Jim tackled Matt as soon as he spotted him in the hallway. Silent tears raced down Matt's face. Braxton joined them moments later to slap Matt's shoulders and tossle Jim's hair. Jim squeezed his sobbing friend extra tight before he stepped back. "Where's Sy?"
"Predictable as always, Jim." Braxton said with a smirk.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jim demanded.
"Nothing, nothing. Your softspot's over there."
Jim whipped around in the direction Braxton had indicated. His face lit up as he spotted his younger friend. "Sy! Over here!"
Sy kept his head down as he wove through the still buzzing crowd. His cheeks were pink with a faint blush and he quickly sandwiched himself between the older boys. Jim slung an arm over his shoulders and tucked him in against his side where he'd be safe.
Braxton eyed the two of them with amusement. "I have to go pick up 628. C'mon, let's get out of this madhouse. Hey, Matt….you can stop crying now."
Matt shoved him half heartedly and continued sobbing.
Sy similarly seemed affected. He pressed tighter against Jim as the small group wove through the crowds. In nearly every nook and cranny stood small clusters of students frantically discussing the admiral's announcement. Jim could only understand a smattering of conversations, but in each of them the conversations were the same.
How was this possible, and was it even true?
As they neared a doorway to the auditorium a green and yellow blur surged through the air towards them. Jim instinctively flinched and threw up an arm to protect his and Sy's heads.
Braxton's arms also went up, catching his small buddy out of the air. "There you are, you little rascally experiment!" 628 laughed happily and squirmed in his hands. He climbed down Braxton's arms and used his head as a stepping stone to his shoulders. As he seated himself the little creature caught sight of their crying companion.
"Matt?" He put his ears back and fidgeted anxiously. "No sad. This happy, yes?" He jumped from Braxton's shoulders down to the ground at Matt's feet. Carefully he scampered up the boy's body to wrap his arms and legs around his chest. Matt latched on and squeezed him tightly. 628 made a small, pleased sound.
"You're so fluffy."
628's ears perked up. "Yes! Cute and fluffy!"
Matt laughed. "I see why Braxton likes to hold you so much. I promise I'm not sad. I'm crying because I'm happy. I've missed my family, and I'm excited for new letters." 628 nuzzled his head up under Matt's chin. Matt laid his cheek between the experiment's ears and squeezed him a little tighter.
Braxton shoved his hands in his pockets and allowed Matt to carry their companion this time. The five boys wove their way through the crowds. As they broke free of the majority of the commotion, Braxton took the lead. Matt fell in behind him while Jim and Sy trailed behind.
"Alright guys, pull over to the side here," Braxton instructed. "628 buddy, Sy, what's your first class? Have you looked at your new schedules yet?"
Sy shook his head. "I figured I'd do that when I got my stuff from my room." He admitted sheepishly. "I got into bed late last night. My grandparents finally got a chance to talk to my mom, but it wasn't until around one. We finished up about three."
Matt winced. "You've gotta be exhausted."
"Talk about lucky," Braxton scoffed. "Someone's got connections. Out of your room late and talking off planet? Bit of a captain's pet I see."
Sy went bright red. Jim rotated so his body was between Sy and Braxton. "Leave him alone Braxton. He didn't pick his family. Let's just go get our things and head to class."
