“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.

I thought about my dream when I ate, I thought about my dream when I wrote, I couldn’t stop thinking about it for even a minute. My father wasn’t always around, he always had business trips, or had some job to do. He was rarely home at all. As if he had something so important and explainable that he can’t even be home. Around noon, Peter visited me, but he had a far off look in his eyes giving me the sense that he was confused and possibly even scared out of his mind.  “Hey Calypso, have you ever had a dream so realistic that it felt as if a message was being sent to you, like a warning or something?” I paused and then I couldn’t believe what was going on.

“Oh my god.”

“W-what is it Calypso?”

“No.”

“What  do you mean by no?”

“Peter I-I had a dream like that last night.”

“Oh, god.”

“But there’s no way it can be the exact dream, I mean, what if we are both talking about totally different things?”

I started to explain, his expression became worried. Then he said, ” I heard the same prophecy, only instead of Apollo, the god of Fire, Hephaestus was speaking to me.” We pause. We started talking about how my dad was never home, and his dad wasn’t either. “What does this all mean?” I ask. “Either we’re demigods, or we’re completely insane.” I thought for a minute. “Peter, dreams are never that realistic, they never send messages like that. Most people don’t even remember dreams, but this is the only thing I’ve been thinking about.”  Right after I ended my sentence, a large beam of light started to creep rapidly around the room, like lava spreading around callused rock.

The room suddenly started to change. The monitors turned into tapestries, and the floor turned from tile, to hard polished marble. The room started to expand. The small hospital room was suddenly a gargantuan throne room. In front of us, we saw two thrones, one was of pure gold and extremely well polished with a sun disk made of arrows hanging on top. Then there was a throne constructed with every precious metal found. Everything had happened so fast, first we were talking in the hospital room, then we were in a huge throne room knowing nothing whatsoever of where we are and how we got here. But something about that symbol above the first throne was familiar. Then it hit me. My mark.

When I was born I was born with a mark exactly like the one hanging above the throne. I kept asking my mother “How is it so detailed mom? It can’t be possible!” She always denied my observations and just told me to ignore it and that it was probably just an act of nature. But to me, that mark, that symbol didn’t even look like I was even born with it. It looked like it was burned into my skin. Peter seemed to have a similar situation, but he had a hammer, that was crossed over with pincers.

“Hello Calypso.” A booming voice, that sounded like it was coming from everywhere. “I am Apollo. The god of the sun, healing, and music. I am also your father.” A tall man stepped out from the shadows, wearing traditional Greek men attire. Just like in my dream. Peter looked at me with wide eyes, that’s when I passed out.

I found myself in a dark forest, the trees were bare and looked aged and old, the sky was the color of midnight, and looked deadly to begin with. I walked further into the forest, each step I took was painful and felt like poison was shooting up my leg.  But then I saw a women, she was dressed in what looked like a women Greek toga. Her eyes suddenly glowed a fiery gold, and her voice was felt like she was trying to charm speak me. She then said in a deep voice.

Two powerful demigods will answer the call, that will take them to a journey that shall make them rise then fall. To break the barrier that has rapidly spread, and find the key to endless death.

Right after she said death, she rapidly faded into dust being carried by the wind.

I woke up, sweat running down my face, my breath rapid and labored. The scars and scrapes I had now weren’t visible. Some of the cuts were so deep, but they didn’t leave any marks or anything. And that dream, it was so real, and it felt as if maybe the prophecy was about me? The women not only looked like Athena, but she looked like my mom as well. Something was going on, something mythical.

A few weeks ago I was in the school library with my friend, we were both in the biographies section of the library. I wandered into a shelf full of books about artists and I got very excited, touching  the spine of each book. Then i found a thick book with a picture of one of my favorite artists. It was called  Frida Kahlo: Painter of Strength. Last year I learned about her life and I studied her paintings, so I was really excited to find a big thick book about her, written about the phenomenal painter herself. I sat down at one of the large comfy couches that was near by. I started to read, and read, fifteen minutes passed and I was bursting with shock and sadness. But at the same time, I was grateful to finally be able to learn and comprehend this lonely renegade artist, who was a fighter at heart. My friend had found me, and when I looked up a single tear rolled down my callused cheek. “What’s wrong?” He asked. I replied just by saying. “Poor, poor, Frida.”

Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, but sadly at the early age of six, she was diagnosed with polio. Her right leg was extremely shorter and thinner than her left leg. With both of her parents often sick, she described her early life as “very very sad.” Years later, she was coming back from school when a large wood bus crashed with a car, many people killed, but Frida experiences severe injuries, a handrail had gotten impaled right into her pelvis, and she fractured her legs, collarbone, and ribs. When she started to recover, she had unfortunately found out that she was suffering from three displaces vertebrae.

