The door of my cell barely clicks when it shuts behind the guard. Even the lock turning is a soft sound, and I check out my new residence for the next thirty days. As part of our sentence Caiden and I are required to work for the scientists that will be studying us, and we cannot leave the lab. Although Caiden assured me I won’t be missing much, because life on Eroscia isn’t much better than the lab.

I discover the bed is made up with white linens, and the comforter looks as plush as those in a high-end hotel. There’s a desk with a laptop computer and a partition that hides the toilet from view. The old man that arrested Caiden and me was right; this is not an earth prison at all. My feet tap lightly on the floor of the nearly colorless room as I walk over to the blue buttons on the wall where I can order food and water. My fingernail clicks on the one for a beverage and within seconds a small door opens on the machine, and a cup is extended. It hovers in the air in front of me before I take it. It occurs to me the Eroscian’s telekinetic ability is a handy way to keep safe from dangerous criminals.

I recall how Caiden said he loved me and sigh. I’m not sure if I’ve fallen in love with my alien match as quickly, but my feelings for him are strong. I wonder if they’re going to be enough to sustain me through a lifetime on a strange planet. Cool liquid soothes my dry throat as I sip on water. But marrying Caiden is the least of my worries. I’m more concerned about being a science project for breeding. While having children is something I’ve considered, I thought I could hold off on the decision for a few more years. Added to that is the fact I’m never going to return to Earth.

My chest tightens with the urge to cry as I think about never seeing my family or friends again. Caiden told me he lived underground on Eroscia, and the idea that I won’t breathe fresh air again makes my skin itch. I begin to scratch. A hand I can’t see gently grips my fingers to stop me. “Caiden?” His familiar touch strokes my cheek, and tears spring to my eyes. I look at the ceiling. “Lexi, please be on your way to fix this.”

As moisture rolls down my cheeks, I remember kissing my alien in the rainstorm at the park. In intimate ways. Ways he insisted we shouldn’t do. But did I listen? No. And now we’re both about to become lab rats because I had to have my way. A sob escapes me as desperation fills my mind, and the mattress bounces wildly under me when I throw myself on the bed. The plush comforter cuddles my body as I weep. Fingers I’m sure belong to Caiden smooth the hair back from my face, and light kisses flutter along my cheeks. My crying subsides as I let him soothe me. The sensation of him lying next to me on the bed and holding me in his arms makes my heart swell with emotions as warmth travels through my bloodstream. I imagine the deep tone of his voice and the way he firmly said he loved me. Exhaustion makes my muscles relax, and I settle into the comforting embrace of my alien as I fall asleep.

I wake to the sound of birds chirping, and a stream of yellow light makes me squint when I open my eyes. What appears to be a window is on the wall, but since I know my room is underground it must be more alien magic.

“Will you marry me Bi-ill.” sings a young woman as she enters the room and dances her way over to the bed holding a long white gown that looks like a wedding dress. “I’ve got the wedding day blu-ues,” I sit up as the girl stops to face me. She’s just as beautiful as Seline from yesterday and it makes me wonder if all the remaining Eroscian women are tall and thin before the reality of the white dress she’s holding hits me. “Rise and shine, earth girl. I decided you can call me Trina. Do you like the name?” I frown for a second before I realize the girl must have picked an earth name for herself. “We’ve got to get you ready.”

“Hold on. Ready for what?”

“Your wedding, silly,” says Trina as she fondles beads on the gown. “I can’t tell you how jealous I am that you’re going to make this dress look better than mine.”

“You’re kidding. With your tall slender figure I’m sure you looked like a model.” I shake my head to focus on what’s happening instead of fashion. “Am I really getting married today?”

“You are, and your curves in this gown are going to make more than Caiden drool. Now get up so we can try it on you. Then while you bathe I can get the alterations done. Your wedding is at eleven.”

Oh god. I take a deep breath as I try to think of a way to stall. I’ve known Caiden for three days and that’s not nearly enough time to be ready for marriage. “Um. Tell me how weddings work on your planet. Do I get bridesmaids or anything? Because I’d really like my two best friends, and my parents. They’ll want to be here and--”

The girl is shaking her head as she frowns. “There’s no time. You’re supposed to start breeding right away, and the arrangement with Earth was you can’t do that until you’re married.”

“Right.” I let out a heavy sigh. “Breeding.” I think about how I got Caiden into this mess and wonder if he’s anxious too. As if he knows I’m thinking about him the sensation of his lips brushing mine makes me smile. There are a lot worse things I could endure than ending up with my sexy alien for life. But I wonder if marrying Caiden will it make it harder for Lexi to get me back to Earth, because I’m not giving up hope my friend can save me in time.

The bed creaks as I climb out of it. “Fine. Let me get coffee first.”

“Nope.” Trina’s voice is stern when she says, “I told you, we don’t have time to waste. Now strip down and put this dress on.”

I resign myself to doing what Trina orders even though my pulse begins to race with panic. The silk is cool on my skin as I step into the gown, and it’s heavy on my shoulders as Trina zips it up. I resist the urge to scratch and notice Trina’s eyebrows are raised as if she’s waiting for feedback. Her face is so hopeful I push aside my panic to say, “I’m surprised you have such ornate wedding dresses considering you all wear clothing like a second skin.”

“Oh, we never used to. But now that we’ve seen what humans do, everyone is obsessed with your culture.” She snaps her fingers, and a mirror appears on the wall to replace the sunny window. “Seamstresses like me are now busy creating clothes like yours. It’s great for business.”

I remember the ideas about Earth that Caiden had and how they were gleaned from television. “I bet the next big thing will be human names,” says Trina. “I’m so glad I’m one of the first to get one. Hey! I’m a trendsetter.”

I chuckle as the girl pinches fabric at my waist, and I glance in the mirror to notice the way the garment flares out at my hips emphasizing my hourglass shape. “You are. And if you made this dress I’m impressed. It’s gorgeous.”

“You really think so? I’m so glad.” Trina steps back and surveys the gown. “Perfect. Be careful sliding out of that so you don’t get poked by a pin.”

When Trina leaves, I walk over to the serving station and select coffee and breakfast. Even though my stomach is knotted up with nerves considering I’m about to get married, I need to eat. A bowl is held out to me along with a steaming cup of coffee.

I sit on the bed to eat a gray substance that is the consistency of oatmeal. The mashed food is warm, but it seems to have the flavor of cardboard. I hold it in my mouth hoping for a different taste to happen, but it never does. “Are you kidding me? Haven’t you people heard of sugar?” I glance around the room and my panic returns. As my skin burns with the need to scratch, I send a silent prayer to Lexi, because even with Caiden, life as a lab rat on Eroscia doesn’t look good.