Welcoming party

My favorite picture of us is definitely the one we took on our first trip to the moon. You were so delighted about the difference in gravity, mom and I could barely keep you still in order for the picture to come out decent. I was taller and stronger at the time, so I ended up on top of you trying to keep you down. The result of the picture proves that I wasn’t successful. The best picture we could take was one with you and me floating upwards as mom laughed at our goofiness. Thankfully we all ended up inside the frame. If you look closer you can read my lips saying “stop” as I tried holding you down in place

Mom always laughed looking at that picture. A picture you also loved since you hung it up in your room.

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Saturday 15th of July 3018

Four days had passed since the teenagers had that accidental first kiss. Emma visited Nyco everyday in the hospital but, since Yve also tagged along, they couldn’t find a romantic and intimate moment for their second attempt at a first kiss. Sometimes, Gyanna also went to visit Nyco at the hospital, making their quest totally impossible.

But that Saturday was different because Nyco was finally discharged from the hospital. Emma had a plan all worked out for such an important moment, she wouldn’t let another day go by without having that deeply desired kiss.

Nyco’s face and foot had healed a lot faster than the doctor’s had estimated. They were all mesmerized about his recovery and said their goodbyes with a big smile. He had made friends with a few nurses since he was a very fun and bright boy. They wouldn’t miss all his escapes from the hospital, but they would certainly miss his wit and charm.

Emma planned a welcoming party at Nyco’s apartment with balloons, music and even the silly pointy hats that make people look like little gnomes. She invited Yve, Gyanna and AI-Juliet. Nyco told her that ever since he had its contact, they talked everyday, so she knew he would enjoy its company.
It wasn’t a surprise party, Yve ruined that plan when she decided to talk about what dress would be appropriate for the party right in front of Nyco. The boy laughed as his new friend apologized for ruining the surprise. Nyco didn’t mind that it wasn’t a surprise anymore, it was heartwarming seeing how they cared for him enough to make a party. The circle of people he cared about was getting bigger and that’s all that mattered.

When Nyco finally arrived at his apartment with Emma, he was welcomed with a big “Welcome Home” sign hanging from the ceiling and a bunch of happy faces celebrating his release from the hospital.

-I’m so glad you are home again, Nyco-, said AI-Juliet.

-Yeah. He can finally stop escaping from his room now-, Emma joked. -How many times did I have to take you back?

-It was only 5 times, Em. Don’t be so melodramatic!-, he teased.

-A normal person wouldn’t even have to be taken back-, she voiced in a friendly banter.

-Pfff, who wants to be normal anyway? A cheer for all the abnormals!!-, Nyco claimed, raising his hand. The only one that cheered was Yve, even Nyco didn’t cheer. -Hahahaha. I can’t believe I got you to cheer for that, Yve.

-Hey! Not fair. I trusted you-, Yve complained.

-My baad, my baaad. Anyway. Who wants to see my cool scar?-, Nyco said excitedly. He had it covered up with a sticky bandage even though he didn’t need to do it. Emma thought it was a ridiculous idea but he insisted the reveal would be fun. He wanted to see their faces.

-I’m kinda curious-, confessed Gyanna. -Can I rip it off?

-Ooooh, I like your style. Sure, rip it off-, Nyco encouraged her. The girl came closer and started taking it off with care. When she finally got it off Nyco saw her jaw drop to the floor. Her reaction made him laugh. -Hahahaha You should see your face-, he laughed.

The rest had a different reaction since they didn’t want to seem rude. They covered their mouths in an attempt to not show their real emotion. His scar was roughly the size of an index finger. It started on the right side of the mouth and crept along his right cheek. It was bigger than they all expected and it was in a place that made you look at it directly. AI-Juliet got close and tried touching it with her hologram hands. “Oh Nyco…” it said with a whisper.
“It 's ok. Really” he assured with a gentle smile.

-I wanted to make this reveal so you all can see that I’m ok with it. It doesn’t bother me at all. Yve, as I said before, don’t think for a second that this is your fault. To me, this is a badge of honor that reminds me how I gave that idiot what he deserved for hurting you. I was able to catch him, break his nose, and now he has criminal charges. Whenever I see it I’ll remember that. So don’t feel bad, please.

Poor Yve ran to his arms and hugged him. She appreciated his speech and showed it with her warm and long hug. “Thank you, Nyco. For everything” she told him.
Emma now understood why he did the reveal like this, he wanted everyone to have a lovely moment to think of when they saw his scar. She smiled in admiration for his thoughtfulness for her friend's feelings.

After the “scar reveal”, the party started. They all danced and ate all the sweets. AI-Juliet felt comfortable enough that it told the story of how they took the picture from Nyco’s wall, the one from their first trip to the moon.
Yve and Gyanna were a little uneasy with the AI at first, but after a while, they got used to it.

Two hours after the party started, Emma finally found a moment to talk to Nyco in private while the others were chatting with each other.

-Would you like to go on an adventure with me on the 5-S?-, Emma asked.

-Sure-, he answered. -Where to?

-It’s a surprise-, she responded with a smile.

-Nice! I just hope you didn’t download another book for me to study-, he joked.

-Don’t tempt me-, she teased.

Nyco was putting his helmet on when Emma called Yve. Her friend came up to her wondering if it was time.

-I’m going to use the 5-S with Nyco. This time don’t take us out of the experience unless it's a life or death situation. Ok?-, she ordered.

-Okay, Got it-, she answered, making the ok sign with her hand.

-Tell the others too. I don’t want any distractions.

-Don’t worry Emma. I got this. Just enjoy. You have everything ready right?-, her friend asked since she knew about her plan.

-Yep. I got the perfect experience loaded for this occasion and the perfect song selected. This time will be perfect-, Emma grinned.

-You go girl! Have fun. And don’t forget to record it.

-Of course I won’t. This will be the true beginning of our story.

Emma sat down next to Nyco and held his hand. She then pressed the button with her left hand and felt herself getting more and more tired until she fell asleep.

When Nyco opened his eyes he was looking down at Earth, their small but beautiful planet. A big landscape of craters as far as the eye could see plus the view of their mother world made him know exactly where he was. The sky was filled with stars of all sizes that seemed to have a friendly competition to see who could capture his attention.

But even though the scenery was breathtaking, the best was yet to come. Emma appeared jumping in front of him with her big and contagious smile. As long as he could see her smile, Nyco knew he would be alright. She extended her hand to him and he hold it gently

-Let’s dance- Emma said.

-Wait what?

Emma pulled Nyco closer delicately and jumped backwards, making him fly over the moon with her.