I Wish I Was An Alien

In the small, sleepy town of Elmswood, 17-year-old Iris Thorn lived a life of monotony. The gray skies mirrored her soul, and her heart yearned for something more. She often sat atop the hill behind her home, staring into the vast universe, whispering her secret wish to the stars: *"I wish I was an alien."*

Unlike her peers, who thrived on socializing and TikTok trends, Iris felt like an outsider. Her sharp intellect, fascination with extraterrestrial life, and vivid dreams of strange worlds set her apart. She wore her difference like armor, but deep down, she longed for a connection she had never found among humans.

One cold January night, Iris's world turned upside down. Wrapped in a woolen blanket, she sat on her hill with her telescope. The skies were unusually clear, the stars twinkling like diamonds. But one star outshone the rest—a blazing orb that seemed to move closer.

As the light grew, her pulse quickened. It wasn't a star. It was a ship.

The craft landed soundlessly in the meadow below. It shimmered like liquid silver, its surface rippling as though alive. Iris stood frozen, heart pounding, as a hatch opened. From the glowing interior emerged a being unlike anything she had imagined.

Tall and slender, with luminescent skin that shifted colors like a living nebula, the alien radiated an aura of calm. Its large, obsidian eyes studied her with a mixture of curiosity and recognition.

"Iris Thorn," the being said in a voice that resonated directly in her mind, bypassing language. "You have called us many times. Tonight, we answer."

Stunned, Iris stammered, "You... you heard me?"

"We hear all who seek the stars. Few are worthy of an answer. But you, child of Earth, are not what you seem."

Confusion gripped her. "What do you mean? I'm just... me."

The alien extended a hand, a soft glow emanating from its palm. "Come. Your questions will find answers aboard the Celestara."

Against all logic, Iris felt an undeniable pull toward the being. She stepped forward, her hand trembling as it met the alien's. In an instant, they were aboard the ship.

The interior was breathtaking—a kaleidoscope of light and energy, with walls that shifted to display vast galaxies. Iris felt weightless, yet anchored by a comforting presence.

"Where are we?" she whispered.

"Everywhere and nowhere," the alien replied. "This ship exists beyond the confines of your reality. Now, let me show you who you are."

The alien placed a hand on her forehead, and a surge of warmth flooded her mind. Memories that weren't her own surfaced—glimpses of a world bathed in eternal twilight, creatures soaring on iridescent wings, and a race of beings identical to the alien before her.

"You are one of us, Iris," the being revealed. "You were sent to Earth as an infant, a seed of our people, hidden among humans to preserve our legacy. The time has come for you to return."

Disbelief coursed through her. "No. That can't be true. I'm human. I have a family, a life..."

"Your human life was a gift—a chance to learn their ways, to see their beauty and flaws. But your essence is ours. That is why you never felt at home."

Tears welled in Iris's eyes. It explained so much—her unshakable feeling of being different, her dreams of otherworldly landscapes, and her insatiable curiosity about the cosmos. Yet, the revelation tore at her heart.

"Do I have to leave Earth?" she asked.

"Not entirely," the alien said. "You are a bridge between worlds. You can choose to stay, to guide humanity toward a brighter future, or to join us among the stars. The choice is yours."

Iris stared out at the infinite expanse displayed on the ship's walls. She thought of her family, her lonely existence, and the chance to finally belong. The weight of the decision pressed on her chest.

"I don't know what to do," she admitted.

The alien placed a hand on her shoulder. "Listen to your heart, Iris. It will guide you."

After what felt like hours, she made her decision. "If I'm a bridge, I have to stay. I want to help humanity. But I also want to know my people, my origins."

The alien nodded, its eyes shimmering with approval. "A wise choice. We will remain connected. Whenever you need us, look to the stars."

With a wave of its hand, Iris found herself back on the hill, the ship a glowing speck rising into the heavens. She clutched a small, pulsating crystal left in her palm—a token of her heritage.

From that night on, Iris's life transformed. She became a voice of hope and unity in her community, her knowledge and empathy inspiring those around her. And though she remained on Earth, she knew she was never truly alone.

The stars were her home, and someday, she would return.