What if I told you aliens are real?
Now what if I told you aliens are real, and I’m in love with one?
But now that I have your attention…
Allow me to go back to the beginning — where the story starts.
Earlier today, I’m sitting in class trying to pay attention.
But it’s proving difficult for two reasons:
1) Because Lizzie Rochester and her jerk friends are picking on me.
2) Because I can’t stop staring at Jacob, the new boy in school.
I’m pretty sure he can’t stop staring at me, either.
Jacob has soft, smooth skin and gentle, observant eyes.
His defined cheekbones and jawbones accentuate his model-good looks.
I, on the other hand, am nothing special.
But I’m not used to being gazed at.
It puts a warm, tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach.
Something small hits me in the back of my head.
I pull it out of my hair — a spitball!
I whip around to confront Lizzie.
But when I do, I turn too fast…
And get a vicious paper cut on my finger.
Lizzie and her friends burst into laughter.
Lizzie
Take it easy, weirdo.
Lizzie
You don’t want to bleed onto your desk.
The bell rings, signaling the end of class.
Everyone clears out while I tend to my cut.
All of a sudden, I hear a voice.
Voice
Why do they treat you like that?
He comes over and sits at the desk next to me.
Claire
Because I’m different, I guess.
Jacob
I’m different, too.
He looks at me with his clear blue eyes.
Eyes that seem to see deep inside me.
A tremor runs through my body.
Jacob
Here. Give me your hand.
But something about him feels safe and genuine.
His skin is soft and warm.
All of a sudden, he runs a finger over the paper cut.
Knocking my water bottle off the desk.
I look up at Jacob, dumbfounded.
He leans down to pick up the water bottle.
A bullet whizzes through the window…
And hits the wall right behind where his head was.
He pulls me down to the ground with him.
Claire
What the heck was that?!
He leads us, on our hands and knees, out of the classroom…
As more bullets whiz over our heads.
And that’s when we see them:
A group of government agent-looking guys in black suits.
They charge down the hall towards us.
We take off in a full sprint.
The agents take off after us.
Claire
Who are these guys?!
Jacob
I’ll explain later!
We weave our way through students.
The agents just shove them out of the way.
We turn a corner and I spot a janitor cart up ahead.
Without thinking, I tip it over as we run past.
A couple of agents trip over it.
We erupt into the gymnasium.
But the exit doors are locked…
The agents pile into the gym with their guns drawn.
One of them steps forward from the group.
Agent
No need to be alarmed, young lady.
Agent
We have no intention of hurting you.
Agent
But this boy is an enemy of the state.
Agent
He’s a cold hard criminal.
Agent
Come over to our side, Miss.
Agent
And you won’t get hurt.
Claire
I don’t know what to do.
Jacob
You said those girls pick on you because you’re different.
Jacob
Well, that’s what’s happening here.
Jacob
They want to hurt me because I’m different.
And I just know I can trust him.
I stare deep into his eyes.
Jacob
Then get behind me.
Next thing I know, Jacob closes his eyes and bows his head.
All the gym lights begin to flicker.
The ground begins to rumble underneath our feet.
Jacob slowly kneels down and touches the ground…
The floor undulates like a wave…
And the agents are launched across the gym.
They smash into the walls and up into the ceiling.
I grab hold of him and close my eyes.
It’s like being in a giant wind tunnel.
The gusting air pulls at my skin, tearing my clothes.
It nearly tears me from Jacob.
But then everything grows calm.
Surrounded by stars and moons and planets.
Wherever we are, it’s not our galaxy.
Everything is quiet, tranquil.
Claire
What the heck are you?
He points to a giant purple planet far below our feet.
Jacob
They sent me to Earth to try to save it.
Jacob
To teach your people our ways so you could evolve like us.
Jacob
But your government found out about me.
Jacob
And they think I’m some kind of weapon of destruction.
I’m speechless for several moments.
Jacob
Are you going to say something?
Claire
Sorry. This has been a weird day so far.
He breaks into a beautiful smile.
Jacob
I want you to come with me.
Jacob
But I feel like I belong with you.
Jacob
Maybe because you’re different.
I smile, getting lost in his eyes.
But then I shake myself out of it.
Claire
No, I’m sorry — I — I can’t.
Claire
My whole life is back on Earth.
Claire
My family. Everyone.
Claire
Can’t you come back with me?
Jacob
It’s too dangerous now.
He hands me a small metallic orb.
Jacob
The next time those girls are being mean to you…
He leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
My whole body grows warm…
Like my insides are illuminated.
I’m sitting in the booth of a diner near school.
And that’s where I am now.
Still shell-shocked from everything that happened.
Waitress
What can I get you, darlin’?
Claire
Oh, uh…just coffee. Thanks.
All of a sudden, Lizzie walks in with her friends.
Lizzie
Look who we have here.
I feel for the metallic orb in my pocket.
Claire
Leave me alone, Lizzie.
Lizzie
Oh, yeah? What are gonna do, loser?
I pull out the orb and clench it tightly.
Lizzie and her friends scream.
And they’re floating upside-down near the ceiling…
Their dresses folded over their heads.
Lizzie
Get me down from here!
She’s crying like a baby.
The whole restaurant goes into a frenzy.
I start giggling and slide out the door.
Then I look up to the sky.
A gorgeous shooting star tears across it.
And in that moment, I know Jacob is watching.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only person who can say:
My love is out of this world.