Her dreams of becoming a professional doctor were shattered. But soon her family found an easel that she could use to paint with while in bed. She spent most of her time painting, but she mainly painted her emotion and pain. Her paintings were the only things keeping her together, keeping her alive. She mainly painted self portraits because in this quote she states “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”  She painted herself and others) in many different ways. In one painting she depicts herself,  but instead of her normal human form, she is a graceful deer. In another, she paints not one but two Frida’s, one in traditional Mexican clothing, the other Frida wearing nontraditional attire. Representing her true and fake self.

What really caught me the most about her, was even through every sorrowful and painful moment in her life, she continued to stay Frida. She continued to be calm, and poured every single tear, every single moment of anger, or fear into her work. Into a series of paintings that is her life.

“I wish I could do whatever I liked behind the curtain of “madness”. Then: I’d arrange flowers, all day long, I’d paint; pain, love and tenderness, I would laugh as much as I feel like at the stupidity of others, and they would all say: “Poor thing, she’s crazy!” (Above all I would laugh at my own stupidity.) I would build my world which while I lived, would be in agreement with all the worlds. The day, or the hour, or the minute that I lived would be mine and everyone else’s – my madness would not be an escape from “reality”.”

– Frida Kahlo 

 

I was holding the reed case Peter gave me in my hand. The smooth polished wood was cool under my callused fingers as I put my nails in the grooves of the perfect calligraphy that represented my name. I started examining the scrapes and cuts that stretched across my arms and face like a valley full of miscellaneous plants and creatures. I used my phone to see if their was any trace of blood on my face. Though there was no blood left, there was a long scar that stretched underneath my lower eye socket. It made me look, rebellious. It was a face that said you better run away or else. My eyes looked deadly and wild. Like a tigers when they see their prey. My body looked robust and rigorous. But I don’t feel that way

I was named after a Greek Nymph. She was very beautiful and lived on the island of Ogygia. She was also known to be the daughter of the Titan, Atlas. But I feel nothing like the daughter of a Titan.  Nevertheless, a beautiful Greek Nymph. Though Titans are quite evil, I still do think I could’ve at least have been born with brave blood. And yet here I am in searing pain and feeling like a hollowed out pumpkin. Scared of what will happen next.

I noticed that my leather journal was on the table beside the bed. I grabbed it and took out my pen. I got this journal last year when I started writing music. I used to write on pieces of binder paper, but I kept loosing them. My mom is actually a musician and when she saw this she gave me a beautiful leather journal with a willow tree carved into the hard aged leather. The little strap that opened the journal had a little bronze button with a small star implanted inside. I opened the journal and started writing. I poured my heart out. I wrote what I was feeling in such a way, that whoever listened, would’ve felt my pain. I woke up the next day, and found that I fell asleep mid sentence.

“Calypso, Calypso, It’s me Peter.” When I opened my eyes, my vision was a bit blurry, but I was able to make out Peter’s familiar figure. My leg was propped up in a large contraption that looked like a hammock for my foot. Peter was holding a bloody tissue and wiping it along my cheek, like a paintbrush gracefully gliding against a piece of paper. “Wait, what happened?” I asked in unison. But then I remembered. Oh, right, I broke my leg. “Are you feeling okay, do you need anything?” Peter asked with worry in his tone. Peter is my best friend in the whole world.

We met in 6th grade, we were both in band, I played the flute and the clarinet. He played the trumpet, and piano. When I play the clarinet I also dance, I choreograph steps, and I work it into the songs I write and play. He was playing a really nice song on the piano, and I was dancing, and playing. My wavy brown hair trailing behind me like a dragon flying free in the sky. The boy’s fingers moved swiftly and carefully along the individual keys. Our music went together so smoothly it didn’t even sound like we were playing separate songs.   When we finished I locked my chocolate brown eyes, with his burnt sienna ones( burnt sienna is a deep brown color).

“My names Peter, w-whats yours?” He asked me shyly. “Calypso, Calypso Evergreen.” I replied. “You play really really good.” I complimented. “I’m nothing compared to you.” He said with a sweet smile. “Are you kidding? You make it look so easy, while the only thing I could do on the piano is this.” I pressed my fingers against the cool piano keys and started playing miscellaneous keys. We both laughed as I continued. But then I snorted. See, when I laugh hysterically, I tend to, snort. There was a long pause, but then “That is adorable.” Peter said with a smile. I must have been blushing because he then quickly said “I-I mean, um that’s, uh-” I cut him off by bumping him playfully on his shoulder. “I get that a lot.” I said with a smile. He still is the only person who can make me laugh like that. And we’re in seventh grade now.

