16

Nov 2, Thursday, 3:50 A.M.

    Commander Zeetro asked Ian to take a seat, and the female fetched a chair from against the wall, placing it before Ian.

    "I believe it's important that we become acquainted with one another before we begin," Zeetro said. "My name is Zeetro Celestia, I am the head of the AOH, and this is my younger sister, Zelaponia."

    The female waved and spoke, "Call me Zelle.  It is nice to meets you."

    "Meet," Zeetro corrected.

    Zelaponia apologized in Vallorian.

    "Wait," Chelsea interjected, the bag still over her eyes. "You're Voice."

    Zelaponia's eyes widened and Zeetro asked her something in Vallorian which she seemed reluctant to answer.

    Chelsea had heard Ian's name spoken and Ian wondered if he should try to talk to her.  At least say hi to her.

    But she didn't seem to acknowledge his presence.

    Or want to at least.

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    Chelsea sat resolutely, not wanting to even turn her face towards Ian.  Which was hard because she had no idea where he was due to the bag over her head.

    But she wouldn't talk to him.

    Never.

    "Hi," came his voice suddenly.

    Chelsea scrunched up her face and hoped he could see.

    Unless he had a bag on his head too.

    Zelle and Zeetro were having a silent conversation next to her and she tried to listen to look more interested in them than Ian.

    For some reason, it was all awkward

_________________________________________________________

    He had said hi, and she had made a face!

    Ian slouched against his chair and looked away from her, even though she couldn't see.

    Why did she have to be so stuck up?

    He thought after a month since their last meeting she would have cooled down and acted friendly towards him.

    Boy, was he wrong.

    Zeetro and Zelaponia finished talking and Ian noticed how dejected Zelaponia looked.

    "Zelle, take off her covering please," Zeetro said to his sister. "We will be right back.  You two haven't seen each other in a while so take this time to catch up."

    Zelle pulled off the bag, but Chelsea's head remained firm and she would not make eye contact with Ian.  They left the room and there was a deafening silence.

    Ian made a show of crossing his arms and looking away and then realized how stupid he was acting.

    Why did this need to go on?  Would this be for the rest of their lives?

    "Chelsea," Ian started.  Once she didn't respond he went on. "I ... I uhh."

    Ian's mind raced.  What words did she want to hear?  He needed to choose them carefully or else he could ruin everything forever.

    "Please tell me what to say," Ian prayed silently.

    And as he thought, the words to say became clear.  Three words.

    "Chelsea, I am sorry."

    Chelsea's face didn't change, though her eyes quickly flicked to him and then back to the wall.

    "Listen, I think - no, I have been avoiding saying that for so long.  This whole mess is my fault.  I shouldn't have fought with you that day, it ruined everything.  And what's worse is that I was only thinking about myself when I said it."

    Chelsea stayed quiet, but her expression changed as if she were remembering the day.

    She sighed, "I don't want to go through the rest of my life hating you, Ian.  But we can never be as close as we once were.  I can't trust you yet."

    Ian nodded and the room was filled with awkward silence.

    "So," Ian said as he turned his head and looked at the door, listening to hear if anyone was outside. He then looked at Chelsea and said in a low voice. "I found my father."

    Chelsea's eyes widened and she finally looked back at him. "Really?"

    "Yeah, he's an alien," Ian said, leaning forward and wringing his hands together. 

    "How lovely," Chelsea said sarcastically. "Is that the reason for your scar?"

    "Yep . . . he made it.  So that he could find me later."

    "Why did he want to find you?"

    Ian lowered his voice even more. "So he could retake his homeland."

    "Which is where?"

    "Right here.  Glorbs inhabited Vallor before the Vallorians.  And it was called something else too."

    Chelsea looked suspicious. "The creatures that attack the Vallorians?  One of those is your father?"

    "They can shapeshift into humans.  It's complicated."

    Chelsea grew silent once again.  Then she asked, "What's his name?"

    " . . . Bob."

    A hint of a smile appeared on Chelsea's lips. "Bob?"

    She let out a snicker and Ian chuckled.  Even though the laugh was short and seemed a little forced, it felt good to laugh with Chelsea again.

    Silence came again and Chelsea looked back at the wall. 

    Ian put his hands into his suit pockets and let his mind run.

    The last time they had actually laughed together was the last time they had been best friends.  Eight years ago . . .

17

June 28, Friday, 8 Years Earlier

    Ian had taken off his hat and robe and was now sitting contentedly on a school bench, waiting for his best friend.

    It didn't take long for Chelsea to appear.  Her bright pink dress under the black robe shone brightly as she ran towards him.

    Chelsea sat on the bench next to Ian with a thud and began laughing. "Oh my gosh!  It's finally over!"

    Ian laughed with her and said, "Yeah thank goodness.  I'm just excited to leave home and go out into the world.  We can go to all sorts of places, Chelsea.  First, we can tour the rest of the U.S., and then we can go to Europe, and then to Asia and-" Ian stopped, realizing that Chelsea wasn't smiling anymore.