⸻
The morning sun beamed through the tall windows of Washington High, casting golden light across the crowded campus. Students gathered in clusters, laughing, chatting, and scrolling through their phones. Among them, Dave stood beneath a large oak tree, casually leaning against the trunk, his sharp eyes calmly scanning the crowd. His usual confident smile played on his lips.
A few steps away, Zei and Zyra stood stiffly, awkwardly trying to mimic the behavior of the other students. Zei stared at a group of teens tossing a football back and forth.
"Are they… performing a ritual of dominance?" Zei whispered.
Zyra sighed, lowering her voice. "It's called 'playing catch.' It's a game."
Zei rubbed his chin as though considering something profound. "Humans waste so much time."
Dave smirked, overhearing their conversation. "Try not to overanalyze everything. Just observe quietly. That's how blending works."
"But observing is part of blending, isn't it?" Zei argued.
"Not when you're staring like that," Zyra shot back, nudging her twin.
Amanda's voice chimed in from behind them, playful and warm. "They're still figuring it out, huh?"
Dave turned, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Amanda stood there with the morning sun behind her, her long hair catching the light. She wore a lavender blouse and soft blue jeans, simple yet beautiful.
"They're getting there," Dave replied smoothly. "At this rate, they'll master Earth culture… in about a century."
Amanda chuckled as she stepped closer, her eyes glimmering with amusement. "You're so patient with them."
Dave shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a natural mentor."
Amanda tilted her head slightly. "You enjoy sounding mysterious, don't you?"
Dave smirked. "Keeps you intrigued, doesn't it?"
Amanda raised a brow and replied softly, "Maybe it does."
Betty walked up behind Amanda, rolling her eyes dramatically. "You two need a warning label."
Amanda shot her friend a playful glare. "Betty."
"I'm just saying," Betty teased, "the air practically thickens when you two stand this close."
The morning bell rang, cutting the moment short. Students shuffled toward their first classes.
As they walked, Amanda leaned closer to Dave. "You really are good at everything. I don't get it."
Dave smiled without missing a beat. "Natural talent."
Amanda narrowed her eyes teasingly. "Uh-huh. That's what people say when they're hiding something."
"Or when they're just that good."
"You are impossible, Dave," Amanda whispered with a laugh.
Dave glanced sideways at her, his voice low and playful. "But you like impossible things."
Amanda bit her lip to suppress a grin. "Don't get cocky."
⸻
The day passed quickly, filled with classes and whispered conversations. By lunch, they had gathered again at their usual table in the cafeteria.
The twins sat stiffly, poking at their trays like scientists studying alien substances.
Zei held up a slice of pizza, examining it carefully. "Is this… edible?"
"It's pizza," Zyra said flatly. "Humans consume it regularly. Probably won't kill you."
Betty watched, struggling not to laugh. "You two are a walking documentary."
Amanda smirked. "They're doing better than last week when Zei asked if spaghetti was some sort of worm colony."
"I was being cautious," Zei defended himself.
Dave chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. "At this rate, you'll both be ready for a fast-food commercial soon."
Zyra frowned. "What is fast food?"
Betty almost spit her drink. "We'll explain later."
Amanda turned her attention back to Dave. "You know, for someone who claims to be so ordinary, you sure attract a lot of… attention."
"Attention follows talent," Dave replied with a playful shrug.
Amanda lowered her voice slightly. "Or secrets."
Dave smiled, his voice dropping into that teasing tone again. "You're very curious, Amanda."
"That's because you make me curious."
Betty groaned loudly from across the table. "Please, for the love of all that's holy—"
Amanda threw a fry at her. "Zip it."
Dave grinned. "We're not flirting."
"You absolutely are," Betty retorted.
Dave's eyes met Amanda's again, locking in that electric unspoken tension. His voice softened. "Are we?"
Amanda held his gaze for a heartbeat longer, then replied in a whisper, "Maybe."
⸻
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group made their way to Mira's house. The large home sat in a quiet suburban neighborhood, its calm exterior masking the powerful energies swirling within.
