A mature man navigating loneliness, friendship, and the quiet absurdity of ordinary Sundays. Because adulthood turns out to be less dramatic than expected. Or does it?

"Dusty and Leo have a simple theory: a white shirt and a black apron can fix any life crisis. Even if that crisis involves owing money to the mob and having zero social skills. When they lie their way into jobs at the Valley's most elite restaurant, they expect tips and easy leftovers. What they get is a six-figure wedding, a five-tier cake disaster, and the realization that some messes simply can't be cleaned up with a damp cloth.

ALIEN AMONG US is a small-town sci-fi novella filled with humor, heart, friendship, and enough secrets to make you wonder what-or who-might be hiding in plain sight. ************************************************************************ Entered into the Open Novella Contest 2026 | @OpenNovellaContest - Rules & Guidelines: here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/406004197-open-novella-contest-2026 **Main Prompt** 25. You live with four other housemates, but one of them is secretly an alien trying to learn how to act human. ©2026 E. S. Elias, All Rights Reserved. Book Created & Published to Wattpad: 02.01.2026 Book Marked as Completed: 00.00.2026 Book Cover: Me @DesignsbyEH Word Count: 2,222 / 20,000 Goals: ✔ Round 1 ✔ | 2,000 words ✔ | Round 2 ✔ | 8,000 words ✔ Round 3 _ | 20,000 words LONGLIST _ | SHORTLIST _ Round Winner? _ | Honorable Mention? _ | Ambassadors' Pick? _ Mentioned in Ambassador Newsletter _ Top-5 Winner? _ Rankings: #ONC2026: #ONC #2 02.03.2026