Chapter 1: The call
It was dinner time at the pack's house. Jojo and Cody were laying the table, Koa and Pam were preparing the dinner and the rest of them were in the living room watching TV.
-Why can't I go to the kitchen? - asked Mana. Aaron, Mike and Marcus grabbed him from his arms.
-No bro, you're going to finish it all, and it smells really well tonight- answered Mike.
-Yeah, add to it the fact that we are hungry too- said Marcus and smirked.
-Oh come on, I will just take a look!
-Yeah, like two days ago- said Aaron as he rolled his visible eye.
Then Jojo and Cody came out from the kitchen, Jojo had both hands behind his back.
-Pam said that you can go in five minutes-said Cody.
-Oh, five minutes it's too much! - pouted Mana.
-Yeah, I know it is a lot of time for you so I stole something-. Jojo smirked and took out his hands: in them there was a meat ball on a napkin –You better eat it slowly because it's hot- prevented Jojo.
-Thank you!-. Mana kissed Jojo's cheek and ate the whole meat ball. All of them stared in awe to his eating skill.
-Gee, at least we know what dinner is going to be- said Mike.
Suddenly the telephone rang.
-Pack's home, this is Jojo
-Son!
-Dad? - asked Jojo. Then everybody's eyes stared at the grey and black who.
-Yes Jojo is me! How are you doing little man?-. Jojo winced and blushed.
-Dad please, don't call me like that- he muttered.
-Oh don't worry, I promise I won't call you like that when you get home- said Ned happily.
-WHAT? - exclaimed Jojo now going pale again.
-Oh I knew you would be surprised. Isn't it great?
"No" thought Jojo bitterly but he said, lack of emotion:
-Why do you want me to go back?-. As he finished the phrase everybody gasped and Mana got next to Jojo, now a bit concerned.
Ned laughed in the line and told him:
-Jojo, you're going to be Mayor of Whoville! The town council told me it this morning and well…
-Hey guys, dinner is ready now, why don't you…? - Said Pam, but soon everyone hushed her. –What…? - She looked where all of them were staring and saw Jojo on the phone.
-I'm not sure about it- continued Jojo.
-Why not? This is the best for you- assured Ned.
-Well, I will ask Mana if he wants to go with me-. Mana smiled softly.
-Jojo, I'm afraid that the town council stills remember the incident when all your friends fought them and they don't want…more problems- said Ned filling the conversation with nervous chuckles.
-Problems? But they were who kidnapped you and mom! We had reasons! - said Jojo annoyed.
-Yes Jojo, I know it, but they gave you an opportunity…Look, this is very important for your future, at least give it a chance. Besides your mother misses you a lot as well as all your sisters and I, and you probably would miss your observatory…
-I…I will call you when I get the answer-. Jojo put down the phone and looked to the pack seriously.
-If you don't hurry, it won't be because of Mana that we can't taste the dinner- said suddenly Koa who went out from the kitchen. They all looked at him with concern. –Did I miss something?-.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Jojo had just explained them everything that Ned told him. Everyone had a different reaction: Mike and Cody exchanged some looks instead of talking; Marcus stopped eating his last meat ball; Koa looked down and seemed to be looking for a solution; Aaron was in a kind of trance and he didn't show any emotions, Pam looked from Mana to Jojo with sadness, and Mana had his fists tightened and looked angry.
-I…I think you must go and first talk to your father Jojo- started Pam shyly; -that way Mana can go with you-.
-You don't understand! They think that anybody from the pack except Jojo means problems! Not even you can go back! - said kind of upset Mana, who didn't eat anything from his plate.
-Don't be so rude, bro. Calm down- said Koa.
-Well, I'm not sure of going there…- said Jojo.
-Hey! And what if they don't want us there? - supported Cody.
-We will go anywhere with you, we are a pack, remember? - said Marcus.
-Besides, you have never wanted to be mayor- said Aaron in his dull tone.
-Yeah! It's not like you are going to accept the proposal…aren't you? - asked Mike.
Jojo didn't say anything. He just got up from his seat and went out from the kitchen. He needed to think. Mana followed him and left, even though Jojo wanted to be alone, Mana knew well that he needed him now too.
-Nice meat balls, what a pity about the new- said Marcus in a comforting manner to Koa and Pam.
-Yeah, for sure Mana would have ate them all if he wasn't so irritated- smiled Mike, and after his brother said "Good night", the three of them went out.
-Well guys, I leave you alone. Have to work tomorrow. Good night- said Koa and left.
Just then Pam sat on Aaron's thighs and sighed.
-Don't worry; they are going to find a way to end it well- said Aaron caressing her hair.
