Nosh stepped into the spaceport gift shop, the air buzzing like the school hallways between classes. Outside, shuttles lined up on the launch pads, their engines humming, while a sleek SpaceX rocket loomed tall against a sky that was quickly darkening. Storm clouds gathered like a crowd before the big game, thick and heavy, a cold wind whistling through the glass walls.

Inside, it was all flashy souvenirs: mission patches, plush astronauts, constellation maps that glowed in the dark. Nosh wandered through aisles of replica helmets and astronaut suits, trying to clear his head. But his mind kept drifting back to Candy—the girl from History class, with her long brown hair, blue bow, and pinkish-gray glasses. He’d been planning to ask her out. Someday.

Then he saw them. Chorizo, his best friend, was there. With Candy. Under a neon “Galactic Souvenirs” sign, they were laughing, heads close together, flipping through hats and T-shirts.

Chorizo held up two matching Apollo 13 hats. “What do you think?” he grinned.

“Perfect!” Candy giggled.

Nosh’s stomach twisted like he’d just flunked a pop quiz. Lightning flickered outside, lighting up the glass walls. What was going on?

He watched them leave, still laughing, still smiling. Thunder rumbled, echoing the pounding in his chest. Chorizo called out, "I'll see you later! It’s Friday."

Candy nodded. "Alright, have fun. And tell Nosh I said hi!"

Nosh stormed out, his heart racing, past racks of mugs and freeze-dried space ice cream. The wind was picking up outside. How could Chorizo do this? He’d trusted him with everything about his feelings for Candy. And now, this—this betrayal.

Back in his room, surrounded by space posters and stacks of sci-fi comics, Nosh fumed. The wind howled outside, rain lashing the windows. His phone buzzed: “Launch Update: Weather conditions have deteriorated. The launch has been scrubbed.” He stared at the sky, feeling like even the universe was against him.

A knock on his door. Chorizo walked in, casual as ever, holding a deck of Uno cards. “You ready for this?” he asked.

Nosh forced a smile. “Yeah, come in.”

They sat at the table. Chorizo shuffled the cards, the rain pounding harder. “Did you see the rocket today? Shame about the launch,” he said, all carefree.

Nosh barely heard him. “So, how’s Candy?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing.

Chorizo looked up, confused. “Uh, she’s good. Why?”

“No reason,” Nosh shot back, slapping down a “Reverse” card. “Just saw you two looking pretty cozy.”

Chorizo frowned, thunder booming outside. “Cozy? What do you mean?”

“You knew I liked her!” Nosh snapped, throwing down a “Draw 2.” The wind rattled the windows. Chorizo picked up two cards, his expression serious now.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

Nosh’s frustration exploded as lightning lit up the room. “I’m talking about you and Candy! You knew I was going to ask her out, and you just swoop in like it’s nothing!” He slammed down another card.

Chorizo’s face softened with realization. “Wait, you think I… Nosh, you’ve got it all wrong,” he started, but the rain was now a torrential downpour, hammering the roof.

“Don’t play dumb!” Nosh yelled, throwing a “Wild Draw 4” onto the table. “You’re supposed to be my friend!”

Chorizo sighed, picking up four cards, his voice calm against the storm outside. “Nosh, listen… Candy’s my sister. You’ve met her before.”

Nosh blinked, stunned. “What?”

“Last year, Halloween? The girl dressed as a Jedi? That was Candy. Uno!” Chorizo said, and Nosh realized he'd forgotten to call "Uno." He groaned, picking up two more cards.

“She moved back a few weeks ago. I thought you knew,” Chorizo explained, dropping another “Draw 2.”

Nosh felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment as thunder cracked again. “I—I didn’t put it together,” he mumbled, still defensive.

Chorizo played a “Skip,” “I’d never.” A “Reverse,” “go behind.” Another “Skip,” “your back, man. The hats were for our parents. It’s their anniversary and they’re huge NASA fans.”

Nosh felt his anger dissolve, replaced by guilt. The rain softened, the wind calming. “I’m sorry, man. I just…”

Chorizo grinned, slapping down a flurry of cards, ending with a triumphant “Uno!” and a “Wild Draw 4.” “No worries. Just ask next time—innocent until proven guilty,” he teased. Nosh laughed as the storm outside settled, the tension breaking at last. Chorizo leaned back, smiling. “Rematch?”