May 20th, 1987
Mike
“Hey Bill, wanna go to the swings tonight?” Mike asked Billie Joe while they were walking down the hall towards their classroom. Mike didn’t feel like having band practise tonight and he missed the playground; they hadn’t been there for a while.
“Nah, sorry man, I can’t. I have to help mum clean the house. Grandma and grandpa are coming over, you know.” Billie Joe said and sighed. It didn’t seem like he was looking forward to it. Mike shrugged.
“I guess I’ll just ask Jason then.”
“What, if he wants to go to the swings with you?” Billie Joe snapped, bursting out in sudden anger. Mike frowned and held up his hand as to protect himself.
“No, I was going to ask if he wanted to hang out in my van.” Billie Joe calmed down and muttered an answer. “Come on man, lighten up! Is it really that bad that your grandparents are coming?” Mike said.
“No. It’s just that, you know, you’re working all the time nowadays and today when you do have time I have to be at home. And when I thought that you and Jason were going to the playground… that’s just our thing, you know?” Billie said just as they arrived to class. Mike nodded. He was just going to say ‘yeah, I know’ when they stepped inside the classroom but he was cut of by the teacher before he could start.
“Pritchard, Armstrong, you’re late again. What’s your excuse this time?” Mike began smiling and waited for Billie Joe to start; it was his turn to think of something this time.
“Well you see sir,” Billie Joe started in his most sarcastic voice “we were on our way here, we were running actually, to really make sure that we would get here on time, but, you know, then we ran straight into – did I say we? I meant Mike, I’m not that clumsy – so Mike ran straight into a big monster. A huge, green monster! And the monster said… um Mike, what did he say again?” Billie Joe said and turned to Mike who was more than willing to take over.
“He had me captured in his gigantic, green arms and he said ‘Billie Joe, if you want your friend back you have to be late for Mr. Lawes class!’ And Billie Joe threw himself to the floor” Mike made a wild gesture as Billie Joe threw himself to the floor to illustrate just what he did. “and begged the monster on his bare knees; ‘No, not Mr. Lawes class, please! I’ll do anything, just not Mr. Lawes class!’ And the monster said that he had to think about it-“
“Yes, okay Mr. Pritchard, I think we get the picture. Just please take your seats, will you?” Mr. Lawes said and sighed; he was starting to get used to Mike’s and Billie Joe’s stories by now. Billie Joe grinned and got up from the floor and put the litter bin that he’d used as the monster back where it belonged. Then the two boys made their way to their usual seats at the back. When they were all settled and Mr. Lawes started speaking about art during the 1600th century Mike leaned in and whispered in Billie Joe’s ear;
“Do you think he fell for it?”
“Hell yeah, this story was so much better than the one with the headless paladin or the one with the aliens. I mean aliens, Mike? What were you thinking? That’s like the most common excuse in the world!”
“Um, excuse me, but it was you who came up with the alien excuse, I just played along.”
“Na-uh! I came up with the one about the zombie toy, and the aliens were the time after that one, so you must have come up with the aliens.”
“I did not! I came up with the train that appeared out of nowhere in between the zombie toy and the aliens, so you must have come up with the aliens!” Mike hissed, their voices were growing louder now.
“No, I came up-“
“Armstrong and Pritchard!” Mr. Lawes interrupted. “Is there something you would like to share with the class?” Billie Joe opened his mouth to tell another amazing story but was cut of before he could start. “Oh never mind, just be quiet, will you?” Mr. Lawes said and sighed. Billie Joe was about to say something again but Mike quickly put his hand over his mouth.
“Of course, Mr. Lawes! We won’t say another word!” Mike said and smiled widely.
“Why’d you do that for?” Billie Joe hissed as soon as Mike took his hand from Billie’s mouth.
“Shh, do you want to get detention?” Mike hissed back and shot another lovely smile towards Mr. Lawes. Mr. Lawes looked at them with piercing eyes.
“Oh, and by the way Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Armstrong, you’ve got detention. Both of you.”
söndag 2 augusti 2009
torsdag 23 juli 2009
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 22
May 4th, 1987
Mike
“This present is from me and Steve.” Ollie said and smiled towards Mike. She didn’t have a present in her hands, so Mike wondered what she meant. “Come on, let’s go outside.” She said and rose.
“What? Why are we going outside?” Mike asked and put down the bass he’d gotten from Billie. He had been unable to put it down since he got it, but now he was confused. Yesterday Billie had told him that he was getting a tree, which of course had been a joke, but now Mike feared that it hadn’t. A tree in the Armstrong’s garden, how wonderful… Mike looked at Billie Joe who winked at him, Mike’s eyes widened and he mouthed ‘no way’ towards Billie. Billie Joe nodded and mouthed ‘yes way’ back. Mike followed Ollie and Steve and everybody else followed him, except for Brad of course; he probably didn’t think Mike’s birthday was worth going outside.
They stepped out the door and onto the front porch. They continued down to the driveway where Ollie told him to stop.
“Close your eyes now.” Mike did as she said. “Billie, make sure he doesn’t peak.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” Billie Joe said with delight and Mike felt Billie’s warm hands on his face, covering his eyes. “And Jason, if you'll cover his mouth…” Billie Joe said and Mike immediately felt Jason’s hand cover his mouth. “And maybe David could go and get the rope.” Billie Joe joked and Mike laughed against Jason’s hand, which quickly disappeared. “Nah, I’m just kidding man.” Billie Joe laughed.
“Yeah, I kind of guessed.” Mike answered and put his hand backwards to try and find Billie Joe’s hair to ruffle it. What he did find was Billie Joe’s eye.
“Ouch, what the fuck are you doing?” One of Billie Joe’s hands disappeared from Mike’s face and Mike guessed that it was to cover Billie’s own eye.
“Shit, I’m sorry man.” Mike breathed out. “Are you alright?”
“No, I’m not, I’m fucking blind! Aaah, I can’t see a thing on my left eye! Mum, MUM! Mike just poked my fucking eye out!” Billie Joe shouted. “Oh no wait, it was just closed that was all. There, now I can see again.” Mike laughed; Billie Joe and his sick jokes. “There’s no need to be worried, I’m all right!” Billie Joe stated, but nobody answered so Mike guessed that nobody except him had believed Billie to begin with. Billie Joe’s hand came back and covered Mike’s eye again.
