What if?

Chapter 35: My Journal

Nick

Michael is really annoying, he acts like a dad. But, still I have to be thankful to him because he really cares for me. I was shy when he called mom to buy me an anti-radiation glass so my eyes would not be damaged. I know he was just thinking for me but I just feel shy to be such a trouble for him. 

After Nick called mom he said that mom said he loves me. I felt so good inside and so happy. I hope for their safety. I was not able to respond to what Michael said and just looked him in the eyes. 

Nick is now playing with his phone while sitting and I am here at my desk writing. Since today is my first day of school, it just came to my mind that I need to write things down every day. I also decided to write it in my notebook which my past dad gave me and I will use my new dad’s pen that he gave me for writing. It will be like a journal of my life everyday starting today. 

I opened my notebook and wrote the word JOURNAL in the middle. It is an indication that after it will be my writings. After writing the word JOURNAL, I flipped the page into the next one then wrote in the upper right the date and the title of my journal today. I titled it HIM. A lot happened to me but I think that the most memorable one was the boy who got in the same section as mine. He was all over my day today and until now,  I don’t seem to forget what happened today with me and him. 

I wrote the things that happened. Starting from the first time that we met and talked to each other. We also got in the same section. 

“Michael, I forgot to ask you. Why are there only the two of us who were added in your section? Is it because we were the only transferees?” I asked Michael because I was curious about it. There were so many students there in the interview and the other students looked like we were the same age. 

“No, I think there were at least 10 of you who got in here to become transferees.” Michael answered while playing with his phone. “Then what do you think?” I asked Michael. “It is actually hard to be in our section, I think they saw something in both of you that was something that was why you two got in.” Michael answered my question. 

“I see.” I answered and then looked back again in my notebook. I continued writing my journal. As I write, I noticed that I was already writing a lot and felt a little sleepy all of a sudden. 

“Nick woke up.” I heard someone whispering in my ears. I slowly opened my eyes and saw a blurry image. Even though I don't know the person and the voice was not that clear to me I still replied. “What?” I said and again closed my eyes. “WAKE UP!” He shouted. Because of my surprise I fell on the floor. 

“Michael? Do you really need to shout?” I asked as soon as I recognized his face. I was so surprised that I am totally up right now. 

“I woke you up simply but it didn’t work so I shouted.” Michael answered as if he was innocent. “Shut up.” I replied to Michael. He then came to help stand up. Now my butt is on the floor. 

Michael offered his right hand to help me but I did not accept his help. Instead, I just turned a blind eye and stood by myself. At first, it was hard for me to stand up because of the force when I fell. “Nick stood up.” I said to myself while struggling to do it. 

Michael on the other hand did not take away his hand and still waited for me to grab it. I still let my pride. “Ouch!” I exclaimed as soon as I stood up straight. My butt feels so hurt right now. I was actually trying my best not to say anything or to show him that I am struggling but it went out of my mouth. 

“See? Because you didn’t want me to help you.” Michael preached while staring at me. “It is your fault in the first place.” I replied to Michael. “How was that my fault? And why is it always my fault?” Michael exclaimed. “s**t! I can sense the act in his voice.” I said to myself as I was listening to him. 

I dust my butt part. “Why did you wake me up?” I asked Michael softly. “Why do you think so?” Michael answered while giving me a question. “I don’t know, why would I even ask if I know?” I replied with frustration. 

“Mom and dad are home and they want us to have dinner together with them.” Michael said. “What?!” I shouted to him as I rushed and wore my sleepers. “Why are you in such a  rush?” Michael asked as he followed me out of our bedroom. “Why didn’t you tell me in the first place? They must have been waiting.” I replied to Michael as I was running up the stairs. 

“Sorry.” He said while giggling and following me on the stairs going to the kitchen.

“Good evening!” I said as soon as I arrived in the kitchen. “Good evening!” Mom and dad said with wide smiles. Mom and dad’s smiles are so beautiful. It makes me feel safe and happy. 

I went to sit in my seat, so did Michael. Mom and dad are now in front of me at the table. “How was your first day at school?” Mom asked softly. “It was really great, I had fun.” I replied with a soft voice. “What are you shy about?” Dad asked with concern. 

I think he noticed my voice. Actually, I wanted to ask how they are first but mom got to ask first. “Sorry.” I replied. 

“He is shy because he was in a club. Maybe he wanted you two to know it.” Michael said while looking at me. I can sense that he is looking at me so I did not bother to also look at him. “Such a seeker.” I said to myself. “I wanted to ask how your day was. I thought that we are not going home today.” I said to Mom and dad. 

“Oh we were but the thing that we were working on got cancelled so we immediately went back home here.” Mom explained softly. “I see.” I replied to Mom. “Oh by the way, we bought your anti-radiation. I don’t know if you like it.” Dad said as he gave me a box. 

