The Universe Beyond Ours

Chapter 13 (Part 3)

     With his hair deftly secured, Denis, adorned in a soft pastel orange hoodie, gathers his belongings alongside Harris, their hands moving in synchronized motions as they load the luggage into the waiting confines of the car. The group—comprising Denis, Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix—settles into the vehicle, each taking their place as Meredith assumes the role of the driver, the engine's hum a prelude to the journey ahead. As the car sets into motion, the rhythmic purr of the engine melding with the hum of tyres on asphalt, Denis finds himself seated among his companions, a wave of bashfulness washing over him like a gentle tide. Surrounded by the presence of those who have come together for this shared adventure, a question emerges at the edges of his thoughts: why would they invest so much in him, in this shared experience that seems almost too good to be true?

     Denis is enveloped in a surreal blend of gratitude and disbelief. The warmth of their gestures, the fellowship that binds them together—it all feels like a dream woven from the fabric of reality, a canvas of moments that defy the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary. As he gazes out at the passing scenery, a sense of wonder and humility fills his heart, reminding him that sometimes, the most magical experiences are the ones that unfold in the company of those who see the beauty and worth within.

"Hey, guys? Why would you spend so much on me? It's making me, you know? Heh, shy," Denis asked, his voice clouded with humility.

"First of all, it's not that expensive. We booked the cheapest flight. It only cost us twelve thousand spran!" Philip clarified.

"Twelve thousand!?" Denis gasped, his eyes widening. "That's so expensive!"

"Calm down! That's very cheap!" Meredith reassured him as she drove.

"Right... right," Denis sighed, sinking back into his seat. "I'll trust your instincts over finance since I don't know how money works in this world anyway."

"Right on!" Philip continued. "And second! We feel the urge to help you, Denis. It's like you're our family now."

Denis' heart fluttered with warmth.

"We agree," the others voiced out.

Harris gently touched Denis on the shoulder. "I agree," he whispered to him.

A smile tugged at Denis' lips as he and Harris exchanged glances.

     Soon, Denis, Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix reach the airport, where planes and passengers depart and arrive. The airport is crazily huge, spreading out like a grassland. Denis and his friends walk down the lobby and visit the reception. Then, they pass through the security check, with the security scanning them.

As they walked down the jet bridge, Harris tapped his finger on Denis' shoulder, catching his attention. "Hey, have you ridden a plane before?" Harris asked with a friendly smile.

"Actually, it's my second. But the first one is only a domestic flight," Denis replied, smiling, eager to share details about him. "...I can also get sick. And I fear I might puke."

"Don't you worry, pal," Harris said, placing a hand on Denis' back and comforting him, thus helping him gain courage.

     Soon, after almost 10 hours in the clouds, the plane begins its gentle descent towards the land. Then, its tyres screech as they touch the concrete ground. The plane roars as it drives down the runway, gradually slowing until it eventually halts.

     Later, Denis and his friends walk out of the airport. Denis looks around and feels a different feeling upon seeing Geveria. The place is bright and neon, contrasting against the night sky, with cherry blossom trees adorning the roads. The skyscrapers are rivalling the height of the stars, and the writings on the billboards are reminiscent of the East Asian writings in Denis' world.

"Woah! It's my first time going to Geveria!" Chloe gawked at the towering buildings that shimmered with colourful, bright lights.

"Me, too!" Felix added.

"Well, I can say, it's my first time here as well," Denis chimed in, his eyes fixated on the city before him.

"Well, thanks to you, we got to visit Geveria," Felix grinned.

"Yeah," Chloe nodded playfully.