Disclaimer: I don't own PR universe one way or another.
Summary: Becareful with what you wished for. You'll never know when you'll want to take your words back.
Characters: Bringing the old familiar faces back to life once again (just to avoid from stating the obvious).
AN: This could just be the second last chapter before it ends. Have a nice day!
Last chapter: A moment later, I instinctly turned my indicator on and decide to make a detour. Perhaps it's never too late to visit an old friend of mine, who at this point I have no idea if there's anyone at home. I flicked my cellphone and went through a list of numbers. Finally found the contact number and dialed away. A few exchange words, I finally got my answers only the other person does not know what I was about to do.
So Angel Grove, I hope you still have the heart for me. I'm coming home for a bit.
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Dust to Dawn: Colours of Minority
Part Three: Candid Sensation
It's been ages since I've done any crazy spontaneous plans. And I must remind myself to thank Kim for the inspiration. The drive back to Angel Grove has been peaceful and full of hope. I would think that the breeze was agreeing with me when I heard the whisper. Late night cruising is always fun, always the time for you to reflect on the things you have done. I truly have missed this part of life, and it's a darn good thing God decide to smack me with the obvious now. Otherwise I'll grow as the grumpy old man who has no aim in life.
Is this what people would call mid-life crisis? I sure as hell think it is. I'm being so mellow.
"Hey!"
I really have to stop thinking too much, especially when meeting people. This is the second time it happened today that my thoughts are shaken by some random voice.
"Just thought I'd say hello".. I tried to rationalize it casually, not a hint of despair.
"All the way from Reefside? You do know there's the invention called telephone right? What gives man?"
"We could always hang out at your garden, it seem perfect"
I tiptoed myself while putting my hands in my pockets, shivering myself for the lack of thick clothes as the weather got colder. Mental note, keep extra clothes incase of any more crazy plans I might decide to make.
"Oh sorry, come on in. Make yourself at home." Naturally clasping our hands as a way of saying "Wassup man, glad you're back after ages and that I missed you a whole lot" only in a more subdued way.
You have no idea what home just brought me with. You really don't have one single idea at all. I wish you did, but that would cost my entire image of being a man.
"I'm not disturbing you with your plans am I? Cuz I could just leave and come back next time.."
I peeped myself from the door to see if anyone else was there. Just to make sure I wasn't in the middle of something. I remember the last time I was at Jason's place. That was when his parents were living with him as well, it felt just like home. The decorations seem to fit every inch and square of the house. The warmth from the wallpapers got me long to frizzle on the couch which used to be one of our favourite place to chill after working out. It's like walking into my younger life.
Yeah, I'm glad I made this move.
"Rubbish. I'm so glad you came for whatever reason. Sides, you didn't answer me what made you come visit. Is there any occasion I should be aware of?" As he went straight to the kitchen and took out some cans of sodas from the refrigerator.
Jason's not really a fan of alcohol unless there's a reason to, because when he did drink, he's in a bad shape after that. I took the can and helped myself to the rows of picture frames that was hung on the wall. There were a few more on the side table as well, some people I recognized and others I don't. This just gave me yet another brilliant idea. An idea to place picture frames in my house. That's what it was lacking. Framing the people who had filled in my life and made a difference.
Absent mindedly I picked up one of the frames and saw a picture of him and Kim laughing when they were younger.
"Not that I know of. I dunno. I just felt like it. Like an angel just brought me here all of a sudden.." letting the reason trailed off as I spoke.
"Righhtttt..you really think I'd buy that..." flopping himself onto the legendary couch we both loved so much. The colour may have fainted through years of hybernation and comfort, but the feel is never lost with time.
I followed suit and crashed myself in those soft comfortable light couch. I definately felt like home with one of my friends who can read me like a book. He's my friend, best friend, brother, fighter, anything, you just name it. If the term friends for life actually described anyone, it'll be him without a doubt.
"Ah c'mon Jase! Can't a friend come visit without a reason?" I pouted for a second, I feel so young today. Younger than when I was in high school. The joy of life!
"Of course you can, it's just that it wouldn't be Tommy to do so. That's all" teasing me before playfully smacking my shoulder.
"I kinda miss all this. Miss hanging out with you and do really absurd stuffs, miss having senseless conversation just about anything in life. I miss my Angel Grove life. So I thought I'd start new."
"Aww, someone's facing mid-life crisis a bit too early don't you think?"
It sounded harder coming out from him than it was from me. I gave him a momentarily glare before I could think of something to defend myself.
"Try working your ass off fighting over distorted monsters on daily basis and see if you feel the same way."
