After school, Kyle drove her to his ship again to pick up her real brother. When he got there, he changed out of his uniform and into a massive black hoodie and jeans he’d carried in his trunk. Then he woke up Human Kyle and helped him change into some new clothes.

Seeing them side by side, Hanna almost thought she was hanging out with identical twins! Except, she didn’t really find human Kyle attractive. At all. Alien Kyle was fucking smokin’ hot, though. And the more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. It would be weird when he took another body though, but she would deal. Because she was attracted to the person, not his shell.

”Okay, Hanna.” Kyle said while throwing on a pair of huge sunglasses. As she watched, a rugged, very short beard grew on his face. ”I’m going to sit in the back in this disguise. While you drive Kyle to his appointment.”

She nodded.

”Okay! Let’s go!”

***

Kyle (the human) stepped out of the car. He looked around nervously. While in the car he had rested some, but having that alien tell him over and over again that he was dumb for doing this and was taking his life into his own hands irritated the shit out of him, and made him second guess himself.

But, he had a lady to meet. One that would help him sort out some things. He hoped.

He quickly purchased a green tea, then sat down at a table with a view of the door around 10 minutes before the agreed upon date.

Would she show up?

Did she even remember? She should. When they’d agreed to this meeting, they’d even set two calendar reminders on Xoogle Calender. Even if she switched phones within the several years they’d been apart, she should still get the reminder one month in advanced and then the reminder the day of.

He nervously played with his drink.

Then a group of girls walked in. He didn’t see her in their group. His shoulders slumped.

He’d give her a full hour, even if the alien came to get him. But if she didn’t show by, then he’d leave.

Back when she’d saved him, he’d loved her too much. He still really liked her, even if he hadn’t seen her since she’d switched school shortly after the incident.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

He waited fifteen minutes.

Another group walked finally in. But he didn’t see anyone with beautiful black hair. And that was the thing he remembered most about her.

He closed his eyes and fought the misery of being forgotten.

“Mind if I sit here.”

His eyes went wide. It was her! But her hair color had changed. It was now closer to auburn than black. She’d obviously dyed it.

But he didn’t care because she was here!

And damn but she was gorgeous! His heart pounded and a nervous sweat formed on his hands. He wiped them discreetly on his slacks.

He smiled and gestured to the seat.

“Long time, Chelsea!”

“Hi Kyle! I heard about your accident! Are you okay?”

He smiled sadly. “I’m not well, but I hide it well.”

Her eyes seemed to water, then she set her drink down and briefly hugged his head to her chest. His cheeks turned pink, but he said nothing. Then she sat down and took a sip.

“When I heard about your accident, I realized I had to come no matter what!”

He smiled. “I’m glad you came too. I’ve been thinking of you often over the past couple of years. My feelings for you haven’t changed. I still want to be in a relationship with you.”

“Oh.”

She did not seem overly excited.

“If this seems weird, we can discuss it. Until you get used to the idea? I know this seems strange and out of nowhere.”

“Kyle—“

“So, this is the asshole who you had to meet today? I thought you said your relationship was platonic?” A tall man, built like a refrigerator formed of muscles, walked up to the table. He also had a classically handsome face. Even if Kyle wasn’t bad looking, he didn’t look this masculine... He briefly wondered if he should have let Tov Kyle replace him but cast off that idea since he didn’t want her dating an alien instead of himself.

She huffed and rolled her eyes. “It is platonic, Gary!”

Wait. Was this guy her boyfriend? She was dating someone else!

“From what I just heard...” Gary slapped the table beside Kyle and loomed over him menacingly, “he better watch himself.”

A chill ran down his spine. He threw his hands up. “Hey, I didn’t know she had a boyfriend already.”

“Gary, I want to catch up with him. Go wait outside.”

“You know I can’t say no to you, sugar.” He then peacefully walked to the door, but turned around and glared at Kyle. He pointed two fingers to his own eyes, then pointed the same ones at the young man.

Chelsea leaned in. “Don’t mind him. He’s a bit yandere, but he’s super sweet to me.”

He nodded politely, but in his mind he couldn’t help but imagine getting healthy, working out and stealing her from this asshole. But he had to face reality right at this second. “I can see that. I’m sorry that I—“

“No. You’re fine. It’s me. We promised to only meet here if we were single and interested in possibly being together, but with you having that accident, I just couldn’t leave you alone. Not without seeing you in person.”

He smiled sadly. “I’m still glad you came.” But he hadn’t given up. It may take some time, but he would definitely win her over her asshole boyfriend. “We should stay friends at least.”

She nervously glanced back at her boyfriend but nodded anyway. “Okay. We can text each other. As long as it doesn’t go beyond friendship.”