Addicted
12/28/13
"Welcome to The Land of the Rising Sun everyone! We hope you have enjoyed your stay with United Airlines and wish you the best day!"
Softly, he unbuckled his seatbelt, his golden eyes gazing into the auburn sky as a few crows passed overhead. The ocean glimmered in the evening sun, a gasp escaping his lips as he spied the last of the migratory dolphins making their leave.
He was back with his friends.
"Ray! Ray!"
He heard his name being called, the man hulling his green bag over his shoulders and waving to his friend. He smiled warmly, walking past a few people and out of the glass doors that separated the unloading people from those who were waiting for their plane.
His friend slapped him on the back playfully, his brown eyes meeting with Ray's.
"It's been too long man."
"Good to see you too Tyson."
The blue haired man chuckled and took Ray's hand.
"So glad you could make it!"
"I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend a holiday vacation with my best friends now could I?" he mused, gazing at his friend.
"Ever since the last Beyblade tournament, all we've done is exchange emails and letters, but now that I get to see you in person, it's great!"
"Sorry I couldn't get on Skype more but you know, terrible service ten thousand feet up on a mountain."
"I can understand."
Ray chuckled with his friend, feeling rather good to be back with his buddies. They talked over more, Ray having been reminded that he hadn't seen his friends in quite some time. Ten years had passed since they had last gotten together for any sort of festivities, so when the time came that Tyson invited the old gang to hang out at his place for a whole month, well Ray just couldn't say no.
Tyson had grown up, gone to college and was working on his degree in civil rights. He had always told Ray in his letters that he wanted to be some sort of defender of those whose rights were taken away by unfair law. Ray knew that Tyson's heart was fit for the job.
"Hey guys!"
A soft but strong voice greeted them both as a dusty blonde haired man approached them, smiling from ear to ear. Ray turned to the voice, seeing not the young boy he remembered, but a man who stood tall and clad in slim clothes.
"Max!"
Max smiled, tilting his head. "Hey guys, what's up? Good to see you!"
"You certainly grew!" Tyson commented, measuring himself against his friend. "You're almost as tall as me!"
"I'll get there!" Max retorted, embracing Tyson in a friendly hug. Ray smiled softly, his mind full of memories from their childhood. Max had always been the calm one, the one everyone looked to for a sense of peace. He had invested himself in the field of athletic engineering, building and repairing cars for the drifters of the world. NASCAR apparently also covered health benefits.
The airport was beginning to empty of people now, the sun setting behind them on the ocean, a few remaining gulls making their way across the frozen air and into the warmth of their nests.
"I'm surprised you got as much snow as you did Tyson." Ray stated, gazing out at the white land. A few snow flurries floated down from the airport's rooftop, but nothing was too out of place.
"Me too, I mean we got a foot, but seeing as it is December this isn't uncommon." He turned to Max. "I bet in New York they got a lot too!"
"This winter's been pretty stable actually." Max replied, the three of them making their way to the last remaining flight terminal.
"We only had a few inches, and then a big snowstorm, but then it all melted in time for my plane. I was lucky!"
"Did you get the gift I sent you?"
"Yeah, did you get our gifts?"
"Of course I did!" Max smiled. "Thank you guys so much! I hope you got mine as well!"
"You bet." Ray smirked. "Now all we have to do is wait for Kai." He gazed at Tyson. "You did invite him right?"
"It wouldn't be a party without him."
Ray laughed with Max at Tyson's reply, all of them smiling. Ray knew that all of them had come to Tyson to really reconnect with each other, catch up on everything that had happened in their lives. Even though they had stayed connected, there was nothing that compared to a good old fashioned get together.
Especially when beer was involved.
Their footsteps echoed in the empty terminal, and as they neared the entrance door a familiar pair of grey eyes met them. The man smirked at them pleasantly, his eyes showing more excitement than his face.
"Kai, you made it!" Max exclaimed.
"To me, it's spring."
"Very funny Mr. Russia." Tyson sneered. Kai hmped back in return, but put a hand on Tyson's shoulder.
"Good to see you Kai." Ray said, staring at him. "You haven't changed a bit."
"If I did I wouldn't be Kai now would I?"
Ray's heart fluttered as his friends all talked and caught up on their lives, what was going on, the latest news, and especially who was with who nowadays. The holidays were the perfect time to get together and really go wild. They would party and hopefully have plenty of time to really bond. After all, they were going to be together for a whole month!
