I searched the room until I found the face I was looking for. She was clenching Aunt Trish's hand. Her green eyes shined with tears. One tear broke free and stained her cheek. Her hair was long and wavy. A short crystal crown rested on her head.
"Carsona," she said, her accent very prominent. She reached her hand out and caressed my cheek. Every bit of nerves and doubt I had disappeared as I felt her love for me.
I felt tears sting my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away.
"Mei naoih," my mother said, pulling me into a hug. Her warmth was subtle, and her scent smelled lightly of flowers.
"What did she say?" I looked at Trish after she released me.
"My daughter," Aunt Trish translated.
During the feast, I realized there was going to be a huge language barrier. Everyone was laughing, but I didn't understand what they were laughing about. Everyone was in the middle of discussion, but I couldn't understand any of it. I heard words every now and then that I knew, but everything else just came and went. Aaronmon and Aunt Trish would translate most of the time, but after a while I just felt annoyed.
I was finally getting to see my mother, but I couldn't get to know her because we don't even speak the same language.
One of my mother's garnix that arrived with her addressed me.
Aaronmon translated, "He wants to know if you plan on taking the crown."
I held my breath. I didn't want to upset anyone, especially with my mom here, so I chose my words carefully.
"I really have not made a choice yet. I'm afraid if you let me rule, it would be hard for Emréiana to accept me because I did not grow up there. Plus, I know very little about the customs. I'm still working on learning the language. I know I would like to visit Emréiana. It's not safe for me here on Earth, and it's not safe for Earth if I stay. But as far as taking the crown, that's a bigger decision that I still need to think hard about."
Aaronmon translated my words back to the garnix. Everyone focused their eyes on me. There were a lot of mixed emotions. Some of the people in the room were content with my answer, including my mother. Some did not like it at all. What I couldn't tell was if it was because I may turn it down, or they thought I may actually take it. Either way, I knew I had a lot ahead of me.
"Are you excited about seeing the home planet?" one garnix asked me, translated by Trish this time.
"Yes, in some ways I’m nervous about it all. From what I have seen in the memonai's Aaronmon has shown me, it looks so beautiful. I have always wanted to travel the world, but now I get the chance to travel the universe," I said with a laugh. After Trish translated it back, they laughed too.
One Garnix then asked a question to Aaronmon. I noticed my name being said. Aaronmon shot me a slight glance and then answered back. The garnix then looked down at his plate.
"What did he ask?" I questioned.
"Nothing important," Aaronmon said, but I could tell that he was lying. I sighed and pretended not to know.
After dessert, some kind of Emréian chocolate mousse, I watched my mother as she made her way through Trish's garden. She whistled to the birds in the night and they would whistle back. Even if her talents were in weather, she had a way with the animals too. Paws rubbed her head against my mother's leg and purred.
I walked slowly beside her, unsure of what to say since I was still very new at Emréian.
She grabbed my hand and smiled at me. She turned back to the house and saw Trish watching from the door.
She said something to her in Emréian, and Aunt Trish made her way over with a small box.
"She wants me to translate," Aunt Trish told me.
Mom took a seat on the bench that faced the woods and patted for me to sit next to her. As she started to speak, Aunt Trish translated.
"Giving you up was the hardest thing in the universe that I had to do. Every night, I would look at the stars and wonder how you were doing. I would wonder if you grew up well, or if you knew about me. I always wondered if I did the right thing."
"I'm alive aren't I?" I asked, and Aunt Trish translated.
"Yes you are," Aunt Trish translated as my mom kissed my forehead.
She reached around to Aunt Trish and took the box from her. It was a wooden box lined with silver and silver designs. She placed the box in her lap and opened it slowly. Inside, was a crystal tiara glittering in the moon light.
She picked up the tiara, and Trish translated her words, "I know you have a lot to consider. I won't ask you to give up anything you have here on Earth. I understand that this has been a rough transition for you, but I want you to know that you will always be my daughter, no matter what you choose."
She placed the tiara on my head and smiled. Then, mom lifted her hands and took in a small breath. Water droplets started coming together in the air creating a small round ball. It turned to ice and started to shave over creating a mirror.
Mom nodded at me to take a look. I peered into my reflection, and my eyes quickly gazed over the tiara. It was a symbol of power, a symbol of courage, a symbol of hope. It scared me, not because it was so greatly defined in itself, but because this tiara would define me.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A few weeks had passed, but nothing had gotten better. The news was always covering the alien attack, and if there would be another one. The humans thought they knew everything, but they didn't. Astronomers were trying to pin point their origin. Of course, they were wrong. Leaders were discussing possible reasons behind the attack and ways to make peace. Even school was nothing but talk about the aliens. Teachers would drop assignments for the students to discuss this big change in Earth's history. Some students didn't even come to school. Some left to be with family in other cities or states. Everyone was afraid. No one knew what to expect. The Bremoir had not stirred since the Washington attack.
At home, I vigorously studied the Emréian language. I still had a way to go before I could have a conversation with my mother, but now I had a general idea of what people were saying. Well, most of the time. My aunt or Aaronmon would help with any translations that I did not understand at all. They would also help translate back what I couldn't. There were times I would attempt to speak in Emréian and fail miserably. I didn’t know what I really said, but they would giggle and my cheeks would turn shades of pink.
