A part of me had hoped that we had crashed on Earth, and that all we would have to do was find the authorities and they’d help us get back home. But that hope was struck down when I got my first good look at this place. We had landed in a clearing. A field of pink translucent grass dotted with blue and purple flowers stretched out before me. Beyond the clearing was a forest of trees with dark brown trunks and branches supporting varying shades of pink, purple, and blue leaves.
“This grass is strange.” The brave woman who had stared down the alien earlier said as she squatted down to inspect the grass further.
“No kidding, it’s pink,” one of the younger girls with dark brown hair in a ponytail remarked.
“No, I mean it’s soft, almost squishy,” the older woman corrected.
The younger girl squatted down next to her and ran a blade of grass through her fingers. “I guess so.”
“We’re certainly not in Iowa anymore.” The other young girl with the pale complexion and long light brown hair that was in a single braid observed.
“Hi, I’m Talia,” the girl who had been inspecting the grass got up and wiped her hands on her pants before offering the other teenager her hand.
“I’m Sarah.” The other teen shook Talia’s hand and smiled.
“Well Sarah, if you need a friend or a hug, I’m here if you need me.” Talia looked Sarah up and down, assessing the thin pale girl who looked as frightened as could be.
“Thank you.” Sarah’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I could use that hug now, if you’re offering.”
Talia, who was clearly young from her demeanor and chubby cheeks that hinted at a growth spurt yet to come, was startlingly tall. She must have been six feet at least.
The two young girls hugged and both came away smiling.
“What about you? Do you need a hug?” I half teased Julie.
“Ha!” She laughed. “I need a drink and a weighted blanket.” She thought for a moment. “A movie marathon wouldn’t hurt either.”
“Girl, same,” I chuckled.
“Are we safe out here, out in the open like this?” a tan woman asked as she looked around, chewing her bottom lip.
“Probably not. I’m Fatima by the way.” The tan woman with long dark hair, who had been inspecting the grass, stood up and addressed the group.
As soon as Fatima finished speaking, a small four-legged animal with fluffy pink fur and a small face with big eyes walked into the clearing and sniffed the ramp.
“It’s like a pink gerbil but with fluffier fur, ” Talia pointed out as she approached the animal.
“Don’t get any closer, you don’t know what it can do.” Fatima, who was giving off strong oldest sister vibes, warned Talia. Soon more pink gerbils gathered at the bottom of the ramp, sniffing around the ship. A few brave ones tentatively walked up the ramp and into the ship.
I turned sharply to the right when a loud roar rumbled through the clearing. I couldn’t even imagine how big the animal must be that made that noise.
“Alright, it’s time to go!” I announced as I marched through the clearing and the rest of the women followed suit. Talia with her long legs quickly overtook my pace.
“How old are you?” I asked as she passed me. “No offense, but you seem like a very tall child.”
Talia threw her head back in a laugh. “I’m not a tall child, but I am a tall teenager. I’m fifteen and I have my Samoan genes to thank for my height.”
“Fifteen is still a child in my book,” I commented.
“How old are you?” she shot back. “No offense, but you seem like a short millennial.” Talia smirked.
“I am five foot four inches which makes me an average height, thank you very much,” I shot back with a smile.
“Well you need to make your average legs move faster.”
I was about to reply when Julie overtook us both as she ran in a full sprint toward the tree line.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she panted. That woman was going to give herself a heart attack with all her anxiety.
