Teaching was everything to me and encompassed my entire world. Honestly, without it, I had no life. I wasn’t boring or unadventurous. I just didn’t have time to date or to go out exploring.

Things were quickly on the brink of changing for me, and I was ready to embrace the challenge. If an opportunity ever presented itself to me, I was never one to pass up something worth doing.

“Do you have it?” My voice squeaked with excitement as I bit my bottom lip with anticipation. I was sweating and jittery as my heart pounded in my chest.

“Yeah, I have it.” My brother Chad strutted into my kitchen and helped himself to a soda from the fridge. He had a vague, nonchalant expression on his face as if he were unperturbed, maybe even a little bored.

“Great!” I chimed with a smile. I swallowed hard and studied him as he moved around the kitchen. I tapped my nails against the surface of the table.

Chad ignored me as he popped the top to the soft drink and took several refreshing gulps. He burped loudly, and I winced at his callous behavior. Chad and I were like night and day. He never cared about anything and was always playing around as if he were a child in an adult body.

I was the polar opposite on the scale. I planned everything and cared relentlessly to the point of anxiety when it came to pretty much everything that happened in my life.

“Geez, Chad, seriously?” I gave him a condescending look as if his behavior grossed me out.

The way he acted was appalling, actually. Besides, he didn’t even ask if he could take a soda from my fridge. That was another thing that annoyed me about him. He was rude and mooched off me any chance he got.

“What?” His voice was harsh with defensiveness. He gave me a harsh stare as if I were an annoying insect that he wanted to crush under his boot.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my little brother. I was twenty-seven and Chad had just turned twenty-three. I just felt like I was always lecturing him about stuff he should already know.

I’d raised him since he was sixteen when our parents died. We never talked about it, and even though it would probably be therapeutic to cast all those harbored feelings about the past into the wind, we didn’t.

Nope, we sealed our emotions up and shoved them to the dusty top shelves of our minds, choosing to remain dormant even though secretly, I knew it was hard on both of us.

Even though we were related by blood, Chad and I were polar opposites. If he wanted to discuss his feelings with me, I might have obliged him.

Who knows whether therapy and venting to each other would have ever worked on us. Our relationship tossed and turned. Sometimes it was wonderful, and other times it was dark and cold.

Another annoying thing about my baby brother was the fact that he didn’t exactly have a dominating work ethic. I did have to give him a little slice of credit though. He was trying to make a name for himself with his new-found career and self-proclaimed title of ‘professional prank artist.’

This career choice didn’t exactly make Chad Wallace the most trustworthy person on the planet, but as his long-suffering older sister, I often gave him the benefit of the doubt against the wishes and advice of my friends.

If he had found something that was important to him, then I had to support him. I wanted him to be ambitious, and as long as he wasn’t out on the streets murdering people, I guess I was okay with his career choice.

At least he was out there doing something. Productivity was always better than being a couch potato.

He slammed the soda onto my counter and gave me a sly smile. He belched again, this time more loudly than the first. I knew now that he was trying to get under my skin and fray my nerves.

I had to remain calm and patient with Chad. It’s the way I’d been ever since I was shoved into the unofficial role of his guardian and parent after our own parents died. If I revealed too much annoyance, it would only give him more fuel to persist.

“What are you up to?” I raised my eyebrow and gave him a lecturing tone.

His response was to roll his eyes and sigh gruffly. “I’m trying to help you, remember?”

‘Right.” I gave him a swift nod and laced my fingers together on top of the kitchen table. I glanced out the window and waited to see if Chad would say anything else.

Chad plopped down in the seat next to me. He was wearing a pair of jeans with a hole in one knee. He wore black Converse sneakers, and his reddish-brown hair was disheveled as if he had not taken any effort to make himself look presentable after rolling out of bed.

He had on a white t-shirt with a flannel shirt thrown sloppily on top. Anyone getting a first impression of Chad would probably assume he was far younger than his actual age, but that was just part of his personality.

Chad didn’t give a shit what anybody thought about him, and he’d be the first to admit that to anyone he encountered.

Unfortunately for me, I was on that list as well. I wish I had whatever gene it was that made Chad unscathed by anything that went on in his life. If I could tone down my worry list, I would probably live a little more peacefully.

“Here’s your precious ad,” he drawled sarcastically and casually tossed a crumbled piece of paper my direction. He was chastising me, but I wouldn’t take his bait.

“Um . . . thanks.” I gave him a weary smile and retrieved the piece of paper. I smoothed out the textured surface and studied the contents.