"You’re learning quickly," my mom said to me in Emréian as we enjoyed an Emréian breakfast.
I looked out the window, seeing Aunt Trish tend to her plants. I turned back to my mom.
"I want to be able to speak without her," I said as best as I could.
She reached her hand over and cupped it over mine.
Aaronmon entered through the archway.
"This looks good!" He sat down next to me to eat. He then repeated it in Emréian, or at least I guessed that was what he had said. Either that, or the mood was good.
I examined my plate. Today we were eating some sort of sweet crispy bread. It had a sweet runny filling inside and a taste I could not describe at all. It was actually decent.
I felt comfortable with Aaronmon in the room.
"So, when are we going to study Emréian today?" I asked him.
"Do you not want to take a break at all?"
I looked at my mother and Aaronmon sighed.
"I guess we can study after breakfast. I have some things I need to do today," Aaronmon said.
"What things? I thought your duties were to teach me, protect me, and make my life miserable," I muttered, taking a bite of my food.
My mother said something in Emréian. All I could make of it was preparing and leaving.
"Are we leaving?" I looked at the two of them. I could tell that my mother guessed what I was saying. She looked at Aaronmon.
"Not yet. We are leaving in a week. But we have to prepare to make it safe and ensure we aren’t seen, by humans or by the Bremoir. We know they are in the area. They may have even figured out who we are."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because the
Borain warriors have disappeared. We figure the Bremoir must have picked them up to obtain any information gained. We don't know what they do and do not know, but we sent some trackers to track them down after the attack at Karlie's. It took a while, but they finally found where they were staying. They are not there anymore."
"So, they know who I am?"
"We don't know. The only time they were ever close to you was at Karlie's. They may know who you are, or they may end up not knowing a thing," Aaronmon replied.
My mom stood up and excused herself. She was fearful that they knew.
"Okay. I knew this day would be coming soon, anyway. Let's just get the preparations done right. Will the Bremoir leave Earth alone?"
Aaronmon sighed. "We honestly don't know. We can keep ships here to protect them, but Earth wouldn't know to trust us."
"So we tell them," I said.
"Maybe after we get you off the planet."
I nodded.
Phil came up. He paused for a second. I knew he was waiting on his dapler.
"There is an earth girl outside who says she knows the Lenai. We have to confirm it by you that she is safe to allow in."
Aaronmon and I looked at each other. I ran into the living room and glanced out the window. There, Meagan was waiting, irritated by the garnix around the house. Of course, she didn't know who they were.
I looked at Aaronmon.
"Oh come on? How could you not give them a list of safe people? Now what do I tell her?"
Aaronmon just looked at me and shrugged.
I rolled my eyes.
"She is okay," I told the garnix. Of course, I forgot that they didn't speak English. So I told them again in Emréian.
Meagan's eyes were wide and confused. She looked at their clothes that, of course, did not look like Earth’s. She heard the language.
I felt Meagan become suspicious and alert.
"Let's go up to my room." I grabbed her hand.
"What is this all about?" Meagan asked me, sitting in my rolling desk chair. She rolled back and forth.
"Oh, you know my aunt. She has all these weird friends. She became fearful of the alien attacks and asked them to keep us safe.”
It was probably the lamest excuse ever. I could only hope that she would believe it.
“What about their clothes and language?" She raised an eyebrow.
"They are from..." I thought carefully. "Africa."
She knew I was lying. I held my breath. I had to keep her safe. She couldn’t know.
"So, you haven't been picking up your phone." She changed the subject. I released my breath, glad that she let go.
"I'm sorry. It's just been overwhelming. You know the attack and Kyle."
"Yeah... It's weird. I'm sorry about you and Kyle. I think it sucks he chose to do it on the day of the attack." Meagan paused. "What do you think they want?"
I crossed my legs on the bed and picked at the fabric. I hated talking about opinions on the attack. I hated that I had to lie. Paws jumped up on the bed and nuzzled my arm. She felt so relaxed. I used her feelings to comfort me.
"I don't know. Maybe they are looking for something?" I suggested.
"What could they possibly want here on Earth?" she asked with a small laugh.
I shrugged.
"Anyway, no one could get a hold of you the past two days. You didn't come to school either."
I used paws comfort again. I felt bad for ditching, but it wasn't like I was the only one. I couldn't stand to listen to them talk about the attack.
"We wanted to make sure the valedictorian would be coming to the graduation tomorrow," she finished.
Was graduation already here? I had completely forgotten about it.
"We are still having the graduation?" I asked.
"Of course. Just because we’re under a world crisis doesn't mean we can't have some sort of enjoyment."
"Meagan, the last thing that has been on my mind is coming up with a speech," I pointed out.
Meagan became silent, and then said, "I know. And it doesn't have to be great. But, we kind of need this. Please come," she begged.
I ran my fingers through my hair. I nodded. She was right. Everyone needed this. It was the least I could do since this was my fault anyway.
