The First Steps to Unity

Reconnecting with Jasper after all this time felt like flipping back to a page in a book that, though familiar, still held unanswered questions. Her small studio apartment was tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city, the kind of place where people tend to disappear into themselves. It had been a rough year for both of us, but I could see it had weighed more heavily on her.

The door creaked open, and there she was—Jasper, second-best in our class but always first in my mind. Her face looked more worn, her eyes reflecting untold stories and the hard truths of survival.

"Michael?" Her voice was tinged with surprise and maybe even a touch of relief. "I wasn't expecting you."

I stepped inside. Her place was sparse, practical, no unnecessary frills, like her. "Figured it was time to catch up. It's been too long."

She offered a half-smile. "Yeah, life has a way of doing that."

We settled in, letting a comfortable silence settle. Weighted but calm, as if we were two veterans, unsure of where to begin recounting the battles we'd fought separately.

"So," I finally broke the stillness, "what's life been like? How's the year been for you?"

Jasper let out a humorless chuckle, leaning back. "You mean after uni? Or the year that felt like being stuck in purgatory?"

I nodded, feeling the same. That lost year had hit me, too.

"I got a job doing UI/UX for a startup," she explained, voice thick with exhaustion. "They promised big projects, high expectations. But it's all been scraps. I thought I'd be building something meaningful, something important. Instead… I feel like I'm fading."

Jasper had always wanted more, and I could feel her frustration; the world rarely offers grand opportunities on a silver platter.

"I get it," I replied. "I had plans too, but that gap year… it changed things. I realized life has its own agenda, and all we can do is adjust."

Her gaze softened. "So, what's your 'adjustment'? What are you up to these days, Mikey?"

I shared my vision with her—Gamer's Paradise, the community I was building, creating jobs for people in need, offering dignity to those often overlooked, and building connections where there was none.

Jasper listened, her eyes steady. "You always did see the long game, didn't you?"

I shrugged. "Someone has to. But I don't want this to just be my vision. I want you to be part of it."

Her eyes widened. "You want me to work with you?"

"Not just work," I replied. "Build something together. You and me, Jas. I know it's been rough, but together, I think we can create something real. No more settling for scraps."

She was silent, processing my words. But slowly, she nodded. "Alright, Mikey. Let's see how it goes."

Reconnecting with her wasn't just right—it felt essential. We were two lost pieces finding our way back, our combined strengths stronger than before.

---

Buchi and I had just finished lunch—pizza, ice cream, the works—and we were now walking it off, the warmth of the evening settling over the streets. Buchi, my best mate and the undisputed top of our class, had a weight on his shoulders I couldn't ignore. Life in the uncivilized lands isn't forgiving, and he'd felt its brunt.

"Mike," he began, voice low, almost hesitant, "you ever feel like the world just… forgot about you?"

I didn't respond immediately, giving him space to talk. When Buchi opened up, it was always worth the wait.

"After graduation, I had all these plans. Big dreams. But everything just… stopped. First, job offers dried up, then money. It's like I'm just… stuck."

He paused, swallowing the frustration, the sadness.

"There were days when I thought about ending it," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "It felt… easier."

I felt a pang in my chest. Buchi had never been a stranger to hardship, so hearing him admit this? It hit hard.

"What stopped you?" I asked softly.

"Maybe I didn't want to be a coward," he murmured. "Maybe I didn't want to face my maker with that on my record. There's a lot I don't know, but I knew I couldn't let that be my story."

"Buchi," I said, "the world doesn't get to decide your story. That's up to you. You didn't give in, and that's how I know you're stronger than this. Life's grind is brutal, but it's not the end."

He sighed, rubbing his face. "You make it sound easy, but it's hard. I'm just tired of fighting to stay in the same place."

We stopped, and I turned to face him. "The grass might not be greener here, but trust me, it's brighter over the horizon. You have the skills, the smarts, and the drive. Everything you've gone through—that wasn't failure. That was training. The world didn't break you—it was testing you. And now, it's time to rise and make it count."

Something in his eyes shifted—a glint of hope, or at least curiosity.

"You thought about putting those skills to use? Not for some company that doesn't care, but for something real? Something we can build?"

He looked intrigued. "What are you getting at?"

I grinned. "I want you as my financial and project manager for Gamer's Paradise. I need someone I trust to help manage the bigger picture, someone who believes in the mission. This is more than just a business; it's a legacy we can leave behind."

His brows furrowed. "You really think I can do that?"

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I know you can. The hard part's over, Buchi. Now it's time to go out there and grow. Together."

As we continued walking, I could feel the tension easing off him, his burdens lighter. This was the beginning—of Buchi's renewal, of my plans, of the vision I had for all of us. And for the first time in a long time, I could see the path forward, clear as day.