How to: Survive an Alien Invasion

Tres - Spanish

For as long as I can remember, I've been obsessed with learning languages. Allan and Julia would give me documentaries and movies in different languages for me to learn while they were gone. They also bought me several different dictionaries in case I couldn't understand the words.

I haven't opened one yet.

As I've pointed out, I've been doing these sorts of things since I was seven, therefore, you could only imagine how many languages I've mastered. I don't know how it works, and neither do Julia and Allan. It's just easy for me.

I thought about this as I rolled out of bed lazily. I put one foot on the floor and stood, but it gave out from under me and I fell onto the hardwood. "Stupid weak ankles," I muttered, grunting as I pushed myself off the floor.

I felt a bruise forming on my hip, but I continued on my journey to the bathroom. I had to maneuver around the books and binders that were scattered across the room. Last night I'd had a bit of a midlife crisis.

Okay, that's a lie.

I was looking for my favourite book and well, this happened. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a gem and no other book will ever rival it. I put some bubblegum toothpaste on my toothbrush and began to make small wrist rotations, just like Allan had taught me. When I was done, I spat out the foamy liquid and rinsed my mouth.

I then made a path for myself with my foot as I crossed the room. Opening the door, I walked out and headed downstairs. I passed the three other doors on this floor and took slow steps down the stairs. When I arrived at the bottom, I could hear the light conversation between my parents.

"Hi, Julia." I looked at her as I entered the kitchen, then my gaze moved to Allan who was cooking breakfast. "Good morning, Allan."

"G'morning, kiddo," Allan replied, flipping a pancake skillfully. Julia smiled at me and returned to her newspaper.

"Anything new out here in the desolate countryside?" They knew how badly I wanted to see the city, but they never let me. They always told me that it was too dangerous. Well I'm a genetic hybrid, I can take care of myself.

Then again, maybe that's the problem.

"Nope." Allan replied as he slid another pancake onto a plate. Weird, Allan only made pancakes on special occasions.

"But, it is someone's birthday today!" Julia announced and I groaned instantaneously.

"Right, birthdays, those exist." I reminded myself, taking a seat on a stool.

"Yup," she started, getting excited, "and today you're turning eighteen!"

"Yay," I deadpanned as she gleamed at me. I kind of felt bad for my lack of enthusiasm, but I wasn't exactly sure whether my 'birthday' was the day we escaped the labs, or the day I was pulled from a test tube. Either way, both alternatives suck.

"C'mon, you should be excited!" Allan stated, shutting off the stove and turning to me. "Only three more years and you can drink!"

Julia looked up to give him a half-hearted glare. Allan returned it with a smirk as he slithered around the island. He approached her with precision and she eyed him warily. Then he grabbed her hips and brought himself closer to her.

"You love me," he told her. She let a small smile slide onto her lips.

"I do," she replied as he lowered his head to hers. I scoffed quietly and walked around the kitchen. I grabbed a plate and took my portion of pancakes which was the vaste majority. He'd even put chocolate chips in them, just for me. I looked up to thank him, but Julia and Allan were engaged in other activities. I cringed for effect, but in reality, they were just like the movie couples and I loved it. I've seen enough reality shows to know that marriage doesn't last long, but Allan and Julia make it work. I would've swooned if they weren't my parents.

I stole the syrup from the fridge and applied it generously to my plate. Forks and knives are for losers, I thought as I picked up the first pancake with my fingers. I tore off a piece and began to dip it in my syrup. I looked back at Julia and Allan as I took a bite. As much as I loved the PDA, note the sarcasm, I didn't want to eat alone, birthday or not.

Therefore, I coughed a few times and they broke apart eventually. Allan smiled and returned to the stove to grab the dishes. Julia blushed as she followed him to grab food. We ate in silence, but it was still better than being alone.

"Were you guys married before you found me?" I questioned curiously, taking another piece of pancake and shoving it in my mouth.

They eyed each other sadly before turning to me. "We never got married," Allan told me solemnly. I almost gasped at the revelation, but I stopped myself in time.

"Why not?" I continued, gobbling down my pancakes as I listened intently. Julia looked back at Allan and sighed.

"If we got married, our names would be on the registry and then the scientists would be able to find you," she explained, taking slower bites out of her pancakes.

"You guys can't get married because of me?" I inquired, my appetite slowly dissipating.

"We don't need a priest to tell us that we love each other. We have a ring and our love, that sounds like marriage to me," Allan smiled at Julia and rubbed her hand softly.

"Exactly. Plus, weddings are too expensive," Julia added, though it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself. I was no longer hungry and I stood up, putting my food away. I went upstairs and they didn't stop me. Once I made it back to my room, I realized I was actually quite thirsty.

I tiptoed downstairs and I heard the radio playing some soft classical music. I peeked my head around the corner of the kitchen and found Allan and Julia swaying side to side as they washed the dishes. I continued to watch as Don't go Breaking my Heart by Elton John came on.

"This would've been our wedding song." Julia smiled as she said it. Allan returned her facial expression and began to sing the male segment. Then Julia joined in for the female part and I gave a small smile. I walked back up the stairs, water long forgotten, and I thought to myself, I want that.