Saturday finally arrived, and I was rushing like a speeding car. The light of the sun immediately woke me up; I was jumping into my clothes with a smile on my face. My mom didn't know why I was so happy, but all she said was, "Good morning, you seem to be in an extremely good mood this morning." She served me waffles with extra syrup, my favorite morning breakfast. I started gulping it down with my milk. I was too excited that I couldn't chew my food right.

"Slow down, Kaley," Mom said. "Don't get a tummy ache. My goodness, you're so happy today."

After I finished my breakfast, I quickly tied my shoes, pulled up my hair, and grabbed my camera and the satellite dish. I rushed out the door and ran towards the forest. My mom told me to be careful as I ran towards the forest.

I'd figured he'd still be in the forest since it's probably the only safe place to hide among its natural surroundings. It kind of explains why we haven't found Bigfoot yet. As I entered the forest, it was much more peaceful and melodic during the day. The trees didn't look as scary as they do at night, the sun shone brighter, and the air was nice and warm. I didn't see any sign of the alien or anything unusual he left behind. So then, I started talking at the top of my voice, pretending to talk to myself so that I would get his attention, "Oh, my! What an ugly satellite dish! Why would a salesman give me this hunk of junk? I will just leave this here in this forest and maybe somebody will find it variable!"

I placed the satellite dish on a tree stump and hid behind a huge fallen tree. I took out my camera, aimed it at the satellite dish, waited patiently.

It felt like I had been waiting an hour for him. I was starting to get bored, so I did other things while I waited for him. I played with some pebbles and sticks, looked up at the sky, played with the dirt, and polished my camera a little bit. It was so boring and quiet that I started to nod off. I tried to keep my eyes open, but I end up falling asleep.

I don't know how long I slept, but I know I slept long and deep. I heard a soft sound in the distance that sounded like walking. I quickly took my camera, aimed it to where the satellite was, but there was no satellite dish on the stump. I can't believe it! I missed the alien again. How am I going to take the picture now? When I got up, my eyes caught something shocking. The satellite dish was right next to me. Did I forget to put it on the stump? My mind was spinning with confusion. If I put it on the stump, then how did it get here? But that's not the best part yet. I noticed a pair of feet next to the satellite dish. I looked up and saw a face that I quickly recognized. It was him! It was the alien! He was standing there, looking at me as if he was waiting for something. I was so awestruck that I lost my voice. I couldn't speak or scream. I was finally face to face with the alien. Everything around us was silent. He leaned forward slowly to get a good look at me, like a curious animal. My adrenaline fired up again, so I took off, and ran from him like a coward.

I ran so fast that the trees in the forest became a blur. The breeze rushed into my hair and face. I turned my head to see if he was behind me, but I didn't see him chasing me. I turned my back to look, and to my surprise, he was standing a few feet away. I panicked and my body almost crashed into him. I quickly turned away from him and ran the other direction. As I ran for my life, no matter where my head turn, I see him at every sight. I thought I was hallucinating. But then I realized that he probably has the power to teleport, or he was incredibly fast. Since I was too panicky to pay attention to where I was going, I suddenly tripped on a root and sprained my ankle.

I sat up, but it was too difficult to move my ankle. I looked up and noticed that the alien was standing a foot away from me. I stared at him, observing his nice shade of light green skin, the soft green hair, and his beautiful emerald-green eyes. They were the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen. He, too, continued to stare at me, observing me too. Then he sat down on the ground and cross his legs. Silence flowed around us like honey.

"Uh, hello," I started off. "So I guess you're not going to hurt me, are you?"

He slipped his hand into his pocket and hold out something that looked like a gun. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he wouldn't kill me. Then I felt a tap on my left foot. I opened my eyes, and recognized that it wasn't a gun, it was the broken taser.

"The taser," I said. "You'd figured it was me who saved you, didn't you?"

He continued to stare.

"So..." I said again, "do you talk? You know, words, English. Can you speak English?"

He tilted his head, giving me a puzzled expression. "Like how I am speaking right now. Can you do that?" He realized what I was talking about. He held up his index finger at me, signaling me to wait a second. Then he took a big, huge gulp, as if there was a lump in his throat.

"Now I do," he said clearly.

My mind boggled with awestruck and confused. "What did you just do? How did you learn English all of a sudden? For a minute I thought you didn't know what I was saying."

"There are signals in your atmosphere that are easy to decode," he said. "I can sense the language that you speak and I adapt it to myself."

"That sounds pretty amazing," I said.

"Not as amazing as your planet Earth."

"Why, thank you," I said. "And might I ask where are you from and what is your name?"

"My name is Dainu, and I am from Yarth."

"Yarth," I said, finding that word very smoothing. "Sounds like a nice planet."

"Oh, it is. It is very beautiful. And it is quite peaceful there too."

"Why did you come here?"

"I wanted to explore the worlds in other galaxies. To scan the stars and discover new planets. But my ship failed to respond and I landed here, on your planet."

"I see. By the way, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kaley, Kaley Langstrom."

"Kaley," Dainu said, with a smile on his face. "What a beautiful name! Like sweet tasting nectar from a flower."

I blushed. "That's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me."

His cheerful smile grew bigger.

"So, what is your planet like?" I asked.