"Touchy touchy. Someone's being bitter tonight. You so definately need a life. First you need to get a girl for yourself. Or do something out of the norm. Wait, you already did alot of things out of the norm."
"You're so asking for trouble aren't you?"
"Chillllll, hold your fighting instinct till tomorrow morning old man. We have alot of time for that. For now, let's just indulge this moment as much as we can. Up for some old flicks?"
"Who said I'm staying?"
"Well aren't you?" Giving me the I-know-you-are look.
"Haha, yeah I am. Let's not watch tv. Let's..hmm..what can we do.." Idling my eyes through the living room, trying to come up with something to do.
"Do we even have a choice?"
"Ok tv it is then"
"Btw, welcome home bro."
"Thanks." as I took a sip of the soda in my hands.
As time goes by, both of us just lay in couch like time don't have any effect on us. We didn't exactly said anything to change our world, but knowing that our presence in each other speaks a thousand emotions does make up alot of it. When you're binded with one of your lifetime friends, you don't need words to confirm it. You just be who you are and expect the same from the other. Life is actually much simpler than we claim it is. Nonetheless, it had been an interesting chapter for a new book of Thomas Oliver. Too late to realize that instead of two old buddies watching the television, it's the television that's watching us dozing off. Old habits hard to change apparently.
The next morning, Jason woke me up before sunrise because he took the idea of sparring with me seriously. Here I thought he was just kidding. We are after all 27 year old men, we can settle scores in calm discussions, no need violence. Yeah right, who are we talking about?
"You could've let me sleep for atleast another hour before a full throttle workout you know?"
We both went into the house together, soaked in sweat and relieved it was over. That was one heavy battle. He sure was workingout consistantly. Shame on you Tommy, only 3 months after retirement and you felt like an elephant fell and squashed you like a pancake. Oh well, it's better to be a loser to him than anyone else. Well, not a loser technically, just..it's better to admit defeat to him.
"You said you missed hanging out and do absurd things, so I thought this would be a good start."
"Do you even realized that we're not as young as we once were? That could've got me into ICU for god sake"
I took a seat at the island whilst Jason decide to brew coffee for us to keep our momentum high. This is only two hours after the sunrise mind you.
"So sober on a beautiful Saturday morning Tommy? Oh c'mon, if there's one person who had to whined about stretching muscles, it should be me."
"You enjoy tormenting me don't you Jase? I know you doooo..." giving him an evil glare in hope that it'll kill his ego.
"Don't tell me you didnt want to get even with me because I don't believe it."
Guilty as charged. I am a man of many many wicked plans, and getting even with my bestfriend has to be my utmost important plans. Only I wished I had gotten ready with it sooner.
"Yeah yeah. Atleast I know your skills are not left to rust. You're a good opponent Jason Scott. I am honoured to go against you."
"Whatever. Loser treats lunch. and Movie, and dinner.. I can live with that."
"Dream on." I saw him carving a big goofy smile on his face.
"What time are you leaving anyway?" Pouring into my mug he had handed to me earlier which scripted "Winner wins all". He sure has alot of scores to settle with me by the looks of it. Seeing the steam escaped and filled the kitchen with its aroma reminded me of how Mrs. Scott would start her day with, and I suppose it's in the genes.
"You make good coffee bro." letting the thick black rich coffee drown my thoughts away. A second later, I continued the conversation being amused with his inquiry.
"Eh? Can't wait to kick me out of the house already? I expected more from my best friend. I'm dissapointed."
"Don't try and turn against me smart ass. I just wanted to make sure how much time before I could drain your energy out." Giving me a warning sign that I should stay alert of other things he had in mind. I'm not surprised one bit, I too can read him like a book.
"You'll never succeed. Maybe evening. I dunno. When I feel like it. Why? You've got plans?"
"Not anytime soon. Was thinking that we could go on a day trip visiting Zack at his studio or something you know? Like old times."
"You know where to get me. So...who's the lucky laydee who's stole your heart away huh?" Looking at him with his hands grasping on the mug as tightly as possible when he heard my random thoughts. Who's got you badly now buddy.
He pondered for a moment before looking intently into his coffee mug as if there was a drama screened on it. Classic move but you can't run away from the truth.
"Did I add marijuana into the coffee? I swear I cleaned the mess up. This questions don't just popped up out of the blue.."
"Awwww c'mon, who's sober NOW?"
