The train ride took so long, but it was the only way Valor really had the option of traveling home. He wished that he didnāt have to go, but at least he could see his friends again. Sure he had talked often with Michael, but their conversations were limited by the difference in time zones. Besides those, Valor had no real idea of what was going on with everyone back home. It had been years after all.Ā
He had gotten barely any sleep the last day, since he had to go from one train to another multiple times to make the trip. He was able to get a few hour naps in on longer stretches, but he was only awake now far before the sun rose by the power of energy drinks and the nervousness of seeing his old friends and family in person again. Deep breaths, Valor thought, first weāre just seeing Michael. Iāll worry about the others tomorrow.Ā
He jumped as the train screeched as it started slowing down. Valor quickly grabbed his bag and moved towards the door. He paused when he reached it, preparing himself for whatever would happen. Taking a deep breath, he took the first step into a place that should have been more familiar than it felt.Ā
The crowd at the station was smaller than the ones in the city. That was the first thing he noticed as he put down his things. They seemed friendlier too, though none were very awake at this hour. Looking at the paintings on the sides of the platform, he traced his fingers along the familiar ones. But there were new ones there too. On top of the older paintings of animals and symbols of the gods, there was new graffiti, and someone had painted a garden of beautiful flowers. I wonderā¦ Valor went to the corner of the station, where there was some ivy growing over the edge. Valor carefully moved it to the side, revealing a childish drawing of eight people side by side. They looked happy, and each one was drawn differently, done by the person they portrayed.Ā
He remembered painting this with them the summer before Emily went off to school. They wanted something to show that they would still be friends even though she would be far away. From what heād heard and what he remembered, theyād all changed so much since then.Ā
āThought you might come over here.ā Valor looked up to see Michael sitting on the platform above him. His fluffy golden hair was longer than last time Valor had seen it, the front falling just above his blue eyes. He smiled, reaching out a hand which Valor took to help him stand up. āI saw your stuff on the ground but I didn't see you with it, so I figured something familiar was probably going to be your first place to go.ā
āItās been so long since Iāve been back,ā Valor said, picking up the things he had left.
āI know, right? Itās almost weird talking to you face to face again instead of through a crystal. Itās good,ā Michael hurried to continue, ājust different.āĀ
How is he so awake at this hour? The answer became obvious as Michael took a drink from a bottle heād been carrying. Valor could see the worrying mix of energy drinks swirling around inside, but knowing his friend wouldnāt be here if it werenāt for the concoction, he held in a laugh and said nothing.
As they walked the stone road over to the main circle of the town, the sky was turning green in the near dawn light. The silhouettes of the trees along the path felt smaller than they used to, though he had grown since he used to climb their branches. Heād have to come back later to see them better.Ā
The earliest opening shops were just turning on their lights when they got to town, the smell of fresh batches of pastries being made making his mouth water. The sweets in the city were good, but no match for the bakery back home. āThey wonāt be open for another few hours, but we can go later if you want.ā Michael motioned to keep going, wanting to get home before people started waking up. He had told Valor that his parents were out for the weekend earlier, so he could stay with him for a bit.Ā
They went down the road some more until they arrived at the block Michael lived on. These houses were clearly bigger than the other ones on the way, being the richer neighborhood. His house was near the end of the road, a huge house that was a mix of smooth stone and marble with wooden accents that lined the windows and roof. The sight reminded him of so many sleepless nights, talking from sunset to sunrise.
Instead of going to unlock the front door, Michael led Valor around to the side of the house, revealing the tree he always used to climb inside was still standing tall. āShall we?ā Even in the dim light he could see Michaelās bright grin. Though more rusty than Michael, who moved with such precision he looked like a golden squirrel, Valor still made good time climbing up the tree. When he reached the top, Michael was already inside, leaning out of the window to give him something stable to hold onto.Ā
Inside, Michaelās room looked just as magical as he remembered. Half the size of Valorās entire house, with enough furniture inside to match. It had a few new paintings on the wall, much to his parentsā dismay. Michael plopped onto the plush couch with a thud before scooting over to make room for Valor to sit beside him. There were snacks laid out on the table in front of them, and Michael already had their favorite movie prepared on the tv. The welcoming gesture almost brought Valor to tears, but he distracted himself with the movie. As the characters embarked on their journey, he was fighting to stay awake. The train ride took more out of him than heād thought. Leaning into Michael, he let himself fall asleep. Heād need all the energy he could get for the next couple days.Ā