"It is the most peaceful and beautiful planet in the galaxy. There are many trees, many flowers. The air we breathe is very sweet and refreshing. We have many sweet delectable fruit. And there are no intoxicating pollutions on our planet."

"Wow," I said, "makes me feel like I want to visit your planet someday. I know our planet isn't so perfect."

"I will not be too judicious about your planet," said Dainu, "but your planet does need help. I do not see many trees and flowers that I had expected." He sniffed up the air. "The air you breathe is too thick and unpleasant. I find it very unhealthy for you well-being." He touched the ground with his hand. "The soil is excellent. Very fertile and healthy. But the sight of your garbage makes me unhappy and distressing. Things need to be well-managed on this planet."

I nodded. "I totally agree. Many people just don't respect nature these days. They cut down trees to build factories and throw their waste into the air, water, and land. They're so careless and just want to make money. But many people are trying to help the earth. They plant trees, flowers, and protest factories to stop polluting. I would really like to help, but it's too difficult. I'm only fifteen; they probably won't listen to me."

"Do not be pessimistic; I am sure they will listen, if you persist. Your planet is your home, your life. It is meant to live. It is part of your instinct to provide for your planet, not destroy it. Your planet is a part of your soul."

"You know, I just noticed something. The way you talk is so strange...so different. But there is nobility and truthfulness in your voice."

"I am flattered," smiled Dainu.

We sat there talking about everything we want to know. We talked more about our planets, the things we like and things we didn't like. It was so exciting talking to another alien being. I think he felt the same way too.

I noticed the sun had changed its position. I checked my watch and it was about three o'clock.

"It's getting kind of late," I told Dainu. "I have to get home before my mom starts to worry."

"I understand," said Dainu.

"It was very nice talking to you. I'm glad we met each other. But I have to go now. Maybe we can–OW!" As soon as I moved my right ankle, the pain struck my senses. I was too busy talking to Dainu that I had forgot about the pain in my sprained ankle.

"What is wrong?" Dainu said.

"My ankle," I said. "I sprained it when I tripped on that root. How am I supposed to get home if I can't walk?"

"Here," said Dainu. "Let me help you."

He came to me, took off my shoe, and placed his hand over my ankle. I started to feel a soothing, relaxing warmth in my ankle. It was kind of like a healing patch for your achy joints, but this was different. It was a smooth, comforting, and warmth like a river flowing through my ankle in a nice, relaxing sensation. When Dainu removed his hand, the pain was gone. I rotated my ankle, and I felt nothing. My ankle was actually healed.

"How'd you do that?" I said, amazingly.

"I have the will to do anything," he said. He picked up a rock, and it levitated above his hand. He twirled his hand at a bunch of dead leaves, and they waved and danced at his rhythmic gesture.

"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You sure are full of surprises! I am so glad I met you."

He grinned.

As I got up from the ground, I headed straight home, and waved at Dainu. But I don't think he wanted me to go. He started following me. I noticed this when I heard extra footsteps behind me. I stopped and turned around to look at him, and he, too, stopped at my tracks.

"Um, what are you doing?" I asked.

"May I settle in your home?" he asked politely. "I cannot remain here. I need shelter and food. Please allow me to stay at your home."

"Nuh-uh," I said. "That is not going to happen. If I bring you to my house, my mom's gonna flip out."

"'Flip out?'" said Dainu. "What do you mean?" He didn't understand my last two words. I don't blame him; he may have adapted English, but he probably doesn't know our slang termiology.

"It means to get scared, terrified, go crazy," I defined for him. "My mom would be terrified if she sees you. She might call the police or something."

"I am no threat to your society. Let her see me and she will decide what to do with me."

"Her decision would be the police, I know. I'm sorry, Dainu, but I can't bring you along yet. It is better to stay here for now. I'll let you know when I made up my mind. But right now, I need to go home before my mom gets suspicious. Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow. Bye now."

I continued to walk straight home, but Dainu continued to follow me. I don't know what his problem was, but it was starting to tick me off.

"No!" I enunciated, as if he was deaf. "Me go, you stay! No following!"

But he continued to follow me.

"I told you," I yelled. "I'll come back tomorrow! Now stay!" But he still kept following me.

That's it, I had enough of this! I had lost my patience with him!

"Will you stop following me?!" I yelled again. "I told you, I can't bring you with me. My mom will flip out."

"Terrified, to be precise," he corrected.

"Yeah, whatever," I snapped. "Listen, I don't want to get you in trouble. I'm just trying to keep you safe from the police or the army. Just stay here and I'll be back tomorrow, OK? Good-bye."

This time he didn't follow me. I walked straight home again, but I started feeling agonizing guilt in me. He didn't do anything wrong, and he was really nice. Probably the nicest guy I've ever met. I sounded so mean when I told him he can't come with me. I stopped in my tracks, and turned back to look at him. He was standing there, watching me walk off. The expression on his face was so sad, but adorable in a way. He looked at me with big, wide, pleading eyes and with a puppy-look expression that meant "take me home." I couldn't help looking at that face. He was so adorably sad it was almost irresistible. Finally, I realized I couldn't resist that poor, miserable look on his face, so I sighed and said, "OK, I'll give you a place to stay."