Chapter 23: A New Life

            The next day, the two decided to Job Hunt so income can still come in. Then a week later it was the interview. It was hard because most of the employers know about the Club Penguin incident and wouldn’t take them in. At the same time, Alicia is still being upset about her situation and Chris being confused with his weird visions of the real Gary’s past. But unfortunately, no one wants to employ them. A month has passed and they went back to the café and took a break. Chris turned on his laptop and used the free internet to find opening careers as Alicia uses her phone. Chris has been borrowing money from his parents to help him still pay the bills. Apparently, his parents wanted him to move out real badly ever since College. During the whole month they had, the two started to get to know each other and spend some time together. But they still remained as ‘colleagues’. Chris discovered that Alicia is 24 years old and her birthday is on June 10.

            “This blows!” said Alicia. “Just because of what happened in New Horizons doesn’t mean it will happen again with us!”

            “Calm down” said Chris. “Even I’m having a hard time”.

            Suddenly, they both received emails from New Horizon. It turns out that it became an architecture office and they saw their profiles that they want to hire them. They both drove New Horizons and found new people working there. They both met the employer and they nailed the interview. They start work a week later. They returned to the apartment and was glad that they finally have a job again.

            “I’m soo happy! Thanks Chris” said Alicia.

            She hugged him and he smiled.

            “No problem” said Chris. “I guess you’ll be moving back to your parents since of course you have a new job”.

            “Yeah…” said Alicia. “That was the deal. Have a much more menial occupation and I can move back to my parents”.

            “Should I, help you pack?” asked Chris.

            “You know, maybe I should stay” said Alicia. “Help you pay the bills and stuff. Besides, work is near, no need to bug my old folks. Be independent”.

            “Are you sure?” asked Chris.

            “Is there a problem me being a roomie?” asked Alicia with a death stare.

            “No mam!” he said.

            “Ok, so I can stay here then” said Alicia.

            “Sure thing!” said Chris. “But I have certain rules in living here”.

            “I already know them, I’ve stayed here for a month remember” said Alicia.

            Alicia went to her room and told her parents the good news as Chris sits on his couch and watch tv. Then he got another vision. This time, it was G’s voice. It sounded like his.

            “Hey, is that Aunt Artic?” asked Gary.

            “Who?” asked Chris.

            “Green Penguin, pink beanie” said Gary.

            “The penguin?” asked Chris.

            “Yeah! Don’t you know who you are?” asked Gary. “We need to find the Ducktor!”

            “I know what you want!” said Chris.

            Chris woke up and went to the BBC America Channel and replays of Doctor Who (Season 1) were showing. Chris enjoys watching this series. Then suddenly one of Gary’s memories of the Doctor came out. Then, Alicia ran out and saw Chris watching that Sci-fi series.

            “You love Doctor who?” asked Alicia.

            “Problem?” asked Chris.

            “I know its great and all but I just don’t get it” said Alicia.

            “Well, you’re in luck, this is the reruns of the first season. Well, the new Season 1” said Chris.

            They both watched it and soon, Alicia started to enjoy it.

            “Did you know that the Doctor was supposed to be a penguin” said Chris. “But it was scraped”.

            “I didn’t know that” said Alicia.

            “You just arrived when that occurred” said Chris. “Of course you wouldn’t know”.

            A week later, they went to their new jobs. Since they both know I.T., they are in charge with the 3D simulation design of the newly planned buildings. They make great designs and everyone has forgotten the Club Penguin virus incident. Unfortunately, Lane, Lance and Dave were arrested and their lives were ruined.

            Then there was the Christmas Eve of 2005. Alicia was invited to go to a Christmas trip 5 days before so she gave her gift to Chris before she left. Chris gave his gift to her at the same time as well. When Christmas Eve came, his parents came over to spend it with him.

            “So Chris, I see you got yourself a female roommate” said Chris’s mom.

            “Just friends” said Chris.

            “Just last month, you said you were colleagues” said Chris’s dad.

            “Shut up!” said Chris.

            “Don’t worry” said his dad. “But I’m so glad you manage to get employed again! Now you’re a better man than I am! Just one question, are you in love with her?”.

            Chris spitted out his food out of shock and cleaned up.

            “What the heck dad!” said Chris.

            “You do!” said his mum.

            “A bit” said Chris. “But doesn’t matter, noting is going to happen”.

            Suddenly, Chris got another vision with Gary’s voice talking to him.

            “That’s what I first though with the same person named Allie but it will happen” said Gary.

            “Shh!” said Chris.

            Chris woke up and his parents started to worry about him.

            “Are you alright dear?” asked his mum.

            “I’m fine” said Chris. “Just the voices in my head”.

            After they ate, they watched some old Christmas movies then they opened gifts. From his workmates, he got gift cards, his parents gave him cash and Alicia gave him a thank you letter with a picture of him and her during the early Christmas party in their new job. His parents read it and they found it really touching and thoughtful.

            “You should ask her out” said his dad.

            “No way!” said Chris. “Besides, she’s not into me”.

            “She did ask to live here with you, did she?” asked his mum.

            “But it’s nothing! We work at the same work place and she enjoys staying with me… as friends!” said Chris.

            His mum removed her engagement ring and gave it for Chris to keep.

            “This ring has been in this family since your great grandma back in the UK. When you do propose to her or to someone, use this ring. Pass it on from one generation to the other” said his Mum.

            “Thank you” said Chris.

            His parents left an hour later and Chris saw the ring. It looked familiar. Then suddenly, he got another of G’s visions. It was the engagement ring of his when he proposed to Allie after the Lira incident. Chris placed it in his secret place, an old shoe box filled with other of his past stuff.

            New Year’s Eve of 2006 came and he went to his old spot where he always celebrated New Year since University, the old park. There, he can see families bringing their children and boyfriends bringing their dates. For Chris, he just goes there for the fun. Every New Year there is a fireworks display, a concert and food. He sometimes sees his friends but he mostly celebrates it solo. Chris told Alicia that he will be celebrating New Year’s there and she said that she might come because New Year’s Eve is when she’ll return from her trip. Chris brought flowers for her, just in case she would come. Then the countdown came. As always, it was a loud countdown. And when it reached one, there was kissing, jumping, yelling and the enjoyment of the New Year. As he was enjoying himself, he saw Alicia with her ex. She kissed him and Chris dropped his flowers and returned home. Alicia turned and saw him leaving. When Chris returned to his apartment, that’s when he admits that he is in love with her. He prayed for the voice in his head to come back and it did but only said one sentence, ‘I told you so’. Back at the park, she saw a bouquet of flowers on the ground being stomped on. She saw the tag and has her name on it. She picked em up and saw that most of the petals are falling off, but still kept them. Mikey came to her and then she ran away from him.

            “I’m sorry, this isn’t right!” said Alicia.

            “So the kiss was a total sham?” asked Mikey.

            “Now it is!” said Alicia. “Besides, you broke up with me via text! You are not a man!”

            Alicia returned to the apartment and discovered that Chris went to bed already. She was too late. Alicia returned to her room and Chris is just feeling upset. He was too late.