John was just deepened in a profound, restful dream when some noise abruptly woke him up.
"What a..."
He murmured to himself, still not quite consciously trying to find the source of the irritating sound. Of course - his mobile phone! Not such long time ago phones were rarity and people didn't even imagine that one day everyone would have own one. And what? Somehow they were able to function without it. At least they couldn't be awaken is such cruel way... Not that John didn't realize how comfortable and useful it was, but sometimes he missed to older times when people did not need all these technical innovations to be happy. Instead of emails they wrote letters or simply came with a visit. However, there wasn't best time for nostalgia now while the cell phone was constantly ringing... Who, in heavens is calling so early?!
'Obviously - why it doesn't surprise me at all...?' He thought seeing his best friend's name on the screen.
"Jack... Can you explain me why you must call in the middle of night?"
He asked, yawning widely.
"In the middle of night? Johnny, do you have any idea what time is it?!"
"Give me a moment..."
John looked at the screen once again - it was 12.30 p.m...
"Alright, alright... Maybe it's not such early as I thought, but come on! I have just laid down a few hours ago..."
"Have you been staring into the sky whole night again?"
"Well..."
John had to admit that no one else knew him as well, as Jack. Sometimes he even wondered whether Jack couldn't read in his mind. To be honest it was a bit terrifying... Since childhood he used to look into the sky much more often than other children. The stars and cosmos always fascinated him and they never stopped to. Probably never will... That's why John didn't have any doubts what he want to do in the future - to explore infinite universe, which even now when he was on his dreamed studies - astronomy and cosmology surprised him every single day with something new. Yesterday at the labs John discovered a brand new star, so it's not too surprising that he couldn't stop looking at it during the night.
Well... they weren't absolutely sure yet whether it was a real star or not however, if the professors will confirm it then who knows... perhaps they will let him to name it by himself. His own star...
"John, are you still there?"
Jack's voice brought him back on Earth.
"Oh yeah... sorry, I've just..."
"... sunk in your own thoughts?"
Jack finished the sentence instead of him.
"Well... sort of..."
"Nothing new, then."
Jack giggled.
"Jaaaaack! Who are you talking to?"
John faintly heard familiar feminine voice in the handset.
"Sorry for a while, mate it's Donna..."
He said and added in a quieter voice.
"Oh it's only our Johnny, sweetheart."
"Johnny! How is he?"
"As usually I'd say. You know, he's sinking in own endless imagination..."
"Jaaack..."
John tried to interrupt them but of course they didn't notice it at all, as continued their 'not so privite conversation'...
"Dear old John..."
From the tone of Donna's voice John could guess that she's smiling. He couldn't resist to smile, too.
"Still... I always repeat that what he really needs now is some nice girlfriend..."
She added.
"And as always you are right! By the way, are you wearing my shirt?"
Jack's voice became more flirtatious.
"Yeah... why?
"I must say... you look in it even better than me."
"You don't say.."
"Yeah... however... you would look even better without it..."
John decided that he had already heard enough and it's high time to end their conversation.
"GUYS! I still can hear you..."
"JOHN! Are you eavesdropping?!"
Jack asked suspiciously.
"Oh trust me, pal I would rather not hear your conversation at all... Besides I tried to tell you before, just you were too busy with each other... "
"Oh Johnny, Johnny let's say I believe you..."
"What a relief..."
He answered ironically.
"Better tell me..."
Jack started the sentence, but suddenly his voice changed again.
"What are you saying, honey?"
"John..."
Jack's voice sounded normally again. Seriosuly this phone call was starting to be a little too twisted for his mind just after awakening. On the other hand these two very often talked to him like that, so he was kind of used to it...
"Donna wants to talk to you."
And before John managed to say a word he heard Donna's voice - this time much clearer.
"Johnny! How are you?"
"Better tell me how Jack's shirt is?"
He joked with a smirk.
"Oh very funny!"
She giggled for a few seconds then told in more serious voice.
"Anyway, I wanted to make sure whether you remember..."
"Remember about... what actually?"
"JOHN, YOU DUMBO! About the invitation! Christmas and so on... Now you remember?"
"Oh blimey! I remember, but..."
"BUT WHAT?! Don't even tell me that..."
John sensed dangerous tone in her voice.
"No, no I will be there! Only... before it I must finish something at the academy.."
"John... you have promised..."
"And as I've said, I will come! Just I'll leave London a few hours later than you two..."
"You know how it is before Christmas... the later the worse. For sure you won't avoid horrible traffic jam..."
"Don't panic! I will drive side roads and steer clear of all cars..."
