"Andreas is doing everything in his hands to jeopardize the charity market."
It was November; we were hanging out in his room while his mother was working at home and his father was away on some business trip. Chris was talking over the phone with George, another class council member, discussing how one of the young ones was causing trouble during the preparations for the school's annual charity market. It took place every Christmas Eve, the final day of classes, where students as well as parents, and teachers would showcase various holiday-themed items for sale. You know how these things work. Anyways, I was laying on his bed, reading a manga I had found in his library, squeezed between Kafka and Camus, hidden probably from his parents.
"I will try to reason with him, but I am afraid I'll have to talk with the principal. If only he could understand how hard we have been working on this. No, I don't want to force him into participating. If he doesn't care, fine by me, just stop causing me and the rest of our classmates so much trouble!" A pause, and then he continued. "You know, he should really use all this energy during sports day. This way, the school would stand a chance in the next game."
He laughed, and the only way for me to hide my stupid blush was by throwing the book on my face and even letting out a low yet desperate groan. They were already talking for half an hour and I was literally melting with every sound he was making. "George says hi!" I threw up my arm, waving it in silence and utter embarrassment. "Yeah, we will probably watch a movie and call it a night. See you on Sunday." They hung up. Finally, "Sorry for making you wait. It was urgent. This thing has really turned out to be more important than the final exams."
"Don't excuse yourself. I get it, no worries. I know how busy a class president can get."
"You've been one before?"
No, I could never fit in their little responsible group. I was good at being silent, minding my own business and maybe volleyball based on our PT teacher. But that was it.
"Nope. I just watch you running here and there every day for chores and events like this one, never giving yourself a freaking break."
"Ok, if you are not upset with the call, then what's wrong?"
He had every right to ask me that. The past few days I was distant, and I'd rarely reply to any of our talks. Even my text messages were short and soulless. I was feeling extremely exhausted.
"I'm feeling down, ok? I already told you that earlier today. I am a bit moody." I sighed, hoping that I was not too harsh on him.
My eighteenth birthday was just around the corner, and once I was out of the institution, I'd have no place to stay. School was not over yet; thus, I couldn't get a job, and every waking hour I could understand even better why my parents had abandoned me…I would abandon me too if I knew the gutter, I'd end up in.
"Sure, sulk as much as you want, but!"
I watched him going into his wardrobe and searching vigorously. "Are you looking for Narnia or Wonderland in there? Sheesh…" I pulled up my body and set the book aside. Everyone was hopelessly crying in the end. Their best friend and main character had died. So? You just move on. Keep the good memories and move on.
"Actually, I'm looking for…" a long pause.
"Chris?" I was getting really curious, and he wasn't planning on answering.
"THIS!" he hopped in front of me, holding a neatly wrapped box in his hands.
"W-what's this?" I was stunned.
"Next week is your birthday, right? I know we will see each other regardless, but I couldn't wait till then. You need to have this right now!"
Chris was trembling from over-excitement, and all I could think of was not that priceless gift, but me embracing him tightly and thanking him for existing.
Well, I did that part, the hug, I mean. Without any second thoughts, I pulled him in and shoved my face in his neck, wishing time to stop for a moment before he pushed me away. But to my surprise, his hands were wrapped around my back, as much as they could, as he was still holding onto that box.
"B-but you haven't opened it yet…"
You are the most valuable gift, Chris…
He was still trembling, thus, I mentally slapped myself and pulled away, grabbing the present.
"I spent an entire day with George thinking about what I should get you. Being 18 is a great deal, and I wanted something unique. Something that no one else would think of…" he mumbled the last words, but I was left speechless already as I unwrapped it and revealed it.
"But that must have cost a fortune!" I sat on the bed, no more words coming out of my mouth. Without knowing, he lit a fire in me so strong that a dream was born from it. A new dream, one that wouldn't simply shutter at my next steps.
"I love every single picture you have taken with your phone whenever we are out together or whenever you venture on your own during weekends, and I thought that with this camera, you'll be able to do so much more!"
My parents rejected me when I was a baby. I lost so many friends, and I was never picked up from any family. I was bullied at school for my silence, and I even broke my leg once during a volleyball practice game. But that night, tears streamed down for the very first time.