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“Why can’t you be more like them? What’s wrong with you?”
“You’re growing up yet you never look nor act your age”
“You’re brother will always be better than you...”
These phrases and many more always hit Ashton. every day. Morning and night, there was not a single time people meddled about his decisions. Ashton Brooke was a 10-year old boy, living in the small city named Lorenhyde. Living with his parents and his older brother, being 16-years old, named Zach. If you think things are bad at home, his school life is far from better. He was shorter than the rest of the boys in the class, therefore he was often bullied. From all this toxicity, Ashton became scared of those around him. He was afraid of rejection and anymore insults.
Today was December 3rd. It was the month of Christmas, and as well as for the town to have an abundant supply of snow again. The kids all around the town were utmost excited for this. The city mayor was kind enough to have schools suspended to have the children enjoy their snow day during this month of December.
It was a bright morning today. The sun was shining, snow was falling, and there were already some people strolling outside with their coats and boots. Ashton yawned as he has just woken up. Sitting up from the bed, he looked out his bedside window to see some kids scampering out and about on the streets. He smiled at the sight, as for today - he had no school and so, he was free. He jumped off his bed and headed for his closet to change into some appropriate clothes for the winter season.
Afterwards, he headed downstairs to eat some breakfast, and as well as to ask permission to leave. Getting on the dining table, there were his father and his brother, Zach. His mother was putting their breakfast on the table as he got there. Zach smirked at his little brother upon noticing his arrival. “Oh, morning Ash” He greeted. Ashton just smiled at him along with a little wave. While as his father just took a quick glance at him.
Ashton didn’t say a word and just took his seat. Their mother gave a small smile at the boy and gave him a small greeting as well as she placed down the breakfast for today in front of her boys.
Today’s breakfast were a mixture of a bunch of vegetables; such as cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, and some beans that Ashton cannot really distinguish, but is going to eat anyway. The start of the family’s morning was rather quiet, yet until the mother spoke up. “So, what will you boys be doing today at winter break?” She asked, turning her gaze from her plate to her sons. Zach smiled. “Me and the boys would be doing some hockey matches today!” Of course, the parents were glad to hear Zach’s answer. He was athletic and was the favourite son. Ashton was jealous of the immediate approval his brother got from their parents, but he did his best not to show it.
“What about you, Ashton?” The mother asked.
Ashton took in a deep breath. “...I-I was hoping that maybe I can go to the park-”
“-So, you’re saying that you just want to play all month because it’s winter break?” The father immediately added in with a slight look of disapproval. Ashton already knew what his next words would be. “Why can’t you be more like your brother? He’s excelling through sports even if it’s break” And there it is, Ashton already predicted what his father would say, a few seconds before he even said it. Ashton was getting used to this whole situation of disapproval, even though it still hurt him. Yet even so, to avoid any arguments, he decided to stay quiet. Instead, he continued to finish up his breakfast.
The mother sighed and gave Ashton a small smile. She was feeling generous. “You’re already dressed up for the occasion, so go on ahead,” his mother answered. Ashton brightened up with joy for that. Immediately, he finished up his meal with a big thank you to his mother for permitting him to go.
. . .
Ashton didn’t exactly knew what he was going to do at the play park. He didn’t really have friends, so who is he going to play with there? But nonetheless, those thoughts never stopped him. He was excited to go. Despite only being 10, he was still allowed to go. Well it wasn’t really a surprise. Lorenhyde City is rather small, quaint, and tranquil. Ashton scampered about on the streets. The snow was falling from above. The sound of it crunching under Ashton’s boots as he marched the streets. The people around enjoying themselves in this wonderful winter morning. It was a gorgeous sight indeed.
Reaching upon the play park, it was showered in an abundance of snow. It was a winter wonderland. There were already a bunch of children there. Some were throwing snowballs at each other. Some were making snowmen. And the others were just playing other things. Most of the children there didn’t even knew each other. They just met at that day when they’ve come to stumble upon each other in the play park.
Half of Ashton’s excitement was drained out of his body as fear and anxiety took over. Yes, this was his time to be happy and get away from it all, but the bad experiences he’s had that left him rather traumatized has still latched onto him. He scurried around the outskirts of the play park, and decided to hide behind a tree. That was his plan. He’s going to play by himself by a tree.
He sat down on the snow and gathered up the snow around him and made a small mountain. He didn’t exactly know what he was doing, but he’s making something. Patting around the snow and as well as molding it, he ended up with making a small heart-shaped structure. He smiled; happy of his creation. Although he was happy with what he has done, there was still something missing. The feeling of satisfaction wasn’t quite there, in which it bothered him. The problem was loneliness. Everything is more fun when you’re doing something with someone.
Ashton sighed as he decided to peek over to the other kids from behind the tree. One particular kid caught his attention. A boy that seemed to be around his age. He had dirty blonde hair and a charming pair of blue-grey eyes. He was playing with a bunch of other kids, whom he just met at the park at that day as well. He looked very enthusiastic and hyper. He was caught by Ashton, running around and chasing the other kids he’s met. The boy caught Ashton looking at him. Ashton freaked out as he noticed so. In an immediate manner, he jerked away - hiding at the back of the tree.
