Chapter — New York, For Once
Author's POV
The next morning started unusually peacefully.
Until—
Percy walked into the common area and announced,
"We're going out."
Everyone looked at him.
Denila slowly lowered his phone.
"Out where?"
Percy spread his arms.
"New York."
Silence.
Jay, who had been sitting between Cora and Luna, blinked.
"That's… where we are."
Percy stared at her.
"Thank you, Jay. Very helpful."
A few people laughed.
"I mean we're actually going outside the base."
That got everyone's attention.
Luna looked up from her phone.
"Today?"
"Today."
Alex immediately frowned.
"We have security to arrange."
Percy pointed at him.
"Already done."
Alex stared.
"When?"
"While you were sleeping."
Alex looked offended.
"You went through my security plans?"
"Obviously."
Jay couldn't help smiling.
Aries leaned back.
"Honestly, I'm surprised we remember what sunlight looks like."
Denila nodded.
"Same."
Cora looked at Jay and Luna.
"You two coming?"
Jay glanced at Luna.
Then at Cora.
"Of course."
Luna smiled.
"Definitely."
Keifer looked at Jay.
"You sure?"
Jay nodded.
"I want to."
And that was enough.
Getting Ready
The base suddenly became louder than usual.
Doors opened.
People moved through hallways.
Everyone was actually getting dressed for something that wasn't a mission.
Jay stood in front of her closet for several minutes before Cora and Luna appeared behind her.
Cora crossed her arms.
"You're overthinking it."
Jay looked at her.
"I'm not."
Luna glanced at the clothes scattered across the bed.
"You've changed outfits twice."
"Three times," Jay admitted.
Cora laughed.
"Exactly."
Luna picked up one of the shirts and held it against Jay.
"This one."
Jay looked at it.
"You think?"
"It's cute," Luna said simply.
Cora nodded.
"She's right."
Jay smiled and took the shirt.
"Fine. I'll wear this."
The three of them got ready together, talking about absolutely nothing important.
Cora kept making comments about everyone's outfits.
Luna quietly fixed Jay's hair when a few strands refused to stay in place.
Jay complained the entire time, but she was smiling.
Eventually, they went downstairs together.
Aries immediately looked at them.
"Finally."
Jay frowned.
"What?"
"We thought you were going to take another hour."
Cora pointed at him.
"Don't start."
Luna nodded seriously.
"We were ready on time."
Aries looked between them.
"Three people and somehow all of you are blaming me."
"That's because it's usually your fault," Cora said.
Jay laughed.
Keifer was standing nearby.
He looked at Jay for a moment and smiled.
Not because she looked different.
Because she looked—
happy.
Like she was actually looking forward to the day.
"Ready?" he asked.
Jay nodded.
"Ready."
Luna linked her arm through Jay's.
"Then let's go before Percy changes his mind."
"I heard that," Percy called from across the room.
Times Square
The moment they stepped out of the vehicles, Jay stopped.
She looked up.
Lights.
Screens.
Buildings.
People everywhere.
Music.
Traffic.
Noise.
Everything seemed to be moving at once.
Jay slowly turned in a circle.
"It's huge."
Denila laughed.
"Welcome to New York."
"It's loud."
Percy nodded seriously.
"That's also New York."
Jay laughed.
Cora and Luna stood on either side of her, both looking up at the glowing screens.
Luna's eyes widened.
"Everything is so bright."
Cora pulled out her phone.
"We need pictures."
Jay immediately shook her head.
"Cora—"
"Too late."
Cora pulled Jay and Luna closer.
The three of them posed together while Luna tried not to laugh.
Aries offered to take the picture.
That was a mistake.
"Aries!"
"What?"
"You were supposed to take the picture!"
"I did."
"You moved!"
"I was improving it."
"You made it blurry!"
Luna looked at the picture and burst out laughing.
Cora covered her face.
Jay shook her head.
"You're impossible."
Aries looked proud.
"I bring personality to every photo."
"You bring disaster," Cora replied.
Everyone laughed.
Eventually, Luna took the phone from him.
"Give it to me. I'll do it."
She took several pictures of Jay, Cora, and herself.
This time, they came out perfectly.
