Alien Scrooge - Zara Zenia Page 0,28

him and hurried inside, before beckoning for him to follow her. She moved away from the table that they had shared yesterday, and instead sat on the couch in front of Egrix's large television.

"What are we doing today?" Her sweet voice floated through the air.

"I don't know," he said honestly, "I don't really feel like working."

Cara nodded, looking down at her hands when she replied, "I'm not really ready to have sex yet, but I know it's important in your culture—"

Egrix stopped her with a hand placed over her fiddling fingers "No, of course not. I didn't expect to. Don't push yourself." He moved closer to her, wrapping one arm around her and pulling her head to his shoulder. "This is enough for me."

A small charming giggle escaped from her sweet lips and she wrapped both of her arms around him and nuzzling his arm.

"Do you want to watch a movie or play some games so we can just sit like this all day?"

"That sounds perfect." Cara's eyes traced over him, lighting up just like her smile. "Can I ask you something first though?"

Egrix nodded, curious to know what she was going to ask, because she seemed hesitant.

"It's about Christmas, so I understand if you say no," she warned. "My parents found out about our relationship last night and invited you to our Christmas Eve dinner." She winced and bit her lip, peeking out at him from squinted eyes to, he supposed, gauge his reaction.

He hesitated, unsure of what she may have told them. "Your parents found out about us?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I suck at lying to my mom. She sees right through me every time. She flat out asked me if I'd met someone and instantly knew the answer the moment I tried to deny it. I showed her the pictures of your human form though, so she doesn't suspect that you're an alien." She looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I know it's not fair for me to out you like that."

"No, that's okay. As long as they don't know where I am or my real identity there isn't too much risk of harm. However," he paused, knowing she would be disappointed, but he couldn't bring himself to accept her invitation, "I don't want to go to your party. I would rather just stay here and ignore Christmas altogether."

"I kind of figured." Her lips turned down a fraction and her eyes looked sad. "Then, just to let you know, I won't be able to visit next week." Cara insisted earnestly, "I did come here to spend time with my family after all, and I love Christmas."

Egrix was suddenly disappointed at that realization.

"Yeah, I understand." He rested the side of his head on Cara's. "I'll miss you though."

Cara smiled sadly at him. "The offer still stands, if you decide to change your mind." Her voice was soft and held a hint of disappointment. Then she shook her head and put a brighter smile on her face, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey, what video games do you have?" she asked, changing the subject.

The two of them set to investigate Egrix's collection to find something they could do together for the day.

11

After hours of watching movies and playing games, Cara finally concluded she needed to leave. They had sat tangled up in each other all day, and it was taking a lot for them to convince themselves to separate now. Egrix held Cara in his lap with his arms wrapped around her. She held his face in her hands, looking into his eyes and the two shared a soft, sweet kiss. The feeling of each other's lips lingered as they pulled away, but Egrix respected Cara's desire to get home and lifted up until they were both standing. He walked her to the door, but she insisted that he not walk her all the way out of the cave just to avoid him potentially deciding to go all the way home with her. This made both of them laugh and he kissed her once more, just before the door closed, dividing the two on either side of the pod's wall.

Egrix watched Cara walk away in the cute bright blue dress she had worn that day. As soon as he had let himself realize them, his feelings for her had completely taken over. She had been all he could think about the night before and he was sure the same would be true for that night. Egrix turned away