THE LAST GIFT

REGRETFUL DREAMS

As I watched Rivad's triumphant smile, the crowd's cheers and applause filled the air. I beamed with pride, my heart swelling with admiration for my best friend. "Let's go, Avery," I said to myself, excitement building in my chest. I looked forward to the day he would finally confess his love for me.

As we walked through the streets of Exria, I asked Rivad, "What will be the first thing you'll do when you get to the human world?" He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eye and said, "Everything! I want to try everything they eat, see all their inventions..."

I felt a pang of jealousy, knowing he'd experience new things without me. "We have some of those things here too," I said. Rivad turned to me, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come with me," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

I pushed back, looking into his eyes. "You know that's impossible. My mom wouldn't allow it." Rivad's expression turned thoughtful. "Have you asked her? You wouldn't know until you try." I smiled, feeling a spark of determination.

As I walked back home, I joined my parents and brother in the training grounds. My mom was a skilled warrior, and my dad's super hearing ability made him an excellent strategist. I looked at my mom and asked, "Mamu, how was the human world like?" Her expression turned distant, and she said, "It's just another society of people."

I knew my mom had a complicated past. When I was 10, she left for the human world for 7 years and returned broken but decisive. My dad called out to me, "Avery, come join us," ending the conversation. I joined, despite knowing my fighting skills weren't a match for my brother's.

During supper, my brother asked, "How does Rivad feel about going out there?" "He's excited," I said calmly. My brother teased, "I know you're going to miss him." I revealed, "He asked me to come with him." My mom slammed the table, saying, "That's not happening."

I asked, "Why?" but she just shook her head. I walked out angrily, looking up at the cloudy sky. I'd heard the human world had many stars. I felt a sense of longing, wanting to experience it for myself.

As I stood there, I decided to find out more about my mom's past in the human world. Maybe understanding her experiences would help me convince her to let me go. I went to my room, determined to uncover the truth.

The next day, I approached my mom and asked, "Mamu, what happened to you in the human world?" Her expression turned guarded, and she said, "It's a long story, Avery." I persisted, "I'm willing to listen." She looked at me, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of sadness in her eyes.

"Let's talk about it later," she said. I nodded, knowing I'd taken the first step. I was determined to learn more about her past and convince her to let me experience the human society