Jay looked at the screen.
A genuine smile appeared.
"That's actually good."
Luna leaned closer.
"See? I told you."
Cora smiled.
"We look adorable."
Jay looked at the picture again.
The three of them stood close together, smiling beneath the bright New York lights.
For once, none of them looked tired.
None of them looked worried.
They just looked happy.
Jay saved the picture immediately.
"Don't delete that."
Cora gasped.
"I would never."
Luna smiled.
"It's our picture."
Jay looked around again.
No underground base.
No missions.
No war.
Just a crowded New York street.
She smiled.
"Let's keep walking."
Central Park
Later, they made their way toward Central Park.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
It was quieter.
Greener.
Peaceful.
Everyone slowed down.
Jay walked between Cora and Luna while Percy and Denila argued several steps ahead.
Aries and Angelo were discussing where they should eat later.
Keifer walked nearby.
Jay looked around.
"I like this."
Keifer smiled.
"Better than the base?"
"Much."
"That's offensive."
She laughed.
"You'll survive."
Cora bumped Jay's shoulder gently.
"She's right. The base has terrible scenery."
Luna nodded.
"And the food is worse."
Keifer looked at her.
"You're all very ungrateful."
Jay smiled.
"That's because you keep giving us reasons."
The three girls continued walking together, occasionally stopping to look at the trees, the lake, and the people passing by.
Cora pointed toward a group of ducks.
"Look."
Luna leaned closer.
"They're so cute."
Jay smiled.
"You say that about everything."
"Because everything is cute," Luna replied.
Cora nodded.
"She has a point."
Jay shook her head, but she was smiling.
They eventually stopped for snacks.
Jay, Cora, and Luna sat together on a bench while everyone else scattered around.
Keifer came back carrying two drinks.
He handed one to Jay.
"Here."
Jay took it.
"Thanks."
She took a sip.
Then looked at him.
"Keif."
"Hm?"
She pointed toward his food.
"Can I have that?"
He stared at her.
"You have your own."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Jay smiled.
"Because yours looks better."
Keifer sighed.
He handed it over.
"Of course."
Jay took a bite.
Cora immediately leaned toward Luna.
"She does this every time."
Luna nodded.
"And he always gives in."
Keifer looked at both of them.
"Why are you encouraging her?"
Luna smiled innocently.
"Because it's cute."
Jay laughed.
From several feet away, Percy noticed.
He shouted,
"AGAIN?"
Jay laughed harder.
Keifer shook his head.
"Ignore him."
Cora pointed at the food in Jay's hands.
"Are you going to share?"
Jay pulled it closer to herself.
"No."
Luna gasped.
"Jay!"
"What? I asked for it."
Cora and Luna both laughed while Keifer stared at Jay in disbelief.
Checking on Luna
After they finished their snacks, the three girls walked a little ahead of the others.
Cora was talking about a shop she wanted to visit later, while Luna listened and occasionally added her own suggestions.
Jay glanced at Luna's arm.
She had been moving it carefully all day.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
But Jay noticed.
She slowed down slightly.
"Luna?"
Luna looked at her.
"Yeah?"
"How's your injury?"
Luna blinked.
Then looked down at her arm.
"Oh."
Cora also turned toward her.
"Actually, yeah. How is it?"
Luna gave them a small smile.
"It's okay."
Jay frowned slightly.
"Just okay?"
Luna nodded.
"It still hurts a little when I move it too much, but it's healing."
Cora looked concerned.
"Are you sure you should be walking this much?"
Luna immediately shook her head.
"Don't start."
"We're just asking."
"I know." Luna smiled. "But I'm fine. Really."
Jay studied her face.
"You're not saying that just so we don't worry?"
Luna thought about it for a moment.
Then answered honestly,
"Maybe a little."
Jay stared at her.
Luna quickly added,
"But mostly because I'm actually okay."
Cora sighed.
"That is not very reassuring."
Luna smiled sweetly.
"I'm sorry."
Jay gently touched Luna's shoulder.
"Tell us if it starts hurting more, okay?"
Luna nodded.
"Okay."
Then she looked between them and added,
"But if either of you tries to carry me, I'm running away."
