"Hey, Rose!" a student called as she passed down the hallway.
"Looking good, Rose!" another student gave her a thumbs-up.
"Dude, that eye is sweet! Are you, like, part demon now?" another student said. His attire consisted of all black with spiky red hair. Chains on his arms rattled as he shot finger guns at her.
"No, I'm just ordinary Rose, Jeff," Rose replied, her tone dry. "It's just a side effect of the Altair infection. There isn't anything to worry about." That was the cover story they'd devised to explain Rose's new red eye.
"It's Killer now!," the boy replied. "Is it true you met aliens? Dude, do they have, like, sharp fangs and tentacles? They still haven't revealed what they're like under their armor."
"Is it true they're ten feet tall?" A female student asked.
"Are they like vegetarians?" Another girl asked, curious. More students crowded around, eager for answers about the Ectutai. The Altair attack had sidelined their plan for the public reveal, so everyone was speculating about their alien visitors.
"I can't say much. I didn't have time to see them," Rose lied. Sandage had pressed her not leaking anything until the press release. Still, students bombarded her with other questions, like if she had laser vision now thanks to her unusual eye.
"Enough," a firm voice interrupted the tumult. The strength of the command made everyone go silent. Hans walked through the crowd of students. 'Killer' opened his mouth to say something, but Hans' firm glare shut him up. Students soon departed from the boy's stern presence, leaving Rose alone with him.
"Um, thanks, I suppose," Rose said somewhat awkwardly. Her heart skipped a beat as Hans examined her with such fierce intensity. Or was it concern? She couldn't tell.
Finally, he spoke again. "How are you? Is there any lingering problem from your coma?"
"To my knowledge, no." Rose said.
"Good." As usual, Hans said nothing further.
"He's so annoying," Rose thought. "He can't tell me how worried he was?" Had he even worried about her? Somehow, she doubted it.
"There you are," a familiar voice said. From Georges' frantic expression, he'd been fretting about her all week. "You didn't take the usual entrance."
"I wanted to slip in unnoticed." So much for that plan. On normal days, she'd be just another student, hardly worth noticing. These days, she couldn't go anywhere without people mobbing her.
At least she had her usual bodyguard back, fully recovered from his injuries. He was pleased to return to duty, and Rose was glad to have him. She'd missed him. He'd keep away anything too annoying. And Hans too, she supposed. Brown waved at her from a couple of feet away, giving her a broad smile.
"Are you okay? I've been so worried about you!" Georges said. From the state of the boy, he had gotten little sleep since her coma. Rose worried if he'd even been eating well, either.
"Like I told Hans, I'm fine. Better than ever."
"But!" Georges pointed at her red eye, fretting with worry.
"It's nothing. Just an odd side effect of the Altair infection." While it glowed like a cat's eye, nothing seemed that unusual about it otherwise. Her vision in that eye hadn't even changed. It would have been cool if it could shoot lasers, but she preferred her normal, totally ordinary eye.
"How did the aliens cure you?" Georges asked, his tone suspicious.
Rose blinked at the sudden change in topic. "The Ectutai?"
"Yes. I've heard the rumors about them, how they're towering, monstrous giants. But they have amazing technology despite their brutish nature. They must have cured you. Though, at what cost? I doubt the Ectutai are as altruistic as they claim. And the timing is convenient too. How long has the government known about them, I wonder?"
"Beats me," Rose said, waiting patiently as her old friend rambled on as usual. Truthfully, she was just as skeptical of the Ectutai. Their sudden appearance was so bizarre.
"And there's Stella too," Rose thought. She wasn't sure how to feel about her favorite vTuber being some alien. More strangeness. Lucky her.
A cough interrupted their conversation. Her bodyguard Brown pointed at his watch. Oh, shoot. If they didn't hurry, she'd miss class.
"Talk to you later, Rose." Georges moved in, his tone conspiratorial. "Meet in that place after school. Ditch your government stooge."
"Sure, Georges," Rose said with a sigh. He was talking about his house. Some secret location. Should she just ditch him?
"Bye, Rose," Hans said, but he shifted uncomfortably, clearly wanting to say more. "I'm glad you're better."
"Okay." She watched as Hans left, unsure about his awkward goodbye.
"That boy sure cares about you," Brown said, chuckling.
"Somehow, I doubt that," Rose replied. If he cared about her, he'd show it more.
"I mean it," Brown said. "He visited you often, from what I hear."
"Huh?" Rose blinked. "Really?"
"Any time he could," Brown smirked. "Ah, young love."
"It's not like that, Mr. Brown! Stop having funny ideas!" Rose's cheeks glowed crimson. Of all the things to say. There would never be anything between them. Still, his frequent visits flattered her. She groaned, wishing she could understand that boy better.
---
"And carry the nine, and you're finished," her math teacher, Ms. Sagan, said, pointing at a complex equation on the whiteboard. From her classmates' expressions, many wished they were somewhere else, only grudgingly paying attention because they were required to learn this.
