The next day, Stryker J woke up, feeling like he has been through such a struggle.
Stryker J: Ugh...my head.
Good morning.
Stryker J looked to his right and saw someone walking through the bedroom door. It was Yasmine.
Yasmine: How do you feel?
Stryker J: Nngh...like the football team just trampled over my head...
Yasmine: That's a way of describing it
Stryker J: Where is everyone?
Yasmine: Downstairs. Karinaa brought you up here.
Stryker J: Why?
Yasmine: Because you were completely hammered, last night.
Stryker J: I...I don't remember...
Yasmine: Well, no duh.
Stryker J: ...
Yasmine: Now we know how much you can take.
Stryker J: ...
Yasmine: Come downstairs, Trevor's taking us out to eat.
Stryker J: ...Ok.
Yasmine: Just...take it easy, when walking down the stairs.
Together, Yasmine and Stryker J walked downstairs (and just as she said, Stryker J was having trouble walking). When they finally made it down the stairs, they walked into the kitchen. To Stryker J's sight, everybody from the party was still here.
Brent: Well, if it isn't the party animal, from last night.
Mary: How was your first shot?
Stryker J: Do you even need to ask...?
Trevor: Here, drink this.
Trevor had a glass of orange juice in his hand, handing it over to Stryker J.
Stryker J: Thank you.
Enedina: So, we still goin' or what?
Abraham: Yeah, I'm hungry, bro.
Trevor: Y'all set to go?
Yasmine: I am.
Karinaa: Same here.
Stryker J: ...
Trevor: Alright, grab your keys so we can go.
The voice disappeared, as Stryker J began falling deep into the black abyss. All he could hear is his own screams, echoing through the falls. As the poor boy was screaming, he was awakened by his Aunt Kokoro. Stryker J stepped inside Trevor's car and sat beside Yasmine. Once everyone was in the car, Trevor started the engine and began backing out of the garage and followed Enedina's car. During the drive, Stryker J was thinking to himself, wondering if he made a mistake at the party.
Yasmine: You still gonna tell her?
Stryker J: Huh?
Yasmine: Karinaa?
Stryker J: What about her?
Yasmine: Are you gonna tell her what you told us, last night?
Stryker J: Uhm...what did I say, last night?
Yasmine: You told me and Abraham how Karinaa made you feel.
With that simple sentence, Stryker J's face began to glow red.
Stryker J: I...I said what!?
Yasmine: No need to be so embarrassed.
Stryker J: ...
Yasmine: Drinking alcohol is a good thing to bring out hidden emotion.
Stryker J: Y-Y-You don't say...
Yasmine: I think you and Karinaa are good for each other.
Stryker J: You say that like we're already dating...
Yasmine: It's just what I see. And I think Karinaa knows it too.
Stryker J: YOU TOLD HER!?
Yasmine used her right hand and covered Stryker J's mouth.
Yasmine: Take it easy, alright?
Stryker J: How would she know about that? I've never said anything to her.
Yasmine: It's not about just saying anything. It's all about body language.
Stryker J: Body...language?
Yasmine: Words don't always have to say something. It's the way you act around her.
Stryker J: ...
Yasmine: If you get nervous around her or show strange behavior, then she'll notice something.
Stryker J: ...
Stryker J didn't know what to say. Everything that Yasmine was telling him was making perfect sense.
Yasmine: So far, Abraham and I already know.
Trevor: And now I do.
Stryker J: ...
Trevor: Chill, bro. I ain't gonna say anything to her.
Abraham: It's up to you to tell her.
Stryker J: Do I have to?
Trevor: If you wanna win her over, then yeah. You can't be chicken shit and not say anything.
Abraham: Trevor's right, bro. If you're really into her, then you gotta speak up.
Stryker J: Speak...up.
Yasmine: But it depends on if you're really into her or not.
Stryker J: If I. Not into her...?
Trevor: Then what's the point of saying anything to her?
The voice disappeared, as Stryker J began falling deep into the black abyss. All he could hear is his own screams, echoing through the falls. As the poor boy was screaming, he was awakened by his Aunt Kokoro. Stryker J had much to think about. Yasmine did have a point. It appeared that Stryker J was indeed into Karinaa but never expected himself to do much and say anything. When the group finally made it to the location, everyone was ordering their food. But not Stryker J, he was sitting at one of the tables, trying to process all that Yasmine, Abraham and Trevor told him. Just then, a hash brown appeared in front of Stryker J's face. He looked to his right and saw that Karinaa was offering him one.
Stryker J: Thank you.
Karinaa began eating her own hash brown and took a seat, next to Stryker J. The boy felt Karinaa so close to him and began feeling his heart beating at an incredibly fast pace.
Karinaa: You've been really quiet lately.
Stryker J: H-Have I?
Karinaa: All you do is stay in your room and sleep. I mean, were you always like that?
Stryker J: Not from what I remember...
Karinaa: Why is your face red?
Stryker J: It...It isn't red...
Karinaa: Stryker, I can literally see your face glowing.
Stryker J: It's...probably because it's hot in here...
Karinaa: Is it really? It feels pretty good in here,
Stryker J: N-Not to me...
Karinaa: You sure are acting weirder than usual.
Stryker J: N-No I'm not...
Karinaa: Yes you are. Something's going on with you.
Stryker J couldn't contain himself, with Karinaa's questions.
Karinaa: You're acting weird...and I'm gonna figure out what it is.
Stryker J: F-For what? There's no point.
Karinaa: I think it is.
Stryker J: Wh-Wh-Why!? I'm not that important.
Karinaa: Of course you are.
Stryker J: Huh...?
Karinaa: Why do you think we always try and get you out of your room?
Stryker J: ...
Karinaa: You aren't going to find life by sitting in your room, all day.
Karinaa was making a valid point. But what kind of life could Stryker J possibly have, in a world that he doesn't belong in...or with people he cannot connect with?
Abraham: Brace yourselves, niños y niñas!
Yasmine: Breakfast is finally served.
Trevor: You good, bro?
Trevor noticed Stryker J's face was completely glowing red.
Stryker J: I'm p-perfectly fine...
Karinaa: As if.
With that, the group began eating their breakfast. As Stryker J examined the group eating their food and joking around, a smile slowly surfaced on his face. He was enjoying himself, within reality...but he still wanted to return to his dream realm and check on his friends.