“So, how are you feeling? Excited about your tree?” Billie Joe said in Mike’s ear. Mike jumped; he hadn’t been ready for it.
“You have no idea.” Mike said. “What can it be, an oak? A pine tree? Or maybe even an asp!” Mike heard an engine being turned on, it sounded like it came from the Armstrong’s garage. Then he heard a vehicle of some sort coming closer, Mike guessed that the engine he’d just heard belonged to the vehicle. The vehicle stopped, and without shutting the engine off somebody stepped out of it. Mike heard the door of the vehicle shut at the same time as he heard his stepfather’s voice;
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Billie Joe’s hands left Mike’s face and Mike opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the bright sun. He then caught sight of a van standing on the Armstrong’s driveway. It was the van he had planned to buy. Mike’s jaw dropped; they couldn’t have…?
“How do you like your tree, Mike?” Billie Joe grinned towards Mike when he saw his face. Mike pushed Billie Joe aside without taking his eyes of the van and Billie Joe stumbled to gain balance again.
“Okay Mike, here’s the deal; Mrs. Armstrong and I have bought this and it’s yours now, but you’ll have to pay for half of it yourself. Sounds okay?” Steve said. Mike nodded in amazement.“And Mike,” Ollie continued. “you’ve got a job at Rod’s Hickory Pit now!” she said and clasped her hands together. Mike smiled widely. “But just because you’ve got your van now, doesn’t mean that you can live there all the time. You can live there until David moves out, but then you will come to live with us, just like we’ve said.” Mike blinked at her. This was definitely the best birthday he’d ever had.
May 4th, 1987
Jason
Jason came home from the Armstrong’s house and Mike’s birthday party around 11pm. He still had a smile on his face and he was humming a tune from London Calling, the present he had given to Mike. He could still see how Mike’s face had lit up when he opened the gift and saw what Jason had given him. They had been listening to it all afternoon; Mike and Billie just couldn’t get enough. Jason though that the record was alright, but not the best thing he’d ever heard. Not that he knew what the best thing he’d ever heard was, but he did know that it wasn’t London Calling.
He opened the door and stepped inside, thinking of nothing in particular. He took of his jacket and shoes and started to whistle. He walked into the living room towards the kitchen to get a sandwich before he would go to bed. He never got to the kitchen.
A light was lit in the living room as soon as Jason stepped inside. Jason stopped in his tracks and saw his father sitting on the sofa, facing him.
“Where have you been?” his father asked and Jason swallowed hard, trying to fight the urge to run.
“I was at a friend’s place. It’s my friend’s birthday today. I told you yesterday that I would be gone, remember?” Jason said faintly. His father rose and started to circle around Jason, like a raptor trying to decide how to kill its prey.
“Friend you say?” he stopped behind Jason. Jason shivered and clenched his fists tight. “Since when do you have friends, Jason?” his father asked. “Who on earth would want to spend time with you?” Jason didn’t answer. “That’s right, no one.” his father whispered, Jason swallowed. “So tell me Jason, since you don’t have friends, where were you?”
“I’ve already told you, I was at a friends place.” Jason said and closed his eyes, waiting for what was to come.
“It’s really cute that you’ve got imaginary friends and all, but you can’t let them keep you from doing what you are supposed to.” Jason felt his father’s hands on his shoulders. A single tear formed in Jason’s eye and slowly ran down his cheek as one of his fathers hand travelled from Jason’s shoulder to his head and gripped his hair.
“Please don’t.” Jason whispered.
Mike
“This present is from me and Steve.” Ollie said and smiled towards Mike. She didn’t have a present in her hands, so Mike wondered what she meant. “Come on, let’s go outside.” She said and rose.
“What? Why are we going outside?” Mike asked and put down the bass he’d gotten from Billie. He had been unable to put it down since he got it, but now he was confused. Yesterday Billie had told him that he was getting a tree, which of course had been a joke, but now Mike feared that it hadn’t. A tree in the Armstrong’s garden, how wonderful… Mike looked at Billie Joe who winked at him, Mike’s eyes widened and he mouthed ‘no way’ towards Billie. Billie Joe nodded and mouthed ‘yes way’ back. Mike followed Ollie and Steve and everybody else followed him, except for Brad of course; he probably didn’t think Mike’s birthday was worth going outside.
They stepped out the door and onto the front porch. They continued down to the driveway where Ollie told him to stop.
“Close your eyes now.” Mike did as she said. “Billie, make sure he doesn’t peak.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” Billie Joe said with delight and Mike felt Billie’s warm hands on his face, covering his eyes. “And Jason, if you'll cover his mouth…” Billie Joe said and Mike immediately felt Jason’s hand cover his mouth. “And maybe David could go and get the rope.” Billie Joe joked and Mike laughed against Jason’s hand, which quickly disappeared. “Nah, I’m just kidding man.” Billie Joe laughed.
“Yeah, I kind of guessed.” Mike answered and put his hand backwards to try and find Billie Joe’s hair to ruffle it. What he did find was Billie Joe’s eye.
“Ouch, what the fuck are you doing?” One of Billie Joe’s hands disappeared from Mike’s face and Mike guessed that it was to cover Billie’s own eye.
“Shit, I’m sorry man.” Mike breathed out. “Are you alright?”
“No, I’m not, I’m fucking blind! Aaah, I can’t see a thing on my left eye! Mum, MUM! Mike just poked my fucking eye out!” Billie Joe shouted. “Oh no wait, it was just closed that was all. There, now I can see again.” Mike laughed; Billie Joe and his sick jokes. “There’s no need to be worried, I’m all right!” Billie Joe stated, but nobody answered so Mike guessed that nobody except him had believed Billie to begin with. Billie Joe’s hand came back and covered Mike’s eye again.
“So, how are you feeling? Excited about your tree?” Billie Joe said in Mike’s ear. Mike jumped; he hadn’t been ready for it.
