He awoke with a start, his body and mind numb to the world around him. His fingers found the floor and he pushed up with his strength, his eyes focusing on the walls around him.
How long had he been asleep?
Dawn was setting in upon the room, daylight peeking in through the door and shadowing his friends who lay upon their side, still deep in slumber. Soft ticking of clock hands made his ears twitch and slowly he sat up, his mind whirring.
Tyson… that's right. I'm at Tyson's place. Last night… what the hell happened?
He tasted the foul in his mouth and almost immediately he knew. His eyes caught sight of liquor bottles and champagne that littered the floor along with some unknown substances that stained the wood. Still looking around he happened upon a bent over Tyson, his head smashed into his pillow and his ass high in the air, butt naked.
Ray shielded his eyes and looked away, getting up as he did so. His head pounded and his body didn't react too kindly to his movements, but he still made his way over to the bathroom where he found Kai's head inside the toilet. The bathroom was the only clean place in the house, as various smells and garbage lined the walls. Ray moved Kai's body into the bathtub, where Kai proceeded to murmur something about a girl named Vienna.
Unzipping his pants, Ray relieved himself in the toilet and washed his hands, trying to rid himself of the horrifying taste in his mouth. He brushed his teeth twice, finally getting a minty fresh taste.
We got fucked up last night… man…
His mind began to reel back in time, back to when he first got to Tyson's place. His feet slid over the tiles as he walked back into the guest room and changed his clothes, stretching as he did so.
It's been a week since I've been here… and all we've been doing is drinking and getting fucked up. Tyson picked out the flowers and the casket during that week… we buried Grandpa… and then what? He still hasn't really gotten over anything. He's just been turning to alcohol… and we aren't much help either.
His clothes were finally clean and when he entered into the living room he plopped down upon a popcorn filled couch, rubbing his head with both his hands.
Tyson needs to contact his father… or even his brother… anybody… this is NOT how the holidays were meant to be spent…
A groan from beneath him sent Ray to look downwards. Right beside his feet was a blond head, tainted red with blood and sticky with white goo that Ray had a feeling came from someone else.
"Hey… Hey Max…" Ray shook Max's head, trying to get him up somewhat. The body beneath him stirred and turned over, a hand coming up to rub the saliva off. Max picked himself up off the ground and gazed at Ray blankly until coming to light.
Max sat up hurriedly and nearly tipped over, Ray catching him.
"Slow down there buddy… we all had a hard night."
"Did we…" Max gasped, his breath smelling like liquor. "Did we do it again?"
Ray smiled weakly, nodding his head. "Yeah… we let Tyson persuade us into getting fucked up again…"
"Did… did she…?"
"I think so. I don't remember much buddy." Max nodded at Ray's words, a small smile creeping in upon his drunken face.
"That's good." He collapsed again, Ray holding his body with all his strength. Ray sighed heavily, dragging Max's body up and onto the couch, hearing Tyson moan from the other room. The clock continued to tick heavily, and Ray knew that they had not done anything to help their friend.
The funeral had been held promptly, Tyson having all the arrangements set up so that everything ran smoothly. Unfortunately, neither Tyson's brother nor his father showed up to the get together, so the only people who attended were those who Tyson had called from foreign lands. Outside of them, he had nobody.
Hilary and Kenny had also attended of course, and even his old school teacher Mrs. Kenkaid, but even with that Ray had to assume Tyson felt alone in the world. Not having any family left that was close was enough to get anybody depressed.
This is where alcohol came in.
With liquor and booze Tyson was able to put away his depression for a while and let his mind run free, free of any trouble or any sort of hassle whatsoever. The downfall of alcohol was that the repercussions of hangovers outweighed the simplicity of drinking. Tyson was on his way to a spiral of misery and grief.
"Tyson you know you have a problem."
A few more specks of dust were thrown inside the garbage can, Tyson barely looking up from his chore. Ray stared at him some more before Kai chimed in.
"You're being a pussy about this."
"You try losing everyone you ever knew."
"My father walked away when I was a kid, and I have heard not a single peep from my mother. So grow some balls and take charge of your emotional constipation."
Ray sighed, seeing Tyson's eyes flare up in rage over Kai's comment. Kai however was unmoved, and pursed his lips. Ray could see another fight was coming.
"Look, we all get that Tyson's a little upset, but we need to figure out a better solution to this."
Finally Max decided to join the conversation, taking the last of the cleaning supplies off the counter and fitting them into a drawer.
"He's grieving, and he's at a loss. I mean, the best thing to do now is to contact Hiro and figure out how he's going to pay for-"
"I'm not calling Hiro."
The friends silenced at Tyson's snap. His eyes turned to them in fury, his hands clenching into a fist.
"I'm not calling that low life bastard. He can do whatever he wants… he's all rich and famous now… son of a bitch didn't even show up to Grandpa's funeral."
