Thank you  for Shortie's amazing aesthetic!

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Wasting my time at the mall was a hobby of mine when I didn't have a job. It was a twenty-minute train ride and I could spend all day walking around, looking at things and get my mind off of how much of a failure I was. Not to bum anyone with a sob story but when I didn't get selected to any higher study programs right out of high school, I was completely lost. My parents were, of course, disappointed even though they always knew I wasn't doing good in school.

Anyway, back to the present. It was a lovely day and I won't be ruining it. Now, where were we?

Ah, yes. Malls.

The place designed to hypnotize you into buying things you don't need, spending money you don't have. I never had any money to spend here cause I had no job and mom didn't give me pocket money anymore. I didn't even have a credit card!

But today it's different. I came here for a purpose and for the first time in a long time, I will be shopping. Even if it's not for me.

You want to know how different a mall is on alien-controlled earth? Not much.

The clothing stores were still the same except some dresses had slits in the back for wings and shoes were sold in fours sometimes instead of pairs. They had those AR mirror things on lingerie shops so no one had to fit-on things. Antique shops sold free world things that really shouldn't be called antiques.

You know, subtle differences.

I headed straight into the Kid's store. I had a list of things prepared after many nights of research. You think I'm going overboard with the whole toy things? I can't help it. I wasn't spending my own money. What if I bought something that Bear was allergic to or that Bear broke at first touch? So I came with a battle plan prepared, alright? Cut me some slack!

I scanned the store from the outside for a bit. I didn't want to wander around like an idiot not sure what anything was, those moms would judge the heck out of me.

My grand plan came to a screeching halt when I saw something that was definitely not on my shopping list.

First, let me tell you how real-world shopping works now. You have an account with the store and anything you buy is credited to it. So basically you walk in and walk out with your stuff. No standing in a long line for a cashier to open up.

Now you must be thinking, "But Shortie, what about all the thieves?". Let me tell you something, surveillance these days are no joke. Since most of these stores are owned by aliens, they take security very seriously. Do you want to risk being hunted by aliens over a cinnamon roll? There is still a store assistant around to make sure things go smoothly. One of those other jobs aliens left for us.

This store assistant looked like he was the hottest thing since sliced bread! I am not even exaggerating by much. You should have seen the dirty blond hair, those strong looking tanned arms perfectly visible since his shirt was rolled up and those blue-green eyes that seemed to be smiling more with each word he spoke. I tried not to gawk at him as I was casually browsing through the store, trying to find the things on my list. I was not the only one appreciating the perfection before me, because he was surrounded by women — human and alien alike asking his opinions about everything just to hear his voice. Like vultures. No way these ladies don't know what the best diaper is for their one-year-old babies!

I put my phone away. Maybe I didn't come all that prepared. Maybe I really did need help.

I waited until the vultures backed off, which took a long time. I put on my best I need your help smile and wiped my mouth off to be certain I wasn't drooling or something. If you look normal, they will never know!

"Hi, I was thinking about buying some stuff for a nursery. I think I'm a little lost. Would you mind helping me a bit?"

That sounded so stupid. He smiled though.

"Don't worry about being a little overwhelmed. It's natural when it's your first kid".

"Oh no!" I didn't know why, but I didn't want him to misunderstand and think I was taken or something.

Get a grip Shortie!

"It's for the baby I'm babysitting for, he is like two months old maybe, and half-alien. So I don't know what will work for him."

Actually, I did a little research but little white lies. They are not going to hurt anyone.

"At that age, he is too young to play with anything too complex. He probably is barely able to lift his own head up."

He even knows so much about babies. This guy is taken for sure. All good guys are taken.

"Is there anything you'd recommend then? I mean I know one of those spiny things people put on top of the crib" He lifted an eyebrow. I spun my fingers around to help him understand. "You know those spiny things that spin." wow! What a great explanation.

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean."

"What about a soft toy or two? He'll like the color. You said that he was part alien, right?" I nodded. "Maybe his development is faster than us, so he'll learn things faster."

That made a lot of sense. Wow! He really knows a lot about this stuff.

"Yeah. I studied about infant and early childhood development."

Oh, fish sticks! I said that out loud.

"Yeah. You did." he chuckled.

Well, at least I made him laugh.

"I was also thinking that his room needs a bit more color. It's all grey and really bland now".

"Sure I think we can fix that." I smiled. He really is perfect.

I left with a few things that he helped me pick up. Not a lot though cause we weren't sure what would be best for Bear. But if I need anything I knew where to come.

Carrying all these things on a train to work was not a smart move. Nobody even offered me a seat! I should have just taken a taxi and claimed it as a business expense.

I shot straight to Bear's room cause I was curious to see what he thought about his new stuff. Do babies even have opinions?

I took out the big fluffy brown bear I got for him because it reminded me of Bear so much. Looking at both of them I couldn't even tell them apart. Which of them is the real baby? I hope I won't wipe the butt of the wrong bear.

But when I showed Bear his new teddy. He started crying. Really loud. I looked at the teddy to see if it was scary and it looked fine to me. But whenever I showed it to Bear, he would start bawling. Maybe he wants to be the only bear in the house and doesn't want any competition.

OK.... That was a dud. I'll have to try my luck on the other toys but if Bear doesn't like anything, principal Miller will have my head.

I put the teddy away so Bear couldn't see it anymore.

"That's okay baby Bear. Look the teddy is gone."

It still took me a good ten minutes of rocking him back and forth to completely stop him from crying. All of that because of that damned teddy.

"Would you like the red elephant instead, Bear? Look! He even has a long nose and little tail."

He kept looking at the animal and looking and looking. This seemed to be good news.

"Have you ever seen an elephant for real, Bear?"

Of course, he hasn't. I mean neither have I cause were super rare and very close to being extinct. Humans were pretty shitty to the rest of the animals before the aliens came. I mean the aliens haven't exactly been good to us but nobody can say they weren't good for the environment. Pollution levels went down, forests were conserved. Endangered animals were taken care of, except pandas. Yep, pandas died. I mean I saw a bunch of free world videos of a panda and I can't believe they survived for so long. They looked so stupid.

"Elephant is big, much bigger than you and me, Bear. How cool would it be to see one right now?"

When Bear's attention span gets better I'll make sure to show him a video.

"Well, Bear do you want me to hang the crib spiny thing?" I should have probably looked up what it was called. It was space-themed cause you know, Bear is part alien and I want him to embrace his alien side.

There was a little sun, a spaceship, and some other cool space stuff hanging from it.

"Now Bear when you're too bored to sleep, you can imagine yourself in space."

Okay, I admit I might be slightly more excited at all of this than Bear will ever be. I tried not to go overboard with the space stuff cause that would be stereotyping but I did pick up a flying saucer wall decal for his room cause it looked cool.

Oh! by the way. Aliens didn't come in a saucer. I don't know where we got that idea from but their spaceships were way cooler.

When, I placed Bear back in his crib to sleep he kept looking at the spiny thing with such awe. I mean Bear looks at everything in awe but this awe was for sure bigger than all those other awes. Could I call it awful? (I swear that's the last bad joke for today.

I was impressed with myself. I know it's a tiny change but I could see I was making a difference. I hope they will see it too.

Maybe they'll be so impressed that they will ask me to redo the whole nursery!