I knocked and stood in front of the nice-looking duplex that belonged to Jayden, biting my nails as I waited and contemplating if I should just cancel the trip altogether. I had postponed my meeting with Karla so that I could check up on Jayden since he hadn't shown up for the Christmas dinner and hadn't responded to any of our texts either. I just came directly from the airport after seeing Liam off to New York.

Maybe I should have called

I sighed and knocked again rapidly while I clutched Jayden's present behind my back.

I was busy looking at the dormant flowers in the yard when the door opened and a disheveled Jayden stepped out. I had only ever seen him in dark-colored jeans and t-shirts and seeing him in messy pajamas shocked me.

"Is it a bad time?" I asked fully ready to go back home.

He stood at the door blinking rapidly at me. It took him a few seconds until he got over his shock and ushered me in.

I instantly took a million steps back as I saw a man in a wheelchair, loosely covered by a blanket that failed miserably to hide his half-paralyzed limbs and face. The man started to point wildly at me and screamed incoherently. Jayden rushed to the man and started to placate him while I looked even more desperately at the front door.

"Dad, Dad, this is my friend Astro," Jayden said.

His father turned to look at me and I just shyly waved at him. Jayden laughed nervously and silently begged me with his eyes for forgiveness.

After a brief moment, Jayden took his dad back to his room as he mumbled something that sounded like not getting enough sleep, even though I was almost a hundred percent sure he had just woken up. After Jayden checked up on his Dad to make sure he was still there he led me to his room.

As I entered the room, my eyes immediately did a quick sweep of the environment, fulfilling Joy's mission and looking for anything that could be useful for Annabelle. Jayden's room was simply painted, with black wallpapers and silver and gold highlights. My eyes scanned the various athletic trophies, textbooks I had recommended, and dumbells that made my hands ache just looking at them. But what caught my attention the most was a telescope situated by the window and surrounded by family pictures. Being a backbencher, I was always surrounded by nosy gossips, and for the periods I wasn't lost in my thoughts, I had heard that Jayden's dad was an aeronautical engineer, or used to be an aeronautical engineer before his seizures. I didn't really pay attention since Jayden had been broody way before that.

I continued looking around the room until Jayden finally spoke up.

"Sorry for not coming yesterday. My dad umm tends to be a handful sometimes and the least I could do was take care of him."

I hummed absently and continued to scan the room. "Are you looking for something in particular?"

"There are no Christmas decorations." I blurted out seeing that there wasn't a single red or green colored object in this room.

"O. My mom and siblings are celebrating at my grandparents' place. It's just me and Dad here." He said rubbing his arms.

I nodded. "Excuse me. I need to go and get something outside." I said heading for the door.

He looked shocked then downcast as he muttered an okay. I dashed down to the nearest convenience store panting.

The storekeeper looked at me like a crazy person as I brought out my wallet and asked for any Christmas decorations it could afford. The man sneered and I turned red, most of my savings were out at home. He just stomped off and went to get a miniature Christmas tree and some lights.

Without a word, he just shoved it into my hand and went back to watching a movie on his phone. I muttered a Merry Christmas and dashed out only to dash back in again.

"It's me again." I said muttering the only smile in my arsenal that wasn't fake.

"What is it!?" He said pulling his earphones out roughly.

"I need cake items." I said.

He sighed and got me the items I remembered of my head. I just mumbled something about paying him back later and he shouted back a threat.

I ran off with the items and entered Jayden's house hurriedly.

"Was someone chasing you?" Jayden said seeing me panting.

"No." I said waving my hand dismissively.

He narrowed his eyes towards me, went outside nonetheless, and looked around before coming back in.

He looked at the items in my hands. "What is that?"

I swung the bags around slightly and went towards the kitchen.

"It's for you." I said nonchalantly.

I went towards the fridge and gaped in shock at the amount of protein shakes in the fridge. I stumbled around in the fridge and only found pizza and some other reheatables. I turned around to find Jayden looking down and trying to pack up some messy plates.

"I'm not the best cook." He said sheepishly.

"Neither am I." I said biting my lips.

I inherited my mom's baking skills, not her cooking skills, so I would be no help in that area. I quickly grabbed a bunch of plates and stuck them in the dishwasher.

"I'll handle the kitchen you take care of the living room." I said and grabbed the chocolate powder.

"Isn't it supposed to be like red velvet being Christmas and all?"

