He goes completely still, antennas twitching once—then again—like radar picking up trouble. His eyes lock on the door.
"Someone's listening," he says, voice flat and calm. "Probably snack thief."
I freeze, instincts screaming. "Not a snack thief. Something worse." My voice drops to a whisper. "We're not safe."
Jiang blinks at me, totally unfazed. "Should I hide the chips or prepare for battle?"
I shoot him a glare. "Both. And be quiet."
"Understood."
"Jiang, hide your—"
Before I can even finish, he's already moving. In one quick motion, he pulls on his hoodie, slips a headband over his glowing antennae, and—just like that—his eyes turn blue. He hugs the snack pack to his chest and gives me the most innocent smile I've ever seen.
Like a toddler. A literal baby.
A walking cinnamon roll holding contraband chips.
God. This is the alien they'd want to dissect? No way in hell. I stare at him, heart squeezing.
No matter what—I have to protect him.
KNOCK KNOCK.