But Rose scratched in her notes, listening with rapt attention. Math had always been her favorite subject, she found it fascinating.
"Okay, class. I want all the questions at the end of Chapter 19 finished by tomorrow," Ms. Sagan said as class wrapped up. This earned some boos from her classmates, but Rose hardly noticed. She scanned the page, getting a feel for the assigned task. She nodded, pleased. It'd only take her about fifteen minutes to complete all the questions, some already solved in her head. So caught in this task, she hadn't noticed her teacher's approach.
"Diligent as ever, I see," Ms. Sagan said, amused.
"Oh yes. I'm fine," Rose replied, shutting her textbook. She gathered her things and returned them to her backpack.
"Are you sure? We've been worried about you," her teacher said, her face concerned. Rose noticed that she was staring into her red eye.
"Just peachy!" Rose said, her smile forced. Already, she was tired of people asking about her.
"Okay. I'm here if you want to talk. You've been through a serious ordeal. Just ask, and I'll find time for you."
"Sure." Rose sighed. Ms. Sagan wasn't the first teacher to suggest this. Some even proposed seeing the guidance counselor. The nerve!
After gathering her books, she made a swift departure from the classroom, only to yelp in surprise as someone bumped into her.
"Vera!" Rose said, startled. The impact had knocked her friend off her feet, and Rose helped her up. "Careful there."
"Rose. I've been wanting to talk with you," Vera said.
"Have you? You couldn't just text me?"
"You forgot your phone," Vera said pointedly.
"Oh!" Rose felt around her pockets. Much to her chagrin, her friend was right. "Sorry, Vera. This morning was so hectic. It must have skipped my mind."
"That's why you've got me. Should I help you find your way to your next class, too?"
"Sure." Rose rolled her eyes. But she furrowed her brow as Vera froze, her eyes widening. When she'd turned to face her friend, Vera had seen the strange change to Rose's eyes.
"The Red Devil," Vera muttered, her body seizing with fear.
"It's not as bad as it looks!" Rose said, trying to placate her friend. "It's only cosmetic, not like demonic or anything!"
"R-right." But her friend still seemed shaky. "Anyway, are you interested in hanging out tonight? I bought this new romantic comedy starring Dennis Perlmutter. I'm sure you'll love!"
"Sorry, Vera, but I can't. We're having a family night out. Grandma's in town. We're throwing a party to celebrate my recovery." Since Grandma Galle lived in Florida, Rose didn't see her too often. Grandma hadn't seen her grandchildren since Christmas. "And Uncle Fritz and my cousins are coming too, I believe. So I don't dare miss it."
"Oh." Vera seemed disappointed. "Another time then." Her friend walked off without even saying goodbye.
"Um, see you in social studies later!" Rose called after her. That was odd.
"She took your coma pretty hard," Ms. Sagan said from the classroom doorway. "I suppose she's trying really hard to connect after everything."
"I suppose." Still, her behavior had been odd. Not like her friend at all.
"It must be everything." Rose shook her head. Everyone had been acting odd around her. Why should her best friend be different? She swore to hang out with her the next chance she got.
"I can't do it tomorrow, either," Rose realized. Grandma was staying for the next three days. And then she remembered the training her bodyguard wanted her to do. While she'd recovered, she was still somewhat weak from her coma. Her schedule was annoyingly busy for the foreseeable future. Whatever, she'd make it up to Vera somehow.
"Ahem." Her bodyguard pointed to his watch.
"Oh shoot!" Ms. Sagan smirked as Rose rushed off for her next class, her textbooks still bunched in her arms.
--
Glass cracked as Vera slammed a fist into the mirror, raining to the bathroom's tiled floor. Red trickled onto the sink, but she barely noticed the pain. Why had she allowed the Red Devil's demonic eye to trouble her so much? It seemed to see right through her.
"Stay on task," Lord Tarazed said through the hive link, his steady voice calming her. "She knows nothing. Her ignorance will be her downfall."
"Yes, Lord Tarazed," Vera took a steadying breath. While such an action was pointless, her human form took strength from it.
"I'm Rose's friend. It won't be hard to find time alone with her, eventually." And Vera knew how she'd do it. A new Boy's Life album was coming out next week. That would be the perfect excuse to lure the Red Devil's pilot to her bedroom. No, that wouldn't work. Rose only tolerated the boy band. She preferred hard rock instead.
"What am I thinking? She'd tolerate it for a friend." Besides, Rose owed her for after all the interminable Stella Kilonova streams she'd forced Vera to watch. "I wonder if Cecilia would like Boy's Life." They still hadn't gone on their shopping session yet. They were planning to do it last week, but Rose's coma interrupted those plans.
"Why are you blabbing about this?" Tseen Foo said, interrupting her musings. "Just stab her in the hallway and be done with it. Quit wasting time."
"It's too risky!" Vera felt certain Rose's eye would warn her of such treachery.
"No. It's just an eye." But why did it torment her so?
