Chapter 1 Attempts to reconcile
"It's not a sin to think upon a decision for a long time when you're the one affected by it" - Keith Jones
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It was a sunny yet calm morning on a Monday... Along the streets of Texas one home was particularly heated today with the bickering of a mother and her ever the moody, teenage son... At the Jones household, in the living room... The room had a comforting essence and familiarity of calm, its it's own, but right now it was anything but calm... "Keith Jones! Get your ass ready for school right now or you wanna create nuisance on your first day by being late" The middle aged woman spoke in a soft voice yet her tone had a command and a sense of urgency to it. She looked clearly done with her son as she heard a petty, lazy groan from him. "Oh my lovely ever-the-kind mother... Thee so small than me yet thee nag me like a crow... I will be on time, it's literally useless to go school so damn early...." The boy, Keith, dramatically took a pause before adding on "Besides, you're acting as if I am not going to a school which I already went to during my baby years". Keith snarked, a smirk on his lips and a glint of mischief in his ocean blue eyes as he lazily plopped down on the couch and ran a hand through his messy raven hair. His mother, Melinda, looked exasperated with her son's behaviour. "Just so you know that I will snitch to your father when he gets back from his tour" She half-threatened while her son deadpanned at her words and went to do his morning routine and got ready for school.... After bantering with his mum during breakfast, Keith finally headed to school... As the tall lad walked, the streets felt quite familiar to him, and as for his new yet and not-so-new school... It changed a lot in Keith's eyes, as he felt a bit lost in the changed surroundings... "New guy is that you?" A girl approached him, she seemed one of the council members, judging from her badge. "Yeah." Keith responded flatly, clearly waiting for her to tell him his class. "Well... May I know your name?" The girl inquired... "Keith Jones, second year, Humanities major.." He answered... "Oh I see... Well you are in my subject's batch, well currently History class is going on, let's go then" She smiled politely and ushered him to walk in her lead... On the way... Keith sighed curiously and asked for the girl's name, to which she responded politely... "Irene Smith"... She opened the door as the both entered... The teacher asked Keith to stand in front of the class and introduce himself... As Keith looked around he noticed a particularly familiar face he knew from childhood, but certainly didn't want to see his face... It was his childhood ex-friend - Jade Anderson... Keith confidently introduced himself and subtly keep an eye on Jade who was just as shocked to see Keith... He had to admit, Jade lost all his charm Keith saw in him years ago; the former now just looked like a shell of what the latter knew.... He looked like he had neglected himself in the worst ways possible... That was unexpected in Keith's eyes, as Jade was known for being well-groomed and charismatic.... Time quickly passed by as Keith went through one class after another, and made fellow accquintances during lunch... Just as the school hours ended, Keith was making his way out, pleased with the day and his performance in school... As he walked to the streets, he heard a familiar voice calling him... As he turned around to looked it was Jade.. "Hey... Keith..." Jade called out, slowly nearing towards Keith, his stature much shorter in comparison and his expression pretty much holding nothing in general... "Yeah?" Keith uttered hesitantly, not sure of Jade's intentions in any way... "Can we talk, please, and away from here?"... Keith contemplated the offer before agreeing and leading him to a secluded park... "Hurry up, I have better things to do" He chided a bit harshly by which surprisingly Jade wasn't fazed much... "So... Uh first of all .... How are you Keith.... We..I-... I- didn't see you for so long...." Keith deadpanned "Really Jade? Acting familiar as if you hadn't talked behind my back?" He snarked... Jade sighed, his expression deviod of any proper emotion, but his eyes which went down were betraying a pang of the guilt and shame he felt... He spoke up.. "Look Keith.. about that day.... I'm really sorry.. I- I messed up... I shouldn't have talked behind my best friend's back.... I know you'd probably wanna punch me or just never wanna see me again... But I just wanna let you know... I'm sorry.... I always was since that day... And it's fine if you don't want to even be near be again.. But I had too tell you this.... Or I'd die in guilt.... He said with the same expression but did have a guilty tone which Keith didn't know to trust.... Keith sighed in frustration, his brows furrowed and a frown forming in his lips... "Look.... That day hurt me a lot... And you knew I HATE backstabbers...." He sighed deeply and continued... "But I do appreciate you had the courage to face me.... Yet... I won't forgive you so easily, and as for talking to you... I would... But forgiveness... Not so soon.... I will take my time to decide.... Afterall...." He paused to give emphasis... "It's not a sin to think upon a decision for a long time when you're the one affected by it" He completed.... Jade looked down and responded calmly.... "I-... I will wait and respect your decision... Well thank you, for hearing me out... I- I shall take my leave..... Take care, Keith" Keith expression lighted and he now calmly responded "You too Jade, take care... I'm taking my leave ..."
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