Alien Scrooge - Zara Zenia Page 0,27

Egrix was an alien, but she smiled.

Her dad seemed to be listening to them with disbelief, his frown hanging on his face and his arms crossed over his chest, pouting at the two women gushing over a boy right in front of him, but he didn't say anything, thankfully.

Cara slept deeply that night, her mind taking her back to Egrix. She dreamed of sitting in the ocean water with him, letting the waves pass over them as the tide drew in and out. The world sparkled and she couldn't help but smile until her cheeks hurt.

10

In the morning she shared breakfast with her parents as usual. Her mother talked animatedly about Egrix, asking countless questions throughout the morning. Cara did her best not to reveal anything that might give away that he was an alien, enjoying listening to her mom gush about someone she'd grown to care about deeply. Her father seemed dejected as he slunk from room to room after being the first to finish his meal. Still Cara noticed him eavesdropping curiously on her conversation. He always did this when Cara met someone, acting as if he thought she would abandon him. Her father and mother were very affectionate and they both genuinely wanted the best, happiest life for her.

After eating, talking, and cleaning up, Cara looked through the house for her dad and found him, not surprisingly, poking his head around the living room door frame to try to spy on her mother in the dining room.

"Dad," she commented, announcing her presence quietly, but still causing him to leap in surprise.

He turned around, looking like a kid who'd been caught stealing candy. Cara giggled, smiling widely at him before walking over and giving him a hug. The look of melancholy he'd been wearing all morning disappeared, breaking almost instantly into a smile as he hugged her back.

"I love you, Dad," she said, looking up at him, "and I promise I'll be careful. Maybe we can go out to the telescope tonight, just you and me."

His eyes sparkled in response to her reassuring words, but he stayed silent, simply pulling her back into the hug and giving her a big squeeze.

Cara took her morning shower before investigating the contents of her suitcase, yet again. In one corner of her suitcase she found her favorite blue dress. Even though it was chilly in mid-December, she was excited at the idea of dressing up to see Egrix. She picked the dress up, holding it up to herself as she looked in the mirror. Before pulling the sea blue outfit over her head. The long sleeves and heart shaped neck hugged tightly to her curves, while the pleated skirt added a little poof around her hips. She couldn't help but to do a little spin for her reflection before digging and finding a pair of knee high white socks to help her stay warm in the beach breeze. She also pulled out her small collection of makeup. With a few touches of mascara and a light blushed placed on her cheeks, she smiled at herself in the mirror glass.

"I hope he likes it."

She slid her glasses on, leaving her hair in loose waves that fell down her back. With her knee-high boots on her feet and her camera bag at the ready, she left her room feeling excited to spend her first full day with her boyfriend.

The car ride seemed to take forever, and she nearly sprinted down the water's edge to the cave. Egrix was already waiting for her just inside of the cave, a huge smile spreading across his golden cheeks as she dove into his arms.

"Hello, alien boyfriend," she announced, making him laugh at her cute greeting before he led her back to his pod and away from any prying eyes.

Egrix could hardly take his gaze off Cara as they walked through the cave. Her hair, which was usually tightly wound in a braid, brushed loosely against the arm he had around her waist. Her deep blue dress made the blue in her eyes as intense as the clear daytime sky, and repeatedly drew his eyes to her curvy figure. He would have been pleased to just sit and look at her all day.

She cleared her throat, looking shyly at him before nodding in the direction of his home where they had stopped.

"Oh yeah," he said, realizing how entranced he'd been. He waved his hand and let the door slide up. To his surprise, Cara pulled away from