I sipped my coffee as I breathed in the smell of the café. The smell was mixed with hot cocoa, pastry, and vanilla, all balanced in perfect harmony. A warm light shone through the window I was next to. I sat there, waiting for the arrival of a friend.
"Enjoying your coffee?"
A waitress asked me. They wore a uniform with red and white stripes along with a black apron. The clothing looked like something that people could wear during carnivals.
"Yeah, the coffee's okay."
I replied, still having my eyes pinned out the window. I swirled the coffee cup up a little in the process.
"Okay? Why not say something like amazing, spectacular, delightful, or unusual?"
I looked back at the waitress, not wanting to waste my time on this again.
"No offense but I've been here many times, the coffee gets old."
I told them.
"None taken. But you know what I think you should do? Try some of our coffee milkshakes! It will sure to boost you up in the morning!"
The waitress offered and gave me a slight peek into the green athletic menu.
"Maybe next time."
I answered, trying to end the conversation.
"Have a nice day!"
The waitress then moved onto someone else to bother with. I sighed and tried to ease my impacentice. What was taking him so long? Time seemed to pass by quickly. The sun was setting, I could tell. What felt like half an hour turned into eternity. Then finally he came. He entered the café, looking like a professional of some sort.
"I apologize for being late, I had some work to do."
His accent was British. He sat down on the seat across from me while he straightened his dark-green coat.

"You're not usually late, but I suppose some things have changed between us."
I greeted him with a warm smile. I couldn't see his expression since his face was hidden away from the gas mask that he was wearing. But I bet if I looked into his gas mask closely, I would be able to see his eyes behind that darn mask.
"One thing for sure, our style of clothing still hasn't changed."
I heard him chuckle underneath his breath. I looked down at the cookie monster costume that I was wearing. Parts of the costume were covered by my white lab coat. But I did feel a little embarrassed thinking about it. Still an adult who wears a children's costume? I am so childish. I thought to myself before switching the topic.
"Anyway, do you think it's time?"
I asked him, and waited for him to respond. He gave me a still look. I squinted at the reflection of the gas mask, trying to see his eye expression. Why did his gas mask always look so foggy?
"Do you think you're ready to show them?"
He responded instead. I slowly drank the rest of my coffee. Taking my time to answer before I put the coffee back down on the table.
"Well, I got you helping me right?"
"You know many things could still go wrong even with my help."
He made a really good point but...

"Is everyone leaving because of me? Because I wasn't enough for them?"
I looked down at my adopted son in disbelief. Does he really think about that to himself?
"No Nadwe, it's not you. One day we will all be together again. Promise me that you won't blame yourself for this."
I told him.
"Not if you keep your word first."
He said. I thought about that for a moment before replying,
"I'll try my best to."

I snapped back to the present and looked directly into his green glass lens that were attached to his mask.
"I'm sure I'll be able to handle this. I've made it, I know what to do."
I said firmly, trying to cloud all the sudden doubts that were forming in my head.
"So it's decided. But remember, this was your call."
He told me again, accepting my decision.
"I know. I swear that I won't let anything bad happen to them."
I promised, determined to keep my word.
"See you at your house at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon then."
He said as he got up and paid for my coffee paycheck.
"Hey! You don't have to do...
I trailed off and tried to stop him but he put his hands up and placed the two dollar bills on the check plate.
"You have a big day tomorrow. I recommend you not staying up late again. So please for once get a proper sleep."
"Okay... fine, I will."
I sighed at the last sentence. I was more like a night owl, I preferred being active during the night. It also helps me focus on my work. Guess that won't be happening tonight.
"Have a good one then mate."
He left the table and before he exited out of the cafe, I called out to him and said
"See you around too, Laff."
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I felt a little dizzy and distracted the first few nights back on earth. I touched my forehead and smoothed my messy brown hair. I sighed heavily, I could feel my whole face sweating like crazy.
"Keep it together Socks"
I said, kicking the blankets out of my way.
"Tomorrow is the reunion with your friends, you can't be sweating like crazy. They'll think you don't want to be there!"
I told myself again, still feeling frustrated that my body hasn't gotten used to being back on solid ground yet. I sat up and took out the invitation letter that I got from the mailbox to double check on what time when I had to meet up with them tomorrow.
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A letter to our dearest friend, Socksfor1.

All of us missed ya, we're all going to meet up at Meme's house. Meme says that he has a surprise for all of us to see. Pretty exciting right? The address will be in the envelope (In case if you forgotten where he lives)
Also bring snacks plz.
And water.
And tea.
And a shovel.

You can ignore that, that's just Blaza being silly again. (Laff)

Go to Meme's house at Tuesday, 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon sharp.

-B.P. & L.G.
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Tuesday, 4:00 o'clock. Got it. I set the letter aside and sat up straight on the edge of my bed and took the photo frame that was placed on the wooden desk beside me. I felt the smooth wooden oak frame and looked at the group photo that was taken a few years ago before I went off to space. I could feel myself smile and relax every time I stared at the photo. Everyone in the photo looked so... happy and cheery. I still wonder if it'll still be the same once I meet them again. I just can't when that happens. I used my thumb to feel the crystal glass frame, feeling the cool smooth surface. Then decided to let go of it, hoping that it will float. But it shattered instead.
"Shoot- SOCKS don't be stupid, gravity exists!"
I yelled and groaned at myself AGAIN and carefully picked up the photo frame from the floor to check to see if it was okay. There was a huge crack that formed on the left side of the frame's glass. I cursed myself for breaking it. Out of nowhere, droplets of water started to hit my hands and started to soak the photo. AW crap- not the photo! I pulled the photo frame away from the droplets of water that came down from the ceiling. I looked up to see how wet the ceiling was. There was a huge soaked circular area, looking like rot that formed some sort of huge mold onto the ceiling. Paper was starting to tear off from it. This apartment really needs a better plumbing system. I grumbled at the thought while I started to clean up the mess. I put a bucket where the droplets of water fell from. I then carefully and slowly took the photo out of the wooden frame, and dried the photo with a hairdryer. Once it was dry, I folded the photo into my pocket. It should be safe in there for now I dropped the remaining broken frame pieces into the trash and popped right back into my bed. I pulled the bed covers back up and turned off the lamp before I closed my eyes to sleep. I'll deal with the water problem later. But I'm so excited for what will happen tomorrow. I thought before I drifted off into sleep, ending the day for today.

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You have no idea how many times this chapter's scenes has changed