The night was alive with a crisp spring breeze, the sense that the atmosphere's thin curtains were being opened, the night sky unmasked, and the future was being unveiled.
Down the city street, the five of them walked, as they often did during these spirited nights. The sprawling action of New York City didn't feel forcefully populated, however, its large population of around 20 million gave a healthy amount of people walking by on the street, enough people to make people feel like this was the place and the time to be.
The sense of the 'other' is created with such numbers.
And Leonel was forever grateful for the comfort that can be gained from knowing other people exist.
Velvet lights descended gracefully on Leonel's walnut-coloured hair, behind his dark grey glasses, his eyes were playfully darting around at the scenery of the city around him.
Sometimes the colours of the world blended into one another, forming a swirled perception of reality. They couldn't be distinguished from one another in the moment, the sight was not only the combination of the hues present but also a mix of the thoughts and feelings of the observer. Colours that turned from unrecognisable to distinct in a few moments of concentration. Leonel saw these colours very often. They could only be described as soothing to his anxious state of being.
And he wished for their kindness, forever.
A faint helicopter could be heard in the distance, the perpetual motion of its blades fascinating, the way a couple of single blades could be blended into a blurred circle that propelled the helicopter wherever it wanted to go.
They had almost reached their destination.
The whiteness of the shopping court floor contrasted with the vivid splendour of the many restaurants, shops, cafes, gyms, pools, arcades, and movie theatres that occupied the downtown shopping centre – a vast network of convenience and entertainment services to support the average resident of 2088 NYC. The retro feel of the shops was brought to life by the people occupying them – carefree yet motivated, kind, and generally intelligent.
It certainly was the time to be alive.
*
Analysing the stylish mosaic on the ceiling once more brought a sense of nostalgia to Leonel's eyes. The sushi restaurant on the 3rd floor was always decorated in the same way, its continuous memory was embedded in Leonel's mind, the memory of spending time with people he loved.
The conveyer belt that delivered Japanese cuisine of all kinds added to the atmosphere, its rotation and service persistent to all, its ability to provide every foodstuff Leonel would need on this night endearing. This restaurant provided a place for Leonel and his friends to dine on Saturday nights, to look out the window, to have fun with friends, and to not think about the future. The flavours were embedded into his memory strongly, parallel with the contexts that occurred alongside them—the conversations, the night sky, and the kindness of his friends for spending time with him.
At this particular time, however, the future was on their doorstep.
He nervously glanced across the bench table at his friends, his eyes making contact with Kate's to signify his current state of being. They would often have entire conversations like this, one engaging how the other is feeling through eye contact and body language. This occasion had Leonel confessing his immediate stress, his vulnerability in being surrounded by people he loved, and the continuous dread about a future uncertain and unknowable. Kate will check up on him later, as she always did, and similarly, Leonel would never fail to make sure Kate is feeling alright.
"Is that crispy chicken mini sushi rolls?" Juno demanded, "quick! Get it before someone else does!"
Leonel just managed to reach it before the conveyer carried it to the remainder of the restaurant.
His friends were all here, one last time together before the Science Protection Units formed at the NYSA.
'One last time together,' Leonel thought, 'before everything changes.'
Juno was a good friend from school, as well as Phoebe and Purity, and he was grateful to have them in his life. His gaze reached Kate once more. Her chocolaty brown strands of hair flowed impossibly to her lower back, her eyes eternally full of life, her dress inky and black, not so different from the veil of darkness that shrouded the future.
She was beautiful.
Leonel's shoes were white and blue, giving daily use support and practicality. The floor was polished wooden, smooth, and slightly reflective. He never wanted to lose Kate as a friend. That day would surely be the end of the world.
Phoebe noticed Leonel's empty plate and added a serving of pickled cucumber mini sushi rolls and a small bowl of fried rice. She smiled as Leonel looked up to face her.
"Thank you," Leonel voiced meekly, starting to eat as his friends were, talking, laughing, and appreciating the soft brightness of night-time.
*
Walking back to NYSA after midnight felt very different from the usual evening activity of going home to different places. Leonel, Juno, and Kate trailed behind while Phoebe and Purity walked in front.
Something felt different.
A change was approaching.
"I think sometimes, it's easy to focus on your flaws than the things you do well," Purity frailly spoke, to not let the others hear, "You've been so hard on yourself because you are only focussing on the terrible things that have happened to you."
A single tear emerged from the corner of Phoebe's eye, cascading down her rosy cheek, desperately trying not to let the memories flow back.
"It's been impossibly difficult for you as well," Phoebe defended, "you were very young when it happened," Phoebe desperately trying not to let the memories flow back.
She wouldn't let the nightmare return. Not ever again
"I had you," Purity looked down, "you being there for me meant a lot more than the people trying to fix the problem."
"But I didn't do anyth…"
Purity stopped her, noticing her eyes now heavily overflowing with sadness. Juno, Leonel, and Kate stopped in sync with them out of respect.
"You were enough, Phoebe," Purity managed, looking up at the city's skyline and the lights of varying colours that filled her heart.
"I promise I'll be by your side. For you, always."
They embraced, Phoebe was wiping off her tears and smiling timidly.
"I love you, Phoebe."
"I love you too."