Chapter 13 - Party Like An Alien》

○○ Katriona's Pov.○○

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, I WAS OUT AND ABOUT WITH SARA AS SHE SHOWED ME AROUND THE EVALONIAN TOWN. Quaint buildings with brick exteriors and ornate cornices lined the streets, each telling its own story. The blend of modern and traditional styles gave the town a dynamic feel, as if it was constantly evolving while still holding on to its rich ancient history.

"So, where to go first?" I asked as we explored. It was charming with shops lining the streets.

Sara grinned. "We have to check out the market! It's only a few blocks away, and they have the best fresh produce, taste samples and handmade goods.

"Sounds perfect!" I replied,

Street vendors set up their stalls along the sidewalks, their colorful displays vying for attention. I could hear the sizzling of street food being prepared, mingling with the laughter of children playing nearby. It was a lively scene, one that buzzed with energy and excitement.

Their were performers added to the charm, showcasing their talents as musicians, dancers, and artists. It reminded me of New Orleans.

"Sara!" We turned to see a girl with shoulder-length wavy brown hair with pink streaks in her hair and amber brown eyes approaching us, a big smile on her face.

"Abby!" Sara exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. She rushed forward to give her friend a quick hug.

"What are you doing here?" Abby asked, glancing at me curiously. "Is this the girl you and your brother talks non-stop about?"

Sara nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "This is Katriona! Katriona, this is my friend Abigail. Abby, this is Katriona."

"Nice to meet you!" I said, smiling warmly at her.

"Same here! I've heard so much about you," Abby replied, her expression brightening.

"I was just showing her around town." Sara explained.

"That sounds splendid! There's so much to see and do," Abby said. "Have you tried any of the food yet?"

I shook my head.  "Not yet. We've only been exploring for a little bit."

Abby grinned. "You've got to try the food stalls! They have dishes you've probably never heard of before!"

"Like what?" I asked, intrigued.

"Come on, I'll show you!" she replied enthusiastically, leading the way. As we followed her through the bustling market, I couldn't help but notice Abby's charming British accent. It contrasted with the more posh tones of many of the locals, adding a unique flair.

I sampled a couple of dishes, each more tempting than. There were crispy pastries filled with spiced meats, savory pies bursting with flavor, and vibrant salads drizzled with tangy dressings. I marveled at the colorful displays of exotic funky shaped fruits, many of which I had never seen before.

"Okay, you have to try this!" Abby insisted, handing me a small pastry shaped like a crescent moon. "It's called a Lunasprite. It's filled with a mixture of honey, and spices. Absolutely divine!"

I took a bite, and the sweetness, mingled perfectly. "Oh wow, this is incredible!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in delight.

Laughter filled the air as we exchanged stories and jokes, the vibe between the three of us growing stronger with each passing moment. I felt a funny feeling in my chest, a sense of belonging that I hadn't expected to find in such a short time.

After we finished our snacks, we took a look around different types of shops and we all got cute matching necklaces.

"Hey, do you want to grab a drink before we head back?" Abby suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Sure!" I replied, feeling adventurous.

As made our way to a nearby stall selling colorful drinks, a glowing blue butterfly fluttered past me. It resembled a monarch butterfly, but it's radiant hue gave it an enchanting, magical quality.

"You have to try the Bubbly Breeze!" Sara said, pointing to a shimmering blue drink with a twist of lemon on the rim.

We all ordered one and the other was delivered to us by a small robot which reminded me of Wall-E.

I took a sip, and the flavors exploded in my mouth. A mix of sweet and tangy it tastes like blue raspberry. It left me wanting more. "This is very bubbly!!" I declared, savoring the refreshing taste.

As we stood there, chatting and enjoying our drinks and taking group pictures on my phone. I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed since meeting Seth. I had come to this place filled with uncertainty and fear, but now, I feel like I'm in a dream and I don't want to wake up. However, I started to notice the more people looking at me as they walked by and a few curious eyes. All I could do was smile in response.

Abby told us about a get together next week at the lake and that everyone is invited. "You should all come."

"Like a party?" I asked. She nodded. I frowned, "I'll think about it."

"What's wrong?" They all looked at me.

I sighed. "Jack said as soon as we heard the results from the court thing whenever that will be." I paused. "Then we're going back to Earth...I'm sorry. I wish I could go but..I don't have options."

Sara and Abby exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of empathy and concern. "Katriona," Sara said gently,

Abby stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You can still go. You have options.

Sara nodded in agreement. "We'll find a way to keep you here if that's what you want."

"What about Jack and Alex?" I asked, my heart sinking again. "They're not going to leave without me! We're supposed to leave before the party starts."

