Boshville

B. 26

Natalie was given room to dress. The sun was slowly rearing its hot head in the sky. She wore a sleeveless baby pink top and a black and white flannel shirt which she coupled with a pair of white jeans and high top sneakers. She made two braids out of her hair.

She sighed at the sight of the cracks. Half of her left face was almost fully broken. She was curious and worried. There was a lot involved in shifting to her true form. Her people would be totally exposed and they would be captured or worse, killed. And the humans in Boshville would know their secret. She became grateful that all cell towers were shut down. She did not want to imagine how Boshville would be trending on Twitter.

"Natalie! Breakfast!" Casper called out. Natalie exhaled and went down. She groaned once she saw everyone in the kitchen. "I really hope the new baby is a girl", she complained, "there are far too many guys here". "You read my mind, love". Evie chuckled sipping her coffee. Tristan just gave her a small smile.

She dived into the BLT sandwich and poured orange juice into a glass. "It has..." She trailed off the question. "Uliac. Yes, it does". Zee answered. Natalie ate quietly. She used her side eye to spy on the subtle not subtle passes that Moss and Casper were making. She was happy for her friend and her mental health because she didn't have to imagine her best friend with an older woman.

"So what's the plan Zee?" Natalie asked as she dusted breadcrumbs of her fingers. "We  need to find that ship or ships before they fuel them". Zee replied while dropping his dish in the sink. "Let me guess", Natalie rolled her eyes, "by 'we', you don't mean me".

"Actually, you're coming with us".

"Really?!" She widened her eyes in excitement.

"Yes, really. I need to keep an eye on you". He gave her look that said she was going to be far away from any 'danger'. "I'm starting to think you love babysitting". She teased. "Don't push it". He warned. Natalie shrugged and walked out.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Casper giggled at Moss. "I'd rather be silent than Evie's chat buddy". Moss laughed. "I heard that!" Evie called out from the other end of the table. "You were supposed to". Alexis pointed out. Evie stuck out her tongue at him and went to the cold room. "I best join her. Nothing immoral my friends". Alexis winked going after his cousin.

"And you'd think he doesn't have a sense of humor". Casper finished up his food. "Let's go". Moss pulled his arm. "To where?" Casper was confused. "To do immoral deeds". Moss wiggled his brows.

Zee saw that Tristan was teary after that. "Stupid hormones!" Tristan cursed and wiped his face. Zee moved closer to him. Bartin was pretending to make another sandwich but Fortin unfortunately dragged him away. "Can we talk now?" Zee asked slowly so as not to provoke him.

Tristan thought about it for a moment. He did not owe Zee anything but he owed his unborn child. "Yes Zarphon. You can speak". He finally answered. "I'm sorry". There was a  brief silence after the apology. "For?" Tristan looked him in the eyes. "For being an idiot and an asshole".

"Why now? Is it because of the baby? You don't have to feel obligated".

"It's not...can you let me speak? I'll walk away immediately after". Tristan nodded.

Zee interlocked their fingers. "I was a coward", Zee confessed, "after Avara threw her life away for love, I didn't want to walk that path. I hurt you and myself.  Natalie never met her parents and I didn't wish that fate for our baby". Tristan listened with rapt attention.

"I was blind to see the miracle we created. Two anomales bearing a child...the first in history. I knew we were not bound to rules on Earth but I never stopped being afraid of the day when I would hurt you. I thought my way was the best but I was wrong. Staying apart from you has been the hardest part of living".