Anik walked toward her, drawn by the view beyond the balcony. When he reached it, the sight before him left him speechless. The vast city stretched out below, its intricate web of infrastructure blending seamlessly with the endless expanse of the ocean in the distance. The sunlight danced on the water's surface, and the horizon seemed to stretch on forever.
"It's amazing," he said after a moment, his voice tinged with awe. "I can't even put it into words. The city, the ocean... It's like something out of a dream."
Rose smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "It's my escape," she admitted. "Whenever the world gets too loud or overwhelming, I come here. It reminds me that there's beauty in the little things, even in a place as busy as this."
Anik's gaze shifted to the treehouse's interior. He noticed the photographs on the wall—snapshots of smiling faces, serene landscapes, and candid moments frozen in time. He felt a pang of curiosity. "Are these... your memories?"
Rose followed his gaze and nodded. "Some of them, yes. Others belong to the people who mean a lot to me." She walked over to a particular photograph, picking it up with a thoughtful expression. "This place is more than just a hideaway. It's a piece of me."
Anik lingered by the balcony, the view still holding him captive. "You're lucky," he said softly. "To have a place like this. Back home, everything feels... heavy. There's no room for dreams like this."
Rose glanced at him, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she said, "Maybe this can be your escape too. Just for a little while."
Anik looked at her, surprised. "You'd share this with me?"
She shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Why not? You're not just the future prince, after all. You're also the guy who nearly fell off a hoverboard because of a laundry lady."
Anik laughed, the sound echoing softly in the tranquil space. "Fair enough," he said, finally allowing himself to relax. For the first time since arriving on Earth, he felt a sense of peace—like maybe, just maybe, he belonged here too.
Rose leaned back slightly, her eyes glimmering with curiosity. "You're... a little weird, you know? These small things amaze you so much. But you come from a place even more advanced than our Earth. Now I'm really curious—tell me about your home. And about yourself."
The cushions beneath them were soft, the air inside the treehouse cool and serene. Anik hesitated for a moment, then shifted to sit closer to her, as if sharing this story needed a certain closeness. "My home," he began, his voice soft but steady, "is the opposite of this planet. It's called Paradise of Eternity. Like your Earth, it's beautiful, but it's... far. Very far. So far that it's in another universe altogether."
Rose's eyes widened, her lips parting in wonder. "Another universe? And your planet's name—it sounds like something out of a storybook. Paradise of Eternity." She tilted her head, her voice carrying a quiet excitement. "I've always been fascinated by space, stars, and the vastness of the universe. Tell me more."
Anik smiled at her enthusiasm, relaxing slightly. "It's as beautiful as its name," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Endless forests, towering mountains, and rivers that glow under the starlight. But in the center of it all stands a great palace. That's where my family lives—alone, in that immense space."
Rose's fascination deepened. "It sounds like a dream," she said softly. "A place so vast yet so full of life. Have you traveled to other planets and universes like your parents?"
Anik shook his head, a slight flush coloring his cheeks. "Not yet," he admitted. "I'm still learning to operate spacecrafts. My dad, though—he's traveled to countless places, across universes. He's always said there's so much to learn, and so much responsibility that comes with it."
Rose chuckled. "Even so, you're incredible for your age. By the way, how old are you?"
Anik hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm twelve."
Rose's eyebrows shot up. "What? Really? Me too!" she exclaimed, leaning forward slightly. Her expression softened as she added, "You're already doing so much. Tell me more—about your family."
Anik's smile grew warmer, though there was a hint of pride in his tone. "In my family, I'm the eldest. Then there's my younger sister, Rina. My mother, Searphina, is brilliant—she's a researcher, always discovering new things about the universe. And my father, Regulas, well... he's the ruler of our realm, but he's also kind and patient. He's my role model."
Rose listened intently, her gaze unwavering. "Your family sounds amazing," she said softly. "You must miss them."
