become human.’
‘Except I’m not.’ I decided not to mention I recently thought I might return to the mothercloud. After Zoe’s words about the ‘gift’ of choice my supervisor had given me, I realised that I would not throw it back at him. I would remain in my human state, whether I was with Zoe or not.
‘Then convince her she’s made a mistake. Surely you must have some influence over her?’
I shook my head. ‘Pandora has gone rogue, and she will only return when she’s ready. She doesn’t really want to be human, Archimedes. She’s just playing at it and having fun. Eventually, she’ll go back to the mothercloud.’
‘Having fun? Since when did our people ever consider that important. I really think letting her into the space mission was an error of judgement. She is a bad influence, not only on humans, but on the younger souls of our kind.’
‘She’s not a bad entity. Maybe misguided at times, but essentially she cares, and sometimes she can be kind.’ I realised that more and more as I had gotten
to know her.
‘Kind? Caring? What have those emotions to do with our purpose and mission to further our knowledge of this errant planet? Dear oh dear, things are worse than I imagined. We must rectify this at once. Go to that house and talk to her. Tell her our supervisor’s patience is wearing out. If she doesn’t return soon, he will prevent her from returning at all and she will be stuck in this human form forever.’
‘Have you told her that?’
‘Of course, but she doesn’t believe me. It is for her own good, especially if she doesn’t really want to become human.’
I thought for a moment. I knew, more than Pandora, that if our supervisor commanded us to do something, we had to do it or suffer the consequences. He was wise and understanding, but he would not put up with disobedience. I had met him only once, and I had felt his power. I had to make Pandora realise she must do as she was told or risk never returning to her own people.
‘Okay, I’ll try. Will you come with me?’
Archimedes shook his head. ‘My presence seems to disturb her. But I will be close by if you need me.’ Slowly his physical presence dissolved in front of me and I was left alone. I looked along the street where Chelsea’s house was.
I didn’t want to go inside, so I closed my eyes and tried to reach her with my thoughts. It had worked once before, although I had been a lot nearer to her then.
Pandora, I need to speak with you. Come outside.
I waited for about a minute and was about to give it up and go to the front door, when I heard her answer whispering in my mind.
What is it now, Orion?
You didn’t tell me that Archimedes had been in contact with you.
Is that old windbag with you now?
Close by. We need to talk.
Silence, then a few moments later the front door opened and she came striding down the path, not looking pleased.
‘I don’t know how you put up with him when he was your guardian. Of course I didn’t tell you. Nothing to tell. I’m not ready to go back yet.’ She stopped in front of me and folded her arms.
‘It’s not just him. You’ve been ordered back by our supervisor. You know how serious that is.’
‘Yeah, but when he says immediately, he could mean anything up to a year or two. You know our people’s concept of time is different to what it is here.’
I shook my head. ‘No, he means right now. You’re breaking all the rules, and that has certainly got his attention. If you don’t go back now, then you won’t be able to go back at all, ever.’
She looked up at the sky. ‘See the Orion constellation up there. That’s where our planet is. I think I made a mistake when I joined our space mission. I was too young. I didn’t know what I was giving up. I’ve missed being an organic and having senses. You know I’ve never even been kissed by a boy before I came here.’
‘Do you want to stay then? To become human like me?’
She lowered her head and looked at me. ‘No, I don’t. I still want to be around in a couple thousand years, in one form or another. But I also want to experience human life from time to time. I guess I want it all.’ She gave me a small smile.
‘I understand, but I don’t think that’s possible, Pandora. If you don’t go back now, you won’t have that choice.’
‘But they let you stay. They gave you a choice.’
‘And I made it. I can’t go back now. You haven’t met our supervisor. He is more powerful, wise, and superior to us in every way possible. But he isn’t weak, and he won’t put up with disobedience. Once he’s made his mind up to let you go, there will be nothing you can do to change it. Believe me, Pandora. I’ve met him. It was an incredible experience, but I wouldn’t want to cross him, ever. He’s not like Archimedes. Look at me. You know I’m telling the truth.’
We stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. Pandora was rebellious, but she wasn’t stupid. She saw the truth of my words.
She closed her eyes for a moment, and I sensed the turmoil that was going on in her mind. Then she opened them again and said, ‘Okay, I believe you. I’ll go back, but not right away. I need to stay until the formal. At least that way I’ll be able to say goodbye to all the things and people I’ve learnt to care about. It’s not that long.’
‘That’s not my choice. But maybe Archimedes can help.’
As if he had been listening to our conversation, which he probably had, he materialised in front of us. Luckily, Pandora and I had walked down the street away from Chelsea’s house and there was no one to see him.
‘At last you’ve seen sense,’ he said.
Pandora turned to look at him. ‘Oh, it’s you again.’