The boy was baffled, so he decided to go after Ashton. He told his other new friends that he would be doing something else. The other children respected his decision, let him be, and continued to playing on their own. While as the boy went on and scampered over to the tree where Ashton was at. While as Ashton became scared. He didn’t come out of his hiding place. He just stood there, burying himself with his scarf - in hopes that the boy would just forget about that sudden eye-to-eye contact and move on with his day; except that wasn’t the case.
The boy jumped out from the other side of the tree with a bright smile. “Hey there!” He greeted, enthusiastically. Ashton flinched and suddenly tumbled backwards, falling onto his masterpiece and destroying it in the process. “Oh, uh.. Sorry for scaring you” The boy apologized, extending out a hand to help Ashton. “I’m Ryder. Ryder Leon!” He introduced himself. Ashton got himself back up on his feet with the help of Ryder. “So, what’s your name?” Ryder asked. Ashton didn’t want to say anything. He was still scared of being bullied even though Ryder seemed like a good person. And so, at the last minute, he thought of something idiotic to do. He played out that he was a mute. He knew sign language so it was no problem for him. He managed to play along with it and introduce himself.
In the end, Ryder and Ashton became best friends. Ashton came out of his shyness and became less anxious. Whenever he’s with Ryder, he feels so safe. Whenever he’s with Ryder, he can feel his warmth. Is it simply by chance that they met or was it by fate? Who knows. But it doesn’t really matter, does it? Ashton is happy upon meeting Ryder. His life has never became better and neither was he this happy. Ryder was his everything. And the same was with Ryder to Ashton. Ryder came from a wealthy family, and most of the time - the ‘friends’ that Ryder has ever had were gold diggers. He never had a real friend; one that he can count on to be there for him through thick and thin, one that doesn’t like him for what he has but for what he is. Ryder is a good boy who just wants a real friend.
And so, he was blessed with meeting Ashton.
. . .
As the winter season went on, Ryder and Ashton have become the bestest of friend. Often times, they would invite each other to their houses and play together there. It was such a sweet life for the two of them. Ashton was always amazed by all the wonderful things Ryder owns that he knows who could not, while as Ryder is always so dumbfounded with Ashton’s simple life. You could say that the two of them were meant for each other.
But of course, all things must come to an end; may it be a sweet one or a bitter one.
Years later, the two young boys have grown up into teenagers. But even so, they still stayed as best friends. They went to the same school each other and did everything they could together. Although, no matter how strong the bond of them both had - they still had their secrets. Ashton never told Ryder about how he lied that he was a mute. Ashton wasn’t the only one who had a little secret.
Ryder was anemic. He joked around and lived his life as if he never had an illness in the first place. But it got so bad to the point that he had to be hospitalized. Of course, Ashton was informed about this. He was stupefied upon hearing this. Of course, who would want to find out that their best friend from childhood may have a chance of dying?
Ashton’s firs initiative was to visit the hospital after school. Rushing over to the hospital room Ryder was in, he threw the door open - panting heavily. Ryder flinched upon seeing the sudden appearance of his dear friend. Ashton didn’t look happy at all. And Ryder understandably knew why. Ashton darted his hazel eyes at him. “...How long have you been like this? And why didn’t you tell me anything?!” He exclaimed. Ryder was morely shocked after his ears registered Ashton’s voice for the first time. “...You could talk?” Ryder responded. Ashton has just now realized what he has done. It looks like he was finally caught. He pulled himself together and took a breather. He quietly shut the door, throw his backpack on the floor, and explained himself.
Ryder was rather disappointed after listening to Ashton’s explanation about all of this and why has he done it. He understood his situation but he was upset by the fact that after the two of them being friends for so long, Ashton never told him about that. But of course, Ryder was quick to forgive his dear friend, which Ashton was very grateful for, indeed. After that little incident, all of Ashton’s attention was then turned to Ryder and his medical problem. After a day of talking about all sorts of things - both serious and light-hearted, it was time for Ashton to leave for it was almost the end of the hospital’s visiting hours. A very worried look was plastered on Ashton’s faec as he took his things and hitched his backpack onto his back. Ryder read his bitter facial expression quite clearly. “Don’t worry,” he spoke - breaking the silence between them. “I’ll be fine,” he said - wanting to try and lighten up Ashton’s mood. Ashton took a small glance at him and shot a small smile as a response, before he waved goodbye and left the room.
Although as months passed, Ryder’s case wasn’t getting any better. Ashton has been worrying for him 24/7 and has always visited him every single day - after school. The amount of loyalty he had for his dear friend was outstanding. He made sure to enjoy every single second he had with Ryder. And as for Ryder, being with Ashton has always lifted his spirits - even during these tough times.
But the day came whee it was Ryder’s time to say goodbye to the world, and to descend onto a different one. A lot of people were in grief to be informed about Ryder’s death - especially Ashton.
Ashton’s world has turned to dark once more upon losing one of the most important people in his life. But even so, he will never forget about Ryder Leon, nor when they first met...
...During that one winter morning.
