UGHH STOP THINKIIIING
bruh, since I'm already overthinking, let's start by thinking about what I'll do from now on. I wish I could just stop here and live day to day, doing whatever I want. But that's not possible. My mom will make my life hell if I just stay home.
I either need a job to help her with bills, or go to university.
I'm truly lost right now…
"Ariiii," his mom called." Did you start applying?" she asked.
"Not yet, to be honest," he replied.
"What are you waiting for then?" she said, annoyed.
"Okay, okay. I'll start applying now."
He closed his room door.
"F*ck it. Might as well apply for everything and see where it goes."
He clicked through applications without thinking. Anything. Everything.
"Moooom, I applied for some. I'll go out a bit."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know. Probably our old neighborhood, to meet Nait."
"Don't be late."
He left before she could say anything else.
Walking.
"Ari."
He turned.
"It's Ari, right?" Mikey said.
"You again…""What do you want this time?"
"Haha. I just came to check on you."
"…Really?"
"Yeah. I felt bad for you — being rejected like that. Sheesh."
"Used to it. Been through worse."
"Worse, huh…""I heard you guys just finished your graduation exams. What are you planning to do now?"
"Why are you asking me questions, bro? I don't even know you. And I really, really want to forget everything about you guys and move on. I'm sorry, but I just… can't."
Silence.
"Ari… you deserve a good life, simply because you exist."
"Huh…" Ari said, surprised.
"Be proud of yourself for trying. And keep moving forward."
"Keep moving forward… where exactly?" Ari snapped. "I'm lost. I just lost the closest person to me. I don't know what to do anymore — because of that, and because of where I am in life."
"I was exactly where you are right now," Mikey said. "And I know how lost you feel. Trust me."
"I wish someone had just shown up in my life and helped me. Or at least told me what to do."
"And that's why I'm here."
"Huh?" Ari said.
"You want to join us?" Mikey asked.
"Join you?"
"Yes. Be part of the Gifted Society. With us, you'll be part of the most powerful organization in the world. Good pay. Respect. All the benefits there are."
"…Does that mean I'll be seeing Chae a lot? Because I kinda never want to see her again."
"Haha, bruh. You hate people this fast or what?" Mikey said. "But don't worry. She's gifted, so her work is completely separate from yours. You'll train like police or military — but instead of dealing with normal people, you'll work with others like you to deal with gifted people. Just like when I came to you guys when Chae started going crazy. You'll do stuff like that. Bring in new gifted people, or work together to stop a stray dog."
"Stray dog?"
"You'll understand later. So — what do you say? You down?"
sigh "I mean… will I make a lot of money?"
"Obviously. You'll be able to do whatever you want."
Ari's eyes opened with joy. He smiled. "Do whatever I want huh," Ari said to himself.
"Count me in."
Mikey's phone rang at that exact moment.
"Done. I have to go," he said. "I'll pick you up tomorrow at 10 a.m., right here. Don't bring anything."
"Wait — that's it?"
"That's it," Mikey replied, already turning away.
And just like that, he was gone.
Ari was so happy that something good finally happened in his life that, instead of going to see his friend, he went straight home to tell his mom.
"WHAT? Who even is this man?" she yelled. "Go back to your room and start applying for the rest."
Ari didn't expect that reaction. He thought she'd be happy for him. Instead, she just wanted him to do what she wanted.
"But Mom—"
"You hear me, right? I said NO. You're not going anywhere. Are you crazy? Why do you always bring up stupid stuff instead of studying?"
"But Mom—"
"Room. NOW."
Something snapped.
"I'M DONE WITH THIS," he shouted. "I'm done with you trying to control me and everything I do."
"Oh wow," she laughed bitterly. "You grew up, huh? Now you talk back?"
"Mom… I told you. I'm going. That's it."
"You want to go?" She opened the house door. "Here. Go. And NEVER come back."
She thought he'd back down.
And indeed, he did. Not like this.
So he went to his room instead.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, letting the anger cool. Sleep came late, but it came.
The next morning, his mom was already at work.
He showered. Took his time. Put on his best clothes — not to impress anyone, just because he liked feeling put together. Phone. Charger. Nothing else.
He closed the door behind him without looking back. He went to the meeting spot. Mikey was already there.
He didn't think of it as leaving. Just moving forward, because standing still was worse.
His mom would find out eventually, but he pushed the thought away.
Mikey started walking. Ari followed.
The choice felt like his — that's why it worked.