2 Excited Parents

Two excited parents. ZEKE BURST THROUGH the front door of his house. "Xad! Quar! I have something to tell you," he shouted.

"I'm up here, Zeke," said his father, Xad. Zeke looked up and saw his dad floating near the ceiling. He sat in a cross-legged position. A metal helmet rested on his head. Xad then drifted down, landing on the floor.

"I was just mind-transferring some of my latest research," Xad explained. "Did you know that humans wear different shoes in the rain and snow than they do on a sunny day?" "I guess they don't have adap-afiber here," said Zeke. "What is it, Zeke?" Quar, his mother, called out. She appeared in a shimmering haze to them, holo-projecting her image. "I'm out in the garden." "Harris and Roxy have agreed to come here tomorrow," Zeke said.

"That's great, Zeke," said Quar. "We are so glad that you made two new friends so quickly." "Yes, and it will also be the perfect chance to do some research on humans—up close!" said Xad.

"Don't forget you have to be as 'human' as possible, too," said Zeke, crossing his arms. "I don't want my friends to wonder what you're doing." "Don't worry, Zeke," said Quar. "We will be careful and respectful." Zeke nodded, then settled down to mind-project his homework.

At the same time, next door in Harris's house, Harris told his parents about Zeke's invitation. "That's wonderful!" said Harris's mom. "Well, I'm just glad you've given up on that crazy alien stuff," said his dad. Harris nodded to reassure his parents, but thought: Tomorrow, I'm finally going to prove that Zeke really is an alien!