No Aliens Allowed

- Twenty-Five -

I found Catelin in a huddled heap by the car, terrified.

I instantly felt terrible. "Catelin," I said, rushing over to her and bending down to help her up. She swatted my hand away.

"No," she muttered angrily. "Don't touch me. Not before you explain what the hell just happened. Starting with who Allen Starboard is."

"Can we at least get in the car, and you telling me if you're hurt?" I asked worriedly.

Catelin glared at me, suspicious and angry.

Speaking of, I was supposed to still be mad at Allen.

My fingers tingled as I remembered the kiss.

"They didn't hurt me," Cate said reluctantly, pulling herself up. "I don't know anything," she tossed another sharp look at me, "so therefore I couldn't say anything. They pushed me to the side and went after you two."

I opened the car door for Catelin before walking around to the driver's side.

"Spill," Catelin immediately said. "Or I'm not forgiving you. Ever."

I bit my lip. "Um, how do I start this?" I said hesitantly.

"From the beginning," Catelin demanded.

"This is going to sound crazy," I said, letting out a sigh.

"I just saw what I thought looked like a UFO materialize out of thin air," Cate said huffily, crossing her arms. "I think I can keep up."

So I told Catelin everything, from start to finish. I left nothing out, recounting the landing and shopping and the pop culture lessons and Rosalie and Penn and everything in between.

She watched me, her expression only varying slightly, especially when I got into the finer details about Rosalie.

For twenty minutes I talked, and as my mouth got drier, my chest felt lighter. Finally, someone knew. I didn't have to hide from everyone anymore - I could talk to Catelin, just like old times.

Catelin let out a breath as I finished showing her the cure and talking about the kiss. "Allen, an alien," Catelin mused. "Who would've thought?" She paused for a second, before a slight frown came over her face."Jesus, Kali. How did you manage to keep such a colossal secret to yourself?"

"I would never betray my friends," I answered seriously.

"Especially not Allen," Catelin tacked on suggestively.

"Shut up," I said, shoving her. "Do you forgive me?"

"Well, you did lie. A lot. And Penn got hurt and Allen got taken."

"Is that a yes?"

"Well, I can't help you if I'm angry, can I?"

I looked up sharply. "What do you mean, help me?"

"Kali, honey, you mean well but you're not very smart," Catelin said, patting my head. I narrowed my eyes at her. "You're in love with this alien. He makes you so happy."

I grumbled at her, opening my mouth to protest. Catelin cut me off with a glare. "Seriously, though. The way he looks at you, Kali - like you're the most beautiful thing in the world and the only person he cares about. And the way you smile at him? You don't ever smile like that, unless it's Allen. You two have something. Don't get me wrong; it makes me wanna vomit. But it's the truth."

I fought back a blush. "I...um...well."

"You're speechless!" Catelin cheered, looking victorious. "Woo!"