Day by day went by like a blur, until it was the last day. The day before the ship went nearly silent for another four years. The casual chatter that could usually be heard in the halls, and in the cafeteria especially, was noticeably subdued. There was still occasional laughter, but it echoed just a bit. Rooms like the library and gym were ghost towns compared to the previous days. I sat at the table looking at the last remnants of my dinner on the purplish grey tray. We were all lingering despite the conversation dying and starting up again just as quickly.

                "I think... yeah, it's time to say my goodbyes. Wait, that sounded way too serious," Lunëne laughed for a second and then went silent before continuing, "More like, see y'all in a couple years, but it will basically be tomorrow. Actually, I like that. I'll see you guys tomorrow." They stood up and grinned.

                "It's been fun! I'm really glad we all met." Silas expressed sincerely.

                "Why are you talking like that? They said see you tomorrow, we're seeing everyone tomorrow doofus." Valentin shot back.

                "Ok, ok, jeez. I was just trying to be nice." Silas lamented, hands up as if to admit defeat.

                "Right, on that note, I'm headed out too. I am also glad we met, and we'll meet here tomorrow for breakfast. Don't be late Valentin and Elissa. I don't even wanna know why it's always you too who are late." Garland stood up too, gave a signature half smile and wave before strolling away. Silas stood up in his own rigid and awkward way.

                "Tomorrow it is, see ya." He headed off the other direction as Valentin and I both stood up at same time. Lunëne was still waiting, leaning on their chair while looking at me with the faintest sparkle in their eye.

                "Next time you see me, I'm going to be 29 years old... huh. Anyway, catch ya later lovebirds. And I'll see you later too, Elissa." Valentin gave a wink and sauntered away. Elissa rolled her eyes and stood up.

                "He's so bad at flirting. He's lucky he's cute. Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!" Elissa exclaimed, then grabbed her book from the table and walked off.

                "You going right back to your room?" I asked. Lunëne nodded, their head tilted to the side with a familiar smile.

                "Yeah, wanna walk back together?" They asked while starting to turn to the door.

                "Of course." I replied, "Hey, next time... tomorrow I mean... I promise not to trip over my own feet." I joked.

                "Well, this time you won't be all dehydrated and emaciated. I'll have to save your ass again if you do though." They laughed. "This week has been a dream. I kept preparing myself for how difficult the whole 'building a new civilization on a new planet' will be, I kinda forgot the journey there might actually be... fun."

                "Yeah. Focusing only on the ending and forgetting the middle, as if it isn't the biggest part of the journey. It's kinda the most special part." I rambled, and then went silent. Lunëne also fell into the comfortable silence.

                I was letting my mind wander while staring at the hallway we walked through, thoughtlessly examining the intricate pearly white panels aligned seamlessly. The periodic signs silently directing, the overhead lights that slowly dimmed into a soft amber at the end of the day, the emergency alarms tucked into the walls, a bedroom with curtain closed. A water fountain protruding from the wall, and a garbage disposal neatly tucked underneath it. Another room with curtain open, the occupant laying on his back with a tablet lifted above his face.

                "Here we are." Lunëne broke the silence with punctual sincerity. They turned to face me, and our eyes locked for a moment. We both smiled, and I could feel my heartbeat hesitate for half a second and then came back with a rhythmic thudding.

                Damn it

I pushed the thought away, as we both leaned and embraced as friends.

                "I'll see-"

                "Sleep tight- oh sorry!"

                "You too!"

                I laughed bashfully and walked into my room as Lunëne walked into theirs. I exhaled and rolled my eyes at myself.

                Damn it, I thought again.

                I closed my curtain softly and ran my hand through my hair. Exhaling heavily again, I opened the drawer under my pod and pulled out my turquoise cryonics jumpsuit. I changed quickly, hand on the wall to steady myself. I wiggled each of my extremities into every part of the suit and then slouched down onto my mattress. I tilted my head back as I sat and looked at the ceiling a few feet above me. I frowned and tilted my head contemplatively. I gave my arms a bit of a stretch and then rolled onto my back and looked at the ceiling.

                I looked over to my left to grab the arm cuff stored in a crevasse tucked into the wall, and slid it onto my arm. I took the mask that accompanied it and slid it over the lower half of my face. I hadn't gone through the steps enough times yet to have it feel routine, but it was far easier and more comfortable than having a doctor doing it for me.

                I felt the moisture of my breath already being trapped by the mask and the warmth on my lips and nose. The cuff automatically tightened and my breath caught for a second as the nearly microscopic needles found their grip in my arm.

                "Ready." I spoke with a confidence that only cracked for a split second. A robotic voice responded after a quick pause.

                "Preparing... You are properly positioned and have aligned the equipment correctly. Please wait just a moment while I close the top."

                I laid my head back down and tried to steady my breathing. The voice now surrounding my head continued to give calm instructions to lay still and wait for the pod lid to lock into place. I closed my eyes, heart beating heavily but not pounding like it had the first time. After all, I would wake up in just a moment. My heart was slowing, my arms were getting just a bit cold, and I was ready. And then my eyes shot open. My message. The personal message to my parents, I never went to the Lead and I never sent them a message... I could feel just a flicker of adrenaline before my vision faded to black.