Sleeping

Chapter Ten

About two weeks later, as everyone sat in the mess hall eating dinner, I came to a realization of two things. First, I need to keep a low profile—at least until I’ve been here longer. Second, Ashton and have I developed a relationship of some kind. I don’t know what to call it. A friendship? Flirtationship? Either way, that had been…unexpected. After finding out I was an alien, I had kinda resigned myself to die a lonely old cat lady.

Love Life: 1. Cat Lady: 0.

That was when Ashley tapped me on the shoulder. “Hey. Earth to whatever planet Isarians are from.”

“It’s called Isar.” I said. That was one of the things I had learned this week when Nathaniel was lecturing me about Isarian history.

“Whatever. Where even were you? You were just staring into the deep dark recesses of that poor crappy grilled chicken’s soul. Because if you were having some kind of fantasy about that chicken, God help you.” I made a disgusted face.

“What about fantasies?” Ashton grinned and sat down with us with another boy.

“And here comes Mr. Doucheington.” Ashley said to the other boy who had sat down. He was actually fairly cute with shaggy black hair and mischievous gray eyes.

“Ashley, how many times do I have to tell you? It’s Dutchington, not Doucheington.” he said and I noticed he had the slightest bit of a British accent and his voice sounded oddly…familiar. He turned to me. “Ah, here’s the little Isarian bitch everyone’s been talking about. It’s strange how pretty you are considering how ugly the Isarians are on the ins—”

“Ashton,” Ashley interrupted “can I please knock your best friend’s lights out? He’s living up to his name again.” she smirked at Doucheington. I suddenly like Ashley a lot better now.

“Okay, let’s all just cal—”

“I don’t want to calm down.” Ashley said a little louder, interrupting Ashton.

“And neither do I.” I said coldly, surprising myself. I was pissed—real pissed—but I was never so bold. “I am at the end of my rope today. I can’t even count on one hand how many crappy things have happ—”

“You know what? I think we’ll just be going.” Ashley said and looked at me. I nodded and we stood to leave.

“Ashley,” Doucheington began “do you remember what her kind did to your parents?” I suddenly remembered why his voice sounded familiar. He was one of the people screaming when Ashton and Ashley first dragged me into camp.

Ashley didn’t say anything, but there was a hard mask on her face, hiding how she truly felt. It was Ashton who finally responded “Yeah, Ty, we remember. But we can’t immediately hate all the Isarians because of something one group of people did.”

“One group of people?” Doucheington—Ty—yelled before laughing like a maniac. People were starting to stare at us. “You’re joking. Once they found out what your parents’ research was about, they sent an entire armada to attack Earth. It almost started the first interplanetary war.” He finished and both boys stood, ready for a fight.

Everyone was staring now, but I wasn’t focusing on how many eyes were staring at me. My mind was racing with questions. What had been the research? Why did it involve the Isarians? Why was it such a big deal?

“That’s in the past—it was three damn years ago, Ty!” Ashton screamed at his friend.

Some kind of realization played over Ty’s hard eyes. “I see. You like her, don’t you? You like the little alien slut—”