Hah! Try get away with that now. Two can play this game if you didn't already know. A well known smirk plastered on my face when I interrogated Jason a little further about his personal life. The man does not speak unless you go point blanc with him. Like how I'm attacking him now. He could have crushed me during our sparring sessions, but when it comes to verbal attacks, I know my opponent's weaknesses. It's not like he doesn't know mine but for now, the focus is him.
"You can be quite a pain..and no, I don't have anyone in mind yet.."
"...Yet...that means there IS someone!"
"This is ridiculous, I'm not going to spill my heart out to you. NO WAY. Remember the last time I did and you blurted it out to Emily? MY GOD that was embarassing enough.." he covered his face with his hands.
"ACCIDENTALLY blurted out Jase, ac-ci-den-tally. If you must accused me, atleast have the courtesy in knowing the details. Still..I'm sure I won't be seeing her anytime soon am I hmm? Jason's got a crush, ooh la la!"
"Shut up."
I may be a densed person, very densed when a certain situation occurs, but seeing Jason flushed red is unmistakeable. No one can make him redder than his bestfriends. We all know big macho guys have a very soft spot in their heart. This just straightens my point even further. Jason's red could either be his mad at someone or he's too embarassed. I'm not sure which part of him is directed to me, I swear it's both because he couldn't find any words to justify himself. All he could do was to bite his lower lip. I narrowed my eyes a little looking directly into his eyes as if I'm his reflection and I am pretty sure that you don't need Nostrudamus to know when hell will break loose. Want to know why? It's because I just unleashed the dragon in him. A definately interesting payback time indeed.
"You're sooooo head over heels, I can sense it. I can feel the aura spreading in this room. It's so powerful, even me being the evil green ranger couldn't fight it."
I carried on being animated and finished my coffee quickly because I knew what will happen next when I open my mouth again..
"It's true what they say huh? Love conquers all. Hahahaha..someone's blushing..Oh shit.."
My eyes grew wider as I saw him contemplating the knives that's standing inbetween us. If I'm assasinated by him, I am very glad I met two of the most colourful people in my life. That would be my final death speech to them. I just pray it won't happen anytime soon, not when he's at rage as he spunned around and chased me out of the room.
"You're gonna get it REAL BAD this time Tommy. I'll make you see it to your grave before you die!" was all he groaned. Run Tommy run. Run to the end of the world and never come back.
"I wanna see who's this chic who got you badly man. I loveeeee this .. I love having to have this affect on you..woohoo..catch me if you can..You know I run faster than you..." Before I set my eyes on the basketball that was placed on the grass. I picked the ball up, thinking that if he attacked me at any direction, I could just throw the ball as a defence tool of somesort. But I thought better of it.
"Let's play some hoops. Each time I score, you'll answer my questions."
"And when I score? You'll fill me in with yours." Pointing his finger to me as if this is the game that decides our life and death.
"Deal." I stucked my hand out as a confirmation.
Well I did called for doing absurd things, this is as absurd as we can get before getting a power breakfast. I might go home with aches from all this extra workouts. Nonetheless, when it's about fun, I'm all game for it. We are all game for it. Although somehow I don't think this is the case. Chasing for the ball at the same time trying to outdo one another takes alot of multi tasking. We may not be the teenages we once were playing in the court, but we still have the energy to kick each others ass. Lucky for me, I get to ask him the first question before he snatched the ball away.
"So, do I get to meet her?"
"When the time comes it'll comes.." and then he made his leap to the net and dunked the ball in. I'm sure the earth was shaking a little when he landed. All of a sudden he seemed so distant. Why do I think I'm digging my own grave now.
"Besides I don't even know how I feel about it" He shrugged, throwing the ball to me at full force "What about you?" Only to see that he had made himself comfortable on the ground.
"Time has not decide on me yet apparently" Taking a seat next to him, it felt like forever since I sat down here in Angel Grove. I felt Jason staring back at me like all the other birds were doing.
I undo my shoelaces as I turned my head to my left "What? I'm serious." before I went into daydream mode again. I wonder who's staying in the house me and my family once occupied across the street. Nothing has changed around here. Everything looks in placed like I left it 8 years ago. Maybe when the time comes, I'll settle down here as well. The thought that I know my kids would be safe playing on this street is comforting. No more casualties to worry about, no more emergency exits to memorized. There's a saying which goes "you can take someone out of Angel Grove, but you can't take Angel Grove out of someone" or something like that. The birds seemed to agree with the statement.
"Am I the only one uninvited to this reunion?"
"Wh-what?..." Didn't I just hear that voice not so long ago? Wait, what day is it again today?
"Hey Kim. Sup?" Jason looked up and offered his hand out for her to join us.