“You have no idea.” Mike said. “What can it be, an oak? A pine tree? Or maybe even an asp!” Mike heard an engine being turned on, it sounded like it came from the Armstrong’s garage. Then he heard a vehicle of some sort coming closer, Mike guessed that the engine he’d just heard belonged to the vehicle. The vehicle stopped, and without shutting the engine off somebody stepped out of it. Mike heard the door of the vehicle shut at the same time as he heard his stepfather’s voice;
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Billie Joe’s hands left Mike’s face and Mike opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the bright sun. He then caught sight of a van standing on the Armstrong’s driveway. It was the van he had planned to buy. Mike’s jaw dropped; they couldn’t have…?
“How do you like your tree, Mike?” Billie Joe grinned towards Mike when he saw his face. Mike pushed Billie Joe aside without taking his eyes of the van and Billie Joe stumbled to gain balance again.
“Okay Mike, here’s the deal; Mrs. Armstrong and I have bought this and it’s yours now, but you’ll have to pay for half of it yourself. Sounds okay?” Steve said. Mike nodded in amazement.“And Mike,” Ollie continued. “you’ve got a job at Rod’s Hickory Pit now!” she said and clasped her hands together. Mike smiled widely. “But just because you’ve got your van now, doesn’t mean that you can live there all the time. You can live there until David moves out, but then you will come to live with us, just like we’ve said.” Mike blinked at her. This was definitely the best birthday he’d ever had.
May 4th, 1987
Jason
Jason came home from the Armstrong’s house and Mike’s birthday party around 11pm. He still had a smile on his face and he was humming a tune from London Calling, the present he had given to Mike. He could still see how Mike’s face had lit up when he opened the gift and saw what Jason had given him. They had been listening to it all afternoon; Mike and Billie just couldn’t get enough. Jason though that the record was alright, but not the best thing he’d ever heard. Not that he knew what the best thing he’d ever heard was, but he did know that it wasn’t London Calling.
He opened the door and stepped inside, thinking of nothing in particular. He took of his jacket and shoes and started to whistle. He walked into the living room towards the kitchen to get a sandwich before he would go to bed. He never got to the kitchen.
A light was lit in the living room as soon as Jason stepped inside. Jason stopped in his tracks and saw his father sitting on the sofa, facing him.
“Where have you been?” his father asked and Jason swallowed hard, trying to fight the urge to run.
“I was at a friend’s place. It’s my friend’s birthday today. I told you yesterday that I would be gone, remember?” Jason said faintly. His father rose and started to circle around Jason, like a raptor trying to decide how to kill its prey.
“Friend you say?” he stopped behind Jason. Jason shivered and clenched his fists tight. “Since when do you have friends, Jason?” his father asked. “Who on earth would want to spend time with you?” Jason didn’t answer. “That’s right, no one.” his father whispered, Jason swallowed. “So tell me Jason, since you don’t have friends, where were you?”
“I’ve already told you, I was at a friends place.” Jason said and closed his eyes, waiting for what was to come.
“It’s really cute that you’ve got imaginary friends and all, but you can’t let them keep you from doing what you are supposed to.” Jason felt his father’s hands on his shoulders. A single tear formed in Jason’s eye and slowly ran down his cheek as one of his fathers hand travelled from Jason’s shoulder to his head and gripped his hair.
“Please don’t.” Jason whispered.
fredag 17 juli 2009
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 21
May 4th, 1987
Mike
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…” he heard his stepfather sing outside the room as he pushed the door open with his foot and stepped inside the room, carrying a tray in his hands. He finished the song next to Mike’s bed with his rough voice and Mike wished he wouldn’t have sung at all; it was too early in the morning to be awakened by such a voice. Mike rolled over to his side and pulled his pillow over his head.
“Hey, buddy, wake up!” Mike’s stepfather Steve said and sat down next to Mike on the bed. Mike grunted as Steve lit the lamp above his head. “Come on, you’re fifteen now! Don’t you want to enjoy that feeling?” If Mike’s eyes had been opened he would’ve rolled them.
“I’ve got a whole year to do that, so I think I’ll pass today.” He grunted. Steve sighed. He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder and shook him gently.
“Oh come on now. We’re going to the Armstrong’s soon. So just eat your breakfast now. I’ve made it myself, you know. And when we get to the Armstrong’s you’ll get your presents, how does that sound?” At last Mike opened his eyes, but immediately closed them again; that damn lamp was too damn bright! He opened them again, more careful this time. He blinked a few times and slowly started to try to sit up. To wake up this early on a weekend could not be healthy.
“Yeah, sure.” Mike yawned and finally got up completely. Steve put the tray with Mike’s breakfast in his lap. Mike smelled Steve’s wonderful pancakes and he started to feel like this day could be something after all. That was one thing that was great with Steve; he was a fantastic cook, and he’d taught Mike everything he knew, which meant that Mike was quite good too.
“So…” Mike said with his mouth full. “What did you get me?” Steve laughed and shook his head.
“Oh no, you’ll just have to wait! But the sooner you finish your breakfast and get ready, the sooner you’ll find out. But there’s no need to be stressed. Just take your time; we’ll get there when we get there.” Steve laughed when he realised that those last words hadn’t had any effect at all on Mike; he was eating faster than ever.
“Wow, are you really that anxious to have your presents?” Steve asked but Mike shook his head.
“No.” he said with his mouth full. “I just want to see Billie. Jason is coming too, right?” Steve nodded. Mike smiled. “I just want to see Billie and Jason.” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Yeah sure, I mean, it was such a long time since you saw them last.” He said and grabbed one of Mike’s pancakes.
“Yeah, must be like… 10 hours ago, it’s a mystery that I’m still alive.” Mike said and chuckled. He gave the tray back to Steve and climbed out of his bed.
“I’m off to take a shower, then we can go.” He said and grabbed the same clothes that he had worn yesterday off the floor. Steve nodded and walked out the door to go and do the dishes.