"It's fine," Lord Tarazed said. "We don't want humans to know we can impersonate their kind. Besides, we need to know more about the Red Devil and its function. Why did they choose a child as its pilot?"
"My way's faster," Tseen Foo said.
"I have decided. Do your task, Aquila," the Altair general said.
"I shall see it done." While unnecessary, Vera inclined her head. It was hard to shake the human instincts her human sacrifice had provided. Still, they would prove useful when infiltrating Rose and her government backers.
"Still." Vera suppressed a shudder, knowing she'd need to face Rose's red eye again—the one that saw all.
"You're being ridiculous," Vera said, stomping out of the bathroom. She passed a couple girls chattering amongst themselves, laughing at some private joke.
For the sake of the Altair, Vera—no, Aquila—could not fail. Rose and her unnatural eye would get theirs soon enough.
---
"Dinner at your place?" Rose toweled off sweat as she stepped off the treadmill. After her revival, the doctors had demanded a full physical. So far, everything seemed green.
"Why not?" Sandage said, passing her a bottle of water. Rose devoured it greedily. They'd made her run four freaking miles, and she needed the refreshment. "Some normalcy would be nice. Your parents seem alright with the idea."
"But Grandma's still in town," Rose replied, sighing as she emptied half the bottle.
"It's fine. It'll be the night she leaves. Besides, my wife Jocelyn has been dying to meet you. I've told her all about you."
"I guess that'll be fine. Bemidji isn't far. There's no rush getting back."
"We're getting you back before your first class," Sandage said, amused. "You're not getting out of school that easily."
"Well, shoot," Rose said with mock severity.
"And you're invited too, Cecilia," Sandage said, turning to the girl who'd been watching the whole exchange.
"Who, me?" Cecilia said, startled.
"That's a great idea!" Rose said, beaming. While she'd opened up some, her friend was still a solitary creature by nature. Some homemade food and a slumber party would do her some good.
"Don't we have a big biology test coming up?" Cecilia asked, dubious.
"Which I know you'll pass with ease," Rose teased. Her friend had a sharp mind, forgetting basically nothing. "We'll study while we're there."
Still, her friend seemed reluctant. "I don't know."
"What's up? I thought you'd jump at the chance to leave town." Her current home was still under repair, filled with crews doing their best to restore the LUVOLT facility to full operation.
"The Altair are still out there," Cecilia said. "Can we afford wasting time on some silly dinner and sleepover?"
"I think it's the best time," Sandage said, suddenly serious. "You've both been through too much. You need some time to relax. If the Altair attack, the Ectutai will help fend them off. They learned a lot from the previous attack. They won't be caught off guard again."
"Still…"
"He's right," Rose said, coaxing her friend. "Let's forget everything for a night and have some fun!" She needed a break from everyone constantly worrying about her. "And we can catch up on some Stella streams."
Cecilia expression soured at the mention of the VTuber. She gave a resigned sigh. "Okay. I'm game."
"Perfect!" Rose beamed. She'd have to bring some board games with her. There was this Kickstarter game she hadn't played yet.
"Speaking of the Ectutai—how are they? Are they still planning their official debut?" After the Altair, it'd be delayed.
"Glad you asked," Sandage said. "This Saturday at 8:00 AM Pacific Time, Prince Imrele will make his first official press release—unmasked and everything."
"I hope people don't snicker at him," Rose remembered how the prince seemed more like a kid her age than some stately royal figure.
"There is that," Sandage said, amused. "He's young, but he'll manage. Oh, and he gave me a message for you, Cecilia."
"Huh?" her friend said, surprised.
"He's offered an invitation to tour his ship. As thanks for saving his life," Sandage said. "You'll be the first human to see their spaceship from the inside."
"Huh? Aren't some human work crews helping with the rebuilding effort?" Rose asked.
"Turns out, that wasn't their main ship—more of a light transport. Their mothership is parked behind our moon," Sandage said. "And they want Cecilia to see it."
"Why do you look so uncomfortable?" Rose elbowed her friend in the ribs. "I think a certain prince has taken a fancy to you."
"Get serious," Cecilia scowled, though her expression turned distant and troubled.
"What is it?"
"This matches your vision, right?" Sandage asked.
"Vision?" Rose supposed it made sense. Cecilia had them randomly, and some must have occurred during her coma.
"It does," Cecilia whispered. "I don't know what it means."
"Screw the future. Don't go then." Rose said. "Besides, don't I prove they don't always come true?"
"I didn't see you die, Rose. Just hurt. I assumed your injuries were worse than I thought." Cecilia gave a resigned sigh. "But I'll go. There might be a reason the Akashic Records showed it to me."
"Like a future royal husband?" For this comment, Rose earned a harder elbow in the ribs. "I hope something comes from it." Her friend fretted about the future so much. Instead of hope, Cecilia's visions only ever seemed to conjure dread.
It was sad seeing her friend so fearful of the future. Rose supposed she'd need to be strong for both of them. If she could cheat fate once, she could do it again—break any vision if it meant creating a better future. She refused to allow some premonition to dictate her future.