The start of the new year brought a shift in Rowan's life - one that felt more tangible than before. With the fellowship opportunity looming over him, the mystery of the message from the science machine, and his newfound passions in music and technology, it felt like every door in his life was opening at once.

Sitting in his lab, Rowan scrolled through emails, fingers drumming lightly on the desk. His eyes flicked to the unanswered message from Chantrelle, waiting for him to finalize a time for their meeting. He knew he needed to set it up, but something in the back of his mind kept holding him back - uncertainty, maybe. Or just the weight of knowing everything was about to change.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Oliver.

"Let me guess. You still haven't replied?" Oliver leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.

Rowan sighed. "I will. I just... I need a minute."

Oliver stepped inside, dropping into the chair across from him. "A minute? Dude, you've had days. What's up?"

Rowan hesitated, then shook his head. "I guess I'm just? overwhelmed. Between this, the whole 'we see you' thing from the machine, and, I don't know - just everything - it feels like too much."

Oliver's face softened. "You know, you don't have to figure it all out at once. Just take the next step. That's it."

Rowan smirked. "You make it sound so easy."

Oliver shrugged. "Well, compared to building futuristic science tech, I'd say answering an email is pretty manageable."

Rowan huffed out a laugh, finally clicking on the email. "Alright. Setting up the meeting now."

As he hit send, a notification popped up on his phone - an alert from the science machine. His breath hitched. "The signal - it's back."

Oliver's expression sharpened. "Same message?"

Rowan scanned the data. "No. It's different this time. It's? longer."

A chill ran down his spine as he clicked to decode the message. The screen flickered, rearranging symbols, forming another ominous phrase:

"You are not alone."

The room fell silent. Oliver stared at the screen, then back at Rowan. "Okay. I'm officially freaked out."

Rowan swallowed. "Me too."

Needing a break from the intensity of his discoveries, Rowan and Oliver decided to visit the Spring Festival. The weather was perfect - clear skies, a gentle breeze, and the scent of blooming flowers carried through the air. The festival grounds were filled with families, couples, and friends enjoying the lively atmosphere.

"This is exactly what you needed," Oliver said, nudging Rowan's shoulder. "A little sunshine, some fresh air, and - oh look, an Easter egg hunt. Think you can beat me?"

Rowan chuckled. "You're on."

The two of them dashed across the festival grounds, searching through bushes and under decorative displays for the hidden pastel-colored eggs. Oliver kept trying to distract Rowan, pointing him toward already-emptied spots, but Rowan saw through his tricks.

"Nice try," Rowan laughed, pulling a golden egg from behind a tree trunk. "Looks like I win."

Oliver sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. You win this round. But next time, I'm using strategy."

They grabbed some festival snacks and sat on a grassy hill overlooking the event, the golden hour light making everything look warm and surreal. Laughter and music blended into the atmosphere, and for a moment, Rowan forgot about his worries.

"This place is kinda romantic," Oliver noted casually, biting into a funnel cake. "You ever think about bringing a date here?"

Rowan smirked. "You volunteering?"

Oliver choked slightly on his food before laughing. "Depends. Do I get a rematch on the egg hunt?"

Rowan rolled his eyes but smiled. "You're ridiculous."

Oliver grinned. "You love it."

Rowan leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the sky. "It's weird, you know? Everything changing all at once. Feels like just yesterday I was fixing up my science table in my bedroom, and now I'm here."

Oliver studied him for a moment before nudging his knee with his own. "Change isn't a bad thing, Rowan. You're growing, and yeah, things are different, but that doesn't mean they have to be scary."

Rowan sighed, letting Oliver's words sink in. "I guess. Just? promise me one thing?"

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Anything."

"That no matter what happens, we don't lose this." Rowan motioned between them, his voice softer than before. "The dumb competitions, the late-night talks, the way we just - get each other."

Oliver's smirk melted into something warmer, something more sincere. "Rowan, even if you become some big-shot scientist changing the world, I'll still be right here, kicking your ass in egg hunts."

Rowan laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound. "I'll hold you to that."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden hues over the festival, Rowan felt something he hadn't in a while - peace. Maybe, just maybe, he was ready for whatever came next.