Inside, Mira sat at the grand oak dining table, sipping her tea as she watched them enter. Her expression was warm, but her eyes sharp—always observing, always calculating.
The twins walked ahead and immediately became fascinated by the flat-screen TV in the living room.
"This device displays moving images," Zei observed.
"And the people inside… they repeat scripted behavior?" Zyra added.
Betty sighed as she flopped onto the couch. "They're actors. It's a show. You watch it for fun."
Zei's brow furrowed. "Strange form of entertainment."
Amanda and Dave walked in together, sitting on the couch a little closer than usual.
Mira's sharp gaze flickered to their closeness but remained composed.
"So," Mira began, voice light, "how was school today?"
"Same old routine," Dave answered smoothly.
Amanda smiled. "I had to help Dave with history class."
Mira raised one eyebrow. "Oh? And how did he perform?"
"He's… full of surprises," Amanda said, her voice laced with gentle affection.
Dave grinned. "Careful, Amanda. You're making me sound too impressive."
"Who says you're not?" Amanda replied softly, her eyes dancing.
Mira's fingers subtly tightened around her teacup. Her voice remained calm, but there was a certain sharpness beneath. "The two of you seem… quite close these days."
Amanda straightened slightly, trying to sound casual. "We're friends. He's fun to talk to."
Mira's smile was polite, but her eyes locked on Dave. "Of course."
The air between them grew dense with unspoken meaning. Dave held Mira's gaze coolly.
"You know me, Mira," he said softly. "I'm good at making friends."
Mira studied him for a moment longer before she finally sipped her tea again. "Yes. Always."
Betty yawned dramatically, breaking the moment. "Alright, I'm heading home. My mom's gonna start texting like crazy."
Amanda stood as well. "Yeah, we should go too."
"Walk safely," Mira said gently.
As the girls left, Dave remained sitting, sensing Mira's eyes still following him.
⸻
Hours passed. The house grew quiet. The twins had gone to bed, and Mira retired to her study.
Dave sat in his room, scrolling through data reports on his tablet. He was halfway lost in thought when a soft knock came at his door.
He looked up, slightly surprised.
The door opened a crack, and Amanda peeked her head in. She smiled softly. "Hey."
"Amanda?" Dave smiled, sitting up straighter. "What are you doing here?"
She slipped into the room quietly, closing the door behind her. "I… I couldn't sleep."
Dave raised a brow. "Couldn't sleep? Or you just missed me?"
Amanda's cheeks flushed, but she moved closer, sitting gently at the edge of his bed. "Maybe both."
Dave leaned in slightly, his voice soft and teasing. "Dangerous answer."
Amanda smiled, lowering her voice. "I've been thinking."
"About?"
"You," she said quietly.
Dave's smile grew. "I like where this is going."
Amanda playfully swatted his arm. "I'm serious."
"I'm listening."
She took a breath. "You've always felt… different. Like you're not fully part of this world."
Dave's expression softened. "Maybe I'm not."
Amanda stared at him, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But I don't care."
His hand gently brushed against hers. "Amanda… you shouldn't trust me so easily."
"Too late," she whispered.
Dave's fingers closed around her hand. The tension between them crackled—warm, electric, almost magnetic.
For a heartbeat, they leaned toward each other. The space between them shrank as Amanda's breathing slowed. Dave's eyes flickered to her lips, then back to her eyes.
But before the moment could cross that final invisible line, Dave's senses tingled. A faint ripple in space, far beyond Earth's atmosphere—a disturbance. Subtle but real.
Amanda noticed the brief flicker in his expression. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Dave replied smoothly, recovering. "Just… distracted."
She stared at him, sensing his hesitation but choosing not to press.
Downstairs, Mira sat by the window, unmoving, her senses wide open. She had felt the ripple too—a faint anomaly in the far reaches of the cosmos.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You felt that too… didn't you, Dave?"
⸻
Far beyond Earth, in the cold vacuum of space, something shifted. A quiet pulse of energy echoed through the void. Ancient forces stirred from slumber.
The greater threat was beginning to awaken.