Hello Diary
Date: December 21, 2012
Time: 6:45 PM
Mood: Hyped but kinda on edge
Yo Diary,
Tonight’s the night! Yueh’s finally coming over. After six months of texting, Skyping, and all those late-night calls, it’s gonna be dope to have her here, like in the flesh, ya know? Been counting down the days like it’s the final boss level in a game, and now we’re down to the last few minutes.
The pad’s all set—cleaned up the place ’cause it’s been just me after the roomie bailed last week. It’s weirdly quiet without him, but hey, more room for us, right? Yueh said she’d hit up the grocery store before coming over. We split the bill on the grub ’cause we’re all in for making this Christmas lit. No sad, microwave meals for us this holiday!
Can’t shake off these butterflies, though. It’s like waiting for the drop in a sick beat. Man, I really hope she digs the setup. Got some of her favorite tracks lined up on the playlist, and the lights are all chill. Just hope I don’t screw up dinner. Not exactly a chef, but I’ve got some moves in the kitchen.
Re-reading their chat history, AJ couldn’t suppress a smile. Their first awkward exchange still made him chuckle.
Opening App...
-DING-
RedeemedCon: Ummm, hi.
TheNerdyDr: Hi.
RedeemedCon: Normally, this is the part where I exit the chat because I’m bad with small talk.
TheNerdyDr: Normally, this is when I would have gotten an unwelcome—some small, some decent—appendage pic. And since you haven’t sent one yet, I’m feeling more hopeful about whatever conversation we could have...if you don’t get cold feet. 🥶
RedeemedCon: 😂 I’m AJ, by the way. 25 BTW, U?
TheNerdyDr: Whoa, we are not on a first-name basis yet, buddy. 24....
RedeemedCon: Well, AJ isn’t my real name; more of a nickname.
TheNerdyDr: I see... Well, my nickname is Linda.
RedeemedCon: Linda, that’s a nice name... What’s your real name?
TheNerdyDr: You first.
RedeemedCon: Austin... Austin Jose.
TheNerdyDr: Is Jose your last name?
RedeemedCon: It’s kind of my first name and my middle name. You say it together. But AJ is what many of my friends call me.
TheNerdyDr: So, you want me as a friend?
RedeemedCon: Yes... Hopefully, that doesn’t scare you off. Like I said, I suck with small talk. So, do you like any anime or music? Dumb question, I know—everyone likes music. Sorry, I’ll stop bothering you now.
(An hour passes)
TheNerdyDr: Yueh... My first name and middle name is... Yueh Yun... But just Linda will do.
Man, I legit thought she had blocked me after that awkward start. But here we are, months later, sharing secrets and laughs, and even snoozing together on the phone. Sounds cheesy, right? But it’s the best part of my day.
Remembering our first deep convo, I told her about the most messed-up part of my life. It’s not something I open up about, but Yueh... she’s different. So, the deal with my fam is pretty rocky. One night, things got way out of hand at home. My old man, wasted and wild, was on a rampage against my sis and mom. I snapped, man. I thought I had gone too far—I thought I had ended him. The fear of becoming that which I hated most was suffocating.
Telling Yueh that—I was bracing for her to bail. Who wouldn’t? But her response floored me. She said, “AJ, the world throws us into battles we never chose. Facing them doesn’t make us monsters. It’s the choices we make afterward, the courage to seek peace, even within ourselves, that truly defines us.” Her words, man... they hit deep. It was like she saw right through the chaos of my past and found something worth holding onto.
She continued, her voice soft but so damn clear, “You stood up in a moment many would falter, and yes, it was dark, and yes, it was hard. But here you are, striving to mend, to heal—not just yourself but those you love. That’s not just strength, AJ; that’s beautiful.” The way she spoke, it wasn’t just reassurance; it was like she was painting a picture of a future I hadn’t dared to imagine—one where I wasn’t my father’s son but my own man.
Looking into her eyes during those video calls, when the dawn light creeps through the window and catches the sleep in her eyes—it’s like watching the first quiet moments of a new world. Those mornings, when her sleepy smile greets me before the sun does, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I can be the man she sees in me.
Her family situation isn’t much rosier. We’ve got that in common, being kinda outcasts in our own clans. But it’s made our connection something fierce. We’re not just a fling; we’re survivors, finding solace in our shared shadows. She told me once, under the quiet buzz of a late-night call, “We’re building something, AJ. From the scraps of what we’ve left behind, we’re building. And it’s gonna be beautiful because we know exactly what ugly looks like.”
