Chapter 5
FIVE
Nine months later
Unsurprisingly, Renn was already as tall as half the students two years his senior. The months before the new term passed in a blur. It hadn’t truly sunk in for Aldrenn that he was attending The Academy until his school uniforms arrived a week before.
His grandmother had laid them out in neat piles to be packed with his other belongings, their dark maroon color in stark contrast to the light colors of his bedroom at the penthouse, where he had been living with his father for the last several months.
His grandparents had come to stay for a couple weeks in preparation for the big day.
The Academy was known worldwide, sought out by students from multiple countries and eventually, hopefully, students from other worlds. It was as prestigious as an ivy league school, but the curriculum around space travel and technology was one of a kind.
Camille couldn’t contain herself when she found out about Elias’s new position.
“We can spend holidays together. Your pop and I can come up for family dinners on the weekends! It will be wonderful!” she had explained, hopeful about the good news.
It seemed that Renn would get the best of both worlds—living on campus, but close enough to his father to see him a few times a week and his grandparents at least once a month.
Much to Renn’s relief, they didn’t speak much about The Academy leading up to the day. When they did, it was mostly Renn seeking reassurance from Elias.
“I don’t want to get in early just because you are you. I want to earn it like everyone else,” Renn had shared with his father, drowning in worry.
“But you did earn it. You are special and yes, being my son has its benefits, but it’s all you.”
“Fine, but I don’t want any special treatment from any of the instructors. I want to get the same education and rules to follow as everyone else.”
“Trust me. They won’t. That’s not how they run things at The Academy. It’s an educational institution, but the bar for what they want you to achieve is higher than any other. They don’t take anything lightly.” Renn preferred this reasoning much more than anyone taking it easy on him.
The promise of hard work didn’t frighten Renn.
It gave him a spark of something he had only felt a couple of times.
A true challenge. And that spark only ignited a fire of excitement in him when they arrived at the campus for orientation—the beginning of Renn’s new life that would irrevocably alter his future forever.
The campus was beautiful, dotted with perfectly manicured lawns and large trees set against the elegant glass-and-stone buildings—a blend of nature and futuristic aesthetics symbolizing the importance of each.
At least, that was how Renn interpreted it.
While space travel and advancements in technology was a benefit for all mankind, it was vital to remember that there was nothing that could replace mother nature—the true roots of humanity.
There was a sea of dark maroon with random colors spotted throughout the campus.
All of his luggage was dropped off with the stewards who would take everyone’s belongings to their assigned dorms, and Renn had no idea who his roommate would be for the coming year.
Cadets didn’t get a say in roommate assignments their first year, but since he was most likely one of only a handful of younger students accepted, the pool was limited.
Camille was holding on to Renn’s arm in a death grip, but he didn’t mention it or complain. He knew she was more anxious than himself. It would be difficult for both of them not to see each other every day.
“Well, this is it,” Elias said as they reached the main building where officers were checking in new students. Somehow, Camille’s grip tightened. Charlie spoke first. “There’s not much advice I can give you, kid.”
Camille was about to say something, but he gave her a look that he wasn’t finished and added, “Because I know you don’t need it. Just be you. Be good.”
“Thanks, Pop. Love you.”
Camille finally let go of his arm so he could embrace his grandfather, before turning back to her. He was taller than her now, so he bent slightly, pulling her into a hug.
“I’m going to get makeup on your uniform,” she said through a quiet sob. She had fussed over him all morning, making sure he got a fresh haircut the day before and that his clothing fit perfectly.
“I don’t care,” he said, holding her tighter.
“You’re going to have the best time and learn so much. You are such an amazing young man. Smart. Kind. Strong. I love you, Renn.”
He sniffed away the tears. “I love you, Gran.”
When she finally let him go and back away, Renn took a moment to take in both his grandparents beaming at him with pride.
“Thank you both, for everything.” Though she tried with all her might to stay strong, Camille ran to him one last time, kissing him on the cheek.
Charlie laughed, not mocking but admiring just how special their relationship was with each other.
