Our beloved youth

15: The friends who broke apart

"So in the end students, you must never lose hope. You will fail at many points, but still keep trying..." Mr. Herriot concluded his lesson just as the bell rang.

Mr. Herriot closed his book and looked at the bundle of papers on his desk, then towards Kevin. "Kevin, dear, please bring these papers to the staff room near my desk," he instructed.

Kevin nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Okay then, all of you take your break. And Jason, come with me," Mr. Herriot said, smiling at the class and motioning for Jason to accompany him.

As Mr. Herriot and Jason left, the students began to enjoy their break, talking, playing, and wandering around. Kevin rose from his seat, gathered the papers, and followed Mr. Herriot and Jason out.

Elina sat at her desk, deep in thought, until she noticed a pair of shoes in front of her. She looked up to see Jiya. "Oh! Jiya," she said, surprised.

"Are you stressed about something?" Jiya asked, taking a seat in front of Elina's desk.

"No, no," Elina replied, shaking her head.

"Hmm... that's good, but I wonder why Ross didn't come today?" Jiya pouted. "By the way, I have something to tell you," she added, remembering something.

"I'm all ears," Elina said, leaning in with interest.

"It's about Kevin and Jason," Jiya said, coming closer to Elina, who leaned in even more.

Hana looked back at Jiya and Elina chatting. She wanted to join them but checked her wristwatch, sighed, and took her textbook outside instead.

______________________

In the staff room, Mr. Herriot gestured for Jason to sit. "How's your mother now?" he asked.

Jason's expression remained blank. "She's still admitted to the hospital. Doctors are treating her, but we have to wait," he replied.

Mr. Herriot nodded, patting Jason's shoulder. "Take care, dear, and feel free to ask me for any help."

Jason gave a small smile and stood up to leave, just as Kevin knocked and entered. "May I come in, sir?"

"Yes, Kevin, come in and place those papers here," Mr. Herriot said, pointing to his desk. Kevin complied while Mr. Herriot spoke to Jason again. "Jason, take care and get help from your friends in your studies. You can ask Kevin too. You'll help your friend, right?" Mr. Herriot asked Kevin with a sympathetic smile.

"Yes, sir," Kevin replied, glancing at Jason, who rolled his eyes.

"I don't need help from anyone, sir, especially not him," Jason scoffed, bowing to Mr. Herriot and walking away.

"Jason-" Mr. Herriot sighed, turning to Kevin. "Hope you understand your friend," he said with a sympathetic smile. Kevin nodded and followed Jason out.

"Jason!" Kevin called, catching up to him. Jason stopped, rolling his eyes.

"What do you need?" Jason asked, unbothered.

"What happened to Mrs. Mallie?" Kevin asked, genuinely concerned. "You didn't tell anything."

"Nothing happened," Jason replied curtly.

"But-" Kevin started.

"Moreover, it doesn't concern you!" Jason shouted.

"It does, Jason. We were friends," Kevin sighed.

"Were," Jason emphasized. "We used to be friends, but not anymore. I don't make traitors my friends."

"What is the matter, Jason?" Kevin asked calmly.

"What. Is. The. Matter??" Jason repeated, emphasizing each word.

Kevin took a deep breath. "That day, I didn't know Aaron had come to meet me, and-"

"Isn't it too late to explain? Do you even know what he told me that day? That you, out of all people, would help him, without even knowing what a cold-hearted bastard you are!" Jason shouted, his voice breaking.

Kevin stayed silent, looking into Jason's eyes. "Just stay out of my sight!" Jason yelled.

"How long will you take it out on me?" Kevin asked softly.

"Until you meet him in the afterlife!" Jason shouted, releasing a deep breath.

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Elina gasped at Jiya's story but then scoffed. "You mean Kevin and Jason were friends?"

"Yeah! You don't believe me?" Jiya looked at Elina in disbelief.

"How can I, especially after that library incident," Elina said, shaking her head, then widened her eyes in realization. "Wait- but it does make sense. Continue, continue!" she urged Jiya.

"Yeah, so as far as I remember, they were very good friends. Not just the two of them, they were a group of three: Kevin, Jason, and Aaron. Aaron was the one who would solve Jason and Kevin's little fights. But after the summer, everything changed, and now they are like walking wars on campus," Jiya explained with a sigh.

Elina frowned, trying to remember something. "Aaron- I have heard this name."

"You must have! The YouTube sensation who was gaining fame even before his debut," Jiya said, while Elina exclaimed in recognition.

"Oh yeah! I saw many posters about him when I was coming, like some anniversary or something," Elina recalled.

Jiya nodded, her expression sad. "Yeah, and now that he's gone, people feel more guilty for not being able to protect him. They keep remembering him on his death anniversary. It was a tragic death, though."

"Wait- what? Died? At such a young age? How-" Elina's eyes widened in shock.

"We don't talk much about it, but he committed suicide," Jiya said slowly, making Elina gasp.

Jiya continued, "Well, I don't know much since he wasn't from our school, but just before his debut, he was rumored to have bullied someone to death, which was later proven false. But the news and all weren't taken down, and his company abandoned him. Many fans criticized him, and then we learned he had committed suicide. After his death, a thorough investigation proved he was innocent."

Elina scoffed, feeling angry. "This is what I hate. They first torture people without any proof, and then when everything's over, they come with an apology."

"If only he had gotten the support he's getting now, he could've been alive," Jiya sighed.

_____________________

"Until you meet him in the afterlife!" Jason shouted, releasing a deep breath.

"Will it satisfy you if I die?" Kevin asked, looking straight into Jason's eyes. Jason was flustered for a second but then hesitated.

"Ye---yes, I will be," he stuttered, then purposely bumped into Kevin's shoulder as he walked away.

Kevin watched Jason's fading figure and then looked towards the window, thinking,

I am sorry, Aaron, for failing as a friend....

To Be Continued

-extra shot-

Flashback

""What do I want to do after my debut?" Aaron read the question selected by the staff team, which was asked by his fans.

"Um... I want to work harder after my debut so that I can become a good singer and then help the place where I grew up," Aaron said with a smile, taking another question from the staff.

"Did I go to Jenson Orphanage of Nevi?" he read and then smiled widely. "Yes! I grew up in that place, and I'm very thankful to them. I want to do something for them..."

Flashback over