I opened the door and he hugged me, then punched me in my gut.

"Ahh!", I frowned.

"How you man", he grinned from ear to ear and entered my room.

We were meeting after months, he looked different; much taller than before almost my height, he had black eyes as obsidian, sharp features like the angels we see in old greek pictures,  jet black straight hair. I haven't realized how much I missed him until now.

"Nice, you stupid pigling"' I said.

"Did you see the news? ", ignoring my comment he continued in his chirpy voice "and I missed you, man"

"Yeah; I missed you too", I felt happier after seeing his face. I remembered Mr. Bernad's words, I asked: "And what's with this test thingie?".

"I don't know much about it but it's going to be tuff. Father never tells me anything that he is not supposed to", he stopped abruptly as if he was thinking something.

Nyx and I met years ago when I was roaming around the shops of Hover, I was going to the sweetshop when he ran into me with his bicycle gifting me a lump on my forehead. He asked if I was fine and then he laughed, like, seriously laughed. Though it was not that bad after all because; I don't know why but I too after seeing him; laughed. It was a nice coincidence as our fathers were also friends. 

He was still staring at the walls, lost in his thinking "Whaaat?" I questioned.

He broke out the daydreaming mist he was into and in a serious tone he said: "uh, ah". "Oh! actually something was unsettling in my father's speech", Nyx said; still dazed.

"And what's that ?" I asked Nyx was serious. (a rare sight).

"Actually they are saying that the packed food which is left will last us for a decade" he paused touched his hair and continued "I don't know how or which technology there are using but there is no method by which they can store it and still keep it edible for a decade. I mean how can the food not be spoiled for 3650 days." he frowned.

He was right, these two days were so hectic that I hadn't been able to think clearly. 

"Maybe they are using some more advanced technology. We don't know what's in the bag of these E.A.R.T.H people, or they might have stored food like honey or something, I don't know." I finished.

"But still man. Maybe you are right," he confirmed. Though still looked in doubt. His face looked like he had pain in his podex.

We heard the door creak. It's 2319 and this hotel has gates that creak. Actually, this hotel was inspired by the 21st century's architecture (which is ugly). A handsome man appeared in our room, closing the door behind him.

"Hey kids" my dad waved from the gate. He had a clean shaved face, with a chiseled jawline. Buzzcut resembling he was in the army and thin pink lips. He smiled as he waved in his uniform. 

"Hey, Dad!" I smiled.

"Hey uncle!", Nyx waved showing a toothy grin. He called my dad uncle which my dad liked. 

"Hey Dad; what is this test," I asked. He came and took a seat on the couch.

A light of excitement shined in his eyes "It's great Remus, my team at E.A.R.T.H has started working on it. You two should start focusing on your studies", he said this with a bunch more advice on our grades. 

"Uncle, can I take Remus with me for playing;" before my father said something Nyx continued "please uncle please". 

"Uh-uh; okay but come home early, "My father said looking a bit hurt as we didn't let him continue his little pep talk.

xxx

Nyx dragged me to the city gym we were swinging on the monkey bars.

"Bro I was literally bored of boredom, this test has definitely increased my excitement,"I told him smiling. 

"Yeah man, me too; " he said while swinging upside-down.

We talked for another hour or so before I went back to the hotel room. I had a feeling of nostalgia and guilt; guilt for not being able to meet my friend. Dad was relaxing on the couch, I went to the bathroom to wash my face, I washed my hands and face without using any soap. I peeked into the mirror. I looked different, from what I remember, my eyes were like my mother's, a darker shade of black. Like spheres of ash. My skin had a color of golden wheat, a nose resembling my mother not too sharp, and a developing jawline. I had blond hair like my mother's. I remembered how my mom used to tell me stories, kiss me goodnight when I was little. 

I was just staring at my reflection when my father called me, "Remus, dinner is ready, come let's eat together" 

"Yeah, coming Dad", I looked at my reflection as I left it all alone captured in the mirror. 

A thick pool of saliva formed inside my mouth as I sniffed the air, it smelled of delicious herbs, a seasoned koi with lettuce and tomato sauce was kept on the coffee table waiting for me to devour. My dad smiled at me as I hungrily gobbled up the food. It tasted godly. The hotel waiter came and took our empty plates. 

I stared at the artificial moon from our rooms' balcony when my father said "I always wondered how great space is, billions and billions of stars with planets like the Earth. I had one dream; to go, to space and discover something great, but life never gave me a chance to do it", he paused, I noticed that his voice was sad, he sniffed and continued "but now no worries as my team is working for the humanity's greater good." he continued "will you Remus live my dream?" he asked.

A weird feeling rushed inside me as I looked into his eyes, "Yes dad, I will."

A note from the author - hey folks I wanted this chapter to be longer, do tell me how was this chapter. and sorry for hiding the character's appearance this long, I wanted your imagination to run wild.