“All right, dear, Let’s give these two some space to say goodbye.” Renn had almost forgotten his father was there. They waved their goodbyes before disappearing into the crowd.
“How are you feeling?” Elias asked once they had gone from their sight.
“I feel really good actually, but . . .” Renn’s voice trailed off, suddenly unsure of the question he wanted to ask, worried that the answer would either disappoint him or make him sorrowful.
“But?”
He took another few seconds, gathering his courage in a deep breath. Whenever they were all together, in every big, life-changing moment, Renn couldn’t help thinking about his mother.
“Would she be proud?” Renn asked softly. Elias knew who he meant.
Without a spoken word, his father reached under the collar of his own uniform to reveal a necklace with a pendant at the end. He hadn’t planned on doing this, but the moment called for him to do so.
“This was your mother’s.”
Renn stared at the symbols on the pendant. A sun, a moon, and a star were delicately embedded into the thin metal bar. For some reason, he found it hard to look at his father’s face.
“The moment I saw Kendra, that was it for me. It took a little while longer for her to come to the same conclusion, but I didn’t mind waiting.
” He smiled sadly, reliving the memory. Renn had never heard him say his mother’s name before, and that was already enough to make him cry.
“I gave her this when I became a captain—had it specially made for her.” Elias’s voice changed to a sort of reverence.
“Gentle as the moonlight, fierce as the sun, and endless, like the stars.”
Renn blinked away tears, fighting against the sweet statement. There was untenable truth in his father’s words. He once had a great love in his life and had lost it too soon.
“I know it’s far in the future, but someday, I can only hope that you’ll come to have that same kind of love in your life.”
Renn had never thought much of having his own family someday, let alone a partner.
At his age, it hadn’t even crossed his mind until now.
“And yes, your mother would have wanted you to chase your dreams, Aldrenn. She would have wanted nothing but the best for her son, and for you to find whatever is going to make you the happiest in this life.”
With no hesitation and surety, he placed the necklace around Renn’s neck.
“This is yours now. Keep it as a reminder that your mother, wherever she is, loves you—that I love you.” He placed a hand on his shoulder, intensity burning in his eyes as he stared at his son. A validation that his words were true and would always remain so.
Renn trembled slightly as he looked at the item he never knew existed all these years—a small but significant thing that his father had kept on him all these years.
Now it was lying against his chest, and he could have sworn he felt it radiating with that love.
He took the pendant and traced the indents with his fingers.
“You sure, Dad?”
“Absoultely.” Elias pulled him into a hug.
They had shared so little together in Renn’s nearly fourteen years; this was rare and they took advantage of the time they were given.
If people watched, they didn’t pay them any mind.
People had been watching them the moment they arrived anyway, but they might as well have been alone in that courtyard because this was a moment only for them, and then it was over too soon.
“You better get going.” Elias clapped him on the back. “I’ll see you on Friday?”
“Sounds good.” Renn adjusted the collar of his uniform as he slid his mother’s necklace underneath.
“You know where I am if you need me. I’ve got an orientation myself for the instructors.” Elias chuckled lightly.
“You’re going to be great. I bet all your students are so excited to get to learn from the best,” he said with a wink.
“Thank you, son. You’ll be great too, Aldrenn. No doubt in my mind.”
Renn gave him a warm smile as they waved each other off.
Once Elias was gone, Renn placed a hand on his chest, feeling the necklace underneath.
It instantly gave him reassurance that he wasn’t alone—that someone was looking out for him, guiding him.
He didn’t know it then, but it would become a habit for him to do so, whenever he was nervous, happy—anytime he needed validation in his feelings.
The good. The bad. Anything of great importance, the necklace would remind him that he was being watched over and he was loved, no matter if it was here on Earth or in the expanse of space. He would never truly be alone.
“Are you really Captain Elias Anton’s son?” the female officer asked, eyes wide and assessing Renn from head to toe.
“Yep.”
“And you’re only thirteen?”
“Almost fourteen,” he said, a bit annoyed. He didn’t like the slight mockery in her tone.