Hybrid

Spinning Out of Control

I lie still with Joe's arms around me - attempting to rest before we leave for my father's planet. The warmth of his lips on mine lingers. I smile in spite of the chaos around us. Though it was a short kiss, it rocked my body and soul. I have to wonder, is my soul the same now that it's half-human/half-alien? Do my alien relatives even believe they have immortal souls? Will everything I know about life and the universe completely change?

I was looking forward to graduating from high school and getting to live on my own in college. What seemed like a huge moment suddenly seems small in comparison. In the blink of an eye, I find out I'm a half-human, half-alien freak with the Universe to protect. That's all. No biggie.

I wish I had known my father. What was it like for him to be King of a planet more advanced than Earth? And why could he never return to Earth to be with me? Was he afraid for my safety, knowing I am first in line to the throne? And why would he be afraid? Couldn't he have protected me? I wish he were here so I could learn from him. To be a daddy's girl if only for a little while. Did he ever think about me until his heart broke? Because that's how I felt every day about him.

My head is pounding with so many questions, not the least of which is why my half-brother is trying to destroy the universe and why everyone thinks I will be able to save us all from ruin. I look up at the ceiling. I see a spider in the corner just hanging there, spinning a web. I'm spinning out of control, and I don't have a silk web to keep me from falling.

I turn to look at Joe. His eyes are open. "You're not sleeping either?"

"No, I'm thinking about how you can stay on Earth. Maybe we can talk to the High Council and figure out a way for you to live on both planets. You could ease into your reign - as long as you're Queen, you can have the elders continue to rule the planet until you can take over full time. You could finish your last year of high school here. I know how important it is to humans to graduate. And prom! Oh my God, so many girls have already asked me to prom. That dance must be very important."

"They have? Who asked you to prom?"

"So many, I can't remember."

"You're kidding, right?"

He looks at me. 

"You're not kidding? How do you arrive on a planet you don't know and then start high school - probably the most judgmental place in the universe - and have everyone swooning over you immediately? I've gone to school with those people my entire life and they could care a less about me."

"You do realize you are about to become Queen of an entire planet, right? There's no need to be jealous."

"Jealous? I'm not jealous." He looks at me again. 

"Okay, fine. Maybe a little. I'm just amazed at your power to connect to people. If I can't get my classmates to see me, how will an entire planet listen to me? This is going to be a disaster. I think you've all made a mistake. I am going to be a terrible Queen."

"First, everyone is going to love you because you are the daughter of our beloved King and you will be saving our planet from destruction. And second, you're smart, kind and beautiful. How could that lead to disaster?"

"I'm telling you right now I'm a horrible public speaker and I have no sense of style. Princesses and queens have style and grace."

I rummage through my closet of clothes. "I never expected to need Queen attire. Do I go casual? Business casual? I don't have many dresses. I have lots of  jeans - oh and shorts. What's the weather like on your planet?"

"You're really joking at a time like this?"

"I'm not joking Joe! I'm meeting an entire planet of people. I can't just show up looking like any old half-alien/half-Earthling."

"I can promise you that you're not any old anything."

I pull out a simple, flowing red dress my mom bought for me. "This should work." I put the dress up to my body and look at myself in the mirror. It's the first time I've really seen myself since I met Joe. It hasn't been long but I look older, more mature. My shoulders feel heavy - not in a bad way. More like I have a lot to think about - just a few life or death issues are weighing on me.

Joe comes up behind me and slips his arm around my middle. "No one is going to care what you're wearing. You're perfect."

"You're biased."

Joe turns me around with a serious look in his eyes. "I never wanted to hurt you. You know that right?" His eyes search mine for assurance.

"Of course I know that."

"And if you don't want to do this, I will do everything in my power to help you. I keep thinking of other ways. I could challenge your brother or we could hide where no one-"

I put my finger on his lips. "No, we couldn't. I'm grateful for your protection but this is obviously my destiny. I am your King's daughter and I need to honor him. I may be young and new to all of this but I know there's no other way. I must go with you to your planet."

"You understand that no one can be trusted. We can only trust each other."

We lock eyes. "I know," I say to him.

I slip the dress over my bruised body and smooth it out over my slim stomach. I put on a pair of sandals.

"Do you think I'll ever be able to return to Earth someday? Or will I have to stay there forever like my father?"

"This will be your reign. You can determine your future and relationship to Earth."

"Do others on Earth know about your planet?"

"Yes and we have an agreement with the world leaders to not reveal our existence." 

"Why is that?"

"Fear."

"Of the unknown," I finish his sentence. "I'm looking forward to learning more about everything."

"And you will need to learn everything. Emma, you have to believe me when I say that if there were any other way ..."

"I believe you. I'm not scared. I promise. You'll be by my side, right?"

"As long as you want me by your side,  I'll be there."

"Pinky promise?"

"What's that?"

I laugh that he doesn't know our Earthly traditions. "Put up your pinkie."

He puts up his right pinkie. I wrap my pinkie around his.

"We promise to always be there for each other - even in life or death scenarios, which seem to be pretty much every second."

"Right." We squeeze our pinkies together and Joe kisses me. All is right in the world, for now.