A month ago, I would have been overjoyed to share the graduation festivities with my friends. A month ago, I didn't want to leave them at all. But now, I felt like I had put them in danger. I'll be leaving in a week anyway, I told myself. This would be my opportunity to tell everyone goodbye.
Almost as if Meagan read my mind, she said, "Besides, this might be the last time we see most of everyone."
I looked up at her confused.
"The army may be doing some drafting here soon. Boys 18 and over were asked to go to get evaluated in the next few weeks," she informed me.
"Why?" I asked, as if I didn't already know the answer.
"Carson, everyone is too afraid to say it, but everyone knows it. There is a war coming. That attack was a message for it."
I felt my stomach drop. I knew it, too. It was only a matter of time, and it was all my fault.
After Meagan left, I had to discuss graduation with everyone else. I knew Aaronmon had promised me before that I could go, but things were different now. Before, Earth had not been attacked. Before, the threat level was not so high.
To my surprise everyone was okay with it. A promise was a promise to Emréians. My mother was even overjoyed to see me have such an honor on Earth, being valedictorian.
That night, we celebrated my graduation. We ate earth food and listened Earth music. We listened to jokes, and I laughed at the ones I could understand.
Even though things had gone wrong, I was happy. I was happy to be here with my mother. I was happy to have such a good friend as Aaronmon. I was happy to have Trish, who protected me my whole life. Tomorrow, I would say goodbye, one last time, to all of my friends here on Earth. My stomach still clenched in sorrow over it, but the sorrow was eased by the love of the family I would leave with.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"I am so proud of you," Mom said in Emréian. She didn't speak much, because we were at the school theater. No one would understand what she said, and it could give us away. She said it in a hushed tone in my ear as she hugged me.
The garnix stayed close. I honestly didn't know how to explain any of them to people. Luckily, they at least looked normal. Some wore black t-shirts. The others wore white t-shirts. It was way better than their Emréian outfits. They stood around us with tight postures and kept silent. Even Phil didn't know what to say to people if they accidentally bumped into him. He only knew a handful of English words.
Everyone was with their families. They would turn and see their friends and start to tear up. They would hug each other and laugh. Even the guys were a little bit sentimental.
I saw Kyle a few aisles down. He stood with his family. His dad didn't even look the least bit happy. Even worse it looked like him and Kyle had been fighting again. Should I go over there? Would it be awkward to hug him goodbye? Before I could even make a decision, his eyes caught mine. He gave a half-smile, but even from here, I could feel a slight sense of fear. Was he afraid I would actually come over there? I decided it would be best not to. His dad didn’t like me anyway. I smiled in return.
When I turned back to my family, I saw Meagan and Karlie running towards me.
"Carson!" Karlie said with a big grin on her face. As they got closer, I noticed that her eyes looked like two pools of water ready to spill out.
A lump formed in my throat. I knew I would miss them. Even if I wasn't going light-years away, I would be upset.
"Guys!" I said, noticing a crack in my voice. When they reached me, I threw my arms around them.
The Emréians and my family slowly backed away.
"We are going to go get seats," Aunt Trish said to me.
I nodded back at her.
"Can you believe we are actually here?" Meagan asked. Even
though she had no tears falling, I knew, by the sound of her voice and my empathy, that she felt like crying.
"I know!" I said. "Just a few years ago we were playing on the swings at the playground."
"Remember that time Meagan snorted spaghetti noodles out her nose when we made her laugh?" Karlie giggled.
"Hey, I thought we would never mention that again. But if all is fair, then what about those ugly belly button high pants you wore in the seventh grade."
"Ah come on! No fair! My parents have the worst punishments. That was my punishment for not doing the laundry," she argued.
"I still say you looked like a munchkin from munchkin land in them." I chuckled, then retreated when I saw her hand fly at me. "Hey!"
"We all thought you were going to marry Kyle," Karlie said with a weak smile.
Kyle was still a touchy subject for me, especially thinking about what could have been. After some thought, I figured if we were going to break up he was going to do it anyway. It was better that I was leaving.
"Sorry," she said.
"Don't be. We all thought that." I smiled.
"Why isn't Aaron graduating with us?" Meagan asked me.
"He came, but he said he didn't want to walk," I replied. Really, Aaronmon wanted to make sure everything was secure.
"Yeah, some students didn't even come. They left out of state," Meagan said.
I nodded. I knew they were hiding out for the next attack, and I didn't blame them.
Finally, the time came when the teachers ushered us backstage. They were ready to line us up and begin the ceremony. I made sure I had my paper in hand for the valedictorian speech. Everyone was still hugging one another and tearing up. Everyone was in alphabetical order. The music started and we walked out on the stage. There were seats available for everyone to sit in.
Then, Principal Wilken started to speak. She introduced our class and gave a speech. It was short and simple. She talked about how proud she was whenever a new class graduated. She discussed our future. I thought she mentioned something small about our careers later on in life, but in all honesty, I wasn't paying attention. For some reason, I started getting a really bad vibe. I looked into the crowd. I saw my mom, my aunt, Aaronmon, and all the other garnix sitting close to the front. I scanned the rest of the crowd. Everything seemed normal. I shrugged it off as nerves.
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