Sara crossed her arms, her brow furrowed as she contemplated my words. "What if we can figure out a way for you to stay a little longer? Maybe we can talk to them and come up with a plan that works for everyone."

"You know, that's a good idea," I said, feeling a spark of hope at the thought. "Abby did say everyone is invited. Maybe Jack and Alex would want to party like an alien too."

Abby chimed in, "And I bet the locals would be thrilled to meet your friends! The more, the merrier, right?"

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

When Sara and I returned to the house, she excitedly shared the news about the get-together. "There's a gathering next week!"

Jack and Alex, who were lounging in the living room with Celestinie and Gregorious, looked up with curiosity.

"What kind of gathering?" Gregorious asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"It's a community event! Abby told me everyone is invited," Sara explained, her excitement bubbling over. "There will be food, music, dancing, and a chance for everyone to meet new friends!"

"I'm not too sure; we're expecting to be heading back to Earth around that time," Jack said, referring to himself, me, and Alex.

"Come on,!" Sara urged. "This is a chance to experience Evalon together before you leave! You can't just skip out on an event like this."

"I understand, but what if we end up getting caught in a situation where we can't leave?" he replied, crossing his arms and looking uncertain.

"Maybe we could go and still keep an eye on the timeline?" I suggested, hoping to bridge the gap between their concerns and Sara. "We can always head back right after the gathering if we need to."

Alex nodded in agreement. "It might be the last opportunity we have to really enjoy this place. Plus, we could use a little fun before things get serious again."

Jack glanced between us, weighing our arguments. "I don't want to risk anything, especially not after everything we've been through."

"B-" Celestinie cut her daughter off. "Don't push it."

"Not even for one single night?" I pressed gently.

Sara leaned in closer. "You won't regret it, Jack! Everyone will be there, and it'll be an unforgettable night!"

Jack finally sighed, relenting. "Okay, okay. We can go. But we stick to the game plan. We leave right after its done. Got it?"

"Got it!" Sara cheered, "You're going to have the best time!"

We started discussing what to wear and what to expect.

After talking to them, I went up to Seth's room and paused outside his door and listened to the melodic strumming of his guitar. The music carried like a lullaby.

I knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," Seth's voice called out.

I pressed the door button and the door slid open. I stepped into the room and saw him sitting on the edge of his bed with his guitar resting on his lap. His eyes met mine. "Hey sunshine." He greeted me, setting the instrument aside.

"Hey," I said closing the door behind me.

"How'd it go?"

"Honestly," I said, taking a seat next to him. "I had a lot of fun. Sara and her friend Abby took me to the market, and we tried some really great food and checked out some of the stores in the area. And we even got invited to a get-together next week."

Seth tilted his head. "A party? Sounds splendid."

I nodded."Yeah, but Jack's not too keen on staying." I paused, my voice faltering as I thought about leaving. "But don't worry Sara convinced him. So we're all going."

Seth smiled softly, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm glad Sara could convince him. It sounds like it'll be a good time."

I exhaled in relief. "Yeah. It'll be nice." I glanced at the guitar. "I heard you playing the guitar."

Seth's eyes flicked to the guitar. "Yeah, it helps me unwind. I wasn't sure if you'd noticed."

"I did." I nodded, running my fingers along the strings lightly. "It sounded beautiful. Do you play often?"

He leaned back, his eyes softening. "Whenever I get the chance. Music's always been an escape for me, you know?"

I smiled, understanding. "I know what you mean. I escape into video games, and music helps me think things through. It's kind of like a therapy."

Seth chuckled. "You ever thought about learning an instrument?"

"Yes, I actually have." I admitted. "I used to take violin lessons and singing lessons and a little guitar."

Seth's eyes lit up with surprise. "Really? Violin, singing, and guitar? That's impressive! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

I shrugged, a bit shy. "You didn't ask. I wasn't all that great at it, but I loved playing. It was more of a hobby than anything along with writing."

He smiled. "You're full of surprises, aren't you? Violin, guitar, singing, and writing? That's a lot of talent in one person."

I chuckled, feeling a bit bashful under his gaze. "I wouldn't call it talent, more like... things I enjoy. They helped me stay grounded through everything."

He nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I get that. It's good to have something that keeps you grounded, especially with all the craziness in life."

I smiled softly. "Yeah, exactly. And I guess it's nice to know that we have our escapes."

Seth reached over, gently plucking at one of the strings on the guitar. "Well, if you ever want to get back into guitar, we could play together sometime. Maybe I could even teach you a few things and maybe you can show me your writings and hear you sing sometimes."

I laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious. "We'll see. Maybe I'll surprise you one day."

He tilted his head, studying me with a teasing glint in his eyes. "I'll hold you to that."