“Alya Braxton.” Please report to the main office.” Alya Braxton.” I was in Science Class dissecting a chicken’s heart with my partner when I heard my name being called from the loudspeaker. I was startled and nearly dropped the tweezers I was using.

All eyes were on me, while I got up to go. I went straight to the main office. But while I was going, all the teachers were all staring at me and smiling. I was extremely confused and didn’t know what to do. But none of that mattered because what was about to happen next was going to change my life forever. When I finally reached the main office, I opened the door and I saw my mother, the principal,  and the vice principal. They all had huge grins plastered on their faces and it looked as if there smiles were too big for their faces. “Honey, you won’t believe what just came in the mail.” My mother said. Then just as I was about to ask what it was, the principal handed me an envelope. “Your mother told us that you have written several letters to the NASA space station in hopes of getting a response.” Well, I think you will be surprised to see what’s inside that envelope.

My mother handed me the envelope, my hands were shaking as I opened the seal. Then I saw the words that changed my life. “You have been chosen to go help  NASA for a very special mission that only you can do.” My jaw dropped as I continued reading the letter, and when I finished, I was in complete shock.

I was going to space. I was going to help NASA with a special mission. I was going to do something that nobody in there right mind would do. I was going to live on a spacecraft  for a year in the middle of space. I let this all sink in, then I finally burst. “I’M GOING TO SPACE, I’M GOING TO SPACE, I’M GOING TO SPACE!” I said that right there in front of the principal. But she just smiled as I jumped in excitement. You see. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be an astronaut. I wanted to be nothing else but an astronaut. Ever since I found how I can send NASA letters, I started writing letters saying how much I wanted to travel to space.

I saw a smile come across my mother’s face. “Your father would be so proud.” She whispered in my ear. Then I asked “ What about you?!” Oh don’t worry about me! You will be able to contact me and video chat with me while you’re in the spacecraft. “ Oh.” I just thought that…” “ Don’t worry.” My mother said.

The next day, I got more information on my trip to space. Here is the letter I got:

 

The reason for this mission is because in the future NASA is planning to send teens to space. And possibly take them to missions like going to a different planet. So we decided to take 2 teens to be sent into space to do a mission for us. We want to see how a teen like you can be affected by a year in space. Best of luck.

I was ready, I was ready for the adventure of a lifetime, I was ready to make my dream a reality. I was ready to change the world. Of course that would take a while. But what’s an adventure without a few challenges?

My mother told me that since I was going out to space and only missing 2 months of school, I wouldn’t have to worry about finishing the 8th grade. You see, the reason my mom said that is because I get straight A’s in literally anything. Including math and science. That’s the reason why NASA chose me to go out into space. So going straight to high school would be no problem for me.

When I went to school the next day, everyone was staring at me like I was a celebrity or something. After a few minutes I figured out why everyone was acting so odd. You see, the day I got the news about me going to space. I told my best friend Piper Kendrick over the phone. We have been best friends ever since we were in diapers. So it didn’t seem right for me to keep this from her. But in my excitement, I forgot that Piper was the Queen of Gossip. So I figured that she texted the whole school about my voyage to space. But I didn’t mind, I just continued walking toward my classroom. But as I walked toward the classroom. The once crowded halls parted ride down the middle like magic. When I walked into science class, I sat into my desk and put my book bag down as my teacher, Mrs. Sterling, gave out our grades for our recent assignment.

As usual, I got an A+ on my assignment about the Middle Colonies. My teacher called up students to present their reports to the class. After I did. My teacher called me up to her desk. She said that the office called and that they wanted me to come see them.

I walked into the principal’s office, and met with the vice principal, and the principal. They told me that my training will start next week, and that I will be missing school for over 2 to 3 months.(Luckily there was only 2 months of school left.)