Cora laughed.
"You can barely move your arm."
"I'll run with my legs."
Jay smiled.
"You're ridiculous."
Luna leaned against her lightly.
"And you love me."
Jay looked at her.
"Unfortunately."
Cora wrapped an arm around both of them.
"Too late. We're stuck together."
Luna smiled.
"Good."
The three of them continued walking side by side.
Statue of Liberty
By late afternoon, everyone was tired but still refusing to go back.
So they headed toward the harbor.
The ferry moved across the water.
The city stretched behind them.
Jay stood near the railing with Cora and Luna.
The wind moved through their hair.
Luna held onto the railing with her uninjured hand while Cora stood on her other side.
Jay looked at her.
"Careful."
Luna smiled.
"I'm being careful."
Cora narrowed her eyes.
"You better be."
Luna sighed.
"You two are worse than doctors."
"That's because doctors aren't here," Jay said.
Luna laughed.
For a while, the three of them simply watched the skyline.
The city looked different from the water.
Softer.
Quieter.
Almost peaceful.
Jay rested her arms against the railing.
"I never thought I'd see New York like this."
Cora looked at her.
"Like what?"
"Without being scared."
Luna's expression softened.
Jay smiled faintly.
"It's nice."
Cora leaned her head against Jay's shoulder.
"Then we should do this more often."
Luna nodded.
"Definitely."
Jay looked at both of them.
"You think?"
"Of course," Luna said. "Next time, we're going somewhere with less walking."
Cora immediately agreed.
"Somewhere with better food."
Jay smiled.
"And somewhere Aries isn't allowed to take pictures."
From behind them, Aries called,
"I heard that!"
Luna laughed.
Keifer eventually stood beside Jay.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded.
"Yeah."
She looked toward the skyline.
"It's nice."
Keifer nodded.
"Then remember it like this."
Jay looked at him.
"How?"
"New York."
He paused.
"Not everything that happened here."
Jay smiled.
"I'll try."
Cora squeezed Jay's arm.
"You don't have to try alone."
Luna nodded.
"We're here too."
Jay looked at them both.
Her smile softened.
"I know."
Dinner
By evening, everyone was exhausted.
They found a place to eat and took over a large table.
The conversations started immediately.
Everyone was talking about the day.
Denila was showing everyone pictures.
Percy was complaining about the amount of walking.
Aries insisted he wasn't tired.
Angelo disagreed.
Cora and Luna were laughing at pictures of Aries.
Jay was sitting between them—
and stealing again.
Keifer looked down.
Then at her.
"Seriously?"
Jay calmly continued eating.
"Yes."
Percy nearly choked laughing.
"She does it every time!"
Jay shrugged.
"His food is better."
Keifer pushed his plate toward her.
"Just take it."
Jay smiled.
"Thanks, Keif."
Denila pointed at them.
"You two have the weirdest food-sharing system."
Jay laughed.
Keifer shook his head.
"I've given up."
Cora reached over and stole one of Jay's fries.
Jay immediately looked at her.
"Hey!"
Cora smiled.
"What? Your food looked better."
Luna laughed.
"That's exactly what Jay said."
Jay pointed at Cora.
"You're not allowed to copy me."
Cora took another fry.
"Too late."
Luna quietly took one from Cora's plate.
Cora stared at her.
"Luna."
Luna smiled.
"I was hungry."
Jay burst out laughing.
Soon, all three of them were stealing food from each other while everyone else watched.
Keifer leaned back in his chair.
"I'm glad I'm not the only victim anymore."
"You're still the main victim," Jay told him.
"Wonderful."
Everyone laughed again.
And somehow—
the whole day had passed without anyone mentioning war.
Without anyone mentioning Kyle.
Without anyone worrying about what might happen next.
For one day—
they were just friends.
Just family.
Just people enjoying a city that never seemed to sleep.
Cora was laughing beside Jay.
Luna was smiling on her other side.
And Jay sat between them, laughing too.
Really laughing.
She looked around the table.
Then quietly smiled to herself.
Maybe this was what healing felt like.
Not forgetting what happened.
Just slowly learning that life could still contain good days.
And tonight—
New York gave her one.