Archimedes ignored her lacklustre response. ‘Are you ready to go? The sooner, the better.’
‘Since you’ve obviously been eavesdropping, you would also have heard I want to stay until the formal. Then I’ll be ready to go.’
His forehead wrinkled. ‘The formal? What is that? Some primitive ritual I suppose? And when is it?’
Pandora unfolded her arms and put them on her hips. ‘Seriously, Archimedes, how can you not know what a formal is? It’s the year twelve dance, and I want to say goodbye to my friends. If I just disappear, they’ll wonder what happened to me. And what about Maude? She’ll probably call the police out to look for me. I have to finish things here properly, you know.’
‘Yes, well it will be the only thing you’ve done properly. When is this event?’
Pandora rolled her eyes. ‘It’s in two weeks. That’s a nanosecond in our time.’
Archimedes looked at her, considering. ‘I suppose we might let you stay for that short period of time, providing of course that you promise to come back after that immediately. And that you don’t get yourself into trouble.’
Her arms folded again, and she gave another eye roll. ‘Yeah, yeah, I promise. And now that’s sorted, I’m going back inside with the girls. We might go out later.’
‘Is that wise? It’s getting late.’
‘No lectures, right? I’ll be good, but you need to back off. In two weeks, I’ll return to the mothercloud. See you then.’ She turned, her hair flying across his face, and then she headed back to the house, hips swinging and boots ringing on the pavement.
Archimedes gave her a look of distaste as he wiped his face with a hand. ‘How she ever made it into the space mission, I’ll never know.’ He turned back to me. ‘Thank you, Orion, for your help. I’m grateful. And if I can ever be of assistance, you may call upon me. I realise that I may have underestimated your qualities in the past.’
I nodded and was about to say goodbye, when a thought occurred to me. ‘Actually, Archimedes, there is something you can help me with. It concerns Zoe’s mother.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lou?’ I looked at her tear-stained face as she stood on my doorstep. ‘What’s up?’ It was Sunday morning, and Mum and Dad had gone out to the markets.
‘Mike broke up with me,’ she said, and her face crumpled.
I pulled her inside and closed the door. Then I gave her a hug as she burst into tears. ‘Come on. Let’s go to my room and you can tell me all about it.’
We sat on my bed, cross-legged, and, in her still shaky voice, she told me what happened.
‘He’s met someone else on one of those stupid online games he plays. They met up at that arcade where Mike and I had our first date…’ She stopped for a moment, then taking a deep breath, continued. ‘Anyway, he’s met up with her a few times now, even while we were still going out, the… the…’ Lou couldn’t bring herself to say a rude word, even when she was angry. Instead she said, ‘The jerk!’
I hid a smile. That was Lou, sweet to the core. ‘You’re better off without him.’
‘Yes, I am. He texted me last night. He didn’t even call me. He said he couldn’t hide his true feelings anymore and that he felt we weren’t suited. But I tried so hard, Zoe, to do the things he liked. I even learnt how to play some of those arcade and online games.’
I took her hand and tried to choose my next words carefully. ‘The thing is, Lou, you shouldn’t have to try so hard to be with someone. It should be easier.’
‘But things haven’t been easy for you and Rion,’ she pointed out.
‘That’s true, and I’d be the first person to admit it. But you shouldn’t have to change who you are, and you shouldn’t expect someone else to do that either.’
And then it hit me like a lightning bolt, that’s exactly what I’d expected from Rion. I wanted him to use his alien powers and, whether he had them or not, was beside the question. He didn’t want to do it. It went against what he believed, and I should have respected that.
Lou gave a heavy sigh. ‘I think you’re probably right, Zoe. I was trying to make myself into someone Mike would like rather than finding out if he liked me for who I was. How did you get so wise?’
I shook my head. ‘Not wise at all. Still dateless for the formal.’
‘That makes the two of us now, and so is Kerri. Hey, we can all go together now. It’ll be fun.’
‘Correction—it’ll be awesome!’
‘Rion!’ I opened the door to my second visitor of the morning. Lou had just left and was, I thought, a little happier than when she arrived.
‘I hated the way things ended between us last night, and I just wondered, do you want to…’ He hesitated.
‘Come in.’
He came inside, closing the door behind him. We stood staring silently at each other for a moment. There was so much to say, yet it was so hard to speak.
‘I’m sorry,’ we said at the exact same moment, and then we both laughed nervously.
‘I didn’t want you to leave last night. I regretted it as soon as you left. It was just my stupid pride that got in the way,’ I said.
‘No, you weren’t to blame. It was all my fault, everything was. I don’t care what happens. I never want to leave you again.’
I looked up into his dark eyes and touched the face that I loved so much. He took a step closer to me, and before I knew it, we were in each other’s arms, his warm lips on mine.