Friday 25th December.
Christmas Day.
Misa's Birthday.
I spend the day with The Family. We invite everyone from the Mafia, even if they have families. We understand that they would want to stay with their own families, so only half – who don't have anyone to spend Chsitmas with – come over. Skyar stays, to my happiness. He's a comical figure when drunk and supplies much of the entertainment for the day. As per ritual, both me and Misa get a lump sum from Rod, straight into our banks. As savings, not just money to spend. As usual, Misa gets slightly more due to it being her birthday, along with many shopping vouchers and her car insurance paid for. She's old enough to have gotten used to her birthday being shared with Jesus. She's also allowed to go out, to parties, clubs, wherever she wants – but she opts not to in favour of 'mello needing my support'...so she sticks around. But it's not a bad feeling; her birthday isn't ruined and its an overall good day. I've always treasured Rod's preparatory side though. But Skyar keeps scaring me by saying the only reason he's like that is because he's got more enemies than he'd like, which worries me. It snows all day, and I can't help but remember the last time it had snowed and who I had spent it with. BB and A, if I remember correctly. I smile fondly out of the window, remembering the snow balls we launched around, the snowmen we built and the snow angels we made.
Spending Christmas with everyone is nice. It brings me back to a nice reality where everything is happy, and nothing is too hard or too difficult. Although my brain is half-focussed on missing A and BB, thinking about them and what they would normally do for Christmas and so on. During the afternoon, I take a box of chocolates around to Father Smith's house; he invites me in but I decline, despite the snowfall. I urge his frail self to get back inside; I note that his daughter and grandkids are home, and there's the smell of a good Roast Chicken in there somewhere. I bid him goodbye and walk the trudge home, my Doc's keeping my feet warm and padded the whole time. I can't help but walk the long route, past A and BB's house. Just before it, I purchase two red roses from the floral shop and place them both on their doorstep. I say a prayer for both of them and continue home, feeling happy and fairly confident in my newest decision. When I get in, I talk it over with Rod, offering him ways out if the news would upset his happy Christmas day. He seems glad, happy for me, and keeps assuring me that its a good decision as long as I keep myself safe. So that night, when Skyars recovering from his afternoon-drunkness, during Christmas dinner, I make the announcement. Apart from my one worry about the Family being left to Rod, especially for longer than he intended, it's well received and accepted. They wish me well and the evening rolls on smoothly and happily. I even drink a little too much and end up dancing on the table with Halle and a semi-drunk Misa. Not completely inappropriately, but definitely to such an extent that Rod hauls my ass to bed. I don't blame him; I'm dying for sleep anyway.
At half two, I wake up, hungry, thirsty and groggy. I go the ensuite, have a shower – drink the water because I'm that thirsty, and then head downstairs for something to eat.
Rod's up, eating noodles out of a cup. We have another heart to heart, and then he begins the 'safety' lecture when one moves to another country. I assure him I know it all and that I'll keep in touch. I promise him. He makes me noodles and we laugh over old times, the little things.
Like when I was two, and I could barely walk, I used to crawl forwards down the stairs and pretend I was a dog.
Or like when I was five and thought that having a bike with no stabilizers was cool – so I drove it into lake, thinking I knew it all.
How I got mad at the teacher for sending a 'concern letter' to Rod about my behaviour in elementary school, so myself, A and BB thought it would be funny to put a wild skunk in her car. Rod then got a 'exclusion warning' letter. I behaved after that.
The noodles finish and I take them upstairs, setting them on my desk. I turn my light on and take out some paper, planning the letter I'm going to write.
Dear Quillish Mr Wammy, Watari,
It's been a while since I last wrote. and I apologise for that. How have you been? I hope you've been well you're keeping well.
Many things have changed since we last wrote, including my decision to for your offer. The circumstances to which I would have declined the offer have also changed, in that the main reason keeping me here has now gone. My two best friends, A and BB, died a few days ago – three, to be exact. I understand you're aware of them, even if you've not fully associated yourself with them, but of course, what reason would you have? The unfortunate turn of events has moved inspired made forced me to re-evaluate my future my academic future. From the depths of my heart, I know that I can't stay here in America, and moving away isn't me ignoring or avoiding their deaths. I've embraced it as best I can, but with up and coming exams and schoolwork in the way and the whole remembering... I don't think that being here is the best thing for me any more. Even being at school and seeing friends' faces will just make me realise more and more that they aren't coming back, and I think that the whole situation requires a new and fresh beginning. One that I think I can make in England, at Wammy's. If you'll still have me then I'd gladly and gratefully accept your offer, however if it's an inconvenience joining mid-year then I understand entirely. I remember you saying "never think that all your options are out", so I'm grasping as many as I can and logically deciphering each one I've grasped as many as I can and logically deciphered each one, reaching the conclusion of Wammy's.
I loved my two years that I spent there previously, and I have no doubt that my continued education in that environment will be the best thing for me. As you know, I've already done my psychology degree at the age of sixteen, and, despite pursuing that career for the most part of my academic choices, I think that a change is also needed. Although I love the functions of the human brain, looking into it now seems so irrelevant. If there are any places left, I'd like to begin building a foundation towards a career in medicine or law. I'd really appreciate a chat with you about this – and would much appreciate it even if Wammy's can't is unable to accept me. I've spoken with everyone, and they all support my decision. I hope that you Also, I'm aware that I have to finish my current final year, which I'm presuming I should also be able to continue and catch up on at Wammy's. You know I'm a hard worker willing to work hard to gain the results that are needed and expected; I won't let you down. Also, in order to do this, I would like to be in England by the start of the next term, to which I'm unsure as to what date it begins.
