A Strange Letter?

The door creaked open, revealing a cozy living room filled with the warm glow of evening light. Jahanox's mother ushered them inside, her smile bright and welcoming. "Come in, come in! I'm so glad you could join us, Zazm."

Zazm stepped inside, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. He glanced around, taking in the family photos lining the walls, the laughter frozen in time.

It felt foreign to him, this warmth, this connection. "Thanks," he muttered, his voice flat.

"Jahanox, why don't you show Zazm your room while I finish dinner?" his mother suggested.

"Okay!" Jahanox exclaimed, his excitement palpable. He turned to Zazm, his eyes sparkling. "Come on! It's just upstairs."

Zazm followed, his footsteps heavy and hesitant. As they climbed the stairs, he felt the weight of Jahanox's gaze, filled with hope and friendship. It made him uncomfortable.

Once in Jahanox's room, Zazm looked around at the colorful posters and toys were scattered across the floor, a stark contrast to the neatness he was used to at home.

"Nice place," he said, his tone lacking enthusiasm.

"Thanks! I love it here," Jahanox replied, beaming. "Do you want to see something cool?"

"Sure," Zazm said, his voice colder than he intended. He watched as Jahanox eagerly rummaged through a box, pulling out a spaceship model.

"It's… impressive," he added, trying to muster some semblance of interest.

Jahanox's face lit up. "You really think so? I worked really hard on it! I want to be an astronaut when I grow up."

"Sounds… ambitious," Zazm replied, his words clipped. He felt the awkwardness settle between them like a thick fog.

"Do you want to be something when you grow up?" Jahanox asked, his curiosity genuine.

Zazm shrugged, his gaze drifting to the window. "I don't know. Probably just… research. Like my parents."

"Oh," Jahanox said, his enthusiasm dimming slightly. "What do they research?"

"Stuff," Zazm replied, his voice flat.

Just then, Jahanox's mother called from downstairs, "Dinner's ready, boys!"

"Let's go!" Jahanox said, his excitement returning. He dashed out of the room, leaving Zazm standing there, feeling like an outsider in a world he didn't belong to.

Zazm followed, his heart heavy. As they made their way to the dining room, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was intruding, something he had never experienced before.

But he didn't know how to reach out, how to connect. All he could do was keep his distance.

The dining room was filled with the rich aroma of delicious food, the table set with care.

Zazm sat at the edge of the table, his posture stiff, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape.

"Dig in, boys!" Jahanox's father said, his voice booming with cheer. "I hope you're hungry!"

Zazm picked at his food. He could feel Jahanox's parents watching him, their curiosity palpable. But before he could say anything, Jahanox jumped in, "So what type of things do you like?"

Zazm started at him blankly, "Books, I like to read them..." He replied in a flat tone.

Jahanox's father glanced at Zazm with curiosity, "Haha... What type of books?"

Zazm hesitated, his fork hovering above the plate. "Complex stuff," he replied, his voice cool and detached. "Like time and stuff...."

"Wow, that sounds fascinating!" Jahanox's father exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "But, it's surprising hearing a kid your age say that. How did you get into it?"

Zazm shrugged, feeling the weight of their attention. "It's… just how I grew up... My parents are researchers they aren't home most of the time... I just picked some books and just got interested."

Jahanox's parents exchanged glances, their expressions shifting to concern. "That sounds like a lot to think about for someone your age," Jahanox's mother said softly.

"Do you live alone?"

"Pretty much, yes. But it's fine, I have a maid with me at the house.

Jahanox's father leaned forward, his voice sincere. "That must be tough, Zazm. You're Always welcome.

Zazm looked at him surprised with the offer. He didn't knew what to say so he just quietly munched down on the food.

******

"Well... That was that. Those times were damn fun." Zazm came back to his apartment, he had started living alone almost an year ago. The house of his parents always felt empty and kind of hollow to him.

"Ha... I guess he was the first friend I even made. And look now, I'm freaking popular..Hahaha" Zazm started laughing wholeheartedly while putting his hands on his waist.

He stroked his hair realizing how dumb he looked just now. He jumped onto his bed. Tired and now only wanting to indulge in the pleasure of sleep.

Dingg

His sleep was disturbed by a notification, he picked up his phone and looked at the sender, "LET ME SLEEP" He shouted in an annoyed tone but his eyes widened when he read the text.

[And I forgot to remind you, we have a 500 word essay due tomorrow. I hope you have done it ]

"FUCK" Zazm got up from his bed, he rushed towards his bag to get out a pen and to write the essay. It was already late at night and Zazm had realized one thing.... "Farewell, My dear sleep"

He was searching his desk to find something to write an essay on, when his gaze swept across a paper tugged at the side pocket of his bag.

"What's this? A letter.." It wasn't the first time Zazm had gotten something like this. He was popular because of his looks and friendly attitude.

He thought it's just another love letter and put it aside. He sat down and started writing the essay.

"Yawnn... It's finally done." Zazm looked at the clock, which now showed the time 11:40 pm.

He got up and decided to went straight to the bed but before that he decided to read the love letter he got.

He had been confessed to many times but he always shot everyone down. Since, he knew he wouldn't be able to continue a relationship because of his carefree attitude.

And he won't be fine with someone wanting to do weird stuff with him.

But he still enjoyed reading these letters, it was weirdly fun and made him giggle. He even saved them just for fun or to read someday again.

"Let's see" he opened the letter his eyes brimming with a hint of excitement and something else....mischief perhaps.

But his excitement was quickly destroyed when he read the letter. "What it this? It's the most blank letter I've read.... Perhaps, it's not a love letter?"

He didn't had time to think about it, he threw the letter away and lay down to sleep. But before his eyes shut down, his brain rammed back to the contents of letter.

[The clock strikes twelve, everything shifts]

"What did that even mean? And it's already 11... something, what would happ...." He fell asleep while murmuring about this.

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