Beep, beep, beep, beep...
I woke up to the petrifying sound of the alarm clock bursting into my ears. Thanks to my muscle memory, I quickly turned it off. It took me a few minutes to realise what day it was—February 14th, 2035. Today, I was going to receive the results for my entrance exam to the Academy of Astronauts.
I was hoping to get in, as I have always been a space enthusiast, evidenced by the books found lying around my cosy room. I quickly got up, not wanting to be late.
On my way to the bathroom, I encountered my mum, Justine.
- It's your big day today, isn't it? - She asked cheerfully. I nodded in agreement.
After covering my basic needs in the bathroom, I got dressed and went to the kitchen. A sandwich with ham and some radish & pickle slices caught my attention. It seems like mom made it in 20 seconds, but that wasn't a bad thing, because I only needed a quick snack. I swiftly ate it, even though Justine told me not to rush my breakfast.
I came back to my room, where an empty blue backpack with the label "CHRIS" on it was sitting on my bed. I packed all I needed for the escapade, then emptied it because I was afraid that I had forgotten something. After repacking, I finally got to the door.
I looked at the mirror. My short, dark brown (almost black) hair looked good, at least better than usual. My silver glasses were cleaned, which is a rare occurrence. Thanks to this, my brown eyes were clearly visible. I was wearing a bright blue blouse and black trousers. I think they look pretty cool when combined!
- I ordered a taxi to get you to the academy. I won't do this every time, but today is a special day. Let's get outside, it should be here in a few minutes - Justine said. She led me out of our little apartment, and I followed her, not wanting to waste any time. To our surprise, the taxi was already there
- That's weird... - I thought, but I didn't complain, as being in the academy earlier was only a good thing. I sat down and ordered the taxi driver to drive me to the Academy of Astronauts. Justine gave me 20 dollars, which seemed to me like a bit much, but again, I didn't complain. She said "Goodbye!" and came back home. I was heading to the place I've been thinking about for ages.
I tried to relax, but it was a difficult task. I was afraid that I had messed something up during the entrance exam and they wouldn't let me in.
- Relax, Chris, relax... - I told myself, trying to be quiet. The taxi driver heard me anyway.
- Are you okay, sir? - The guy asked. I glanced at him. He seemed to be in his mid-forties and was wearing a brown t-shirt with the text "FLORIDA RULES!" on it. He also wore black sunglasses, hiding his eyes. His brown hair was short. That's all I noticed, because he quickly turned back to focus on the road.
- Yes, I'm going to receive the results of an important exam, and that makes me a bit nervous - I replied, as calmly as I could. The driver connected the dots and suddenly asked me:
- Are you planning to become an astronaut?
- Uhh, yes... - he caught me off guard - I am passionate about space, and exploring it has always been a dream of mine... - I added.
- Big children, big dreams...- He replied, sighing slightly.
I looked out the window and briefly saw the Kennedy Space Centre. Before I could get a good look at it, we drove past the complex. We were getting close.
- Time Skip -
We arrived at the Academy of Astronauts. It was a sleek, tall building, with barely any windows to break up the white walls. Solar panels covered the roof, and doors of a similar colour led me into the lobby. The taxi disappeared as soon as I paid the driver, but I wouldn't have noticed that if I hadn't looked back. I sat down on a black sofa in the corner of the lobby. I tried to look calm, but I knew I was achieving the opposite. A boy, presumably a year or two older, sat down next to me. His shirt was perfectly white, and his pants were fully black. Quite the contrast. I caught his attention as he looked at me briefly. He had green eyes, brown hair (the same colour as the taxi driver!) and freckles.
- You're also waiting for results? - The boy asked. Why was everyone asking me questions ever since I got up today?
- Yes - I replied, pushing my thoughts aside.
- Well, we're in the same situation. I'm Sebastian - he introduced himself in a friendly tone.
- I'm Chris - I replied as I shook his hand. Sebastian sat next to me, silently. I checked my phone. It was 11:58. I was a mere two minutes away from getting the results I've been waiting for.
- But what if it goes wrong? What will happen if I am not enrolled? What will I do? - various questions were floating around my head. Pondering those questions, the two minutes have passed. The time has come.
I quickly got up from the couch, much to Sebastian's surprise. I was supposed to be in the secretariat now, so I was scrambling to find it. That wasn't easy, as there was a maze of hallways leading to various, luckily labelled rooms. On my way to find the right one, I saw many people, boys and girls, both younger and older. I didn't pay much attention to them, focusing on my goal. Eventually, I found the right room and entered it.
I noticed a dark wooden desk and a black chair. On it was an old man whose face was so emotionless that he might have been just a statue. I assumed that this man in a navy blue suit must be the principal. Next to him was standing another old man, whose face looked eerily similar to that of Albert Einstein, so I nicknamed that guy "Einstein" for the time being. I didn't get a good look at him, as I focused on the principal. There was a second chair, on which I sat, facing the stat... I mean, principal.
- Christopher Smith - The principal said in a near-robotic tone - I have only two words for you... - He sat there without making any audible noises for approximately five seconds, and then broke his silence - You're in.
ns216.73.216.13da2
and then Add to home screen.