Mike opened the door to the Armstrong’s without knocking, just like he always did, only this time he was met by a song. Happy Birthday was sung towards him from all directions. Ollie with her low, cosy voice, and Billie Joe standing right next to her. His voice was pretty much drenched by his mother’s so Mike couldn’t hear him very well. Then three of Billie Joe’s siblings, David, Allen and Marcy, standing in various places on the stairs leading into the living room. Even Brad was there, although he wasn’t singing. Mike couldn’t se Jason anywhere, but he could hear his high-pitched voice and he guessed that he was somewhere behind all the Armstrong’s. Mike didn’t really know what to do, so he just stood there and listened. Soon, he felt his stepfather’s hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to him and smiled and Steve smiled back and Mike was sure that they were both thinking the same thing; Mike would be coming to a great family.
Mike
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…” he heard his stepfather sing outside the room as he pushed the door open with his foot and stepped inside the room, carrying a tray in his hands. He finished the song next to Mike’s bed with his rough voice and Mike wished he wouldn’t have sung at all; it was too early in the morning to be awakened by such a voice. Mike rolled over to his side and pulled his pillow over his head.
“Hey, buddy, wake up!” Mike’s stepfather Steve said and sat down next to Mike on the bed. Mike grunted as Steve lit the lamp above his head. “Come on, you’re fifteen now! Don’t you want to enjoy that feeling?” If Mike’s eyes had been opened he would’ve rolled them.
“I’ve got a whole year to do that, so I think I’ll pass today.” He grunted. Steve sighed. He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder and shook him gently.
“Oh come on now. We’re going to the Armstrong’s soon. So just eat your breakfast now. I’ve made it myself, you know. And when we get to the Armstrong’s you’ll get your presents, how does that sound?” At last Mike opened his eyes, but immediately closed them again; that damn lamp was too damn bright! He opened them again, more careful this time. He blinked a few times and slowly started to try to sit up. To wake up this early on a weekend could not be healthy.
“Yeah, sure.” Mike yawned and finally got up completely. Steve put the tray with Mike’s breakfast in his lap. Mike smelled Steve’s wonderful pancakes and he started to feel like this day could be something after all. That was one thing that was great with Steve; he was a fantastic cook, and he’d taught Mike everything he knew, which meant that Mike was quite good too.
“So…” Mike said with his mouth full. “What did you get me?” Steve laughed and shook his head.
“Oh no, you’ll just have to wait! But the sooner you finish your breakfast and get ready, the sooner you’ll find out. But there’s no need to be stressed. Just take your time; we’ll get there when we get there.” Steve laughed when he realised that those last words hadn’t had any effect at all on Mike; he was eating faster than ever.
“Wow, are you really that anxious to have your presents?” Steve asked but Mike shook his head.
“No.” he said with his mouth full. “I just want to see Billie. Jason is coming too, right?” Steve nodded. Mike smiled. “I just want to see Billie and Jason.” Steve rolled his eyes.
“Yeah sure, I mean, it was such a long time since you saw them last.” He said and grabbed one of Mike’s pancakes.
“Yeah, must be like… 10 hours ago, it’s a mystery that I’m still alive.” Mike said and chuckled. He gave the tray back to Steve and climbed out of his bed.
“I’m off to take a shower, then we can go.” He said and grabbed the same clothes that he had worn yesterday off the floor. Steve nodded and walked out the door to go and do the dishes.
Mike opened the door to the Armstrong’s without knocking, just like he always did, only this time he was met by a song. Happy Birthday was sung towards him from all directions. Ollie with her low, cosy voice, and Billie Joe standing right next to her. His voice was pretty much drenched by his mother’s so Mike couldn’t hear him very well. Then three of Billie Joe’s siblings, David, Allen and Marcy, standing in various places on the stairs leading into the living room. Even Brad was there, although he wasn’t singing. Mike couldn’t se Jason anywhere, but he could hear his high-pitched voice and he guessed that he was somewhere behind all the Armstrong’s. Mike didn’t really know what to do, so he just stood there and listened. Soon, he felt his stepfather’s hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to him and smiled and Steve smiled back and Mike was sure that they were both thinking the same thing; Mike would be coming to a great family.
onsdag 8 juli 2009
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 20
March 22nd, 1987
Mike
Mike and Jason were lying on their backs on the grass in Jason’s backyard. They were watching the stars, talking. Jason still hadn’t told Mike what it was that he wanted to show him. Mike didn’t mind though, he was sure that Jason would show him eventually. He wasn’t cold anymore, Jason’s jacket was warm, and it smelt nice. It smelt like Jason.
“What are you thinking of?” Mike asked Jason; he had been staring out in space for a while now. Mike didn’t expect him to answer, he knew that it was pretty much impossible to get in contact with Jason when he was thinking; therefore Mike was very surprised when Jason did answer.
“The stars.” Jason said quietly, Mike nodded.
“Yeah, they’re beautiful.” he said softly.
“You know something?” Jason said without taking his eyes of the sky. “Everybody has got a star. Your very own star, which represents you. And when we die, we become a part of that star and we watch over those who are still on earth.” Jason fell silent for a couple of seconds; Mike looked up at the sky wondering which star was his. “My mum is up there.” Jason said quietly. Mike turned his head to Jason, trying to make out what he was feeling. Jason had often talked about his mother and Mike had known that she wasn’t around anymore but he hadn’t known why she wasn’t. Mike had always assumed that she had left to live somewhere else, just like his mum had. It had never occurred to him that she might be dead.
“I’m sorry.” Mike said, not really knowing what to say.
“That’s her star, right over there.” Jason said and pointed, not answering Mike. “She’s watching over us from there.” Mike crawled closer to Jason and put his head next to his so he could see which star Jason was pointing at. It was a small but bright star to the left which seemed like it was glittering towards them. He blinked rapidly three times and when he looked again, the glittering was gone. The star shone just like stars usually do.
“How do you know which star is your own?” Mike asked, his eyes sweeping across the sky trying to find his. Jason shrugged, as if to say that it’s obvious.
“It’s just a star that you feel connected to. It doesn’t have to be the biggest, strongest or most beautiful star, just a star that you feel connected to.” he said. Mike nodded to say that he understood.
“Which one’s yours?” Mike asked. Jason’s eyes darted from his mothers star to the opposite side of the sky and yet again he put his arm out to point.