"I do," Anik admitted. "But what about you? Tell me about your family."
Rose's expression shifted slightly, her smile fading just a bit. "Well... you've already met my dad—General Alston."
Anik nodded. "He seems strong and determined. But... what about your mother?"
Rose's face fell, and she glanced down at her hands. "My mother..." she began, her voice quieter now. "I lost her when I was very young. It was during a civil war. My dad tried, but he couldn't save her."
Anik's heart sank. He instinctively reached out, his hand hovering near hers. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I didn't mean to bring up something painful."
Rose shook her head, forcing a small smile. "It's okay," she said. "It's been years. I still miss her, but... I've learned to live with it. And my dad—he's done everything he could to raise me. It's just been the two of us for a long time now."
Anik hesitated, then said gently, "You're strong, Rose. Stronger than most people I know."
The sincerity in his tone made her blink, her cheeks warming slightly. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, after a brief pause, she looked at him with renewed determination. "Hey... can we be friends? You'd be my first friend from another planet. Actually, my first friend, period."
Anik blinked in surprise, her words catching him off guard. Then a genuine smile spread across his face. "Yeah, why not? I'd be honored," he said. "Back home, I don't have any friends either. I guess you'll be my first too."
They exchanged a look—a moment of understanding and shared vulnerability. For the first time, Anik felt like he wasn't alone in the vastness of this new world, and Rose felt a spark of connection she hadn't known she needed.
The two twelve-year-olds, from entirely different worlds, shared a quiet laugh as the afternoon light filtered through the treehouse, sealing the start of a bond that would change them both forever.
The warm light filtering through the treehouse danced on Rose's face as she turned to Anik, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can I come with you to your planet? I really want to see your home."
Anik smiled, leaning back against the cushions. "Why not? It's my promise—you'll definitely witness the Paradise of Eternity one day."
Rose's expression lit up, a mix of wonder and eagerness. "It's like something out of a science fiction story," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "You, coming from a different universe... I need to write all of this down in my notepad. It's like an adventure story, something I'll want to remember forever."
She stood up quickly, almost tripping over the cushion in her haste, and darted to the bookshelf. Anik's gaze followed her, curious about the shelf packed with neat rows of notepads instead of books. He wondered silently, Does she write that much?
Rose grabbed a notepad and plopped down beside him again, the faint scent of paper and ink wafting between them. She opened it to a fresh page, tapping her pen thoughtfully against her chin.
"Okay," she said, looking at him with a mischievous glint. "You're going to help me. Tell me a good title for my adventure story. Oh, and I'm going to make you the main character!"
Anik blinked in surprise. "Me? Why me? Use another name," he said, a little flustered.
Rose playfully nudged his shoulder. "Oh, come on. I'm using your name because I don't want to forget it. And I don't want to forget you or the memories we've shared." She hesitated for just a moment, her voice dropping to a soft murmur, "And... because I think I'm starting to like you."
Anik, busy glancing at the intricate patterns on the cushions, didn't catch the last part. "Okay, okay," he said with a sigh of resignation. "Use my name if you want. It's your story, so you decide the title."
Rose smirked, pretending not to notice his obliviousness. "This is going to be a science fiction story," she declared, her enthusiasm spilling over. "An adventure through the cosmos! So, I think the title should be... The Great Cosmic Adventure. What do you think?"
Anik tilted his head, pretending to consider it carefully. "Hmm... it's a good name. Yeah, The Great Cosmic Adventure. It fits."
Rose grinned, quickly scribbling the title across the top of the page in bold letters. "Perfect! You've officially been immortalized as my story's hero."
Anik laughed lightly, the sound genuine and rare. "Hero, huh? You might regret that when you see how bad I am at hoverboarding."
Rose giggled, her laughter like a soft melody that filled the room. "Oh, don't worry. I'll write that part in, too. 'The clumsy cosmic prince learning to navigate Earth's crazy gadgets.'" She teased him with a playful smirk, then leaned back, glancing at the green light streaming through the leaves.
