Caleb navigated his way through a cluster of students, clutching his worn backpack. He paused as he noticed a new face—Artty, tall and awkward, with strangely luminous eyes and a hesitant smile. Caleb approached, curiosity piqued by the newcomer's odd air. "Hey, you must be the new guy. I’m Caleb. Need help finding your first class?" "Thanks. I’m Artty. This place is... bigger than I expected," replied Artty, his voice carrying a peculiar cadence.

Caleb invited Artty to sit with him, introducing him to the usual lunchtime chaos. They traded stories about favorite movies and games, but Artty's answers were sometimes oddly formal or just a little too literal. Still, Caleb found himself drawn to Artty's earnestness. "You know, you talk kind of funny. Where are you from, anyway?" "A place very far from here," Artty replied, glancing quickly at the window as if measuring the distance to some unseen horizon.

Caleb and Artty walked side by side, skimming stones across a puddle left by the rain. Suddenly, Artty hesitated, his usually calm face tense with indecision. He looked at Caleb, as if weighing whether to trust him. "If I told you I wasn’t from this planet, would you believe me?" "You mean... like an alien? From outer space?" Caleb laughed uncertainly, but Artty's serious gaze made the laughter fade.

Artty reached into his backpack and produced a small, shimmering device that pulsed with colors not found in the human spectrum. The object hovered above his palm, casting shifting patterns on the walls. Caleb stared, wide-eyed, as the reality of Artty's secret settled over him. "I am from Pitoniaria. I was sent here to learn about your people. I chose you because you seemed kind," "This is... incredible. Why trust me with this?"

Artty explained his fears—of being discovered, of never returning home, of not belonging. Caleb listened, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He realized that Artty needed a friend more than anyone else. "I won't tell anyone. You’re safe with me, Artty. We’ll figure this out together," "Thank you, Caleb. I have never had a friend before,"

Caleb and Artty made a pact to keep the secret and help Artty adjust to life on Earth. As they watched the sun rise, Caleb realized that sometimes the strangest friendships are the ones that change your world forever. "No matter where you’re from, you belong here—at least as long as you want to," "And as long as I have a friend like you, that is enough,"