The next day was normal. I was glad that I was NOT being treated like a queen again. NASA had sent me a list of the things that I needed to bring for my year-round trip to space:

List of the MAIN things you need to bring for your year-round trip to space:

1 pair of shoes for the treadmill

1 pair of shoes for the bike

1 pair of exercise shorts for every 3 days of exercise

1 T-shirt for every 3 days of exercise

1 pair work pants/shorts for every 10 days

1 pair underwear for every 2 days

1 pair socks for every 2 days

2 sweaters

Hygiene Supplies

Health Supplies(if need.)

Music

Books

Internet Cable Computer

Clothes

Photos of family and friends(if needed)

The ISS will be provided with a year’s worth of food and water for you. The reason we want you to bring books and music is because it will relax you from the stress of being away from family or friends for too long. The internet cable computer is to keep in touch with family and friends whenever you want.  Always remember to act as if you are having a normal lifestyle and that it is just living in outer space with 0 gravity. We are looking forward to your presence at NASA.

 

• NASA

 

Today I started packing.  I told Piper and my teachers that I will be staying at NASA for my training so they knew I would miss school.  When I told  Piper, she started crying.  “Alya, I know that you’re only going to be gone for  a year and 2 months, but I am still going to miss you so much.”

That kind of made my heart hurt for a while, I was going to be away from my mother,and all my loved ones. I was glad that NASA was going to give me 2 days to say my goodbyes to everyone.

As NASA instructed, I packed everything they asked. I added in my guitar as well.  I put them all in one of my suitcases and put the suitcase beside my door. As I flopped back onto my bed, my mom walked inside. (I don’t bother making her knock.) She told me to come into the living room. She patted the space next to her on the couch and then there was a small silence. Then my mother started talking. “I know that you will be out in space for over a year, and I know you will be staying at NASA for 2 months for your training, so I decided to give you something that will help you last without us for the year and 2 months.”

She then handed me a small white box that had a little bow on it. I opened the box, and inside I saw a small gold locket with an A carved into it , I then opened the locket and saw a small pictures of my mother, and, my… Father.  The locket was the kind that played music when you opened it. But when I opened mine the soft tune sounded familiar.

Then I realized that it was the lullaby that my father would sing to me when I was little. Just hearing the little tune made my heart warm. Hot tears started forming in my eyes as I continued listening to the song. When I was only 4 years old my father signed up to be in the Navy. Every single day, I would beg him to stay home and not go. But pleading didn’t get me very far. When the dreaded day of his departure arrived, I ran into his arms and cried. I don’t remember much after that, but seeing a large truck outside our porch.

Every month, my mother and I got at least 2 to 3 letters from my father.  But on the month of May the letters stopped. We didn’t get any letters for about 2 months.  But then on July 4th we had gotten a letter. I ran over to my mother and kept asking her what it said. But a few seconds after I asked, she had burst into tears. My father’s funeral was held a week after the 4th of July. It still hurts.

My mother fastened the locket around my neck. She told me that the locket had belonged to my father’s grandmother. I finally realized where my father had gotten the song from.  This locket was probably going to be the most precious thing that I will bring to my trip.  I turned over the locket so it’s backside was facing me. Then I saw a small heart engraved in it. It turned out that the little heart opened.  I opened it and inside I found a small piece of paper rolled onto a piece of small red ribbon.

My mother asked what was inside and I just said, “Nothing.”  I then thanked my mom for the wonderful gift and then ran to my room.  I then went to my bay window and opened the tiny little scroll.  I instantly recognized the tiny handwriting. It was my father’s.  It was a note. Here’s what it said:

Alya, I hope these words inspire you to follow your heart and always dream.  I know you will be a great astronaut someday. I know your future will be great.

Love, Dad

 

It was my last day. I was going to leave for training. I wasn’t going to be back, for a year and 2 months.  The NASA headquarters was located in Pasadena, California. I lived in San Francisco, California.  So it would just be a long drive to training.