The house was as warm as Ray remembered, the floorboards creaking under his weight as he moved into the open guest room and put down his belongings. The snow fell gently outside, coating the land in a mystical white. His back hurt from the airplane seats, and he was tired. Sleeping on a plane was nothing like sleeping in the comfort of a bed.
"You guys know what to do," Tyson's voice rang out from the kitchen a few feet away. "The fridge is here and the stove is there, bathroom's still where it's supposed to be, and you know your way around."
While Max and Kai set their bags down and changed into their pajamas, Ray took the opportunity to talk to Tyson for a second. He was curious as to why he had invited them all here and why during the Christmas holiday.
Stepping into the hallway, he spied Tyson sighing heavily while staring out the window of the kitchen. Ray sensed a chill in the air, and his legs carried him towards his friend.
"Tyson?"
Tyson seemed to snap out of his trance and Ray's hand hovered over his friend's shoulder. He saw that Tyson's eyes were murky, and not their usual vibrant brown color. Ray licked his lips and swallowed, speaking softly.
"You okay?"
The darkness of the night settled in upon them, the white of the moon illuminating his friend's somber expression. Tyson seemed a little out of time as he replied.
"Yeah I uh… …" his words died almost immediately, and Ray could smell that something was misplaced. Tyson was so bubbly and energetic, and now this? How could someone be so sad this early in the holiday season?
"Tyson what is it?" Ray asked gently, coming closer to Tyson. "You know you can tell me…"
His words made Tyson peer into Ray's golden eyes. Their eyes made contact and almost immediately Ray could feel the sorrow seeping from Tyson's pores. From outside the birds were finding their place in the nests above the human's heads, high in the trees with their wings flapping to get home. Ray could hear everything.
"Tyson…"
Before he could say another word, Tyson slipped past him and into the guest room, joining the others. Ray's eyes drifted towards the floor, his red gloved hand clenching in a fist. He pursed his lips.
"That's a long time to be working there."
"Well, I had to build upon my father's company, couldn't have the Hiwatari enterprises go down in flames."
"I see."
The flames of the fire flickered in the night, shadows dancing on the walls of Tyson's house as the friends sat around the warmth. They spoke of each other's lives, and even of their girlfriends, past and present.
"You know Emily is a hard head… always has been, but when we broke up… seemed like she didn't really seem all that troubled by it. I mean she took it lightly."
"Maybe she was shacking up with someone else Max." Tyson replied, sipping his hot chocolate. Ray stole a glance in Tyson's direction, sensing a building tension. His eyes narrowed.
"I don't know… but now… I feel like there's no other girl out there for me…" Max sighed, sipping his chocolate. "I mean… I really liked her."
"There will always be someone else." Kai answered firmly, "You just have to find her."
Tyson clicked his tongue, smirking.
"You're one to talk Mr. Single forever."
"I prefer to keep it that way." Kai snapped, glaring at his friend. "Girls make things difficult."
"I guess."
Silence filled the room as the friends stared into the fire and drank their chocolate. So much had happened to each and every one of them, but of course, Ray knew there was something off about Tyson. His friend could not be that sad and lonely so early on in the game.
"What about you Ray?" Max asked, getting Ray's attention. Ray looked over at his friend and tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"What about Mariah? What happened there?"
"Oh Mariah?" he sighed, putting his chin in his knees. "Well, she broke up with me to date Kevin… I wonder how that turned out."
"Ouch."
"That little midget kid?" Tyson exclaimed, unbelieving. "He was a shrimp compared to you!"
"I know, but you know, girls like what girls like. But this was a while ago. So it doesn't really bother me anymore." Ray smiled half heartedly. "It bothers her brother more than it bothers me, so I guess it's okay!"
Tyson shook his head while Max shrugged his shoulders. "They come and they go. I seriously thought you were going to get married and have a kid named Rin."
Ray's eyebrow rose.
"Uh… you thought it out fully?"
"Somehow I feel like that should have happened…"
Ray shrugged and drank the last of his chocolate, setting his mug down. He extended his legs and stretched his worn out back, undoing his ponytail to let his hair loose.
"Your hair got a lot longer since we met Ray." Kai examined, gazing at him. Ray ran his fingers through his locks and waved his head back and forth.
"I like to keep it long. Helps with attracting the ladies."
