Page 3 of His Human Rebel

Although this didn’t bother me as much as it should considering I knew the mayor was stealing from the town.

The people on the school board and town council, who’d always hated me with a fiery passion, saw an opportunity to get rid of me. “See? I told you hiring her was a mistake. She’s been nothing but trouble. A young woman like this can’t remain in a position where she has influence over our children.”

They’d also hated the fact that I remained single, despite their attempts to pair me up with many of their sons. They thought a “fat girl” like me should be honored to have the ability to date and marry some of the most eligible young men in town.

Ridiculous.

I was immediately jailed for the “red paint incident” and the school board voted to fire me from my teaching position. City funds were used for my rapid transporter trip off planet. The local law enforcement, and the townsfolk who were watching in the transporter station, including the mayor, giggled and chuckled before they hit send. They’d literally tried to find what they thought would be the worst placement and send me there.

Jeez, they could’ve just fired me, it would’ve been cheaper.

And then of course, to make matters worse, after I was arrested, the town elders discovered I was pregnant.

The school librarian, who’d always hated me more than anyone else because she was disgruntled over my rejection of her asshole son as a potential suitor, was eagle-eyed and noticed that I’d started throwing up and that my stomach was thicker.

They forced me to take a pregnancy test. And that was the exact moment I learned I was three months pregnant.

I was stunned.

They asked who the father was and I did not answer. I mean, I couldn't find him either. He'd already long ago left the planet and rejoined his unit. It was supposed to be one night of fun with no consequences. Also, it was none of their business.

Between the red paint incident and the pregnancy out of wedlock, I was persona non grata. They’d tried to get me to marry within their community, which I’d rejected and instead had sex with some stranger? They were horrified. It was also against the law to be pregnant out of wedlock in our town—one of the laws I’d been working to overturn.

They decided the best thing for me, considering I was pregnant, was to get married. The town council found a mail-order bride agency and sent me to this planet because they think it's hilarious that I'm going to be married to a man that looks like Satan.

I take another deep breath, trying to calm down. If I continue to freak out, they win. If I’m scared of this situation they boxed me into, they win. If I don’t make the best of this, they win.

And they will not win.

Chapter 2

Stella

Icontinue to “people” watch as I wait for my new alien husband to appear.

My long blonde hair flutters in the breeze and I lift my chin towards the glorious sunlight that kisses my face. It’s a beautiful day and in fact this place is basically a paradise. Flowering bushes line the sidewalks and tall, thin trees sway delicately in the perfumed air. All that’s missing is a nearby sandy beach and a view of an ocean. Not that I’ve ever been to a beach before, but they do exist.

I was told that Fire Creek is within a widespread community of ranchers and farmers. It does not seem all that dissimilar to the small town I left behind, but the general location is ten times more splendid.

I watch the activity in town from my perch on the platform next to the transporter station, which seems to be in a central location. Ranch hands are dropped off at what I assume is the feedlot and some go inside and others cross the street.

One good thing that happened before I left—they inserted a painless universal translator at the base of my brain; I think only because the attendant insisted because it was regulation before intergalactic transport. I assume the town council would’ve loved it too if I’d been sent unable to communicate with anyone. But because of that wonderful little piece of tech I can understand the Hyrrokin language and speak it too, and I can read all the signage on the streets. There are stores, a restaurant and several bars. Streets and houses behind that look very adorable. It’s a nice little town.

What’s interesting is that I’m noticing all the proportions are larger. Buildings seem broader than necessary, doorways are tall and windows are placed higher. Even the vehicles look wider.

The female Hyrrokin who stride down the streets are bigger and stronger than me. And I am not petite. In fact, I’m tall and overweight. None of the men I’ve seen wear a shirt. The women wear brightly colored tube tops. No one wears shoes and they all walk around barefoot. Probably because their feet are very big and rough.

Many of the beings on the streets do double takes when they see me, looking startled that there is an unknown human in their midst. But it doesn’t feel like rejection, just true curiosity. I give rueful smiles and a little hand wave and they smile in return. They must not get many visitors.

I throw my trash into a small incinerator and continue to ponder my new future which doesn’t include my former position or apartment. What if I end up having to stay here for a few days, or even a few weeks before I can somehow get back home to New Earth? My mother, who still lives in the house I grew up in, must be so worried, not being able to get ahold of me now that I’ve been separated from my tablet.

What is it going to be like, staying, even temporarily, on a planet with these Hyrrokin who look so very intimidating?

I place my hand on my firm stomach and sigh. And I still can’t believe I’m going to be a mother.

A few days ago, I had no idea I was pregnant and now I’m suddenly three months along. I feel silly, not realizing that I’d skipped periods and the thickness in my waist and my recent nausea was pregnancy. But I’d missed periods before—my cycles aren’t always like clockwork. And I explained away the rest to some recent weight gain and maybe getting sick.

I’d always wanted children someday, but I thought it would come with a future husband and marriage. I hadn’t planned on starting a family at this point in my life, but I’m now twenty-eight and…why not? I don’t have access to my currency accounts at the moment, but I do have a nice emergency savings. My position paid well and included free housing, so I’d always set most of my currency aside every month. Now that’s going to save my ass. And I could always move back in with my mom if necessary. She’d be thrilled to have me back with her and a grandchild too.

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