“That one.” He said, this time Mike didn’t have to move his head closer, it was right beside Jason’s already. At first Mike had problems to see which star Jason was pointing at; Mike couldn’t see anything there but darkness. But then he saw a very small and weak star that barely shone, not easy to catch sight of, but Mike thought that it was a star that you would never forget when you finally had found it.
“Wow.” he whispered. “It’s beautiful.” Jason nodded.
“Yeah, I know. “ Jason was whispering as well. “So, which one’s yours then?” Mike let his eyes wander across the sky until they stopped at a small, but very bright star right next to a big and strong star that probably would steal anybody’s gaze from the smaller star. Anybody’s gaze but Mike’s.
“That’s the one.” He whispered and pointed towards the small, bright star. Jason nodded.
“Of course…” he whispered, but it did not seem as if he was talking to Mike.
“’Of course’, what?” Mike whispered back. Suddenly he wondered why they were whispering, but he didn’t want to break the magic.
“Oh nothing…” Jason whispered and made a small shrug. “It’s just that I think I know who the big star is.” Mike stared at him and then at the star.
“You do?” he whispered, sounding very impressed. “Who is it?” Jason frowned.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said. Mike frowned as well and stared at Jason, trying to find the answer in Jason’s eyes.
“No.” he finally breathed out.
“Well then, I’m sorry but I can’t tell you.” Mike nodded. Usually he would have been annoyed and tried to get it out of Jason, but tonight was different. He didn’t know why, but he thought that this night was special. Mike turned his gaze towards the sky again. Mike studied his very own star, watched it shine towards him and he felt that he had found a piece of himself that had been gone for a very long time.
Mike
Mike and Jason were lying on their backs on the grass in Jason’s backyard. They were watching the stars, talking. Jason still hadn’t told Mike what it was that he wanted to show him. Mike didn’t mind though, he was sure that Jason would show him eventually. He wasn’t cold anymore, Jason’s jacket was warm, and it smelt nice. It smelt like Jason.
“What are you thinking of?” Mike asked Jason; he had been staring out in space for a while now. Mike didn’t expect him to answer, he knew that it was pretty much impossible to get in contact with Jason when he was thinking; therefore Mike was very surprised when Jason did answer.
“The stars.” Jason said quietly, Mike nodded.
“Yeah, they’re beautiful.” he said softly.
“You know something?” Jason said without taking his eyes of the sky. “Everybody has got a star. Your very own star, which represents you. And when we die, we become a part of that star and we watch over those who are still on earth.” Jason fell silent for a couple of seconds; Mike looked up at the sky wondering which star was his. “My mum is up there.” Jason said quietly. Mike turned his head to Jason, trying to make out what he was feeling. Jason had often talked about his mother and Mike had known that she wasn’t around anymore but he hadn’t known why she wasn’t. Mike had always assumed that she had left to live somewhere else, just like his mum had. It had never occurred to him that she might be dead.
“I’m sorry.” Mike said, not really knowing what to say.
“That’s her star, right over there.” Jason said and pointed, not answering Mike. “She’s watching over us from there.” Mike crawled closer to Jason and put his head next to his so he could see which star Jason was pointing at. It was a small but bright star to the left which seemed like it was glittering towards them. He blinked rapidly three times and when he looked again, the glittering was gone. The star shone just like stars usually do.
“How do you know which star is your own?” Mike asked, his eyes sweeping across the sky trying to find his. Jason shrugged, as if to say that it’s obvious.
“It’s just a star that you feel connected to. It doesn’t have to be the biggest, strongest or most beautiful star, just a star that you feel connected to.” he said. Mike nodded to say that he understood.
“Which one’s yours?” Mike asked. Jason’s eyes darted from his mothers star to the opposite side of the sky and yet again he put his arm out to point.
“That one.” He said, this time Mike didn’t have to move his head closer, it was right beside Jason’s already. At first Mike had problems to see which star Jason was pointing at; Mike couldn’t see anything there but darkness. But then he saw a very small and weak star that barely shone, not easy to catch sight of, but Mike thought that it was a star that you would never forget when you finally had found it.
“Wow.” he whispered. “It’s beautiful.” Jason nodded.
“Yeah, I know. “ Jason was whispering as well. “So, which one’s yours then?” Mike let his eyes wander across the sky until they stopped at a small, but very bright star right next to a big and strong star that probably would steal anybody’s gaze from the smaller star. Anybody’s gaze but Mike’s.
“That’s the one.” He whispered and pointed towards the small, bright star. Jason nodded.
“Of course…” he whispered, but it did not seem as if he was talking to Mike.
“’Of course’, what?” Mike whispered back. Suddenly he wondered why they were whispering, but he didn’t want to break the magic.
“Oh nothing…” Jason whispered and made a small shrug. “It’s just that I think I know who the big star is.” Mike stared at him and then at the star.
“You do?” he whispered, sounding very impressed. “Who is it?” Jason frowned.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said. Mike frowned as well and stared at Jason, trying to find the answer in Jason’s eyes.
“No.” he finally breathed out.
“Well then, I’m sorry but I can’t tell you.” Mike nodded. Usually he would have been annoyed and tried to get it out of Jason, but tonight was different. He didn’t know why, but he thought that this night was special. Mike turned his gaze towards the sky again. Mike studied his very own star, watched it shine towards him and he felt that he had found a piece of himself that had been gone for a very long time.
söndag 5 juli 2009
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 19
March 22nd, 1987
Mike
Jason had got his shoes and jacket on before Mike and he walked out the door. Mike tied his left shoe slowly; he did not want to go outside. He hadn’t really thought that much before he rushed off to Jason’s, so he hadn’t taken a jacket with him. He had been running almost the entire way to Jason’s house, so he hadn’t been cold, but going out now would be freezing.
He was finally done tying his shoe and he couldn’t let Jason wait much longer. Mike took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped outside. He immediately regretted it. He wrapped his arms around himself and walked up to Jason, who was looking up at the sky. He stopped behind Jason and stamped his feet impatiently.
“What was it that you wanted to show me?” Mike said, and sounded a lot more annoyed than he had intended to. Jason turned around to answer him but didn’t say anything when he saw what Mike was wearing.
