[Ā Ā šāšš šš£ššššš āĀ ]
Dib pauses, mid-speech, slowly turning to face the newcomer who had popped up out of, seemingly, nowhere. He hadnāt been expecting any kind of response, especially not one that sounded so eager to hear more information.
Somebody⦠was actually interested in what he had to say? They werenāt rolling their eyes, scoffing internally, letting him rant but not actually listening to a single word he said?
Was he hallucinating, or was he just setting himself up to be relentlessly mocked?
āI⦠Yes, I was.ā Dib was almost cautious in his confirmation, as though he was waiting for the camera crew to pop out of the woodwork along with the stranger, announcing that Dib had, once again, been on the receiving end of an elaborate practical joke.Ā āI havenāt just seenĀ an alien - he goes to school with me! He sits two desks down from me, freakish green skin, no ears, no nose, canāt eat the cafeteria food, all of the hallmarks of an extraterrestrial scoping out Earth for potential invasion⦠But no one else can see it!ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Truth Ā be Ā told, Ā Gabriele's Ā own Ā knowledge Ā about Ā actual Ā extraterrestrial Ā life Ā was Ā very Ā limited Ā and Ā pretty Ā thin Ā in Ā general. Ā Most Ā of Ā the Ā things Ā he Ā had Ā learned Ā about Ā aliens Ā through Ā his Ā teenage Ā years Ā all Ā came Ā from Ā pulling Ā all Ā nighters Ā and Ā watching Ā a Ā bunch Ā of Ā tv Ā series Ā and Ā movies Ā about Ā paranormal Ā life, Ā which Ā of Ā course Ā -- Ā those Ā more Ā experienced Ā and Ā with Ā actual Ā knowledge Ā on Ā the Ā matter Ā -- Ā could Ā probably Ā find Ā ridicolous, Ā exaggerated Ā and Ā not Ā at Ā all Ā accurate.
Ā Ā Ā However, Ā Gabriele Ā wasn't Ā exactly Ā known Ā for Ā having Ā the Ā most Ā rational, Ā scientific Ā and Ā realistic Ā of Ā thinking.. Ā if Ā somebody Ā told Ā him Ā about Ā the Ā existence Ā of Ā a Ā man Ā eating Ā jelly Ā monster Ā with Ā legs.. Ā he Ā would Ā probably Ā believe Ā it. Ā But Ā could Ā you Ā blame Ā him Ā for Ā it? Ā He Ā was Ā an Ā easily Ā impressionable Ā child, Ā with Ā a Ā whole Ā bunch Ā of Ā imagination Ā and Ā way Ā too Ā much Ā free Ā time Ā to Ā spend.
Ā Ā Ā The Ā blonde Ā boy Ā listened Ā in Ā pure Ā awe Ā as Ā the Ā other Ā spoke, Ā barely Ā even Ā containing Ā his Ā own Ā excitement.. Ā which Ā could Ā be Ā easily Ā noticable Ā by Ā the Ā way Ā his Ā body Ā slightly Ā jumped Ā up Ā and Ā down.
Ā Ā Ā There Ā is Ā no Ā way Ā this Ā boy Ā could Ā stand Ā still Ā for Ā too Ā long, Ā especially Ā in Ā situations Ā where Ā his Ā curiosity Ā was Ā triggered.
Ā Ā Ā "Ā Ā An Ā alien?! Ā Goes Ā to Ā school Ā with Ā you?!Ā "Ā Ā Disbelief Ā covered Ā the Ā boy's Ā expression Ā as Ā he Ā spoke, Ā not Ā even Ā thinking Ā about Ā the Ā fact Ā he Ā should Ā probably Ā keep Ā his Ā voice Ā low.
Ā Ā Ā "Ā Ā You Ā are Ā so Ā lucky! Ā I Ā wish Ā i Ā had Ā an Ā alien Ā going Ā in Ā the Ā same Ā school Ā as Ā me! Ā At Ā least Ā it'd Ā make Ā things Ā way Ā more Ā interesting! Ā And Ā uh Ā -- Ā what Ā kind Ā of Ā alien Ā is Ā he?! Ā Is Ā he Ā one Ā of Ā those Ā aliens Ā who Ā can Ā shape Ā shift Ā and Ā take Ā human Ā formĀ to Ā deceive Ā everyone?Ā āĀ Ā HowĀ ironicĀ ofĀ himĀ toĀ sayĀ thisĀ ,Ā ofĀ allĀ thingsĀ ..Ā āĀ Or Ā maybe Ā he Ā is Ā one Ā of Ā those Ā aliens Ā who Ā STEALS Ā human Ā bodies Ā all Ā together?! Ā Or Ā their Ā organs?! Ā OH Ā -- Ā OH Ā -- Ā Is Ā he Ā one Ā of Ā those Ā who Ā eat Ā humans Ā from Ā the Ā inside Ā and Ā destroy Ā their Ā guts Ā only Ā to Ā burst Ā out Ā and Ā cause Ā a Ā bloody Ā mess Ā of Ā guts?!Ā Ā "