"Tyson…" Ray began, stepping towards him. "Tyson you have family. Hiro's family. Family's the most important thing in the world. You know that. Without family… what have you got? Hiro can help you. He's got money and he knows people. Maybe if you-"
"I said I'm not calling him!" Tyson slammed his fist down upon the kitchen counter, rattling a flower vase that sat upon the marble.
"When he left he didn't even say goodbye! So why should I stick my neck out for him when he couldn't even do the same for me?"
Ray sighed again, shaking his head. "I know what you're saying, but that doesn't justify anything. Family does whatever they can for their own…" he breathed, looking downwards.
"Tyson, just give it a shot, okay?" Max said gently, taking Tyson's arm. "You never know, it might turn out for the better."
Tyson pursed his lips together, and turned his heel, shaking his head.
"I would rather die than call him."
Kai snorted out his nose.
"You're never going to get any better if you act like that."
"I don't have a problem."
"You just don't want to admit that you do."
With that, Kai folded his arms and got out his cell phone. He turned his back to them, speaking over his shoulder.
"I'll be back later on tonight; I have some business I need to address."
Ray nodded his head, speaking.
"Alright… see you later Kai."
The door closed gently behind Kai and as Ray turned to talk to Tyson, Max gazed at him.
"I think we should give Tyson some space for now… it looks like he's got a lot to deal with."
Ray swallowed, gazing at his friend who somehow managed to keep himself from exploding in Kai's face. Tyson had learned to control his boiling emotions. He was growing up.
"I'm going to the martial arts class… do you want me to pick up anything on my way back?"
They were alone now, the afternoon setting in as Ray began to walk out the door and into the snowy weather. The air was brisk and full of life as birds chirped overhead and the sun poured down through the sky. Ray shielded his eyes from the bright glare of the snow as he opened the door, letting the cool air whisk his breath away.
Tyson sat on the couch in the living room watching television, a beer bottle in his hand and the remote in the other. He paid little attention to what Ray said, but merely shook his head.
"Well… I have my cell on me if you need anything, okay?"
Tyson's response was a nod and a "See you later."
Ray shut the door behind him, glad he had found a local college that was holding a martial arts class in the middle of the holidays. This was something to keep him busy and occupied while Tyson boded over what to do with his life.
His feet led him onwards as he thought to himself, sighing.
Tyson's a good guy… he's just so misled… what happened? When did he get so into drinking and things like that… I never thought Tyson could be that way…
The snow was glittering all around him as he approached the front doors of the college, making his way inside and looking about. The paper he had with him told him that the class was being held two floors up, and across the hall.
Tyson… needs our help… but I don't know how to get across to him that we are here to help him…. he's so stubborn and doesn't take advice from anybody… I just hope we don't lose the old Tyson…
The hallways were empty as he made his way around, Ray barely noticing that each and every one of the rooms was locked. He read the room numbers and eventually came into an empty classroom, where a few punching bags hung from the ceiling in a warmly lit spacious room.
Ray gazed around for a second before hearing the voice of someone behind him.
"Can I help you?"
Ray turned to see a janitor holding a mop in his hand, gazing at him softly.
"Wasn't there supposed to be a class in here?"
"Oh that martial arts class?" the man rubbed his tired face and grey beard, sighing as he did so. "There weren't enough people to make the class, so it got cancelled."
"Oh…"
The man wiped a grubby hand upon his dirty trousers and tilted his head towards the door.
"I opened it up so I could mop up a bit, but seein as you're here… you want in?"
Ray watched as the man shuffled inside and mopped the floors very carefully, each stroke seeming like he was writing something on precious paper rather than cleaning a floor. Ray watched in interest until the man came back to him and pointed inside.
"Turned the heater on for 'ya. I think you're gonna be warm enough. If you need it higher, just ask."
"Hey…" Ray began, stopping the man from turning around. "Why'd you let me in?"
The man licked his lips and smirked at Ray knowingly, Ray's eyebrows furrowing.
"Something tells me you got a lot on your mind and you need some space." He leaned in on his mop and nodded his head slowly, as if understanding Ray's entire existence.
"Young guys like you got a lot of problems that don't need to be problems. You overthink things." He poked his own head. "And get all washed up in your needs and wants… but you don't really see the big picture. You know what I mean? Everybody's gotta get somethin' in this life… so why not just live it as it is?"
Ray stared at him for a second before gazing at the ground and flicking his eyes back up.
"Yes… I believe I understand."
The old man nodded his head and motioned inside, Ray following his lead and stepping into the rather warm room. He took off his jacket and set aside his bag, hanging his clothes on a nearby chair. He put on his gloves and cracked his knuckles, readying himself for a little bit of training.
"What's your name kid?"
Ray turned to the old man again, who had seemed to put down his mop and leaned against the wall.
