"Let's go. Classes are about to start again," said Dave, gathering his things.
"Okay," Daniel replied, following behind.
That day's lesson began with their teacher, Mr. Alex, addressing the class.
"Today, we're going to talk about Planet Growth and Expansion. Internal planets start as barren rocks, and nurturing them into vibrant, thriving worlds requires care and effort. The key steps are:
Using cosmic energy to terraform the surface—this includes creating water bodies, developing an atmosphere, and stabilizing conditions. Introducing basic forms of life—microorganisms, plants, and eventually simple creatures. Cultivating advanced civilizations capable of building structures, technology, or armies.
The size and surface area of a planet are directly tied to the human's willpower, experience, and connection to cosmic energy. As you grow stronger, so does your planet," Mr. Alex explained, his voice steady and commanding.
"This is a very basic explanation of how things progress," he added, turning back to write on the board.
That night passed uneventfully, as if the turbulence of yesterday had been erased from memory. In the calm, Dave and Daniel reveled in the excitement of their new tablet, while Lila quietly immersed herself in her chores, choosing to ignore the shadows of past conflicts.
As the family sat together after dinner, Dave suddenly broke the silence. "Ma, Dad, I want to change schools. Can I transfer to another school?"
His request came out of nowhere, catching both Roger and Lila off guard. They exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.
Roger furrowed his brow, his voice careful. "Why the sudden request? Did something happen at school?"
Dave hesitated but shook his head quickly. "No, nothing like that. I just want a change. Please? Can I?"
Roger sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, but you'll need to finish this year first. The academic year has just started. We'll talk about it again when it ends."
"Thank you, Dad! Thank you so much!" Dave exclaimed, his excitement spilling over. "I already told my friends I'm leaving after this year, so you can't take it back now!"
Seeing Dave's enthusiasm, both Roger and Lila smiled, albeit a little puzzled. They briefly considered visiting the school to check if anything was wrong, but seeing Dave's cheerfulness, they brushed the thought aside.
The next six months passed in relative peace. Dave went to school with Daniel every day, played with Ethan, and occasionally got into minor scuffles with Karl. Even Roger seemed more composed and restrained during this time, his earlier outbursts replaced by an unusual calm. Perhaps the care and concern shown by his family after the last incident had struck a chord with him.
One weekend, Roger and Lila even went on a date, leaving their boys in the care of Ronald's family. It felt like things were finally settling into a rhythm. Life wasn't perfect, but it was good—comforting in its simplicity.
That Saturday, they all gathered in the garden for a barbecue. The warm glow of the fire reflected on their faces as laughter and chatter filled the evening air. Ronald's family, Roger's family, and even Granny Hera were there. It felt like the world itself had taken a moment to breathe with them.
As the meat sizzled on the grill, Roger suddenly remembered something. "Helen is coming tomorrow," he announced, his tone casual. "She said she has something important to discuss."
Helen, Roger and Ronald's sister, was a frequent visitor. She was married with two kids of her own and always brought a spark of energy wherever she went.
"Any idea what it's about?" Lila asked, handing Daniel another plate of food.
"No clue, but it must be serious if she's making the trip herself," Roger replied.
Both Helen and Ronald had awakened small worlds of their own. Nothing extraordinary, but enough to keep them safe and lead happy, comfortable lives. Granny Hera, on the other hand, had never awakened. By the time the cosmic energy began stirring within humanity, she had grown too old to withstand the stress of the awakening process.
Even Lila had a small world, which she used for farming. The resources she cultivated there were sold in her store, providing for the family. However, their modest earnings barely stretched to cover their expenses. Between the area's high living costs, school fees for the kids, and day-to-day needs, there was little room for extravagance.
But in moments like this, gathered around the warmth of a barbecue with family, none of that seemed to matter. For now, everything was fine. Perhaps, even perfect.