I scoffed. "Nothing beats chocolate."

After that, I quickly cleaned up the kitchen, put the cake in the oven, and went to Jayden's room to decorate.

I called Joy as Jayden and I hung DIY snowflakes on the ceilings.

"Yeah, what do you need? Am in the middle of a movie here." Joy said.

"It's a maximum-level emergency." I replied.

"The Ice Cream Library is closing?" She asked shocked.

I jumped a little to hang a snowflake but failed miserably. I had to get a stool and stand on it while Jayden comfortably reached the ceiling.

Abominable tall boys

I grabbed the phone and brought it to my ear.

"Even worse. There's only cold pizza in Jayden's fridge." I said dramatically faking a faint.

Joy gasped. "I'll be there tomorrow."

Jayden turned and gave me a signal to stop her. I ignored him and continued on the phone.

"I'll even bring over Annabelle and make it a cooking class." She said.

Jayden screamed silently and started to clench his hair. I laughed and hung up the phone after promising Joy there would be cake in the fridge for her.

He sighed and glared at me but I just acted innocent and I hung the last snowflake. I smiled and turned to Jayden.

"All done. You get your dad and I'll get the cake."

He looked unsure as I mentioned his dad but I just zoomed down and brought out my moist cake from the oven.

I carried it to the room where Jayden and his dad were waiting. I placed the came on the table and turned to see Jayden begging his father with his eyes not to do anything out of place.

I took a deep breath resolving to do the best I could to salvage the Christmas. It was nothing special though, just a few slices of cake, some Christmas songs, and board games. But my heart really warmed up when I came back from the restroom to find Jayden and his dad smiling - at least the best that could be done in his condition - as they played another board game.

I entered the room glancing out the window, shocked that the sun was setting.

"You can stay over if you like." Jayden said.

I turned to see Jayden cradling his dad who snored lightly. He lifted his dad and laid him on his bed carefully, afraid of waking him up.

Jayden came over to the window bringing along a chair as he came. He passed me one and sat down on one. I took a seat and texted my dad, he texted back immediately an okay, happy to be home alone with Lucy.

I cringed upon seeing that. "He said I could stay over."

Jayden bobbed his head and I went back to taking pictures of the sunset with my phone.

"Why are you nervous?" I said catching him from the side of my eye muttering to himself and scratching the back of his head.

He froze and looked at me embarrassed, before taking a deep breath. "Thanks for everything today."

I burst out with laughter and he turned red.

"Fuck. This is why don't like telling people thank you." He said frowning.

I patted his back still struggling with my laughter. "Yo-Your welcome. But why are you nervous over something so simple like a thank you."

"Because I mean it. And because you didn't run away."

"Why would I run away."

I caught Jayden looking at his dad who was blissfully unaware of what was going on, and with a bowed head he turned back to look at me.

"Am a terrible son aren't I?"

I waved frantically. "No no no. I saw firsthand just how much you loved your father, taking care of him during Christmas."

He let out a small dry laugh. "Taking care of him? It's the very least I could do when am nothing but a disappointment."

I flinched. He'd meant every word and that scared me.

"He probably wishes he had a perfect son like you." He muttered.

"I'm not perfect." I whispered.

He looked up at me in shock. "You have good grades, quiet, don't get into fights, and has a good heart."

I laughed sadly and bent my head. "I'm not perfect. I hate the fact that I am not good-looking. I can't make a proper class presentation without stammering. I'm not proud of my body and despite me being an introvert it still hurts when people don't even bother to ask if I might just want to be included in some activities."

I bowed my head in shame, embarrassed to be ranting my problems out like a weakling. I brought my head up.

I rubbed my hands together. "Sorry for making it all about me."

He said nothing but stood up and hugged me. I gasped in shock and my body went stiff at the fact that Jayden was hugging me.

"I don't give the best hugs but I hope it'll bring you comfort. And never hesitate to talk out your problems." He muttered.

I smiled and allowed myself to be hugged, actually feeling a little bit better.

"What's that?" Jayden said.

I looked over my shoulder to see Jayden pointing at the Christmas present I had gotten him. I gasped in recollection and pushed him off me, scurrying to get the present.

"Merry Christmas," I said giving the wrapped package over to Jayden.

He gave a little smile and opened the wrapper. I looked hesitantly at his expression unsure whether he would like the present.

His eyes sparkled curiously as he ran his hand over the customized journal on top of it.

