If he knew that about Tom, his opinion about his traits and merits wouldn't change. He still wouldn't see it as him merely 'giving up on a dream', but rather, *preserving himself*, and if anything, he would only admire him more, for he was adaptable and knew when to go a different path instead— it showed maturity. No one deserved a life of fear, to live stressed out, watching every single step they took— they deserved a *life*, full stop. 'To work hard to achieve your dreams' wasn't the same as 'giving up on a healthy life to pursue it'. Nothing's either black or white, the grey in between made all the difference. 'All or nothing' was a wrong way of thinking, 'This or that' was much better. And Jon, well... he learned all those philosophies from his mother and uncle. When growing up, he tried everything that was possible (within the money limitations his family had) and succeeded at only one: music. He held onto that. He, too, wanted to be a footballer and play for Liverpool— he never even joined Liverpool's Academy, it was impossible, money wise. His uncle taught him to play guitar, his mother found him a music school that gave lessons in exchange of food and money donations (to help others and the school itself), and the rest is history!
Eva... when he mentioned her, he tried not to look sad. The face he made probably made him look constipated instead! Damn— she's *great*, and he's happy that Tom has such a good person in his life... it was stupid to feel jealous. "Museums in Italy are great," he responded sincerely. "And so is the food," he grinned. "I think yous will have a lovely time!"