“Don’t you have a jacket?” Jason asked, eying Mike’s t-shirt.
“Yes I do, but it’s at home, so can you please hurry up and show me that thing?” Jason shook his head.
“It’ll take some time. You can borrow one of my old jackets, come on.” He said and walked back inside. Mike sighed; he didn’t want to borrow a jacket, he wanted to go back inside. He followed Jason and watched him looking for something in the closet in the hall, muttering things Mike couldn’t make out what they were. After a minute or two Jason pulled out one of the ugliest jackets Mike had ever seen. Jason held it out towards him, looking very proud of himself for finding it. Mike frowned and eyed the jacket. It was bright orange with a cap in a darker shade of orange, almost red, that did not go along with the rest of the jacket’s colour at all. Mike did not take the jacket from Jason.
“I’m not wearing that.” Mike said, this time Jason frowned.
“Why not?” he asked genuinely surprised. Mike rolled his eyes; wasn’t it obvious?
“Because it’s ugly.” Jason frowned even more and didn’t look all too happy; Mike hoped he hadn’t hurt his feelings. But then Jason studied the jacket himself, turned and twisted it and a smile appeared on his face.
“Yeah it is, isn’t it?” he said as he looked up at Mike. Mike laughed.
“Yup, very.”
“You can take my jacket then, and I’ll take this one.” Jason said and shrugged. “Unless you think this jacket is ugly too?” Jason asked and nodded towards his grey jacket he had thrown to the floor while he was looking for the orange one.
“No, yours is fine!” Mike said and picked it up.
“Good.” Jason said and put on the orange one. Mike tried to stop himself from laughing; Jason looked hilarious. Jason rolled his eyes.
“Come on. And don’t you dare laugh!” That was it, Mike burst out laughing and Jason soon did the same.
Mike
Jason had got his shoes and jacket on before Mike and he walked out the door. Mike tied his left shoe slowly; he did not want to go outside. He hadn’t really thought that much before he rushed off to Jason’s, so he hadn’t taken a jacket with him. He had been running almost the entire way to Jason’s house, so he hadn’t been cold, but going out now would be freezing.
He was finally done tying his shoe and he couldn’t let Jason wait much longer. Mike took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped outside. He immediately regretted it. He wrapped his arms around himself and walked up to Jason, who was looking up at the sky. He stopped behind Jason and stamped his feet impatiently.
“What was it that you wanted to show me?” Mike said, and sounded a lot more annoyed than he had intended to. Jason turned around to answer him but didn’t say anything when he saw what Mike was wearing.
“Don’t you have a jacket?” Jason asked, eying Mike’s t-shirt.
“Yes I do, but it’s at home, so can you please hurry up and show me that thing?” Jason shook his head.
“It’ll take some time. You can borrow one of my old jackets, come on.” He said and walked back inside. Mike sighed; he didn’t want to borrow a jacket, he wanted to go back inside. He followed Jason and watched him looking for something in the closet in the hall, muttering things Mike couldn’t make out what they were. After a minute or two Jason pulled out one of the ugliest jackets Mike had ever seen. Jason held it out towards him, looking very proud of himself for finding it. Mike frowned and eyed the jacket. It was bright orange with a cap in a darker shade of orange, almost red, that did not go along with the rest of the jacket’s colour at all. Mike did not take the jacket from Jason.
“I’m not wearing that.” Mike said, this time Jason frowned.
“Why not?” he asked genuinely surprised. Mike rolled his eyes; wasn’t it obvious?
“Because it’s ugly.” Jason frowned even more and didn’t look all too happy; Mike hoped he hadn’t hurt his feelings. But then Jason studied the jacket himself, turned and twisted it and a smile appeared on his face.
“Yeah it is, isn’t it?” he said as he looked up at Mike. Mike laughed.
“Yup, very.”
“You can take my jacket then, and I’ll take this one.” Jason said and shrugged. “Unless you think this jacket is ugly too?” Jason asked and nodded towards his grey jacket he had thrown to the floor while he was looking for the orange one.
“No, yours is fine!” Mike said and picked it up.
“Good.” Jason said and put on the orange one. Mike tried to stop himself from laughing; Jason looked hilarious. Jason rolled his eyes.
“Come on. And don’t you dare laugh!” That was it, Mike burst out laughing and Jason soon did the same.
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 18
March 22nd, 1987
Jason
The phone rang, again. Jason did not pick up, again. He was sure that it would be Mike, and he just didn’t feel like explaining his actions. Mainly because he hadn’t thought of a good explanation yet; he knew that Mike wasn’t going to be happy with the explanation about the cells Jason gave him yesterday. Jason had called in sick today. He just could take another day of avoiding Mike. Besides, he had to clean the entire house before his father came home from God knows where, tomorrow.
Ever since the time when Mike should have come home from school the phone had rung. Once every tenth minute, driving Jason crazy. But he had not picked up; he was not going to lose this fight.
Fifteen minutes later he heard the door open; Jason froze. Was his father home already? His felt sweat staring to run along his spine. Jason swallowed hard, continuing to do the dishes, but his hands were shaking so bad that he could barely hold on to the plate. He heard steps approaching the kitchen; Jason dropped the plate. Luckily it landed in the sink and didn’t break, but Jason hadn’t even noticed he’d dropped it. He continued cleaning what he though was in his hand, staring into the wall, trying to ignore the steps that now had stopped in the kitchen, only a few steps away from him. He heard somebody breathing in the room. Jason swallowed again and closed his eyes, waiting for his father to speak.
“Jason, why are you cleaning the air?” Jason’s eyes widened. He looked down on his hands and realised that he had nothing in them but the dish-brush. He let out his breath that hadn’t noticed he’d held.
“Mike, what the fuck do you think you’re doing, just walking straight in like that!? You almost gave me a heart attack!” Jason said, trying to sound angry, but he didn’t do a very good job; he was glad it had been Mike and not his father. Mike grinned.
“Well, I missed my best friend, that’s all. Why weren’t you in school today?” Mike said. Jason didn’t answer, he just stared at Mike. Had Mike just called him his best friend? Jason’s stomach started to bubble and he smiled. Mike chuckled, took two steps towards Jason and knocked on his head.
