uninvited

chapter thirteen

unworn

She still couldn't get over her class scheduled. No biology or geometry. At least not for her or Julian.

It was decided she was a government official.

Yeah, she laughed good and long over that one.

For first and second hour she had the history of Syrian. Then government, Committee and a class called royalty, whatever that was. Seventh hour was meet and greet. Oh, she couldn't wait to see what that's all about.

Last but not least, training and workout. Which was the only class Julian had at the same time. He also had the history and meet and greet but at different hours. All the rest of his classes were different but just as lame.

"What in the world is a peacekeeper?"

"Hell, if I know."

Out of all of this, the only thing that upset her was Aunt Sarah. She'd been a basket case all morning. She'd been deemed a city official and assigned to orphan children.

Her aunt didn't think she was ready to go back to work, and she definitely didn't want to go back to work around people who were as sad as she was.

Jess didn't think it was such a bad thing. Anything was better than her aunt staying in bed most of the day. She kept waiting for one little thing to push the older woman right over the edge. Aunt Sarah was hanging on, but just barely.

"Aunt Sarah, remember that Julian and I have class late, so you have to be the one to pick up Mel."

"All right, Jess. Do you think I have to go today? I'm not sure about any of this."

They just stepped out of the house. Aunt Sarah would be picked up because her work was across town.

Their school was within walking distance.

"I think you should try it. If you can't take it, then I'll throw a big hissy fit tomorrow and get you out of it."

Seeing her youngest niece watching her, she tried for a smile and boarded her ride.

"She'll be fine."

Julian wasn't much help since he sounded like he needed to reassure himself as well.

"Okay, Boog. You ready for this?"

Jess took her hand and started up the road.

She didn't know much about St. Louis, but she could see that they were in a classy part of town. All the surrounding houses were just as nice as theirs. Several kids were stepping out and heading for school.

Including Hayley and little Macie.

Since their play date yesterday, Mel was excited to see the other girl. They had become fast friends. Mel didn't mind that Macie didn't have much to say.

"Stalk much? Every time we turn around, you're there." Hayley was grinning.

"Macie is government, right? I think they are keeping us all together. That means April will be around here too."

"She is. Got moved into the same house as us last night. Along with the mayor and her daughter. They're running behind."

Her face told them just how much she liked their new arrangement. Not at all.

"She didn't seem so bad."

"She's not but we don't need a new mom. I was handling everything fine on my own. At least she's not smothering. Yet. What do you two think of all this? It's whack. I feel like I've been sucked into the twilight zone or something."

Jess sighed. That's exactly what it felt like.

Everything has been such a whirlwind there hasn't even been time to stop and worry about how bizarre it all was. Life as they knew it was gone and there was no going back.

Julian took her hand, and she clung to his.

"They are all about these matches. Do you know that Macie must spend time with that guy every day? It's weird. I thought Macie would hate him because she doesn't like anyone, but she likes him. As much as Macie likes anyone. He took her to the playground. Neither of them said much, he just pushed her on the swings. When she fell and hurt her knee, he told her to hush and her tears dried up instantly. He's weird, all of this is weird. I swear if he looked at her creepy, I'd smash his face in, but he treated her like he would his sister or something."

"Weird, yes but I don't think they're here to hurt us. They don't seem so bad."

"You two might be on the alien bandwagon but I'm not buying into it just yet. We're dying and they just happened to have a cure? I don't think so."

Julian put an arm over Jess's shoulder so he could lean in and whisper in her ear. "Sure she can't be your long-lost sister?"

That earned him a jab to the ribs.

In front of her sister's school, Jess kneeled in front of her. "Aunt Sarah will be here to get you after school. Nervous, Boog?"

"No. I'll be fine. I'll look after Macie."

"Good, girl. Love you, Mel."

"Love you, Jess."

A lady stepped forward. She was in a tan candora and she had so many braids in her hair that it only fell past her shoulders.

"Good new day to you. This is the human Meline and the human Macie, is it not?"

"This is Mel."

"Both will be in my class most of the day. I see neither are wearing the sent uniforms."

"We don't do uniforms."

"As you like. The uniforms let me know where my students are at all times. Since neither has a wrist band yet this problem has been foreseen, and I'll be putting a chip right here in the collar of their shirts."

Slim fingers reached into her pocket and brought out a silver hole puncher. "Would this be acceptable to you?"

"If it pleases you."

She received one of the smiles she hated. "Pleased." She clipped Mel's shirt then Macie's

"All done. Human girls, you may both go play on the playground. We are waiting for two more of our students. A new day to you, human Jessalynn. A new day to you, human Hayley. My name is Oddise. I will be their educational advisor."

Jess smiled wide. "New day to you, alien teacher."

"So weird. Do you know I have low numbers? My baby sister is like royalty around here and I'm nothing. Twilight zone, I'm telling you."

"If it makes you feel better, I only have one. Not that I care. The dude will have to move on. Julian here has four or five matches. He's a stud man."

"I can see that. Julian's hot. You not ready to get married and have alien babies?"

"Nope, and not going to happen."

"You're not worried you won't have a choice? I mean, my sister has a freaking tattoo on the back of her neck. One that matches his."

She had given this some thought and grandfather time was right. No one had been around Macie but surely it hadn't just appeared on its own. Right?

"I don't think they're so bad but that doesn't mean we should let our guard down. The first thing we do is find out if these people are for real with all this shit or not. For the first time ever, I plan on learning at school today."