Space was always Zitao's favorite. He admired the stars and their constellations. He was awed when looking upon a planet or Milky Way. He could get enough of astrology and all the unknown that was composed of the galaxies. His parents couldn't have been more excited than to buy him books and telescopes and other things relating towards space. They wanted their son to grow up and do what he loved. And if being an astrologist was that then so be it.   But at twelve, Zitao realize that he didn't just want to look at the stars and plants through a microscope and pictures. He wanted to see it in person. So, Zitao took all of his knowledge of space and started to increase it. His science and math flew off the charts. His brain solving equations and quantum's like it was nothing. Making up new ideas and new ways to help space. To be apart of space that at age 16, colleges went crazy.   All the Ivy Leagues, all the number one in the state, county, continent wanted him. But Zitao didn't just want any old college. He wanted something more. And that something more came when NASA came knocking on his door.   "Hello, is there a Mr. Huang Zitao living here ? I'm the executive director Lau Guanhe of NASA's Chinese branch." The tall man in a dark suit said.   Zitao almost died.   "Mom !" He yelled letting the man in with a smile and bow.    "What is it Tao ?" His mother called from the kitchen.   "NASA is at our door and they want to talk to me." He replied.   "What ?" His mother said dropping what she was doing and peaked over to look. When she saw the tall man in the suit with NASA stitched above his pocket, she dropped the bowl of spinach she was washing.   "Oh my god." She whispered before quickly taking off her apron. "Come in come in please. I'm so sorry for the mess." She said quickly.   "It's not a problem Mrs.Huang. I'm Lau Guanhe." Mr.Lau said and they both bowed.   "I'll go get Baba." Zitao said quickly running towards the back room to get his father.   "Baba. Wake up." Zitao said throwing himself on the man. The elder groaned and shuffled around.   "What is it Tao ?" His father mumbled.   "NASA is here." Tao said excitedly. He grabbed his father hand and tugged him towards the bathroom. "Go make yourself look presentable." He said without giving his father time to think.   Going back into the living room, his mother had already set down tea and other small treats for the important man. They were sitting silently and Zitao slipped in next to his mother on the opposite couch. One his father was ready and next to him the man began.   "I'll get straight to the point as to not take much of your time. Your son, Zitao has a brilliant mind. Amazing in fact. His intake on astronomy is at one of our best. Maybe even better. Looking through his files and watching him throughout his middle school and now his highschool days, we saw exceptional growth and potential. We at NASA, saw what we needed. We need him. Huang Zitao." Mr.Lau said.   "And what exactly do you need him for ?" Mr.Huang asked.   "To go to space of course."   Zitao dropped his cup of tea.   "I'm sorry could you repeat that ?" Zitao asked not sure he heard correctly. Mr.Lau smiled.   "To go to space young man. We are actually sending a team out there in three months due to recent studies of new life on other planets. Recently we have learned that Mars has been sprouting some sort of new plant and it has not died nor wilted from the toxic gases but multiplied and no one knows why. Since our robots cannot do such things for us, our team will go to Mars and see what is happening. We believe with Zitao's knowledge of Mars, he will help the mission run smoothly and successfully." Mr. Lau said.   The whole Huang family was frozen. They couldn't believe their ears. Space ? Send their only child to space ? At the age of 16 ?! He was too young for this. Was it even legal ? Was it safe ?   "I-I don't know what to say." Mrs.Huang began.   "I know it's an awful lot to take in but think about what your son could be doing. He could be the breaking of a new world. This plant could be a cure to dieases that have been named uncureable. He could be helping billions."    "Well..."    "We aren't expecting you to agree easily. But we were hoping you would give it into some consideration. If everything goes smoothly, your son could win a Nobel prize and millions of yen. He would also be the youngest man to step foot on Mars, marking history. So please just think about it. I will send some representatives in two weeks time, to hear your final decision."   And with that said, Mr.Lau thanked them for the tea and for them listening, and left.   "Oh my god." Zitao said as the door shut. He was quiet for a moment more before he jumped up in excitement. "I get to go to space !"    "I don't think so Tao." His mother said making her son stop mid dance.   "Mama ! Please oh please it would be so amazing." Zitao begged running towards her to hug.   "You could die Zitao. I can't let you die. Not at this age. Maybe when you finish highschool." His mother said patting his arms before pulling out of his grasp.   "But-"    "No buts. Now, set the table so I can finish making breakfast."   Zitao frowned the whole morning and the rest of the day. He frowned during school and after school. During wushu practice and afterwards in the science club. He frowned at dinner and when he look through his telescope. He frowned for a good week and a half before his mother texted him one day after practice.    -If it gets my baby to smile again then yes, you can go.- mama   Zitao screamed so loud everyone thought  it was a girl. He wanted to cry. And so he did as soon as he went him and picked his mother up and spun her around. She laughed at her sons childish antics but then held him tight. They told the representatives a few days later their response and were told that he had one week.   During that week, Zitao spent as much time as he could with his parents, friends and family. On the last day, he laid between his parents who both wrapped and arm arou