RED PARALLEL

Chapter 25: Cocky Rap Christmas Gone Bad

(Traviz)

At the beginning of December, Owen brought a small Christmas tree. He put it over the center table and decorated it with a red sock that Traviz had accidentally bought and discharged. C'mon, it looked really like a Christmas sock.

"I don't wear Christmas socks..."

"Haha." Owen had laughed. "No problem. I'll find a use."

And there it was. The red sock at the tree. Owen was kind of skilled. That was a little humiliating. The guy knew everything.

"So, do you like it?"

"The tree? Hm, kinda."

"Kinda?" Owen used to do the same face before asking if he should do whatever thing differently, just to please him. "If you don't like it, I can-"

"Nah, it's fine. That sock's funny."

Owen seemed pretty happy these days. Was it because he liked Christmas? One day, Owen woke him up on Saturday morning, with a funny face.

"What, Phants? The hell you waking me up right n-"

"Sorry, but I'm going out." Owen was smiling. He looked less pale than two months ago.

"Out? To where?"

"To buy your present."

"Yo, my Christmas pre-"

"Yes." Owen sat next to him, flipping his wallet in the air. "What do you want?"

"Shouldn't it be a surprise? 'Cause-"

"Yeah, but I wanna make sure I give you exactly what you want." Owen opened another smile. He had been smiling so much lately that Traviz was getting used to that ultra-white teeth.

Exactly what I want? What do I want?

"Yo..."

"Tell me."

Should I?

"Man, a Zimmo watch. Freal. They're like, super damn cool. It's the one I showed ya-"

"Ah, I know." Owen grinned. "You did a scandal-"

"I didn't-"

"So that's what you want?" Owen got up, saving the wallet in his pocket.

"I guess, dude."

"You 'guess'? Naah, you must be sure, you know. I mean it when I say I wanna give you exactly what you want." Owen raised his eyebrows, pointing his forefinger at Traviz, who was still lying on the sofa. "Seize it while you can, Troy. Besides, you don't even wear a watch..."

"I'm def want a watch. Fo sure." Traviz sat up, convinced.

"Perfect." Owen turned around. He stopped and looked back. "Anything else?"

"Hm..." Traviz frowned, thinking hard. Damn, Owen was so cool. The best friend ever. "Hmmmm..."

"C'mooon..."

"Wait, wait, I'm thinking..."

Owen crossed his arms, watching Traviz struggling in creating instant wishes. Traviz shook his head.

"I'll tell ya when I get a hint. I wanna sleep-"

"No, no." Owen walked close and looked down at him. "You must tell me right now."

"Right now?"

"Yes. What else do you want, Troy?"

"..."

"What else do you really want?"

Owen's smile was gone, yet he still looked happy. He was damn crazy to hear a new wish. But Traviz was mind blocked. He had no idea what to want. He threw himself back at the sofa, shaking his legs. "Aaaaaah, I dunnoooo..."