I'm also sorry to burden you with this information such knowledge and decisions so close to Christmas. I know you're a family man and I'm sure you've got a very busy schedule, and I'm glad that you will have taken the time to read this. I hope that all is well with you, and I'll appreciate anything you can do.
Yours Sincerely,
Mello.
When I've drafted it, i rewrite it neatly, folding it up and taking out an envelope. I write the address on and then put the letter in it. I'll post it first thing in the morning.
Dear Watari,
It's been a while and I apologise for that. How have you been? I hope you're keeping well.
Many things have changed since we last wrote, including my decision for your offer. The circumstances to which I would have declined the offer have also changed, in that the main reason keeping me here has now gone. My two best friends, A and BB, died a few days ago – three, to be exact. I understand you're aware of them, even if you've not fully associated yourself with them, but of course, what reason would you have? The unfortunate turn of events has forced me to re-evaluate my academic future. From the depths of my heart, I know that I can't stay here in America, and moving away isn't me avoiding their deaths. I've embraced it as best I can, but with up and coming exams and schoolwork... I don't think that being here is the best thing for me any more. Even being at school and seeing friends' faces will just make me realise more and more that they aren't coming back, and I think that the whole situation requires a new and fresh beginning. One that I think I can make in England, at Wammy's. If you'll still have me then I'd gladly and gratefully accept your offer, however if it's an inconvenience joining mid-year then I understand entirely. I remember you saying "never think that all your options are out", so I've grasped as many as I can and logically deciphered each one, reaching the conclusion of Wammy's.
I loved my two years that I spent there previously, and I have no doubt that my continued education in that environment will be the best thing for me. As you know, I've already done my psychology degree at the age of sixteen, and, despite pursuing that career for the most part of my academic choices, I think that a change is also needed. Although I love the functions of the human brain, looking into it now seems so irrelevant. If there are any places left, I'd like to begin building a foundation towards a career in medicine or law. I'd really appreciate a chat with you about this – and would much appreciate it even if Wammy's is unable to accept me. I've spoken with everyone, and they all support my decision. Also, I'm aware that I have to finish my current final year, which I'm presuming I should also be able to continue and catch up on at Wammy's. You know I'm willing to work hard to gain the results that are needed and expected; I won't let you down. Also, in order to do this, I would like to be in England by the start of the next term, though, I'm unsure as to what date it begins.
I'm also sorry to burden you with such knowledge and decisions so close to Christmas. I know you're a family man and I'm sure you've got a very busy schedule, and I'm glad that you will have taken the time to read this. I hope that all is well with you, and I'll appreciate anything you can do.
Yours Sincerely,
Mello.
Watari wrote instantly; I got his reply two days after I'd written my letter. He was glad for my decision, sorry for my loss, excited to see me in the UK and intrigued about my future ideas all in one bundle. It made him a happy man, he told me. Via email, we transferred what was best, flights n' all, for the both of us. I wanted to go as early as possible to get set up for the next term, and Watari did his best to suit my needs. Once we were sure that the plane arrangements were sorted, he asked about accommodation; if I'd like to stay in the House itself (as I was still going to attend school), or move into the newly refurbished block of old-fashioned (but apparently cosy) apartments near the House, prepared for my further three years after. It housed all the scholarship students, all 30 of them – though it had the capacity for double that in the event of an unfortunate situation, in which the apartments would be able to house two, or three more people per room. Watari assured me that this had never been the case and that I'd be allowed my own single space.
I knew Rod had a safe house on the outskirts of London, but Winchester was out of that boundary, so self-housing wasn't an option; It was out of the question due to still being young and easily taken advantage of, apparently, according to Rod. The punishment of all those self defence classes were not even enough to sway him into thinking that I was a responsible adult, that I knew how to work many, many guns and weapons, and if it came to it, many more ways to kill. Rod wasn't risking my safety; He refused any argument. So I set Skyar on the case, and Misa too, but Rod stood firm. He and Wammy had already agreed that I should use the accommodation that Watari would provide (rather than finding my own), but they'd already dismissed the possibility of staying in the Scholarship Student's block because they'd all been taken up already – there wasn't space. I could've stayed in the House itself, but Watari thought I should have my own space – and I agreed with him. Eventually, after a few e-mails back and forth, Watari approached me with the idea of staying in my own flat, just as L did. L was on his final year of his course, but wasn't staying in the Block specifically for those students. So technically there was a spare room for me, only it still had L's stuff in it (he was quite the hoarder, really) as he used it sometimes (Spacious bastard had a room at Wammy's, the Blocks and his own place!). But yes – there were three whole floors, a flat in each, of which L had the middle floor to himself, the first floor and third floor were free. Why, I did not know – why L picked the middle one – I didn't know either.
I went for the top floor – why not. Less noise, I figured.
Rod didn't seem surprised when he got the details through, finding out that Wammy owned the whole 260 acre plot of land, with Wammy's right in the middle – so he owned most of the housing and accommodation for his students. Nice ol' chap!
There was a small fee to pay every month, like most universities in England, the money paying for maintenance and bills mostly. There was the option of house maids, but I wasn't overly fussed. I knew how to keep a house clean, and despite being used to the many maids that kept to the shadows and held the cleanliness of my current house, I was willing to keep my 'apartment' looking spick and span myself – it wasn't going to be a huge task. Rod and Watari settled the bank details so that the money would come from Rod's account and not mine, that way I wouldn't have to worry.
Watari assured me that all other arrangements would be made once I landed, after a good night's sleep of course, and also that he would be there at the airport, waiting for me, when I reached England, just as he had the first time around.