"Did you install the new thruster module backward?" I asked, blinking at the faint trail of smoke rising from our so-called rocket.
Kairo scratched his head with Kevin the Wrench. "It depends. Did the manual say 'this side up' or was that just a suggestion?"
We both stared at the rocket. It was technically a trashcan bolted to a wheelchair frame, spray-painted silver, and now gently on fire.
I coughed. "It's smoking."
"It's expressing enthusiasm."
"It's literally combusting."
"It's passionate!"
"You're passionate. That's on fire."
Kairo ran to grab the fire extinguisher, which, knowing him, was probably filled with glitter or whipped cream.
Spoiler: it was.
He sprayed the flames with a hiss and a *poof* of sparkles.
I blinked through the cloud. "You filled it with—"
"Non-dairy sparkle suppressant," he said proudly.
I facepalmed. "We're gonna die in sequins."
---
After putting out the "passion," we decided it was time for a break.
Kairo sat cross-legged on the rooftop, eating cold fries and fiddling with wires. I sat beside him, slightly singed, holding a notepad with our "Launch Schedule" written in neon gel pen.
"Okay," I said, tapping the list. "We still need fuel, a flight path, and permission from literally anyone in charge of aerospace safety."
He nodded solemnly. "We also need helmets. I tried using salad bowls, but mine kept smelling like ranch."
"Because you didn't wash it."
"It adds character."
"It adds bacteria."
"Same thing."
---
We worked until sunset, laughing, arguing, and accidentally hot-gluing Kevin the Wrench to a flip-flop.
By twilight, the rocket looked... slightly less doomed.
"I think she's ready," Kairo said, patting the side of the trashcan like it was a prized stallion.
"Ready to implode," I muttered.
He ignored me. "You know what we need now?"
"Logic?"
"No. A test date."
I blinked. "What?"
"If we survive this launch, we go on a real date."
"This isn't a date?"
"This is a pre-date stress rehearsal."
"Romantic."
"Exactly."
---
We sat on the roof watching the stars emerge.
Kairo lay back on the concrete, arms behind his head, grinning like the sky was telling him jokes.
I sat beside him, watching his face instead of the stars.
"You're serious about this, aren't you?" I asked.
"About you? About space? About both? Yes."
"That's terrifying."
"I know."
He turned to me, eyes soft. "You ever feel like the world wants you to stay grounded, but your heart's already orbiting something bigger?"
"…That was the nerdiest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"And yet, you're still here."
I smiled. "Yeah. I am."
---
Suddenly—*BOOM.*
Not the rocket.
Just thunder.
But still, we jumped like guilty raccoons.
"Okay," Kairo said, standing up and offering me his hand. "Let's do something truly dumb."
"Like trusting you?"
"Worse."
He pulled me toward the rocket.
"Wait," I said, backing up. "You're not suggesting—"
"Test ignition."
"WHAT."
"Just the ignition sequence! Not the actual launch."
"You say that like it won't end with us in orbit or on fire!"
"Which is why you'll be holding the emergency hose."
I groaned. "Filled with glitter again?"
"Nope. Lemonade."
"Kairo!"
---
He climbed into the rocket—well, sat inside the trashcan.
"Countdown ready," he said, flipping fake switches.
I stood nearby with the lemonade hose, praying for my GPA to be forgiven in the afterlife.
"Three…"
"Kairo, I swear—"
"Two…"
"If you explode—"
"One!"
*BZZZ-KZRRR-BANG*
The rocket made a sound like a blender full of angry bees and let out a puff of smoke that smelled faintly like burnt pop tarts.
Kairo coughed from inside. "I may have cross-wired the toaster."
"You connected a TOASTER?!"
"It was for snack efficiency!"
I sprayed him with lemonade.
---
We collapsed in laughter.
He climbed out, soaked and sticky, and sat beside me again.
"We're insane," I said.
He nodded. "And unstoppable."
A beat.
Then he leaned in.
I panicked.
Then he kissed my cheek.
Just lightly.
But it was enough to short-circuit every cell in my body.
"That was for not letting me die," he said with a smile.
I stared at him, stunned. "I… I mean… I didn't—"
"Next time I'll aim better."
He winked.
I threw a lemon slice at his head.
---
**[TO BE CONTINUED]**