For a moment, neither spoke, the silence filled with the quiet rustling of the tree's branches outside. Anik turned his gaze toward Rose, noticing the way her fingers lightly tapped her pen against the notepad, her lips curving in thought.
She's different, he realized. Curious, brave... and maybe a little reckless. But I like that about her.
Rose, meanwhile, stole a glance at Anik. He's so unlike anyone I've met. Polite, a little shy, but there's something... steady about him. Like he carries something important inside him.
"Hey," she said, breaking the silence. "We're going to make this adventure unforgettable, right?"
Anik looked at her, his serious demeanor softening. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Unforgettable."
And in that moment, with the leaves swaying gently and the distant hum of the bustling city below, the two of them—an intergalactic prince and an Earth-born dreamer—began a friendship that promised a future of extraordinary adventures.
The treehouse was alive with nature's symphony—the rustling of leaves swayed by the cool evening breeze, the faint chirping of distant birds, and the soft hum of the city below. Anik and Rose sat cross-legged on the cushions, with Rose deeply engrossed in her notepad, sketching the framework for her story.
Anik leaned closer, watching her hand glide over the paper. "Why don't you use your computer? It'd be faster," he suggested, gesturing toward the sleek machine on her desk.
Rose smiled, her eyes still on her notepad. "I like writing this way. There's something personal about it—like I'm pouring a piece of myself onto the paper. Besides, this story is special to me."
Her voice carried a quiet sincerity that made Anik pause. He admired her dedication, thinking how different she was from the logical, efficiency-driven world he came from. She valued the process, not just the result.
Time passed as the golden glow of the sun turned softer, painting the room in hues of orange and red. Anik stretched and glanced out the window, suddenly realizing how late it was. "I didn't even notice the time," he said, getting to his feet. He wandered to the balcony and stood in awe as the majestic sunset unfolded before him—a masterpiece of amber skies, silhouetted skyscrapers, and the faint twinkle of distant lights waking in the city below.
Rose joined him, standing a little to his side. "Okay, let's head back. My dad's probably worried by now," she said, grinning sheepishly. "He doesn't know about this secret spot of mine."
Anik turned to her with a curious smile. "Now tell me—how are we supposed to get back?"
Rose's eyes twinkled with mischief as she motioned toward the open window. "Follow me," she said, stepping confidently toward it. Anik followed, peering out to see a long, shimmering zipline stretching down to a skyscraper far below.
He frowned, his brow furrowing. "Wait, don't tell me we have to hang onto this thing with just our hands."
Rose laughed, the sound light and teasing.
"Relax! We're using hoverboards. The zipline has an electromagnetic field to guide us, so all you have to do is stand and let it do the work. No need for acrobatics."
Without another word, she grabbed her hoverboard, stepped onto it with practiced ease, and leaped onto the zipline. The board's faint hum filled the air as she glided effortlessly downward, her hair streaming behind her like a banner.
Anik hesitated, his stomach knotting. "Alright, here goes," he muttered, stepping onto his board. He took a deep breath and jumped. The board activated instantly, stabilizing him as it caught the zipline's field. Soon, he was soaring between buildings, his initial fear replaced by awe.
The city came alive around him. Towering skyscrapers sparkled like stars, and below him, trains and cars zipped through the air, their lights creating a web of motion. The thrill of flying so high, surrounded by such advanced marvels, made Anik's heart race with exhilaration.
Ahead, he saw the zipline leading into an open window of a sleek, futuristic building. Rose reached it first, slipping inside with the fluidity of someone who'd done this a hundred times. Anik followed, landing neatly and stepping into the warmly lit room.
Welcome back," Rose said with a triumphant grin, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
Before Anik could reply, a familiar voice called out. "Brother! Where have you been all this time?" It was Rina, his younger sister, standing in the doorway with a curious yet slightly reproachful look.
To be continue...