I snapped back into reality and calmly told him “I’m fine Peter, but it’s sweet of you for asking.” He sighed, “Calypso I know you, you always tend to hide your pain so I don’t strain myself. But I am not letting you do that anymore. You’re my best friend, and I refuse to see you in pain Calypso.”  “But I-” “No. Calypso. Just let me care for you, okay? Besides if I want to work in the medical field, I kinda have to do this stuff.” It was so sweet that he was doing this. He is my closest friend. At times likes this, he always swooped in and did what he can.

“Looks like you won’t be able to dance for a while, you will be in crutches and a cast for at least 6 weeks tops.” Peter sounded so much like a doctor, even I was impressed. “Well Mr. I’m-so-smart-I-could-be-a-professional-doctor-even-if-I’m-only-thirteen, what do you suggest?” Peter chuckled as he thought “Well it’s a good thing I am in most of your classes. You could probably still play your clarinet and also I could maybe…” Peter’s voice trailed on and on, as I looked out my window. The hospital was quite close to the woods, I looked out through the window, it was wide open, the fresh breeze refreshing my mind and body.

I turned to see what Peter was doing, and then I realized he was staring at me. He instantly started to blush as he said. “Uh, I better go, um so I am going to visit you tommorow or maybe later in the day so take care of yourself Calypso.” there was a small pause. “Thanks for everything Peter. Honestly your the only thing thats keeping me together right now.” He grinned. I also wanted to give you this…” Out of his pocket he brought out a little box ithat looked a little reed case( a reed is what is used for clarinets, before playing you keep it in your mouth)

“You told me you need a new reed case, b-because you broke your other one, so I got you this one.” The case was absolutley beautiful. It was polished wood, with a little brass latch. What really touched me was my initials carved in caligraphy on the top of the lid. Even if I wasn’t supposed to I got out of bed, though each step brought a shock of pain, I managed to walk towards Peter. I was about to stumble and fall, but he caught me. “Thank you.” I whispered.

Da Capo. A lot of musicians use this term to say “from the beginning.” It is mainly used for the conductor, when he/she needs to repeat a measure, or start the whole song again. This musical expression basically defines my life right now. A few months ago, I went on a day trip to the forest to go hiking with my older brother Corey. We were hiking in a beautiful forest, filled with trees that towered above us like friendly giants leading the way.

I was so distracted that I didn’t notice the huge tree root that was implanted into the ground. “Calypso!” yelled Corey, as he rushed to be by my side. For a second, everything seemed normal in my body. But then a strong pain shot up my leg, like poison about to reach my brain. It seemed that when I tripped my leg buckled and I crashed hard on my leg. Corey examined my leg and then told me, “We should get you to the hospital, right now.” We didn’t hike far from Corey’s car.  So it only took about 10 minutes to get there. Each step I took was like taking a step in a sinking hole of darkness. I always get this feeling when I am in distress, or panicked.

Then suddenly everything went dark.

This is the introduction to a story that took me a lot of time to render and write, please enjoy!(I will be posting the next part soon.)

 

 

My friend has just created a blog of her own called Experience. In this blog you will find various posts about past experiences, that not only taught her viewers and herself lessons, but hilarious moments we will all be able to relate to. So please check out her website srisubi.blogspot.com  and give her your support, she will really appreciate it.

So since last year, I have been writing a novel called  Nebula. It is about two teens who will go into space. This is the summary I wrote before I wrote the book. Enjoy!

As I looked up from my bay window, I saw the billions of stars dotting the night sky, and the moon high above, giving light to the ground underneath it, as if it was a mother giving it’s child warmth from the cold. And as I watched comets fly by I continued staring upward at the night sky, my yearning was so strong that I instantly forgot where I was, I blocked out the sound around me, as if deep in thought. My best friend Miles was beside me as well. It was easy to tell that he was thinking of the same thing.

I‘m just your ordinary 14 year-old, who wants to be an astronaut. But I’m not those types of people who just say that they want to be it and do nothing about it.  I mean come on! I actually do something about it. I work hard to reach my goals and my dreams. Especially this one. I study books, go on websites, sometimes I skip lunch and spend my free period, in the library reading and checking out books about astronomy, the universe, and books about the Sun and the other planets. To be an astronaut, you have to know these three subjects. Math, biological and physical science, and engineering. Luckily I have learned and studied every book or website, giving ANY information about one or all of these three subjects.

People say that Miles and I are crazy to want to go into space, saying it’s dangerous, and that I could possibly kill myself just lasting an hour up there.( That is scientifically inaccurate thank you very much.) I may be shy and quiet, but I have something that they didn’t believe I had. Hope. Being an astronaut was my dream ever since I looked up at the stars for the first time. Ever since then, I never gave up on my dreams. A few days ago, the most unpredictable thing happened, and it changed my life forever. I’m Alya, and I believe.