"And will loose the way? Oh Johnny, Johnny I have no power to you... Just be there, okay? Grandpa already can't wait you to come! He's so proud of you!"
At the very mention about him, John smiled widely. He loved Donna's Grandfather like his own. Well... at least he imagined that would had loved his own one so much, if had ever known him. John, same as Jack spent whole childhood in Orphanage. They both had no family, so Christmas was always sad time for them. Everything had changed when they met Donna. John remembered it, as if it would be yesterday.. It was his 12th birthday - 7th of June. Of course only Jack remembered about this occasion. Without John's knowledge he won them permission for spending whole one hour outside the orphanage. They had to fulfill dozens of different conditions but it was worth it.
Then Jack took him to the nearby confectionery and bought them both huge ice creams with all the additions. It may seems nothing special, but then they always tried to imagine how these ice creams can taste like. During the summer all children spent more time outside the building. John and Jack often stood next to the fence and observed people who came back from the confectionery along the street, holding these fantastic ice cream cones. They dreamed that one day when will be older and have some money, they will buy themselves the biggest possible ones. John still had no idea from where Jack got the money that day - probably he must have sold some of his modest belongings.
Either way, ice creams tasted like a heaven. When boys were sitting on the wall, and luxuriating with each bite, some unfamiliar ginger girl hooked them. And that's how they met Donna. Even then she was bold and talkative. Firstly she wanted to try their ice creams, then started to talk a blue streak. It turned out that she visited London with beloved Grandpa - Wilfred. In some way, Donna could understand boys' situation because she also lost her parents. However, she had loving Grandparents who loved her as own daughter. Quite soon Wilfred joined them and quickly proved to be the most wonderful man, whom John and Jack ever met. Sadly their hour passed very fast and it was time to say goodbye. Wilfred bought them all one more ice cone and together with Donna escorted boys back to the Orphanage. Then he invited boys to own home for next Christmas.
Donna's family lived in a small village about an hour away from London. Somehow Wilfred managed to convince Jack and John's educator to this idea (probably because of his inborn charm - that's the proven fact: everyone who talked to Wilf at least a few minutes had to admit that he's incredible nice and warm person!) And so, to their endless happiness two days before Christmas he came to take him and Jack to own home. (Obviously together with Donna, who couldn't miss the chance for a ride...) Since that time Jack and John spent each Christmas Holidays with Noble's Family and it was the most anticipated and the best time of every year.
Naturally, John, Jack and Donna became friends for lifetime. Well... in Jack and Donna's case even something more. Years were passing by and before anyone noticed their friendship turned into love, also in very natural way. It just happened. Coming back to Donna's Grandparents - they always treated boys like own children. Sylvia was full of care and tenderness, while Wilfred became their biggest idol and role model to follow. He was the one who instilled in John love to stars and cosmos, showing him wonders of the sky above.
Right now Donna and Jack lived together in London, the same like John but the whole three of them came back to this old, wooden house surrounded by thick forests, as often a possible.
"John, are you still there?"
All of sudden Donna's voice woke John up. It seemed that this time he delved into the memories for a bit too long...
"Yes, yes sorry! I just reminded myself our first Christmas spent together..."
"Oh you also still remember it?"
"How could I forget?!"
"And you remember how we met for the first time? You were eating these enormous ice cream..."
"Yeah and you wanted a bite..."
"And then I bit half of Jack's ice cone!"
"Yeah... I suppose he has never forgotten about it..."
"And he never will..."
She added and they both burst into laughter.
"BUT coming back to the point, John please try to come as soon as possible. Alright?"
"Oh I've already told you twice..."
"Yeah, yeah you have... By the way, did you finally hand over your car to the overview?"
"There wasn't such need..."
"John for sake! This car is older than you! And I bet that never had been in the car service..."
"And that's saying something, isn't it?! Besides, he runs like clockwork."
John had an old volkswagen beetle in intense blue color. He bought it for first savings from one old funny weirdo 2 years ago. Maybe it wasn't such fast and quiet like more modern cars but at least he had a character and his own, undeniable charm. John absolutely loved this car from the first sight.
"One day you will yet mention my words, you'll see! Let's just hope that later than sooner..."
Finished Donna in sepulchral voice. In fact it sounded quite funny...
"There, there..."
"Donna, sweet heart..."
Distant Jack's voice resounded in the phone. Here we go again...
"I'm going to the shower..."
"Go on then. You need a towel?"
Donna tried to speak quieter, however John heard everything anyway.
"Nope... Actually, I wanted to ask whether you'll join me?"
"Ooooh you bad boy..."
"GUYYYS I STILL CAN HEAR YOU..."
Interrupted them John.
