A JonDami Christmas

Chapter 6

Star Light Mall, Gotham City
7:04a.m.

~ Jonathan

              “Drink slowly next time, okay?” A barista said while patting my back.
              I am so embarrassed. My choking was so obvious that it caught the attention of a few baristas who rushed over to calm me down. Many people were staring at me with judgemental eyes too.
             “Thank you,” I told the barista. “And sorry for the unfortunate mishap.”
             “It’s alright, just be careful next time, okay?” She walks back to her station.
             “Dude, if we weren’t in public right now, I’d be on the floor laughing so hard till my stomach cramps,” Aiden said, holding in his urge to laugh. “Because that shit was on point.”
             “I meant it in a good way.”
             “That was just embarrassing,” I said. “But, there was a reason why I choked.”
             “Apparently, what you’ve done to your friend on your last year of high school, is what I’m currently doing to mine.”
             “Oh...” His eyes widened. “Let me guess, is it the person you’re apologizing to?”
             I nod.
             “But tell me, what happened between you guys?” I wanted to hear more.
             He sighs. “Well, long story short, I regret not taking the many chances that were in front of me, ” he said. “On the next morning during our sleepover, I went downstairs to get a drink of water. He was still sleeping. The next thing I knew, one of his dogs attacked me. Apparently, his dogs are free to roam around the house until noon. It all happened so fast that I froze for a second while that dog bit around my legs. I manage to get a hold of myself and run back upstairs and shut the door.”
             He chuckles. “It was then I saw the damages that stupid dog left on me. Thankfully, they were minor.”
             He lifts his left leg and rests it on his right thigh. He pulls his jean slightly upwards to reveal a dark scar that looked like teeth marks. “All the wounds healed except this,” he said. “And I’m glad it didn’t
because it’ll forever remind me of that crazy incident.”
            He sat back in a normal position.
            “Was your friend aware of it?” I asked.
            “Oh yes,” he said. “I woke him up the moment I slammed the door shut. When he noticed the blood rolling down my legs, he immediately got out of bed, grabbed the first aid kit, and started patching up the wounds, at the same time, scolding me about being reckless.”
            He glances sideways to the tall window where the calm snow was falling. His eyes closed for a moment before opening back.
            “I’ll never forget the worried expression on his face when he saw those wounds on me,” he said under his breath.
           “I mean, who wouldn’t be worried seeing their loved one bleeding,” I said. “Trust me, I know how that feels like.”
            He nods slowly and faces me. “After patching up my wounds, he told me to stand up, and I did. Only to find his arms around me. He rubbed my back slowly and said, “it’s okay, you can stop shaking, you’re alright.” At that point, I wasn’t aware that my hands and body were shaking. He also said, “and for God sake, Aiden, be careful next time.” I heard the crack in his voice."
            “I hugged him back... wishing the moment could last forever. It didn't, obviously. So, In the end, he brought me to the clinic to inject a rabies vaccine and. And sent me back home.”
            I can tell the story was getting too painful for him to share. His eyes were in a light shade of red and he was constantly taking deep breaths.
            “I think you should stop here,” I said. “I can see it’s getting too painful for you.”
            “Honestly, yes,” he said, talking in another deep breath. “But, it feels good to share my story out loud for once instead of bottling it up. So, in a way, you’re helping me out.”
             “If it’s helping, then I’ll be more than happy to hear you out,” I said.
             “Thank you,” he said. “So, I guess now comes the bad part.”
             “Days after the sleepover, he asked me why I stopped accepting his video calls, invitations to hang out or even go over to his place and chill like usual. And I told him the truth... that I was getting used to not having him around because the following year, things will change whether we like it or not.”
            “And how did he react?” I wanted to know if it was the same reaction Damian gave me.
            “He cried on the spot,” his voice cracked. “Because he felt like I didn’t appreciate him for all the times we have spent together. And he is so fucking wrong.”
            “He didn’t give me a chance to explain and ever since then, we’ve stopped talking. And when it was time to leave high school, he left my life completely. He deleted all his social media, changed his number, and moved away. He made sure I had no ways to reach him again.”

(Hey guys, Cyrus here. This is how I imagined Aiden would look like in the story. I drew him to give your imagination some kick when you read more about him along the way 😂💖)

            Those tears he tried holding in so hard had finally shown themselves. But his smile remains. “I can’t tell you how I struggle to live since then, Jonathan,” he wiped his tears away and took a deep breath. “Trust me, I wanted to die and I’ve attempted it many times. But unfortunately, I survived all of them."
             "And eventually, I gave up attempting and continued living... well, existing.”
            “Even though we just met, I’m glad you’re still here. No one deserves to die by their own will,” I said. “I hope you’ll find a reason to live soon.”
            “One can only hope,” he said, before forcing himself to smile. “So, it’s your turn now. What happened between you and your friend?”
            I guess there’s not much to say because we both did the same to our loved ones... only I still have mine around.
            “There’s not much to say,” I started. “I did what you did to my friend and just like yours, he didn’t take it too well.”
             “Is he still with you?” He asked.
             “You mean together? Yes,” I said. “Thankfully.”
             “Thank God for that,” he said, sounding very genuine.
             “Indeed,” I said, taking my eyes off him and to my drink. “I just don’t know what to say to him. I did what I did to save myself when the time comes. The process was a nightmare, I can tell you that. But I never meant to hurt him.”
             “That’s just it,” he said. “Sometimes we gotta do what’s best for us because, in the end, we’re the ones who’s gonna be affected the most. Not them.”
             “Right?” I agreed with him. “He’s going to college next year and like it or not, things will change but I still refuse to accept it.”
             “Things will change,” he said. “But if your relationship is strong, things between you both will only get better.”
              “You’re fortunate enough to still have him around,” he said. “Cherish him, Jon. Don’t let something so minor divide you guys as it did mine. Trust me, the aftermath is a living hell.”
             “And not just your relationship, but also the holidays.”
             “What do you mean?” I ask.
             “Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones because someday, they may not be the same anymore,” he said. “I took advantage of the holidays and I’m paying the price right now by being alone on Christmas.”
              “You still have your loved ones, Jon. Enjoy every moment you have with them for you never know tomorrow there could be a deadly virus invasion that prevents human interaction or something... to which we will never know.”
             “As a wise turtle once said, yesterday is history, tomorrow’s a mystery, and today’s a gift. That is why it’s called the present.”
             It’s hard to believe Aiden is a nineteen-year-old teenager but has experienced painful events that completely changed him. His best friend deserted him while his family had lost the bond they had before. I still have both things.
            And thinking of them made me realize that it’s already past eight and I’m still here!
            “Crap!” I said. “The party!”
            “Oh right,” Aiden laughs. “You have a party to attend. Well, it was nice meeting you, Jon. Thank you for listening to me.”
            “Remember what I told you... enjoy every moment.”
            Although we’ve met hours ago, we spoke a lot of things that made us feel like we’ve known each other for a while now. So, it’s obvious that I'm not going to leave him here on the Eve of the biggest holiday.
           “Come with me,” I got up and held my hand out towards him. “Let’s go to the party together, Aiden.”