My mom decided that all my relatives should come, because none of them new I was going to space. I asked her if I can invite Piper and she said yes. Everyone started arriving at around 5 o’clock. My mom had made a bunch of things for Dinner. From pasta to a big red velvet cake made by my aunt. After I filled my plate, I sat right next to Piper. We both tried to just chat and peacefully eat our feast, but my relatives kept asking a TON of questions, like, “When will your training start?”” Are you scared?””Why are you going?””How long is it?””Is there a bathroom in the rocket?”

I quickly answered all of the questions, then I finally got back to talking with Piper.  Before I knew it, everyone had left. It was 10 o’clock we had to get on the road at about 6 o’clock in the morning. My mom and I were both super tired. I was all packed for tomorrow. I started to climb the stairway to my bedroom, but then my mother called after me. So I came back down, and she hugged me.  I then went back upstairs and fell asleep to the sound of the rain against our roof. Morning came quickly. I woke up at the sound of my alarm beeping, I went to the bathroom brushed my teeth, took a shower, combed my hair, and put on my clothes. I then went downstairs to eat breakfast.  I opened the fridge and saw a tray with a small bowl of fruit salad with a mound of cream, a stack of big fat pancakes, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a small note saying: “ Hope you enjoy this breakfast! I love you! – Mom ✰  P.S. I am getting ready to go so if you need me, I will be upstairs.

I walked into the living room and sat on the bay window and started to eat.  I thought about everything that I was about to experience.  I was just sitting there thinking. But then the sound of my mother’s footsteps on the stairs snapped me out of my thoughts. “ALYA! ALYA! COME ON WE GOTTA GO!” COME ON COME ON COME ON!” Yelled my mom, as I rushed to my feet and put my dishes away.

We quickly went to the car and buckled our seat belts. I checked my watch what time it was and it said 6:27. Since we lived in San Francisco, it would take us exactly 5 hours and 37 minutes to get to the NASA headquarters.  So we would be there around 12:07. I took out my phone from one of my suitcase pockets, and my earbuds. I listen to some music for about a half hour or so. Then I got a bit, bored.

So I took out my sketchbook and started to draw. I drew a picture of Miles. But not just a small sketch. An actual photo realistic drawing. Miles is my best friend. We both met in band, playing and singing our hearts out. We both write songs and we even won an award in our school for writing the best songs. But then he moved but we always text each other and video call. Did I mention I have a crush on him. He is so nice, and loves music as much as me.

Then I drew pictures of my mom, and my dad. I looked at the picture in the locket since I didn’t remember much of  how he looked like. It was so long ago that I didn’t know what it felt like to sit in his lap, or what his voice sounded like. I was glad to have a picture of him in my locket.

As my mom continued to drive, I started to think. What was my mom going to do while I was gone? She used to work at the library down the street, shelving books, reading a few stories to the younger kids. But she then decided to quit and stay at home to take care of me. Now that I was going to be gone for a long time I didn’t know what she would do.Maybe she would start working there until I came back. I wanted to ask her but I wanted her to stay focused on the road.

We were here. After 5 hours and 23 minutes we have finally arrived. There were a few tears in my mother’s eyes as we drove over to the building. Once we stopped the car we saw a tall man and a few other people walking toward us. Once he became close enough I saw that he wore round glasses and wore a tie with little pictures of the International Space Station on it.

I got out of the car slowly and my mom too. We both just stood there. Then she hugged me. I hugged her too but harder. I wanted her to come with me to space. Then as if she read my mind, she said. I will always be there.” Then she put her hand on my heart. Than she got back into the car but didn’t start driving yet. We both watched the man walk over to us.

“ Hello there, my name is Dr. Watson.” I am the flight director.” It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Braxton. “It is an honor to be meeting you sir.” I replied. “Welcome to the NASA HQ.” You are officially going to be the youngest person to ever go to space for a year.” I realized that he was actually correct. I was going to be the youngest. Take that Gherman Titov.