All I Missed
A/N: This was tough for me to get down on paper. No matter how I wrote it, it just never sounded quite right. But whatever. Tell me what you think.
(Jeremie's POV)
I pushed open the door and stepped out into the bright sunlight, squinting until my eyes adjusted to it. I found it odd that with X.A.N.A now gone, how much brighter the sun was. Almost as if the evil AI was a dark cloud that blocked out everything good. The sunlight, happiness, care-free fun with your friends, undisturbed sleep, fulfilling meals. It was almost as if I was discovering it all for the first time. Similar to when Aelita first came to earth. "Aelita," I thought sullenly, "No, it's still too soon to think of that."
A bird took flight nearby, pulling me out of my thoughts. I watched it flutter towards the woods, eventually losing it among the treetops. I started to follow it, heading towards the forest. The breeze whisked the recently cut grass across the path, filling the air with a fresh and soothing scent. I was amazed at how much better the outside air was compared to the stale air that circulated through my computer. It was almost as if it tasted better, if that makes sense. I felt more willing to breath when outside. It was refreshing, not depressing. I stepped into the shadow of the canopy above. The woods were alive with the sounds of living creatures. The bushes rustled as they scurried about, just out of my sight. It was strange how I've taken this exact path so many times to get to the factory yet I never noticed the abundance life and nature that existed here. It's amazing how much I could over look in my haste. "Never again. I will never take for granted the little things in my life. Not after what it's cost me."
I walked out the front gates of Kadic and into the city.Cars whizzed by me. I spared none of them a passing glance. I continued to walk, pressing further into the city. Neon signs flashed all around me. They brought both happy and sad emotions with them. On one hand, they appeared to me with more vibrancy than before, showing that was more about life that I had left to rediscover. But they also brought back the memories of Aelita's first night on earth. It was such a blissful time, but now all it ever brought me was remorse. It only reminded me of what no longer was.
I entered the ice cream shop and walked to the counter. A short and slightly pudgy young man stood at the counter, reading something on his phone. He looked up when the doorbell sounded and straightened up, although it added very little to his overall height.
"Strawberry please," I ordered. He began to scoop it out when I had a change of heart. "No, wait. Change that to a chocolate milkshake."
He raised an eyebrow but obliged nonetheless. The sound of whirring filled the empty store as he mixed my drink. He set it on the counter as he figured up my total. I paid the amount and was back out the door. I let the milkshake coat my mouth, relishing the texture and flavor. Just like many other things, I'd forgotten just how good one of these tasted. I started my trek back to school, sipping the treat as I walked. I simply enjoyed the afternoon presented to me. My only regret being I had no one to share it with.
I dropped the empty cup in the dumpster outside the gates and proceeded towards the dorms. But I was stopped dead in my tracks as the school building appeared in front of me. There she was walking happily under the arches. But she wasn't alone. No, she was walking hand-in-hand with yet another of my friends. Both Aelita and Odd were laughing joyfully. As they neared the doors, Aelita stood on tiptoe to kiss him the cheek but I turned away, unable to watch. "Yes," I thought sadly, "I really have missed out on a lot."