"I'm not the best person to speak to about emotional issues and I may not always be within reach. So I gave you the journal in hopes that you'd write in it if ever you are feeling troubled. That way you'll not feel alone."

I had asked a friend of my dad to help me make the journal, yet I was worried that he wouldn't like the present since it looked a little bit plain. But his smile widened and he looked at the slim journal which had his name carved out in front. "I really don't know what I did to have a friend like you."

I smiled. "Guess you just got lucky."

"Yeah. Really lucky." He muttered.

He placed the journal carefully on top of the table. I didn't feel like watching movies so Jayden and I stayed up through the night staring through the telescope as he taught me all about the stars, just like he and his dad had done before.

*************

I walked tiredly up the staircase with bowls of snacks, exhausted and burnt out. Karla had called me to check up on me and our plans to meet up today, but after my Dad's work party I was so over people, unfortunately, I didn't want to let anyone down so I told her I'd be there.

I reached the top of the stairs when I saw the person I had plans with to watch a movie at home, dressed up and ready to go out.

I waved the snacks in front of her. "We have a movie marathon, Joy."

She buttoned the loop of her jacket and just stared at me. "I know."

I was confused now. "Are we going to the cinema then?"

She sighed deeply and groaned, facing me squarely and putting one of her hands on her forehead with the other taking its position on her hips - Joy's normal battle stance for when she was about to lecture someone.

"Astro Matthew Winston."

Am screwed

She walked closer to me and dragged my poor ears resulting in me screaming my lungs out.

"Ouch bitch, what was that for?"

She let go and I cradled my poor traumatized ear.

"How many times have I told you to tell me when you're burnt out."

I froze and went for the easiest route - denial. "What do you mean?"

She glared at me and my hands flew up to protect my ears.

"Even Karla noticed something was off."

My face went white.

"She even came here when you went out for the snacks and dropped a package." Joy said.

I immediately grabbed her shoulders. "How did she look like? Angry? Sad? Disappointed?" I brought my head down. "I've taken a rain check too many times."

She patted my back. "She seemed concerned you jackass."

I sent daggers towards her. "I don't think you need info on Jayden."

She gasped and her eyes glowed up like the sun. "Spill the details."

I wanted to speak when she clamped her hand over my mouth and looked away with a face that mirrored the one she had when she needed
to leave a novel and read for a test.

"Don't say anything. It's your alone time." She turned back to look at me.

She walked downstairs and moved to turn the door handle when she turned again to face me.

"Anddd..."

I wanted to slam my face into the wall and flung some popcorn at her.

She scoffed. "You knew what you were getting into being my best friend."

Then she continued. "Ask Karla to be your girlfriend already or I'll pull a Vanessa Scott."

I gasped with shame when I remembered the girl I had a crush on in ninth grade but was too shy to tell her. As soon as I told Joy and Liam about it, Joy marched straight to Vanessa asked her if she liked me because I like her. I still shivered in horror remembering that incident.

After seeing my horrified face she turned back to the door. "Am off."

I ran towards her and gahugged her
"You're the best."

"Oh my little boy, I know." She said.

I released her and with that she opened the door.

"Feel free to do all the freaky shit I know you introverts do when alone.  Am off to Annabelle's for fake manicures since we have overprotective mothers."

She waved and started to hop down the street.

I turned and looked at the screen, my favorite thrillers and mysteries were already lined up. I turned away from the screen and looked around to check for the note Karla had left.

I walked into the kitchen and saw a little brown envelope with Joy's terrible handwriting. I picked it up and tore the envelope open.

My eyes widened and I turned the package around - it was a book, a thriller at that. I flipped through the pages and some papers fell out.

I crouched down and picked up the papers. One was a note with Karla's handwriting and another was two tickets to an art gallery that was opening newly. I started to read the note.

I hope you enjoy the book. I heard it was a great read when I asked around, the art tickets are for whenever you get the chance and feel less stressed. Make sure to get lots of rest.
Your bae,
Karla

I rolled my eyes at the "Your bae" but smiled nonetheless. I felt slightly guilty but thankful that I got a rest day.

I grabbed my popcorn and plopped on the couch relaxing and sipping my soda as my brain relaxed.

******************************

AN

Hiiiiiiii everyone,

Hope you guys liked the chapter? Comment your thoughts. vote, and share the story please. And by the way don't be shy to point out errors if there are any.

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