Note from the author: Total Words: 23,244. Words to go: 6,756.
You’d think the excitement and anticipation would keep me up, but sleep won out. I think I slept through the whole ride. I remember the pilot announcing that we had broken through Earth’s atmosphere and then I must’ve fallen asleep. Next thing I know Amy is gently shaking me awake. I rise groggily and exit the shuttle.
I glance around. Moon Academy looks the exact same. It feels like I attended this school lifetimes ago, but I suppose it’s only been a week. I was half expecting the place to look different. I guess it’s me that’s changed, not the school.
We are greeted by none other than Ms. Yellow herself. She escorts us to the graduation room, babbling the whole way, even though we obviously know where it is.
When we reach the room where the ceremony is held, I am surprised to see only four seats set out. Maybe the rest of his friends and family couldn’t make it. That’s too bad. I tell Amy that I have to go to the bathroom, and ask her if she could save my seat.
“Of course Charlie, but make it quick,” she answers.
“Thanks Amy. I’ll be right back,” I reply. I speed walk out of the room and head for the restrooms, but instead of turning right towards the bathroom, I turn left towards the co-ed dorms. Once I leave the hallway I walk a little slower. I’m pretty sure non-students aren’t supposed to enter the dorms and I don’t want to attract attention to myself. I still walk pretty fast though. I don’t want to take too long and make Amy nervous.
I fast walk down to Matty’s door then knock three times.
“Maid service,” I say in a weird, nasally, foreign accent.
“One minute, I’m coming. Sorry, one sec,” I hear him say through the door.
The door opens and I find myself staring right at Matt’s six-pack abs. Whoa, the boy is fit. And tall. He must’ve had a growth spurt while I was gone. I quickly avert my eyes to his face and smile.
“Charlie?! Oh Charlie, it’s great to see you,” he says beaming. He picks me up and swings me around in a circle.
“Hey there big guy,” I say giggling once he puts me down.
“So Amy and Gus are here too then? I can’t wait to see them. Let’s head on down,” he says enthusiastically reaching to close the door.
I put my hand on his shoulder, “Uh Matty?”
“Yeah?” he replies probably wondering what the holdup is.
“You should probably put on a shirt first,” I suggest mockingly.
He glances down at his bare chest, “Oh, you think I should?” he jokes.
“I mean you don’t have to,” I play along. “Should I go shirtless too? So we match?”
“Hmmm. Sounds good to me,” he deadpans running back into his room. I hear the closet bang and he emerges in a dress shirt and a gray vest. He has a clip-on bowtie in his hands. “Will you do the honors?” he asks handing me the bowtie.
I clip it on. “There you go, Matty. Let’s go get you graduated,” I respond. We walk arm and arm back to the graduation room.
“There you are Charlie. Bathroom, huh?” Amy says fixing me with a knowing look. “And hello Matt! It’s lovely to see you again. Thanks for inviting us to your graduation. Don’t you look handsome,” she greets Matty straightening his tie.
“Hey Matt. Bet you can’t wait to get some real food when we get back,” Gus says mussing Matt’s hair.
“You got that right, Gus,” Matt responds. “I’ve been craving some BBQ ribs.”
