The warmth of the Christmas party lingered well into the following days, but Rowan's mind was already racing ahead. He sat at his workstation, the sleek new tablet resting beside him, its illuminated interface ready for him to dive into the possibilities. The gift had been more than just a tool - it was a sign that people believed in him, that his work meant something.

A notification popped up on the screen, pulling him from his thoughts. It was an email from Chantrelle Riffin.

Rowan,

I hope you're enjoying your new device. It's been a pleasure watching your work develop, and I'd love to discuss some future opportunities. There's a research fellowship opening at the Appaloosa Plains Science & Technology Institute, and I think you'd be an excellent candidate.

Let's set up a time to talk.

Chantrelle

Rowan blinked at the words. A fellowship? At the institute? His hands hovered over the keyboard as excitement and nerves tangled in his chest. He wasn't even out of school yet, and already he was being considered for something this big.

"Dude, you're staring at that screen like it's about to explode," Oliver's voice interrupted from behind him. "What's up?"

Rowan turned in his chair, still dazed. "I just got an email from Chantrelle. She wants me to apply for a research fellowship."

Oliver's eyes widened. "Wait. Like - a real, big-deal, actual science fellowship? That's insane!"

Rowan nodded, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, I wasn't expecting this. It's just? surreal."

Oliver smirked. "Are you kidding? You're, like, a genius. This was bound to happen sooner or later."

Rowan exhaled, staring at the email again. "I don't know if I'm ready for something like this."

Oliver crossed his arms. "Oh, come on. You're ready for way more than you think. You built a fireproof stove, made a waterless shower, and - oh yeah - you discovered a completely unknown energy signal! If anyone deserves this, it's you."

Rowan chuckled, shaking his head. "I guess when you put it like that?"

"Exactly. Now, are you gonna reply, or do I have to do it for you?" Oliver nudged his shoulder playfully.

Rowan took a deep breath and typed out a response.

Chantrelle,

Thank you for reaching out. I'd love to discuss the opportunity further. Let's set up a time to talk.

Best,

Rowan

He hit send, his pulse quickening. This was happening.

Oliver grinned. "Looks like you're about to take your first big step into the future."

Rowan met his gaze, a slow smile forming. "Yeah. I guess I am."

But before the Christmas party, something else had happened - something Rowan and Oliver had been too distracted to fully process. The science machine had received a message.

Rowan had been fine-tuning the system when the data stream suddenly shifted, the usual patterns warping into structured symbols.

Oliver, who had been lounging nearby, sat up quickly. "Uh, tell me that's just another weird glitch and not the start of some sci-fi horror movie."

Rowan's fingers hovered over the keyboard, his heart pounding. "It's not a glitch," he murmured. "This? this looks like an actual transmission."

The symbols rearranged themselves, morphing into something readable.

We see you.

Rowan's stomach clenched. The machine let out a low hum, the data stabilizing as if waiting for a response.

Oliver exhaled sharply. "Okay? yeah. That's not ominous at all."

Rowan swallowed. "Someone - or something - knows we've been looking."

Oliver leaned closer to the screen, his brow furrowed. "What do we even do with this? Reply? Ignore it? Run for the hills?"

Rowan exhaled through his nose, his fingers flexing over the keyboard. "I don't know. But this? This isn't random. It's a direct message."

Oliver whistled low. "Well, congrats, genius. You might have just made first contact. No pressure or anything."

Rowan smirked despite himself. "I doubt it's aliens, Oliver."

Oliver grinned. "Right. Totally normal, ominous, ghostly energy transmissions. Nothing weird about that at all."

With so much changing in his life, Rowan found himself drawn to something completely new - music. One evening, after hearing a guitarist play at a coffee shop downtown, he decided he wanted to learn. He picked up a used acoustic guitar, its wood smooth and well-loved, and spent hours teaching himself the chords. At first, his fingers ached from pressing the strings, but the satisfaction of making progress kept him going. Soon, simple strumming turned into familiar melodies, and Rowan felt a different kind of accomplishment than what he found in science. Music was an entirely new challenge, but one he welcomed.

Oliver had been more than amused at his attempts. "Never thought I'd see the day - you, playing guitar. What's next, starting a band?"

Rowan smirked. "One step at a time."

Another milestone came when Rowan finally got his new car - a sleek, grey Honda sedan. It wasn't flashy, but it was reliable, efficient, and perfect for his needs. The moment he slid into the driver's seat, he felt an unfamiliar sense of independence. The interior smelled of fresh leather, and the dashboard was clean and modern, with just enough tech to keep him entertained without overwhelming him.

"Damn, look at you," Oliver said, leaning against the passenger door as Rowan admired the car in the driveway. "Big scientist, guitar player, and now a car owner. You're unstoppable."

Rowan chuckled. "I just like knowing I can go anywhere now."

Oliver tapped the roof. "So where's the first stop?"

Rowan thought for a moment, then grinned. "Wherever the road takes me."