Mary had two huge moles on her cheeks. Erich actually liked them—they softened her scowling face and made her look almost kind. The other two kids, a boy and a girl, didn’t matter much. He didn’t even know their names; they just laughed at whatever Maris and Mary said.
“Do I need to get ready?” Nibi asked quietly as they drew near.
“Yeah… but don’t worry. They’re not really mean. They just don’t see the sky the way we do. And you—you can actually fly in it. That makes you three times happier than all of them put together.”
“What are you mumbling about, Big Er?” Maris sneered, then snorted with laughter. “Let me guess—you’re rambling about tree branches again, or which bug is prettier. You’re such a dork!”
The whole crew burst into laughter. Mary added her spice:
“Look who he’s got with him! Usually it’s just his dumb, flea-bitten dog, but now he’s swapped it out for this… What, did even your mutt get tired of you?”
“No, no!” her brother cut in, twirling a finger at his temple. “That is his dog! He just turned it into a person. Look—same weird look on her face.”
“You’re right—spitting image! Even the tail sticks out. Turns out Big Er’s a wizard, only with the lamest magic ever!”
All eyes locked on Nibi. She was hurriedly tucking her lats back into her jeans, but instead of blushing, her skin shimmered brighter, shifting colors like quicksilver. That had to mean she was embarrassed. She fixed her gaze on the brother and sister and asked sharply:
“Want me to turn back into a dog and bite your fingers?”
The four bullies blanched and staggered back a step. Nibi spun on her heel and strode off into the little park beside the school.
And Erich? He was frozen in place, throwing helpless glances between the suddenly silent bullies and the girl storming away.
What do I do? Why can’t I say anything? I’m supposed to stand up for her. She’s my guest!
The spell finally broke, and Erich bolted forward under the jeering cries of the bullies who had recovered and decided to get revenge for their scare. He ignored their nonsense, poured every ounce of himself into running, and sprinted faster than he ever had before.
But Nibi was gone.
His eyes darted wildly, scanning every detail around him. Then he spotted a figure behind a tangle of scraggly bushes and dying plants. Rushing over, he found Nibi sitting right on the bare ground, legs stretched out in front of her.
Suddenly, she laughed. A bright, ringing laugh. Erich flinched in surprise.
“Whoa! What’s so funny?” he asked, baffled.
She explained, still smiling:
“I haven’t figured out your emotions yet. I don’t really know what to do when I’m sad. So far, I’ve only learned laughter. And honestly? I like it much better than tears.”
That answer set Erich off. He doubled over, shaking with laughter.
“Ha-ha! You’re right! Laughing really is way better than being sad. I should try your method sometime.”
Nibi studied him thoughtfully and asked quietly:
“Why did they make fun of you… and me? Are we worse than they are?”
Without thinking, Erich answered straight from the heart:
“No. It’s just… while they waste time messing around and hurting people, we’d rather sit on the cold ground and watch tree branches sway in the wind. They judge us by our clothes, but we judge the air—how cool and fresh it feels.”
She lifted both hands, like she was trying to touch the air itself, and nodded.
“It really is… invigorating.”
“And this rock poking into my back? Ice cold and sharp. I don’t like that one nearly as much,” he complained sincerely, then burst out laughing again. His co-laugher couldn’t help but join in.
“You know what…” He suddenly jumped to his feet, puffing out his chest. “Mom’s totally gonna scold me, but let’s skip school today! I mean, I’ll skip it—you don’t need it in space anyway. Let’s go to the place I always visit when I’m sad and want to be with someone who understands me.”
“Interesting! Let’s do it,” Nibi agreed. And so they set off once more on foot, the day’s walking already starting to feel natural. Somehow their legs never got tired. Digging in his backpack, Erich discovered two bananas, already a little browned.
They shared a quick snack. Nibi loved it and admitted honestly that instead of turning into Pobbi, she’d much rather transform into a banana tree.
Their walk didn’t last long—hardly anything in this little town was far away. Erich thought to himself: A small town with Big (though still small) Er and the cosmic Nibi.
They stepped onto a dirt road, pressed flat by the tracks of passing cars. On both sides stretched endless empty fields, not yet ready to grow anything. And in that wide expanse stood a single dry little tree, with a small portrait tied to its trunk.
The picture showed a man with thick eyebrows, messy hair, and mischievous eyes.
“His smile looks a lot like yours,” Nibi observed.
“That’s because it is my father. But you knew that already, didn’t you? You always seem to know everything,” Erich confirmed. He stepped closer, gently wiped the dust off the picture with his sleeve, then smiled just like his father—so the picture would smile back.
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.