“I need to contact my sister right away. God knows what she must be thinking.”
CJ nodded and left the room to give her some privacy.
It always surprised Laila at how well the video calls worked despite the vast distances they covered. The call connected quickly.
“Krystal?” She asked when the static of the call settled and her sister's face appeared on the screen. She hadn't even checked what time it would be. Was it the middle of the night?
“Laila?” Her smile was broad. “It's been so long! I'm so sorry I haven't been in touch,” Krystal said. “I've been eyeballs deep in circuits and... well, enough about that. How are you? Still alive I see.”
Her sister's face had a smear of grease across her cheek, her brown hair caught up in a wide headband. Laila smiled. Krystal was always “tinkering” with something—her penchant for taking apart anything mechanical had gotten her into trouble a few times when they were children, but her curiosity was uncontainable. Krystal's cheery voice calmed Laila, and she listened as she updated her on the protests outside the factory where she worked.
“Has it gotten any worse?” Laila asked.
“No, thankfully. But I am keen to get out of here.” Krystal admitted.
Laila smiled. “So, what did Space Force tell you?”
“Oh, about your death?” Krystal lifted her fingers in air quotes as she said the word 'death'. “Yeah, they told me, but I didn't believe them… between how freaked out they are about these insects, and the political B. S… I only believe news if it comes from you or one of your team.”
Laila sighed in relief.
“So, how are things going over there? When are you coming back to Earth?”
Laila quickly caught Krystal up on all that had happened since they last spoke. Was it only a week earlier? It felt like months had passed.
“It sounds like you have been having quite the adventure!” Her sister sighed wistfully.
“Actually, Krys. There is something I need to tell you...” Laila trailed off, clearing her throat.
“Oh?” Krystal looked at her with a narrowed gaze. “This sounds like it’s going to be good. Spill the beans, Laila.” A raised eyebrow showed she was serious.
Laila laughed, reminded of childhood memories when Krystal always discovered everyone's secrets without even trying. “I’ve met someone,” she said simply.
“Really? Well, this has got to be juicy. Tell me.”
“It might be a problem.”
“How? What can be wrong with being in love?”
“In love? Who said anything about love?”
“Oh, you can’t fool me! You’re my sister.” Krystal shook her head in mock disapproval.
Laila laughed and simply said, “Actually, yes, I think I have fallen in love.”
“I’m so happy for you. I hope he feels the same?”
He may not have told her he loved her, but he had shown her. He had never once tried to change her. Never once had he pushed her to do something she didn't want to do. He had learned about her and shown time and time again that he cared. “I think so, but he hasn't said so.”
Her sister laughed. “Well, what's the problem?”
“He's not human...”
Krystal's eyes opened wide. “Does he have a tail? Horns? Blue skin? Two dicks?”
“Stop! Stop!” Laila laughed. “I'm not talking about his dick.”
“Oh, so you've done the horizontal tango? Bumped uglies? Some gland-to-gland combat?”