I had been an elementary school teacher for several years and loved every minute of it. I was passionate about helping others learn about different cultures. I made it not only my career, but a full-time hobby as well.

I was in between jobs now, and Chad told me he had an ‘opportunity I couldn’t pass up.’ My initial reaction to him was laced with cynical disbelief. Like I mentioned before, he wasn’t exactly the most trustworthy person out there.

Should I believe him? I wasn’t entirely sure, but I needed to branch out and embrace the prospect of something bigger than myself being possible. He was well-known as a prankster. Without a current job, I had no choice but to pursue his lead.

My job entailed teaching children how to speak Mixian, a language from our neighboring planet of Mixis. I had been fluent in Mixian for most of my life. I enjoyed speaking it because there was a certain fluidity, and I loved how the words rolled off my tongue.

I took pride in my ability to speak another language from a foreign planet and wanted to share my gifts and talents with the world. I appreciated culture and diversity.

So, naturally, when my brother told me he had a chance of a lifetime for me, curiosity overpowered any sound judgement. My mind told me not to trust him, but I was more desperate than gullible.

I would just have to make sure I kept my guard up when dealing with him. I knew how to shield myself from him and his antics . . . at least, most of the time.

I glanced up at Chad, who was absentmindedly gazing out the window.

“Chad?”

“Hmm?” He briefly flicked his eyes toward me but went back to his whimsical staring at the nature in my backyard. He looked lost in the clouds.

“Um, this job says it’s in Mixis.” I chuckled apprehensively. He appeared distracted.

“So?” He cast me a look of sheer boredom and yawned.

“Nothing, but it’s . . .” I trailed off as words failed to form in my mind. I think I was more shocked than anything. I wasn’t expecting this.

“You don’t want it?” Chad’s tone was dry yet laced with condescension. He flashed me a patronizing glance as if I shouldn’t be picky when I have no other prospects out there.

I scrutinized the ad. It was for a Mixian school which required a live-in English and human customs teacher.

I glanced up at Chad. “It’s certainly appealing,” I noted. I had always wanted to travel and see more of our galaxy. This would be the perfect opportunity to explore.

Chad sighed with impatience and leaned back dramatically in his chair. “Just save me the bullshit. Are you interested or not?” He added an eye roll in there too.

“Yes, I’m very interested.” I nodded with vigor. “I just want to find out a few more details to solidify my decision first,” I admitted.

“Whatever.” Chad stared at the table as if my life choices didn’t affect him in the slightest.

Suspicion prickled my senses. I just knew in my heart that there had to be some kind of catch or punch line to this offer.

“Chad?”

“Yeah?” He finally made eye contact with me for the first time since letting himself into my house a few minutes ago. That was new.

I pointed to his holocam set. It was a digital device he used to record and document his pranks. I hated that damn thing and what it represented. Chat never went anywhere without it, as if it were something he needed for ultimate survival.

“Why do you have that with you?” I raised a suspicious eyebrow as I glanced down at it with skepticism.

He shrugged. “I always take it with me. You never know when the perfect opportunity to use it will arise.” He gave me a smirk to taunt me. I could never tell if he was joking or serious.

“You aren’t taping our conversation?” My voice peaked with inquisitiveness and cynicism. I needed to get to the bottom of this. Maybe I could crack his exterior front.

“Why would I do something like that?” He laughed mockingly, as if the idea hadn’t even phased him and I wasn’t important enough to record.

“I just wanted to make sure,” I affirmed softly and secretly felt a little resentment.

“Well, if you want to apply for the job, the website and instructions are on the bottom.”

He vaguely pointed to the bottom of the page and mumbled that he was leaving. He stood up and began to hastily walk away, but not before grabbing his stupid recorder.

“Where are you going?” I called out behind him, although it was none of my business. Chad didn’t live with me and could come and go as he pleased.

He didn’t appease me with a response, and his goodbye was in the form of the front door slamming shut behind him. Well, that was certainly final. I sighed and leaned back in the chair, crossing my arms. My little brother was certainly a piece of work. He could be a little shit when he wanted to be, too.

I rubbed my temples. Great, I had offended him. Oh, well, what else was new when it came to Chad? He wasn’t exactly the poster boy for affection himself.

I was sure he’d find another excuse to return before too long. He couldn’t stay away. He loved to torment me and drive me crazy. It was the token trademark of a little brother.

I stared at the ad in front of me. My heart pounded with excitement and wonderment at the idea of traveling to Mixis to live there full-time.