-I suppose…Tell me, what you were thinking about? I saw you… I don't know; like if you were miles away.
-I was… thinking about my parents- he said seriously. He has obviously remembered the incident. –But don't worry, it is ok- said now with a soft smile and putting something in his pocket.
Pam looked at him doubtful.
-Mmm, you know? You don't need to hide your feelings with me; it is normal feeling down sometimes and as you said: It is ok- she told him sweetly. He simply looked down.
-Even the strongest knight need somebody sometimes- whispered Pam leaning over his shoulder and kissing his neck.
"Thank you" he thought as he kissed her back, this time on the lips. Suddenly he rushed her through the house until they got to their room. She closed the door; they were in their own kingdom.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Jojo was sitting on the top of the roof, as Mana did once a long time ago in Camp Harmony. He had his legs wrapped and his face was hidden in them by his hair.
"What am I supposed to do? Do I have to listen to my heart or do I have to listen to my head? Everyone would say it's simple, but it's not simple if you must disappoint somebody whichever your choice it is" Thought with frustration.
Soon Mana's figure appeared on the roof and sat next to his boyfriend. At first Jojo didn't move and Mana dedicated this silent moment to stare at him. He d seeing him like that; actually he d seeing any sign of sorrow in Jojo.
Just when some whimpers could be heard from Jojo, Mana pulled him closer and held him tight. The moon light reflected Jojo's tears as he looked into Mana's eyes, looking for some support in them as if it was his last resource.
-Mana…I don't want to leave you- started. Mana kept silence letting Jojo talk -I don't want to leave this new life; this is all that I wanted, I don't want to be mayor…-. Jojo seemed to be trying to convince himself to stay.
-So why don't you just stay? - asked Mana softly.
-I…I don't know, maybe because I still want to make him proud of me…- he said ashamed. That seemed to make Mana react: he caught Jojo's face in both hands and looking deep in his hazel eyes, he said:
-Jojo, listen to me: It's your future we are talking about, not your father's. You have to make this choice for you, not for anybody, not even for me. Just be sure that whatever you decide it's going to make you happy, understand?
Mana pulled him close to his chest and Jojo leaned over letting a sigh escape from his lips.
-Mana…You know that I love you, don't you? - said Jojo sniffing.
-Yeah, I know it- said the spiked who almost as a whisper and caressing Jojo's hair.
-Kiss me, please-. Jojo got down on his knees in front of Mana and both shared a kiss that seemed to be everlasting. Or at least to Jojo, who had already made his decision.
They got down from the roof and made their way to their room turning off all the lights in the house.
Once in, Jojo slipped in the bed and fell asleep soon, not wanting to think anymore. But even if Mana wanted to sleep at least the half as well as Jojo, he couldn't stop thinking: "Why did he doubt? Why does he still care about making his dad proud?"
Wasn't it supposed that Jojo didn't need anyone's approval except for the pack one? And not even that, Jojo was free now to decide what he wanted, they started that new life to be free. Then why did he care about the past?
"No, I would be too selfish asking Jojo to stay; he must do what he want".
Finally he held Jojo closer and closed his eyes smiling when Jojo's hand held Mana's in his sleep.
As if that was a good feeling for him.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Early in the morning, Koa, Marcus, Mike and Cody left the house and went to their works. Pam had to wake up as early as them to prepare their brake fast; also she cared about the house and made what a housewife would do.
She waited outside with a coup of coffee and chocolate until her friends disappeared, and when she came in Jojo was right behind her. That made her gasp and throw the coup on the floor.
-Oh sorry Jojo, are you ok? You scared me - asked in a low tone, trying not to wake up the rest.
-Yeah, I'm fine, sorry-, he said picking the biggest pieces.
-Oh thanks for helping, but why are you wake up? You usually stay in bed until later. Is it because the call? - She asked mopping the scattered coffee.
-Yes, and for what I have decided to do, and I'm sure that Mana will say that he is agree with it, but I'm not so sure if I really want to hear that of him- said Jojo following her to the kitchen as she finished cleaning.
-Dear, you don't need to care what anybody could say, just do what you have decided and that will be fine to us- she said smiling him.
-Thanks Pam- said simply.
-I'm here for what ever you need sweetie- she said touching his nose with the tip of her finger. –Coffee and chocolate? I love it!
-Yes mom- Chuckled Jojo. Yeah, he would miss drinking from his own coup.
Well guys, this is my new story. Hope you like it as the last ones. Wow, Jojo didn't expect that, did he? Do you already know what his choice was? Thanks again to Animation Universe for his Oc's, also to the support of my friend Flying Werecats, and the most important to my brother Vampire 1031! You rock man! Read and review please! XD