III
He had been waiting for this day for a very long time.
This was the day that his best friend would come back from his long trip. The little boy didn't know where his friend had gone, but it didn't matter. This was his best friend!
The doorbell rang and the little boy allowed his heart to soar. He was so excited! He had saved up all the toys that his parents hadn't broken, just so his best friend wouldn't be bored. He'd even made all the play money for Monopoly, because that was his friend's favorite game. It had taken days and many sneaky nights, but it was worth it to see the little colorful bills. Color. No black, no red. Only colors that shined.
The boy ran up and opened the door, smiling brightly at the sight of his best friend. His best friend was so cool, always calm and collected. The little boy admired his older friend; that's what best friends do.
But there was something different about his friend that day. There was no smile, only a blank stare. And the little boy shivered when he saw those eyes that he seems to see everywhere.
No. This couldn't be happening. Not his best friend too.
And the boy felt an uncontrollable anger as his best friend calmly pushed him aside and walked into the house. There are no words, no greetings, no friendly exchanges. Only that callous shove and a cold glare.
"Hey! What are you doing? I've missed you so much and you don't even say hi?"
Strange feelings welled up in the boy's throat as his best friend turned to him. The boy loved him so much. He couldn't lose him too.
But his best friend only frowned. "Who are you?"
The little boy wanted to yell, to holler at the top of his lungs. I'm the same person who's spent years playing Monopoly and video games with you. I'm the boy who's seen you cry, laugh, and love. I'm a kid who needs you right now, because I've just lost everything.
Before the little boy responded with any of these answer, though, his best friend spoke. And the little boy has never seen anything more bittersweet than the twisted smile on his friend's face.
"Oh, I remember you now. You're the little brat who followed me everywhere."
And his best friend kneeled down to pat the little boy's head, even though there was a malicious gleam in his words.
"I need to talk to your mom and dad right now, so try not to bother us. I've heard stories about how much you misbehave, so don't expect to get my sympathy."
The little boy stared as the most important person in his life stood up and walked straight into his parent's room. For hours, the little boy listened to the laughter and loud bouts of conversation from the room.
Now, he really had nothing.
The same boy, with love and sunshine and birthday presents, had absolutely nothing. He couldn't even remember those days of perfection; the only reminder had betrayed him for two people, two worthless and stupid animals.
The boy felt a coldness settle in his heart, an icy anger that he had never felt before. He kept it there, though, because it fueled him through the lonely nights. His teddy bears stared at him in reproach, as if they could sense the same brutality passing from parents to son. But the little boy knew he couldn't be little anymore, not when he only had himself.
Perfection? It only existed for the weak. And the little boy was anything but.
AN: Thank you all for the kind reviews. I'm sorry if I haven't responded back to your review, but rest assured, I will!
And yes. These little interludes DO relate to the actual story. Like I asked before, please treat these as a part of the big picture. Thanks.