Tonight, as I stir this sauce and check the clock again, I’m not just cooking dinner; I’m crafting the first chapter of our story. The table is set with two plates, two glasses, and an open heart. I hope, in this small apartment kitchen, we can cook up a lifetime of better memories.
So here’s to hoping, to healing, and to Yueh, who might just be my salvation. Here’s to a Christmas that might finally feel like coming home. I’ll be a good man for her, diary. For us. She deserves that much and hell, maybe I do too.
Catch you on the flip side,
AJ
The apartment complex where AJ lives is situated in the heart of Grayson Creek, a small city nestled in the eastern part of Nevada. This compact urban area combines the charm of small-town life with the conveniences of city living.
Inside, the building’s hallways are recently dimly-lit and lined with dirty plush carpeting after a recent accident with a tenant. Signs pointing the way to apartments and directions leading to doors of varying colors, each adorned with welcoming mats and an assortment of decorative elements reflecting the personalities of the residents within. The lobby area, a cozy space with comfortable seating and potted plants, serves as a small communal area where neighbors often pause to chat before going about their day.
Grayson Creek itself is a hive of activity, with everything conveniently located within walking distance of Cedar Heights. Nearby, there are cafes, small shops, and a local market that caters to the community’s needs.
Having set the diary to the side AJ, busied himself in the kitchen of his modest two-bedroom apartment, the air filled with the rich aroma of cooking spices. It was a small space, but AJ had managed to make it feel lived-in and welcoming. The countertops were cluttered with an assortment of cooking utensils—a testament to the evening’s culinary ambitions. A large pot simmered on the stove, sauce gently bubbling under his watchful eye.
The apartment was a mix of practical living and youthful indulgence. One corner of the living room was dedicated to his gaming setup, complete with the latest consoles, a stack of assorted games, and two controllers that lay haphazardly on the coffee table, as if just used. The walls were adorned with posters of classic films and a sizable collection of manga lined the shelves, giving the place a vibrant, eclectic feel.
As AJ stirred the sauce, his focus was solely on getting the consistency just right, ensuring it clung to the spoon just enough before dripping back into the pot. He was so engrossed in his task that he barely registered the news playing in the background. The television screen flashed images of chaos—reporters spoke of violent outbreaks in Mexico and parts of Texas, with authorities scrambling to contain what they suspected was a new drug-induced frenzy. The anchors detailed horrific scenes of people exhibiting cannibalistic behaviors, biting at their own flesh or attacking others.
The news ticker urged for the closure of borders while panicked voices called into live broadcasts, recounting gruesome encounters. Yet, in his culinary bubble, AJ remained blissfully unaware, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Yueh Yun Lin, the woman he had fallen deeply in love with, who was due to arrive at any moment.
Frustrated by the relentless barrage of grim news, AJ reached for the remote and flicked through channels, only to find more reports of inexplicable violence, now in distant parts of Great Britain and Germany. It seemed the world was unraveling in real-time, but all he wanted was a break from the madness. With a sigh, he switched the channel to something lighter, something familiar and comforting—their favorite anime about a spirited little ninja with dreams of greatness. The opening theme, full of hopeful beats and energetic rhythms, filled the apartment, replacing the earlier tension with a sense of anticipation and joy. He let it play on loop, the melody weaving through the air like a promise of the evening to come.
Just as he was giving the sauce one final stir, a soft knock at the door pulled his attention away from the stove. Heart skipping, he wiped his hands on a dish towel and hurried to answer it. There, framed in the doorway, stood Yueh. Her presence seemed to brighten the dimly lit hallway, her smile a beacon in the encroaching dusk.
As the door swung open, the warm light from inside spilled out onto the dim hallway, casting a golden glow around Yueh as she stood there, anticipation written all over her face. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world around them fading into a soft blur. Then, with a small, breathless laugh, Yueh leaped forward into AJ’s arms. He caught her effortlessly, his arms wrapping around her slender frame as if they were meant to hold her just so.
Yueh clung to him, her arms tightening around his neck, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder. AJ could feel the gentle pressure of her body against his, light yet filled with an intensity that spoke volumes of her relief and love. Her warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, mingling with his own, a tangible reminder of her real, living presence.
In his embrace, Yueh felt a surge of emotions overwhelm her—joy, safety, love—all swirling together into a crescendo that made her heart thud loudly in her chest. For AJ, holding her was like anchoring himself in the midst of a storm. The weight of her body, light and fitting perfectly against his, grounded him, the softness of her hair under his chin a comforting sensation that he had longed for.