“Hello, is there anybody in here? I asked you a question!” Mike said. Jason’s smiled grew wider.
“I’m sorry, what was it?” Jason said, still smiling. Mike sighed.
“You know, sometimes I wish you could take me to this fantasy place of yours. It must be amazing, since you go there all the time. I just asked why you weren’t in school today.”
“I’m not feeling very well.” Jason said and shrugged, but he was still unable to stop smiling.
“Yeah, I guess you don’t, seeing as you try to clean the air and don’t listen to what I say… No wait; those are absolutely normal things to do when it comes to Jason Relva!” Mike laughed and Jason’s smile became a laughter as well.
“Yeah, I guess they are, huh?” he said and winked at Mike. “Hey, you wanna go out and do something?”
“Like what? It’s already dark outside. I should’ve come earlier… I guess I just hoped that you eventually would pull yourself together and answer the phone.” Jason swallowed; he had forgotten why Mike had come here to begin with. “Why didn’t you?” Mike finished.
“Well, I… I didn’t know you had, I guess our phone must be broken or something.” Jason said and shrugged, but he could tell that Mike didn’t believe him.“Come on, let’s go outside. I want to show you something.” Jason said and started walking towards the hall. He heard Mike sigh behind him, but he did follow him.
Jason
The phone rang, again. Jason did not pick up, again. He was sure that it would be Mike, and he just didn’t feel like explaining his actions. Mainly because he hadn’t thought of a good explanation yet; he knew that Mike wasn’t going to be happy with the explanation about the cells Jason gave him yesterday. Jason had called in sick today. He just could take another day of avoiding Mike. Besides, he had to clean the entire house before his father came home from God knows where, tomorrow.
Ever since the time when Mike should have come home from school the phone had rung. Once every tenth minute, driving Jason crazy. But he had not picked up; he was not going to lose this fight.
Fifteen minutes later he heard the door open; Jason froze. Was his father home already? His felt sweat staring to run along his spine. Jason swallowed hard, continuing to do the dishes, but his hands were shaking so bad that he could barely hold on to the plate. He heard steps approaching the kitchen; Jason dropped the plate. Luckily it landed in the sink and didn’t break, but Jason hadn’t even noticed he’d dropped it. He continued cleaning what he though was in his hand, staring into the wall, trying to ignore the steps that now had stopped in the kitchen, only a few steps away from him. He heard somebody breathing in the room. Jason swallowed again and closed his eyes, waiting for his father to speak.
“Jason, why are you cleaning the air?” Jason’s eyes widened. He looked down on his hands and realised that he had nothing in them but the dish-brush. He let out his breath that hadn’t noticed he’d held.
“Mike, what the fuck do you think you’re doing, just walking straight in like that!? You almost gave me a heart attack!” Jason said, trying to sound angry, but he didn’t do a very good job; he was glad it had been Mike and not his father. Mike grinned.
“Well, I missed my best friend, that’s all. Why weren’t you in school today?” Mike said. Jason didn’t answer, he just stared at Mike. Had Mike just called him his best friend? Jason’s stomach started to bubble and he smiled. Mike chuckled, took two steps towards Jason and knocked on his head.
“Hello, is there anybody in here? I asked you a question!” Mike said. Jason’s smiled grew wider.
“I’m sorry, what was it?” Jason said, still smiling. Mike sighed.
“You know, sometimes I wish you could take me to this fantasy place of yours. It must be amazing, since you go there all the time. I just asked why you weren’t in school today.”
“I’m not feeling very well.” Jason said and shrugged, but he was still unable to stop smiling.
“Yeah, I guess you don’t, seeing as you try to clean the air and don’t listen to what I say… No wait; those are absolutely normal things to do when it comes to Jason Relva!” Mike laughed and Jason’s smile became a laughter as well.
“Yeah, I guess they are, huh?” he said and winked at Mike. “Hey, you wanna go out and do something?”
“Like what? It’s already dark outside. I should’ve come earlier… I guess I just hoped that you eventually would pull yourself together and answer the phone.” Jason swallowed; he had forgotten why Mike had come here to begin with. “Why didn’t you?” Mike finished.
“Well, I… I didn’t know you had, I guess our phone must be broken or something.” Jason said and shrugged, but he could tell that Mike didn’t believe him.“Come on, let’s go outside. I want to show you something.” Jason said and started walking towards the hall. He heard Mike sigh behind him, but he did follow him.
lördag 16 maj 2009
And the Stars up Above - Chapter 17
March 21st, 1987
Jason
Jason slowly approached his locker, making sure that Mike wasn’t there waiting for him. Not that he expected him to; Mike was rarely there. When Jason had made sure that Mike was nowhere nearby he quickly walked over to his locker, took out the books he needed and headed off to his first class. For once he actually hoped he wouldn’t meet Mike at all that day, he just didn’t feel like trying to explain his bruises again. Jason might be clumsy, but him walking into doors or falling down the stairs constantly just wasn’t believable in the long run. Jason knew he had to think of something new, but he just didn’t feel like it. Somewhere deep down Jason wondered if he actually did want Mike to know. Jason quickly shoved those thoughts away and entered the classroom and sat down at the front. That way he could imagine that it was just him and the teacher there; he hated others.
Now Jason only had one class left before the day was over and he had to go home. Somehow, the thought of going home didn’t appeal to him. He had successfully avoided Mike and Billie the entire day. Jason didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. He had a strange feeling, as if something was missing. He felt alone. The fact that Mike hadn’t tried to find him was depressing as well. Jason was sure that if Mike had wanted to find him, he would have found him. Jason sighed and made his way towards his locker to get his books.
March 21st, 1987
Mike
Mike sighed loudly while walking towards his locker.
“Oh come on!” Billie said. “You’ll get to tell Jason that you’re moving tomorrow!”
“Yeah but what if he’s ill then too? …I guess I’ll just call him tonight.” Mike said and sighed yet again. Billie Joe shrugged. Mike sighed again.
“Oh come on! Cut it out, man!” Billie Joe blurted out, Mike guessed that he was getting tired of hearing Mike’s sighs. “You know, Jason being ill is not the end of the word!” Billie snapped and Mike shrugged.
