Bounty Hunter

Chapter 6

I don't pry him for any further details. His tightened jaw and lowered eyelids hint toward a reluctance to open up. It wasn't easy for him to share these intimate details with me. But by exposing his vulnerability he's gained my trust. An abrupt vibration against my thigh disrupts the conversation. A green message bubble pops up on my screen. "When are you coming home?" it reads. "My mom," I explain holding up my phone. My fingers rapidly tap across the screen to send a message. "I just took a longer route, I'll be home soon," I send. Kai composes his face into his signature solid sculpture of ease. "Tell your mom you'll be taking one more detour. We need to make a stop at the beach house." His long torso stands up and he extends a hand to hoist me up. My feet take a few clumsy steps as I stumble then catch up with his long legs. He leads the way to his beach house pulling me alongside him.

We hurry through the door and he pushes me into a seat. The flash of a bright light catches me off guard. I send Kai a quizzical look of surprise. "That was a photo, for me. I need a photo of you to hack into all of the satellite systems. I can fix it so that the satellite imaging won't register your face, instead it'll just process another random to replace your own." Another buzz alerts me to a text message. "Sharon said she saw you with a boy?!" accompanied by a devil emoticon. My stomach plummets the way it does on a rollercoaster. "Why don't you bring him home for dinner?" "No mom," I reply firmly. "I want to meet him!" she replies instantly. "I need to know who this boy is you're hanging out with! Sharon said he looks like he's in college!" "He's just a friend mom," "How old is he!" "How old are you?" I ask Kai quickly. "18," he replies. "He's 18 mom," "Oh ok. Your father and I want to meet him tonight." Wonderful. Now my father is involved too. Inwardly, I groan. "You humans are so weird with your texting," Kai comments. "You aliens are so weird with your robot dogs," I retort. "My parents are insisting on meeting you," I say embarrassed.

His green eyes flicker with a hint of panic. He chuckles nervously, "Usually I wait a little longer before meeting a girl's parents." I send him a stern look. He rolls back his shoulders, "Okay fine. You caught me. I've never gotten that far." "It's not like that!" I insist turning red. "My parents are just overprotective. They like keeping tabs on who I befriend." He looks at me peculiarly, "You didn't tell them about me, did you?" "No! Of course not! One of my mom's friends saw us," I say sheepishly. "You've met my dad. I'm meeting your parents tonight. I'd say we're getting pretty serious wouldn't you?" Kai jokes lightening up. I thrust my head to the side like a bewildered ostrich, "Your dad kidnapped me then held me captive. I just hope my parents have a better reaction to meeting you." "No worries love, I'll be on my best behavior,' he says with a wink and swings his arm around me. I shoot him a look with my brows scrunched and my mouth pinched. He backs away fearfully, "I'll keep my hands to myself," he says.

Together we abandon the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop. I walk alongside him swinging my arms. Kai's hands are casually stuffed into his pockets. "So you'll come for dinner tonight?" I ask. "We don't need to worry about the aliens attacking my family since you already iterated that entire aliens staying away from humans thing. Except for me of course," I shrug. "Of course. I would never endanger your family," he says his eyes peering into mine utterly serious. "You can expect me," he assures me with a small smile. "Come by at six, and don't be late," I state pointing a finger for emphasis. "Yes mom," he answers robotically. I head off in the opposite direction of him and he sends me a perplexed look. "Why are you following me?" I ask in annoyance. His brows raise in an incredulous expression. "You seriously think I'd leave you alone after what just happened?" he scoffs. "It's my responsibility to protect you," he says firmly. I shake my head slightly, "That's the whole point of the gun," ," I articulate slowly. Kai opens his mouth to protest. "Object one more time and you'll be the one who needs protection," I threaten. Kai backs away hesitantly until he finally waves his hand in good bye.

When I return home the clock has already struck noon. I comply to the voice in my head urging me to jump into the shower. Hot water droplets beat against my back renewing my energy. The water chases away the heat induced sweat from my skin. As revitalizing as the shower was, I can't shake the sense of paranoia persisting in my mind. All alone in the empty house, I'm left to ponder the possibility of someone bursting out from a corner or leaping out of the pantry. I wrap a fluffy towel around my dark hair and choose a white sun dress to wear. I leave the gun hidden in my closet for now. I doubt my parents would be happy if they hugged me, and felt a suspicious object protruding from my waist. To satisfy my aching hunger I choose a slice of toast accompanied by a thick layer of nutella. Remember girls, one can never have too much nutella. Especially, when one is stressing over a really hot boy and the minor detail of her near death experience. While I ravenously consume my meal I try to study the SAT words. My attempt to focus my brain on something mundane fails pitifully. My restless thoughts keep drifting towards Blue. Then surprisingly they drift toward Kai. Like little floating clouds images of him float through my head.