"Name's Ray. You?"
"Hank. Hank Morrison."
"Sounds American."
"You'd be surprised how many of us are over here in Japan land."
Ray laughed. "Never would have thought."
"Ray huh? Tell you what," Hank walked forward and dropped something into Ray's bag, Ray hearing the clinking of metal.
"You can come here and practice all you like, and when you're done, you lock up and slip my keys into my office about three doors down from here."
Ray stood back in surprise.
"You… you mean it?"
Hank nodded and chuckled, snorting through his nose.
"I got a feelin from you kid… I like you. Something about you reminds me of…" his words trailed off as Hank turned around and laughed again, pushing his crate of cleaning supplies down the hallway and shouting
"You're gonna be somethin' kid… you're gonna be somethin'…"
Ray breathed silently as Hank's voice died down the hall, his mind a wandering space of thoughts and dreams.
Something huh?
His adrenaline was pumping and his heart was racing, sweat beading down his forehead. He breathed in and out slowly, readying his fists. With a loud shout he hit the bag again, this time nearly splitting the bag into two pieces. He caught the heavy thing and set it back into place, his legs taking him over to his bag to drink some water that he had with him.
The room was nice and warm as he practiced; his concentration and strength growing with each and every punch and kick. He was getting stronger.
Time away from Tyson did me good… hopefully when I get back he called his brother…
Slowly, Ray sat down in the middle of the room, which had bamboo placemats lined in a square. He settled himself comfortably on the floor and opened his hands, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.
I think Tyson just needs to… ….
His thoughts were interrupted by the sweet sound of a piano coming from another room. His ears perked and he listened carefully, the sound very faint but altogether very much alive.
A piano… a piano on this floor?
Stone silence was all around him, but through the silence he could hear sweet and soft music coming from somewhere he did not understand.
Where is this sound coming from?
He listened more, his body relaxing and his heart calming down with the sensation of peace that drowned him with warmth and passion. Ray's mouth upturned in a small smile as he listened more, the music captivating him and making him wish he knew how to play an instrument himself.
A few more minutes of listening proved useful as his body relaxed completely and his heart rate calmed down. Ray flexed his fingers and found that he glided through the air when he moved, feeling elevated.
That music… I need to know where that music is coming from!
Gathering his items he put his jacket back on and walked out the door, locking it behind him.
Sweet notes… such a sweet melody… soft… but yet so delicate.
He slid the keys into Hank's room just as the janitor had said, and then followed his ears towards the sound that made his heart flutter.
Those notes… the way that they flow together… who's playing that?
His feet led him where his ears dragged him, stopping in front of a classroom that was empty save for a grand piano that happened to be sitting near the window, facing the door to the hallway.
Ray came to a stop in front of the glass door, peering inside and listening to the sweet notes as he did so. His eyes strained to see in the dim lighting, but when he found what he was looking for, he breathed.
A young girl sat on the bench, her fingers lightly hitting the keys as she rocked back and forth, her eyes shut as if she were concentrating but not a single emotion expressed upon her face. She looked at peace with herself and the world.
She looks so peaceful… she plays really well…
Her dark colored hair had bangs that covered her forehead, but left enough for her glasses. She swayed back and forth, her slender fingers gliding over the keys as if she had known them all her life.
Slowly the music stopped and her fingers came to rest upon a sweet sad note at the very end, Ray watching as the hands came up and rubbed her shoulders, pushing back her hair to reveal two golden gauges on each ear. She seemed to sigh to herself as she stood up, brushing her black jeans off and closing the piano's mouth.
Ray's hand felt for the door handle, and slowly he opened the glass, the girl whirling around to see him standing before her. They stood a mere ten feet apart, but Ray felt like he was standing much farther away. He smiled at her, closing the door behind him.
"You play really well."
She did not reply to him, Ray waiting for a while before realizing that she stared at him like a deer in the headlights. The smile died from his face as he swallowed, suddenly feeling like he had scared her somehow.
"I just…" he cleared his throat. "I was in the other room down the hallway and I heard you play… and I just thought I might tell you that you play really nicely… I just-"
All at once the girl grabbed her bag that had been lying on the floor and bolted into another room to his right using a door he had not seen.
"H-Hey! Wait a second!"
He ran after her, the door closing and locking before he could get to the handle in time. He pushed on the lever, but the door would not budge, Ray knocking on the door.
No answer came from inside the door, and he backed away slowly, licking his lips. Her eyes were so frightened, and Ray wondered if he had actually really scared her. He knocked on the door again only to find no answer, finally deciding to leave the room and go back to Tyson's house.
His eyes fell upon the piano once again, and he could see that she took great care to put back the piano as if nobody had ever touched the keys. Slowly, his fingers ran across the piano bench, and even onto the front.
Who are you?