"Have you had any luck?" asked Max.
"Not so much. There aren't that many interested females in China… not sure why. Maybe I'm just too out there?"
"You? Of course not. You're the most down to Earth guy I know." Tyson stated happily, smiling. "You're a great friend and a great guy."
"Down to Earth huh?" Ray parroted, his eyes narrowing at Tyson. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You're hiding something Tyson. You've been doing that since we got here."
Almost immediately Tyson's eyes widened and his body stiffened. Ray knew he had hit a hard spot in Tyson's heart, and sat closer to his friend.
"Tyson, you know you can tell us anything… what's up?"
Tyson pursed his lips. Ray could see that his body was beginning to tremble, and he spoke gently.
"Why did you call us here? Now of all times? Shouldn't you be spending this time with your grandpa?"
Max came closer as did Kai, all three of them surrounding Tyson.
"What's the deal Tyson? Why the sad face all of a sudden?" Max inquired, reaching out to his friend.
Their hands met and Tyson flinched away harshly. Kai lowered his head to speak.
"Tyson, stop being so introverted and just come out with it."
The fire seemed to blaze against them, shadows painting Tyson's face. He bit his lower lip, Ray watching as Tyson placed his hands upon his lap.
"This Christmas…. I spent alone…"
Ray's ears perked, Max and Kai blinking.
"Grandpa… the day before Christmas he…"
The pain in Tyson's eyes glimmered in the flames of the fire that was beside them, and almost immediately Ray understood.
"Tyson…"
"Oh Tyson…"
"Tyson…"
The man shook his head back and forth, shielding his eyes and hiding his face away from them all. Ray's heart dropped and sunk into his stomach, his ears almost hearing the splash of impact. His hand hovered over Tyson's back for a second before rubbing.
The man trembled under Ray's pressure and could hold on no more.
"Grandpa had been fighting it… fighting it for some time now… and never in my dreams did I… I should've…"
"Was it… cancer?" Max asked quietly.
A nod was all the reply he got.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Kai questioned, coming over to Tyson's side like Ray and Max.
"I… I knew he didn't have much time… so I called out to you guys… hoping that he would last me until Christmas but… he just…"
"We know… we know…" Ray lifted Tyson up to a seated position again, as Tyson had crumpled in a messy heap of tears and shudders. Max came around and embraced his friend, who proceeded to sob upon his shoulder.
"I just wish I had known! I wish I could have done something!" his voice cracked and he was shaking hard, but his friends knew that all he needed was comfort at this time.
Ray looked down at the ground, and then flicked his eyes over to Kai. Kai gazed back at him and nodded, gathering the mugs and proceeding to the kitchen to wash whatever was in the sink.
"It's going to be okay Tyson." Ray cooed, helping Tyson to his feet. Max held onto one of Tyson's arms as Ray joined him on the other side, getting Tyson to slowly make his way over to his room.
Ray undid the bed sheets and turned on a lamp so they could see. Max let Tyson down softly upon his bed, kneeling by his side and patting his back. The man sobbed and sobbed, Ray having never seen Tyson like this before.
The night was growing darker, and Ray spied a clock hanging on the wall.
"Ten…"
He knelt down by Tyson's side as well, tucking his friend under the covers and sighing. He knew the reason now… Tyson needed some family, some sort of comfort…
His mother died… and his father is god knows where…
Almost an hour passed before Tyson finally settled down and cried himself to sleep, his friends keeping a watchful eye over him.
Ray stood up and helped Max up, as his legs had turned to noodles. The two friends gazed at each other before Ray decided to speak.
"Everything makes sense now… since he called us here… and the last few letters I got from him…"
"He sounded sad right?" Max asked as they headed towards the guest room.
"He did… but I never thought…"
"If something bothers him, Tyson wouldn't let it out easily." Kai appeared beside them from the kitchen, wiping his hands off on his pants. His eyes were soft.
"He's in a lot of pain right now…"
Ray nodded, taking off his clothes and changing into his pajamas. The fire had died out, Ray changing in the darkness and settling into his bed that was parallel to both Max and Kai's. His thoughts wandered to his friend and his heart ached in sorrow for Tyson's loss.
He doesn't have much family but us… and I know that pain better than anyone…
Slowly, the dim dark swept over him and his body warmed with the sheets. His thoughts began to linger and hush, quieting his mind and making his eyes droop.
Tomorrow was another day.