“You now what, I think I’ll pass by his locker just once more before we go to class.” This time it was Billie Joe who sighed.
“Sure, but we’re going to be late, you know.” Billie Joe said, Mike eyed him.
“Since when do you care about being late?” Mike said, truly surprised. Billie Joe just muttered something and followed Mike towards Jason’s locker. At first Mike couldn’t see Jason anywhere when they got there, but then he saw Jason turning around the corner at the opposite side of the hall. Mike started running and didn’t have time to think of why Jason hadn’t come to see them in the entire day.
“Hey Jason!” Mike shouted. “Jason, wait up!” he rushed around the corner only to find Jason way ahead of him, running as well. Mike rushed after him, not thinking of anything but to catch up with Jason. This of course caused Billie Joe to be left behind. Mike heard him swear behind him and then heard another couple of feet starting to run. Mike turned around the next corner just in time to see Jason disappear through a door which led to the stairs. Mike rushed through the door as well and he noticed that he was gaining on Jason now; Mike guessed he didn’t have those long legs for nothing.
“Jason, you are aware that I know that you’re running from me right?” Mike said, not as loud this time, since Jason was close enough to hear him anyway. Jason stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Mike. Mike managed to stop just in time.
“Oh, hi Mike!” Jason said, panting. “I was just wondering where you were.” He said, as if nothing had happened. Mike raised an eyebrow. “And I wasn’t running from you.” Mike rolled his eyes; Jason was a terrible liar. “I was just trying to be on time for my next class.” Jason said and shrugged.
“You are aware that you next class is two floors down and that it’s still ten minutes left before it starts, right?” Mike said and crossed his arms.
“Yes, but…” Jason’s eyes started to flicker. “we’re going to be in another classroom this time… because we’re going to look at cells!” Jason finished.
“Why on earth would you look at cells on a French lesson?”
“We’re going to learn the French name for cell!”
“And you have to look at them to learn the word for cell?”
“Yeah, obviously the teacher thinks we do! And now I really have to go, or I’ll be late!” Jason said, sounding kind of annoyed that Mike didn’t believe him. “Bye!” He said as he continued running up the stairs. Mike shrugged and then turned around to go back down the stairs. He decided to deal with Jason later.
Jason
Jason slowly approached his locker, making sure that Mike wasn’t there waiting for him. Not that he expected him to; Mike was rarely there. When Jason had made sure that Mike was nowhere nearby he quickly walked over to his locker, took out the books he needed and headed off to his first class. For once he actually hoped he wouldn’t meet Mike at all that day, he just didn’t feel like trying to explain his bruises again. Jason might be clumsy, but him walking into doors or falling down the stairs constantly just wasn’t believable in the long run. Jason knew he had to think of something new, but he just didn’t feel like it. Somewhere deep down Jason wondered if he actually did want Mike to know. Jason quickly shoved those thoughts away and entered the classroom and sat down at the front. That way he could imagine that it was just him and the teacher there; he hated others.
Now Jason only had one class left before the day was over and he had to go home. Somehow, the thought of going home didn’t appeal to him. He had successfully avoided Mike and Billie the entire day. Jason didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. He had a strange feeling, as if something was missing. He felt alone. The fact that Mike hadn’t tried to find him was depressing as well. Jason was sure that if Mike had wanted to find him, he would have found him. Jason sighed and made his way towards his locker to get his books.
March 21st, 1987
Mike
Mike sighed loudly while walking towards his locker.
“Oh come on!” Billie said. “You’ll get to tell Jason that you’re moving tomorrow!”
“Yeah but what if he’s ill then too? …I guess I’ll just call him tonight.” Mike said and sighed yet again. Billie Joe shrugged. Mike sighed again.
“Oh come on! Cut it out, man!” Billie Joe blurted out, Mike guessed that he was getting tired of hearing Mike’s sighs. “You know, Jason being ill is not the end of the word!” Billie snapped and Mike shrugged.
“You now what, I think I’ll pass by his locker just once more before we go to class.” This time it was Billie Joe who sighed.
“Sure, but we’re going to be late, you know.” Billie Joe said, Mike eyed him.
“Since when do you care about being late?” Mike said, truly surprised. Billie Joe just muttered something and followed Mike towards Jason’s locker. At first Mike couldn’t see Jason anywhere when they got there, but then he saw Jason turning around the corner at the opposite side of the hall. Mike started running and didn’t have time to think of why Jason hadn’t come to see them in the entire day.
“Hey Jason!” Mike shouted. “Jason, wait up!” he rushed around the corner only to find Jason way ahead of him, running as well. Mike rushed after him, not thinking of anything but to catch up with Jason. This of course caused Billie Joe to be left behind. Mike heard him swear behind him and then heard another couple of feet starting to run. Mike turned around the next corner just in time to see Jason disappear through a door which led to the stairs. Mike rushed through the door as well and he noticed that he was gaining on Jason now; Mike guessed he didn’t have those long legs for nothing.
“Jason, you are aware that I know that you’re running from me right?” Mike said, not as loud this time, since Jason was close enough to hear him anyway. Jason stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Mike. Mike managed to stop just in time.
“Oh, hi Mike!” Jason said, panting. “I was just wondering where you were.” He said, as if nothing had happened. Mike raised an eyebrow. “And I wasn’t running from you.” Mike rolled his eyes; Jason was a terrible liar. “I was just trying to be on time for my next class.” Jason said and shrugged.
“You are aware that you next class is two floors down and that it’s still ten minutes left before it starts, right?” Mike said and crossed his arms.
“Yes, but…” Jason’s eyes started to flicker. “we’re going to be in another classroom this time… because we’re going to look at cells!” Jason finished.
“Why on earth would you look at cells on a French lesson?”
“We’re going to learn the French name for cell!”
“And you have to look at them to learn the word for cell?”
“Yeah, obviously the teacher thinks we do! And now I really have to go, or I’ll be late!” Jason said, sounding kind of annoyed that Mike didn’t believe him. “Bye!” He said as he continued running up the stairs. Mike shrugged and then turned around to go back down the stairs. He decided to deal with Jason later.
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