Page 16 of Invasion of Sorority Z

My pride wilts. “Because you are with me?”

“No, because I left with you too many hours ago! I should run over there. Is it dark out? Will you walk me over?”

She asks me to guide her? I will do this eagerly. I do not wish to leave her presence.

“I will walk you, Stee-vee.”I will guide you anywhere.“But you should not worry your mind so greatly. My fellow Aprixians have been keeping your hu-nim sisters aware of your safety.”

She gives me a nervous smile. “I hope so. Can we go now?”

Go we shall.

7

Rosinweed: North American perennial having a resinous odor and yellow flowers.

Stevie

Stepping out of the spaceship, I immediately regret it. The cool night air is a rude awakening from the warmth of Marrec’s bed, and well, Marrec himself. I can’t believe I spooned with an alien and gave him a boner. A freaking huge boner, at that.

I mean seriously, how awkward is that? I don’t regret it though, not for a single second. That was hands-down the best sleep I have ever gotten. Judging by the height of the moon, it has to be past 10pm too, which means we were passed out forhours. If I weren’t so relaxed I might be a little miffed that none of my girls came banging on doors to see if I’m okay. I mean, Iam, but if one of them disappeared for this long, I’d be yelling at the big hunk of metal in our yard until someone had given me proof of life.

Boisterous laughter breaks out into the night air, and my head whips around to the source. Shocked to see anyone out, I jump closer to Marrec, only to relax when my eyes fully adjust to the sight. The girls and the Aprixian guys are sitting around a campfire, grinning and giggling with each other like old friends might. Like this is summer camp, or something.

“Would you like to join them, Stee-vee?” Marrec asks, unbothered that I’ve dug my fingers into his arm. The laughter scared me more than I thought.

Uncurling my fingers from him, I look down at my pajamas. “Maybe I could change first? It’s a bit cold out here.”

He nods thoughtfully. “I will escort you to your dwelling.”

“Such a gentleman,” I comment, smiling. “You don’t have to be so nice, you know? If you don’t want to.”

Marrec gives me an odd look. “I want to.”

That’s that, then.

He walks me to the house, using a light on his metal arm to guide the path. He tells me that he will wait for me and he sits on the couch, making it look comically small under him. I tell him that I’ll hurry and hold my giggles in until I’m up the stairs.

I do hurry, not wanting to make him miss out on any fun on my behalf. I jump into a pair of thick leggings and fluffy socks, tossing on a sports bra with a sweater on top before shoving my feet into some comfortable sneakers. Running to the bathroom real quick, I’m about to rush down the stairs when I run into Anna, looking like she’s headed from the roof to her room.

“Hey!” I greet cheerfully. “Are you coming to the fire?”

Her head shakes. “Why?”

I refuse to frown and scare her off. “Maybe it’ll be fun? Marrec is very nice, I’d like to get to know his friends. Wanna come sit with me?”

“I mean, I guess I can come.” She shrugs. She’s already in appropriate clothes. With her dark ginger hair pulled into a neat ponytail, her legs in tight jeans, and her arms and feet covered, she’s ready for a fire.

“Well, let’s go,” I tease, reaching for her hand. “I’ll tell you about the sleepy plant Marrec showed me. Best nap of my life, girl. Best nap of my life.”

Anna snorts. “I can tell, you look alive and fresh as a daisy. Also you were gone all day, so.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” I tell her, holding her hand as we descend the stairs. “I didn’t mean to go MIA for so long.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “I went hunting with them.”

My heart just sings for her. “That’s awesome! Did you have fun?”

“It was pretty cool.” High praise from Anna, that is. “They didn’t treat me like a baby, so.”

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