"Oh... John. Sorry it seemed, I didn't turn down... "
"Yeah, I'm starting to get used to it..."
He said ironically.
"Oh very funny! Nevertheless John, you know what I wanted to tell you, right?"
"YES I KNOW. I'll be there as soon as possible."
"And Great! Johnny, I gotta go now..."
"Yeah I get it. The shower is waiting..."
"OI! You stupid! I need to pack myself, that's why..."
"As you wish..."
John smirked under his nose.
"I meant exactly that! So, see you soon I hope!"
"Bye! And have a nice shower..."
He answered in a cheeky voice and turned off the phone, before Donna could react. Then he laughed to himself. Donna and Jack - these two will never change... And good! Actually, he didn't want them to change at all. Finally, John loved his friends exactly for who they were with all their funny or irritating habits and defects.
Because that's what this is all about in true friendship isn't it? Or in true love...
As to this last one, well... in fact John himself didn't have too much to say on that topic. Only things which he knew from movies, books and songs or which had observed in his friends, colleges or just other people around. Because let's be honest - his own love life didn't exist. Not that it bothered him too much... In general, John was satisfied with his present life. He had great friends (maybe not many but then trustworthy and very important to him) and small family (which consisted of dearest for him people who really cared about each other). He was on his dreamed studies and had a part time job at the Academy (part time at the moment, but who knows what could happen in the future... perhaps after finishing the course he will be able to stay there and continue his research? In some sense, working there now he had already made his way for it so everything was possible...) He had own tiny (but cozy and really climatic) flat and even a car! (additionally, not some ordinary car!) However, sometimes John had an impression that something is missing here... Maybe Donna was right and he truly needed a girlfriend.
Easy to say! When John looked around there were many, many different girls everywhere. At the Academy, in the places where he liked to come - like for example his favorite small cafe just around the corner where he usually meet with Jack and Donna or just came to read a book over the cup of tasty coffee. Also his friends had other friends and so on... and already a few times tried to introduce him different girls. The thing was that he didn't find any of them interesting. Not even one! Besides, girls didn't interested him. If anything, then John wanted a woman. And not some ordinary woman, only... well he couldn't exactly describe how she should be or look like... but he was sure of one thing - if he would ever meet her, then he will just know it's her. He will just know.
Thus it didn't look very promising right now. Naturally, John's shyness and secretiveness weren't too helpful... On the other hand, did John really need it all? What if he would fall in love unhappily and end with nothing but a broken heart? And what does he need it for?!
Notwithstanding sometimes, when he watched Donna and Jack in these moments when they thought that no one can see them... The way they were looking at each other ... there was something incredible in it. A pure, unspoiled by anything happiness. As if, they simply couldn't ask for anything more except the loving arms of beloved person. So yes, sometimes John wondered whether somebody will ever look at him this way. Perhaps, not... Probably not... But at least he has calm in heart. And always he will have his stars, books and music... No one will ever take it away from him!
In summary, it wasn't such bad, was it?
Anyway, once again he lost in own thoughts for far too long. If this goes so on, like this he won't leave London before night! It's high time to hurry up. He needs a plan... So now quickly - packing and academy. But first a shower. No first a coffee! Oh... God knows how much he needs a big cup of coffee at the moment...
A few hours later John finally sat in his car, smiling from ear to ear. First of all, his star proved to be the real one and he just couldn't wait to see Wilfred's face when he will tell him about it. John never belonged to proud people who like to boast or something... but deeply inside he knew that Wilf will be really proud of him and it made him very happy. Moreover, in about an hour he will see them all - his own small family! Sudden feeling of happiness filled up his heart. 'There will be the best Christmas ever!' he thought with a smile. Full of this conviction he started the engine, turned on the radio and moved forward.
The road seemed to be rather calm, but after leaving the city John decided to choose a route through the side roads. Just in case. He turned left and hummed under his nose a song from the radio. Of course they already broadcast a Christmas program with all this songs which probably almost everyone knows by heart. Right now they were playing "Driving home for Christmas" - John's favorite one. He had a special sentiment for this song, because heard it for the first time, when he and Jack were sitting in Wilf's car in that special day on the way to Noble's house where they were going to spend their first real Christmas. This songs always brought him back best memories. These all together put him in even better mood. Here he was, coming back to the place which could name a true home. In about a half and hour he will see all these such dear to him faces and spend wonderful time with them. Could anything on Earth or in heavens could spoil it?
As though in an answer to his speechless question suddenly something in the engine cracked hollowly. The car groaned hopelessly and stopped in the middle of nowhere. Just fabulous... Could it be that this time Donna was right? No way...