I grabbed the box in dad’s hand. I think that this is expensive. The box looks so beautiful with just the packaging. “Open it.” Mom said excitedly. I slowly opened the box and saw a pouch inside. I also opened the pouch and finally saw the anti-radiation glass. 

The color of it is black, and a little gold on the edges. It looks so expensive, and I think it is really expensive. The shape of the glass is round. 

“Try it on.” Dad said to me. “Okay.” I said while awkwardly smiling. I put on the glasses. “See? I told you it looks good on him.” Dad said while looking at mom. I think dad was the one who chose this design and color. 

“Fine then you won.” Mom said to dad while sulking. “Mom… I am kidding.” Dad said as he tried to make up with Mom. “How long are we gonna stay and talk here?” Michael said in a little grumpy voice. 

“Hmm… you are just jealous to see that we are all having a conversation.” Mom said while pinching Michael’s cheeks. “No I am not.” Michael said grumpily. “Ahhh… baby it is okay if you act like this.” Mom said while still pinching Michael’s cheeks. “Mom, stop!” Michael said and took Mom’s hand out of his face. “Hmf! Dad, this is your fault. Michael is like this because of you.” Mom said and locked her hands on her waist. 

Mom always says that whenever Michael is acting like this. Mom thinks that Michael has this kind of attitude because of dad. Dad is somehow like this in the past. On the other hand, I don’t believe that Michael is jealous. I know Michael said that because he is hungry not because he is envious that we are all talking. Michael is not that shallow. He even likes seeing us all talk with each other.

“Mom sorry.” Dad said to Mom. “Ugh! Stop it! Janice…” Michael said as he asked Janice for help. Janice smiled and came near to Michael and then massaged his hair. “We are going to prepare dinner now. It seems like Michael is quite hungry already. Besides, Michael has to learn this evening. Both you and sir are also exhausted today.” Janice said and explained to all of us. “Ahh… sorry I forgot I was tired a while ago after seeing my boys. Okay then, let us eat.” Mom said in response to what Janice had said. 

“Okay.” Janice said with a big smile and then walked out of the table to get the food. After a few minutes, Janice along with Leonora appeared in our sights with food on their both hands. Maria then came with a pitcher. Inside it is water. Now, the last person who helps this house , Theresa, appeared with a tray in her hands. There are bottles on the tray. It is for drinking. 

They came with all of it and one by one put it on the table. As soon as they finished preparing the dinner on the table they waited by the side. “Thank you.” Mom said to all of them. After that, the helpers as well as Janice started to go one by one. 

“Ohh… This smell is so good.” Mom exclaimed while smelling the dishes. “Yeah! They all smell really good. As expected to them. They are quite good cooks.” Dad added to what Mom had just said while looking at Mom. “I just remember that I was actually hungry too.” Mom replied to what Dad had just said. “Good! Now let us eat.” Michael said and started to get some food for himself. 

After Michael said that I saw Mom and dad giggling. They really like teasing Michael a lot. Too bad, unfortunately I don’t feel that sad because that is what he also does to me when mom and dad are not around. 

I let all of them get their food on their respective plates. After they all got what they wanted to eat, I also got mine. I stayed to be the last one because I believe that of all of us that are now here on the table, I am the least hungry. 

“Hmm… delicious!” Mom exclaimed as she took the first bite. “Mom, you have been eating the food they make for weeks already.” Michael said to Mom. “Seriously Michael?” I said to myself. Michael really leaves me speechless. He is literally dropping a bomb in this good atmosphere. “Well, it tastes better every day.” Mom replied with a little annoyance. 

A while ago mom sounded like a small girl. She also talked with a cute voice. By the way, Mom still looks like she is still in her 20’s. Same goes with that of course. I cannot just leave out dad. I love both of them fair and square. 

After 15 minutes

“Ahhh… That was a good dinner.” Dad exclaimed while massaging his stomach. “I am going upstairs now mom and dad. I still have to learn.” Michael said as soon as he finished. All of us now are finished eating dinner. “Okay.” Mom replied to Michael. 

After that, Michael excused himself and went upstairs. “Was he serious? He is going to learn, I mean what is he going to learn? We haven’t even had our first lesson.” I said to myself while still looking at him. “Nick, don’t worry. Learning is his hobby. If you don’t want to learn, DON'T. I do not want you to stress yourself.” Mom said to me. 

I never thought that maybe they will tell me to learn and pressure me because mom and dad clearly showed me without saying that they will support me whatever I like. They trust me a lot and I can not even say a word because of it. “I know.” I replied while smiling. “Good.” Mom replied to me. “About your club, you can do it!” Dad said and stood up. He then patted my head.