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Home. It was so close, they could almost taste it. Neel said that home tasted like his mother’s ginger cookies. KB said that home tasted of lemon candies, the kind that her moms would give her after going to the medical office. Fern said that home was the taste of cinnamon pull-apart bread with extra icing.
“What does home taste like to you?” KB had asked Wim. But his mind had been so preoccupied with thoughts about Assessment, his father, and all the things that they’d seen the past few days that he didn’t even realize they were talking to him. Fern called his name.
“Huh?” he replied.
“What does home taste like to you?” KB repeated gently. Fern and Neel exchanged a look.
“Oh, uh, I don’t know. Why?”
“It’s not a trick question, dummy,” Fern snickered.
“Yeah, we’re just curious, Wim!” Neel piped up. “What have you been craving more than anything?”
Despite being famished, this was the first time that Wim’s mind focused on food. For so long, he’d craved adventure, a chance to explore new planets, an excuse to meet new people and make new friends. There went his thoughts again, away to more fantastical places, never comfortable sitting in the here and now. He shook his head, as if that helped him focus more.
“Maybe, like, this chocolate crispy cereal that I ate for breakfast every morning,” Wim finally answered.
“Oh, are you talking about Choco Crunchies? That’s my favorite cereal!” Neel squealed.
“That’s your favorite? But it’s so chocolatey,” KB squirmed.
“But that’s what makes it so good!” Neel rubbed his tummy.
“Bleugh.”
Neel’s jaw dropped in disbelief, resulting in a giggle from Fern and KB. “Did you just say ‘bleugh’ at chocolate!?” the young boy yelled, exasperated.
“I don’t like chocolate,” KB stated matter-of-factly. This fact, however, did not abide well with Neel.
“What!?” he screamed. “How can anyone not like chocolate!? It’s the best sweet ever!”
“I thought you said your mom’s cookies were the best?” Fern questioned.
“Oh, yeah! Those are the best, too!”
Fern sighed. “Wim, will you please tell Neel that there can only be one best sweet?”
No response from the boy.
“Wim?”
Nothing again. Fern walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah,” he replied, but the girl wasn’t convinced. Nevertheless, she didn’t pry, instead walking over to where KB was and taking a seat next to her friend. The three kids continued their dessert debate, leaving Wim alone with his thoughts.
He never could have imagined that there were so many stars and stardust and infinite space beyond the Barrier. He had gone his entire life believing that his destiny was already written for him – he would be a data analyst, just like his father, and his father before him. Life on At Attin was peaceful, sure, and he lived a very comfortable life. But life on At Attin was also restricted; there were only so many jobs available to its citizens. Wim had no desire to be a data analyst – besides, what did they even analyze? Why should he be asked to do something without knowing why he should do it in the first place?
But in the Beyond was a whole galaxy full of endless possibilities, just like in the stories on his holopad. It was almost overwhelming to think about. It almost would’ve been better if he hadn’t even had a taste of life outside of At Attin. His stupid, childish wish to explore new worlds only led him and his friends on a dangerous journey across space. They had all been so hung up on returning home that entire time that Wim barely got a chance to soak it all in. And ever since that pirate entered the picture, things only took a turn for the worse. Wim couldn’t believe that he had been so foolish as to believe that Jod could’ve actually been a friend. He had so wanted a real adventure where he was the main character that met cool people and saved the day that he fell for a dirty, pirate scheme. Maybe returning home was for the best.
So there he was, en route back to At Attin. Back to Assessment. Back to his house, and his father. He wondered if his father even felt his absence while he was gone, because Wim sure did. Despite what Jod had advised him before, Wim wasn’t able to let go of his attachment to his parents. How could he be asked to do something like that? Sure, things were left pretty rocky the last time Wim interacted with his dad. But these past few days when he’d gone to sleep, he had so desperately wished that he would wake up in his room, with his dad sitting on the edge of his bed, reading him a story. Closing his eyes, he pictured his father in his mind, but he could only see him frowning. Disturbed, Wim’s eyes blinked open, releasing tears. He had been so anxious, so wound up that he couldn’t help but cry.
He didn’t want it to end, and yet he did at the same time. He didn’t want to give up the chance to explore, he knew that he'd have to as soon as they reached At Attin, and yet he wanted to be done with it all. He was so tired from running away from scary, bloodthirsty pirates. He was so hungry for a big bowl of Choco Crunchies with a splash of cold blue milk. More than anything, he wanted to hug his dad. He would apologize to him for running away and for being ungrateful and for being a bad student. And when his dad would hear this, he would scoop him up in a big embrace and tell him that he didn’t have to worry about Assessment because he had already talked to the school and they made special arrangements for–
“Look out!”
Neel's signature squeal coming from down the corridor brought Wim out of his thoughts. A small toy ball flew across the air, nearly gonking him in the head. Wim wiped his face quickly, not wanting anyone to see him upset.
Fern ran down the passageway, chasing the object. “I’ve never met anyone who’s this bad at slapball,” she said between giggles.
“Hey, that’s not fair!” Neel panted, clearly out of breath. “I don’t have long spidery arms like you do!”
Wim had been so consumed by anxiety that he didn’t even realize his friends had left the cockpit. Fern grabbed the ball and ran to the other side of the ship, with Neel not far behind her.
“We’re only a few hours from At Attin,” KB called out to the group, before turning to Wim and asking quietly, “You alright?”
“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully. “But thanks for asking.”
“Of course, Jedi,” she smiled at him. The nickname she'd given him on Lanupa had stuck, it seemed. That small sign of affection was enough to bring a smile to Wim’s own face, easing some tension he had been clinging on to. The not-so-distant future had a lot of uncertainties, but for now, he was safe and surrounded by friends. Their journey across the stars was nearly over, and a bittersweet ending approached with each lightyear that passed.