Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 25: The Grand Entrance

When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I did was singing "I To Set The World On Fire" happily. Jessica! Ooh, Jessica.

She likes me!

I couldn't believe it! The first person in my sad little life actually likes me. I scrounged in my cupboard for fresh clothes. Time to doll up.

I had a denim shorts on with a pair of black sneakers and cream-coloured V-neck T-shirt. I went to the bathroom, splash water on my face and brush teeth (just in case Jessica wants some 'alone time).

For the first time in my life I actually felt like there is a reason to live. "I don't wan't to set the world on fire...." I sang cheerfully. "I just want to start, a flame in your heart."

"Someone's happy today....." Peeped a familiar yet tired voice.

"Oh, hey Max. Sorry if I woke you."
"It's chilled. Say, you wanna tell me what made you so happy for the first time in your life? Or am I gonna have to hold my breath till I pop?"

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No need for that, my good friend. Come, sit! Let me tell you a long story."

Maxwell did as he was told.

"Good boy!" I hollered.
"Uhh......I'm a little scared for this new Chad...."
"Don't be. Now, once upon a time there was a dashing prince that fell from the heavens. He had no friends, so he set out on a quest to find friends. On his perilous journey through Old York, he found a jester, and a drop-dead gorgeous chick who was also the princess! And-"

"Would you just skip the mediaeval stuff please?"

"Jessica kissed my cheek!" I squealed.

Maxwell's face contorted from confused, sad, happy, angry, then back to happy. "No way...."

"Yes way my loyal jester."

"Wait, I was the jester?"

I just laughed at his idiotic comment.

Ah, I love my friends.

My friends! I have friends! Haha!

"Dude, you're really creeping me out with that enormous smile of yours." Maxwell said worriedly.

"Don't be Queen. It's just me being happy for the first time in my entire life."

But if I want Jessica to be my girlfriend, I'll have to ask her if she's ready.

Ah, maybe this afternoon....

If she really liked me she would say yes. I hope.

"So, uh, when are ya gonna seal the deal bro?" Maxwell asked, happy for me to be happy.

"Tonight." I said confidently.

I strode around the room-suite just being happier, savouring this absolutely glorious moment. When I looked outside, everything seemed brighter, as if they joined in the celebration of me being happy. Man, what would Albert say? He would be so happy for me. His little depressed kid, now a shining example of happiness.

Good morning world!

"Who's so happy this morning?" Said the one girl I love.

"Lil' Chad is just happy for being happy for the first time in his life." Maxwell said.

My smile instantly dropped, a cold dread sweeping my whole body. When I glared at Maxwell he realised what he said and gasped as he held his hands by his mouth.

"Happy for the first time?" Jessica said confused.

I sighed deeply, knowing now that she will reject me.

"You might want to sit down, Jess." I said, all the happiness drained now.

Jessica found the nearest sofa and perked her ears up.

"I was still a newborn when my parents dropped me in front of a random door. Albert told me that he isn't really my real father when I was four years old, after he told countless lies that my mother died. I cried for somebody that didn't even exist in my life."

"I cried so much in pre-school and after. I tried to make friends but they always distanced themselves from me, just because I was emotionally unstable at that point. So everyone had this image of me as a depressed kid, which I was. I was never happy with the life I had."

"When I went to high school I thought I gained a friend. He only just humiliated me in front of the school and made me a laughing stock. But when everyone heard that I lost my parents when I was a newborn, they had this "sympathy" for me. But when they left me they forgot me in an instant."

"This guy kept bullying me for being an orphan. This happened for a few a months until it got to a point until one day, I choked him. I just poured a little of my anger for the world. I felt his blood clogging in his neck. Afterwards, I just......separated myself from the world, knowing that I would never be happy."

Jessica's face was both shocked and angry. "Why didn't you tell me this?! I trusted you!"

"Jess, I wanted to tell you...."
"No! You weren't going to. I thought you were different Chad....."
"I am! Jess please..."
"Shut the f**k up Chad!"
"Jessica, please don't be like this."
"Like what? Angry 'cause you never told me that you never had friends? That I trusted you and you used me for your happiness?! How do you expect me to react?!"
"Look, I know I'm a jerk but just lis-"

A loud bang drilled throughout the whole building. Many of the residents started screaming when more of the bangs roared.

I looked at everyone and they looked petrified. I was just as scared. What was that sound? Why were the people screaming?

Men were shouting by our door. I moved closer to the door, fists raised. I prepared myself for whatever is about to happen. When I got close to the door, it was kicked open. The force knocked crashed in my face and knocked the back of my head against a table.

"CHAD!" Jessica and Maxwell screamed. That was all I remember before the world swam in a pool of darkness......

__________________

Oh my gosh. What the hell just happened? Who broke down the door? Is Chad okay? Hit that lil' star if you want to find out what happened to him.....