Fondest Memory

Day 1 (Arrival)

Arrival from Flight 2461 from Alabama, please proceed to baggage claim 5.

I basically skip over to the baggage claim and start to actively look for it. Finally, a big blue duffel bag rolls over, filled to the brim with sweatpants, jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and fantasy books. My 3DS, my phone, and my kindle are all in my backpack and are all in airplane mode, and I'm worried that my SpotPass and StreetPass are gonna miss thousands of people with 3DS in the airport, so I quickly get it out of my backpack and turn wireless connectivity on.

Knowing that I'm standing in the middle of nowhere staring at my handheld like an idiot, I shuffle over to the exit. A kid with glasses and pimples walks towards the people waiting for him and my StreetPass Plaza gets a green orb around its edge. The kid's avatar has a surprisingly cool Bowser hat.

Stephen, 11, Colorado

Favourite title: Pokémon Gold

"I love Chikorita"

My least favourite generation and my least favourite starter Pokémon. Pathetic. At least he likes the best company. All you Microsoft and Sony fans, nuh-uh. Nintendo knows and rules all.

I exit baggage claim and walk toward the "Welcome to Milwaukee" sign. After that, I start looking for Mom and Dad. I find Mom, but Dad is nowhere in sight. When she sees me, she runs over and hugs me tightly. A year in a boarding school will give moms the willies.

"I missed you sooooo much!!!!!" She exclaims in glory and pride.

"Me too, mom." I whisper without sarcasm. "Where's Dad?"

"He had to stay home. He caught a virus," Mom explains sadly "but you'll see him soon!"

The trip from the airport to our house is a 20-30 minute drive, and we're already approaching the car. I wish that today will pass by quickly, because tomorrow I'm going bowling with everyone.

My phone's lock screen is brimming with missed calls from Mom once I turn off airplane mode.

"You got nervous." I laughingly say to Mom.

"What? No. What made you think that?"

I show her my missed calls.

"13, Mom. 13 calls." I laugh and see her guilty smile.

I pull out my 3DS and continue my saved game. Time passes by so fast that Mom has to tell me we're home. I get out of the car and step through the crunchy pebbles which bounce up as I press them. I stand proudly in my front yard, smelling the Wisconsin. 4219 is what reads on the front of my beautiful home on Stowell Avenue. I cautiously open the front door. Nothing. Dad is sitting at the table, working. I say hi and go towards my bedroom. As I start walking towards it, I see Dad pinch his nose in frustration. He hasn't gotten sleep in more than 3 days, as a result of his insomnia stepping up to another level. I swear that I would put him to sleep even if it meant me getting none.

I open my bedroom door slowly, as if this would help me have a surprise party. I'm not normally superstitious.

"SUPRISE!"

My room explodes. Not quite literally.