I treasured children and other cultures fascinated me. I knew if I was hired, I wouldn’t regret it. It was the perfect time in my life too. I wasn’t tied down with a husband or children to hold me back. I didn’t even have a boyfriend. It was a golden opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up.

It was the perfect job description. What was the catch? It seemed too good to be true. I might as well follow up on it. If it turned out to be a dead end, I could pound on Chad later for screwing with me.

Chad was notorious for plotting schemes. It was part of his token signature field of employment. I usually took everything he told me lightly, with a grain of salt. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I was exceptionally curious at the same time.

This ad looked legit though, and the more I dreamily gazed at it, I thought about the fact that I had nothing to lose by at least applying for the job. My heart raced as I continued to read the description over and over again. It sounded perfect for me. Could Chad be turning over a new leaf to where he wanted me to be happy and succeed?

I could allow the cards to fall where they may, and ebb and flow with the tide of life just like a jellyfish drifting in the sea.

It was time I started embracing being more adventurous. This was the prime of my life. I wasn’t tied down to a spouse or children of my own.

Who knew what blessings might come from traveling to a new planet? The concepts were limitless. The ideas made my belly flutter with eagerness.

I stood up, needing to stretch and collect my viewpoint on the subject. It was just my instinctual habit as a teacher to weigh the pros and cons before coming to an astute conclusion. I had to go into this thing fully prepared.

I yawned and walked to the powder room down the hall. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. My soft blue eyes were full of zest and hunger, and my red hair glistened under the light, a true testament marking the accuracy of how I felt inside—spunky and keen.

“I can do this,” I told my face glancing back at me in the mirror with a burst of confidence and enthusiasm.

I expelled a remarkably deep breath and walked nervously back to the kitchen table. The piece of paper with the ad might as well have been burning a hole through me as I stared at it in wonderment.

I retrieved the paper and walked to the front of my house. I glanced out the window and noticed that Chad’s car was no longer in my driveway.

He was gone, so that had to be a decent sign that I wasn’t the subject of his next prank. That being said, even as his sibling, that didn’t make me immune to becoming the brunt of his jokes, and I had to stay aware at all times.

I walked upstairs and turned on my laptop, staring at the screen as I contemplated what information to add to my application to enhance my experience and entice the hiring staff with a favorable impression of my best qualities.

The online application was written all in Mixian. As I trudged through it, I became more befuddled at the choice of questions presented on the pages.

Why did I have to put my weight, height, and hair color? Those seemed like very personal and unnecessary questions. Perplexity rose in my mind, but I pressed forward, diligently answering each question in order.

Maybe they needed my physical features to make sure I would be a marvelous fit to blend in with the children. I tried to keep an open mind because the job was perfect and I really wanted to snag it.

I’m sure my gnawing questions would end with answers if I made it far enough into the interviewing process.

I had to remind myself that I was just filling out the initial application and I would have to see where that led me. At the end of the process, it required me to upload a current picture of myself that couldn’t be blurry.

I found it to be an odd request but nevertheless followed the instructions to a tee. If everything unfolded as I hoped it would, I could find myself on a ship to Mixis before I blinked an eye.

The thrill of that prospective opportunity charged me with electric ambition and excitement. Maybe my baby brother was looking out for my wellbeing after all.

If I got the job, of course I would have to find some way to repay him for his efforts. Until then, I would wait out the process and wait to hear more details.

My finger hovered hesitantly over the submit button. I decided to re-scan my answers in order to tweak any unnecessary or uncomplimentary information about myself, but upon re-inspection, I was left feeling pleased and delighted with my accomplishments.

I drew in a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut. I pounded my index finger down on the Send button and then heard a little jingle.

I opened my eyes. It was done. My application was officially and formally submitted for review from the Mixian school.

I stared at the words displayed across my computer screen. “Congratulations! Someone will be contacting you soon for results should you make it to the interview process.”

I shrieked and looked out the window at the Earth I knew and loved. Would I soon be leaving it to embrace another culture where the landscape would inevitably be sprawling with captivating new nature to explore?

I certainly hoped so.

That afternoon, I tried to keep my mind busy and occupied so I wouldn’t entirely focus on the application. I was nervous and fidgety, but I walked around the house doing chores to keep my hands busy.

I didn’t have to wait a lengthy amount of time. To my baffled surprise, within an hour, I received an ominous email from the “Mixis Academy” stating they would like to conduct a formal interview with me.

I bounced up and down with excitement. This was it, this was really happening. A new journey of beginnings was right around the corner, and all I had to do was charm my future employers. Reality was sinking in. I might have just turned a corner to change my life forever.