The Year of Disaster

      Ah, my room. My safe place. My workplace. I barely knew anything else. So, when the world was suddenly put-on halt and everyone did everything from home, I was already thriving. While I continued my classes online like I did before everyone else was panicking and falling behind. While I continued my gaming escapades they were bored.

           I require some assistance.

           I stared at my phone screen, a familiar icon catching my attention. “Not this guy again,” I groaned. Picking up the phone I replied with: Hello to you too Wildcat.

           Wildcat?

           Like it?

           I don’t understand? That’s not my name.

           It’s a nickname, dumbass.

           No one in my entire life has ever called me ‘Wildcat’.

           Hey, don’t you need my assistance? You should be groveling right now.

           I don’t need to grovel to you.

           If you’re coming to me for ‘assistance’ you must really suck at whatever you’re doing right now. Tell me I’m right, I’ll wait.

           That will not be necessary. I figured it out, without your help might I add.

           Oh yeah? And what did you do exactly?

I adjusted my computer screen’s brightness.

I had to read that a couple times before texting back: And you call yourself a teenager?

I’m sixteen, you know this.

Any eleven year old could do that!

I did not grow up with technology like you have. It’s nothing short of a miracle that I’m talking to you right now.

That’s it. I’ve decided.

Decided what?

For the next two weeks I’m going to help you with your computer literacy!

Is what I sent two months ago.

Two weeks came and went, I barely noticed a thing. That was just my life. My room was my life. I spent way more time cleaning than I thought I would, my dad was almost impressed. He even whispered, “Wow.” Which was a lot coming from him.

I wasn’t sure why, maybe because he was the only one who kept messaging me on a semi-scheduled basis, but I sent ‘Wildcat’ updated on my room.

I forgot I had this!

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What is that?

My old Power Ranger Samurai Figures!

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I figured that. Why are you showing me?

I thought you would want a room update. Last time you and the squad were here it was a mess.

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I almost didn’t recognize it. Good job Wolfgang.

W-Wolfgang?

Yes, the composer. Since you gave me a nickname, I thought it was only fitting I gave you one as well.

I know. Just. Why Wolfgang?

You listen to a lot of music, no?

Not classical! You’re being such a Wildcat right now.

I still don’t know what that means.

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What is this?

It’s called a meme. Amateur…

More time marched on, more people died. It was tragic… for them. I didn’t feel so distraught over so many people dying in five months than I thought I would. It was still sad, and I felt for the people who lost their loved ones. But, I don’t know, was something wrong with me? Without knowing quite why I asked Wildcat about it.

Ah. So you’re worried that since you don’t feel overly empathetic to those who lost their loved ones you think something is wrong with you?

That’s literally what I just said.

I thought I was the only one.

Wait really?

Yes. Although I believe a lot of people feel a similar guilt. How they know others are dying but don’t feel any connection. Because what the news shows us is all numbers, only numbers. People don’t resonate with numbers.

Guess you really do have a brain Wildcat.

I asked my peers and they all say ‘Wildcat’ isn’t a terrible nickname. I believe it means I’m a free spirit. So, thank you.

Well, that ruined the nickname ‘Wildcat’. I meant it in a way where he lived in the wild, on the street, like a cat. Have you seen him? He has no meat on those bones! But five months turned into six, never leaving my room the entire time. More terrible things happened, more memes were made to brighten the mood. Six months turned into nine and-

Oh my god it’s December.

What?

It’s December, Squirrelman.

Not sure why I changed from Wildcat to ‘Squirrelman’, maybe because he was as tall as a tree. But… wouldn’t that make me the squirrel?

I-

It’s December.

Right?!

It… is December.

Time man! It’s an illusion!

December… it will be Christmas soon…

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I think I’m beginning to understand your sense of humor.

They’re called memes.

I know what they’re called.

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He’s learning! Basic and unoriginal but it’s something.

The worst thing you can call an artist.

Yeah yeah, whatever Squirrelman.

What are you doing for the holidays?

Well the gang can’t really meet up. Guess I’ll destroy everyone on League until the new year.

           Speaking of which…

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           You want me to yell ‘Jumanji’ a minute before the New Year?

           Yes.

           Are you going to explain why?

           Nope!

           Have you ever watched Jumanji?

           Of course I watched Jumanji!

           Turns out Squirrelman bought me a rare artbook from the original Jumanji for Christmas. No idea why, I never asked. I didn’t even know it was from him until he asked about it that afternoon. Besides art was his thing. But… I guess it was the thought that counted. So it sits on my shelf next to all my phycology textbooks and my manga. Once 2021 came around everything seemed the same… nothing changed.

           Did you yell Jumanji?

           Yes.

           Wait, really?

           Yes, my neighbor told me to ‘shut up you art weirdo’ through the wall.

           I can’t believe you actually yelled ‘Jumanji’.

           And you didn’t?

           No?

           I see. Yes, that explains everything.

           It was just a joke, Squirrelman. Yelling a quote from the movie won’t fix the world.

           But you are my world.

           Oh hell no, this was not happening now.

           Haha, good one.

           I’m serious.

           Squirrelman this isn’t funny.

           I’m sorry. I thought we had, as they say, a ‘connection’.

           You’re a dumbass.

           I’ve become desensitized to that word.

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           Do I need a reason? Does anything have a reason?

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           I enjoy spending time with you, the way you text is eerily similar to the way you speak, I miss your voice, how you’re fine with our ‘gang’ but freeze up when someone else our age tries to talk to you.

           Damn you’re really going to list everything?

           I would but I would reach the character limit.

           This isn’t Discord or Twitter there’s no character limit.

           Besides don’t you have class right now?

           Don’t you?

           You need to pay attention more than me.

           Wait.

           Do you message me instead of paying attention in class?

           Is that surprising? You used to do that to me.

           Yeah, before the world ended!

           The world has not ended.

           Yet.

           It wont end. Time keeps marching forward. Those who do not ride with it or flow with it get drowned in its deadly waves. If we always look back on what we had or what we lost we miss the opportunities in front of you. Why wonder ‘what could have been?’ when you could be making it happen now?

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           Not sure why he took that as an answer. Not sure if anyone would take that as an answer. But he did. Of course he did, he was a weirdo. But now he was my weirdo.

           If we could meet up I would have made chocolate but…

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           That’s just a Hershey’s Kiss?

           Yeah. My Hershey’s Kiss.

           Can I have one?

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           Thank you, I will cherish it with all my heart and soul.

           Yo Socrates it’s a Hershey’s Kiss. I only have them because dad came back from the store.

           Speaking of, does he…

           I think he knows but I’m scared to say anything.

           He doesn’t go through your phone?

           I’d like to see him try.

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           That… is a disturbing image. I’m not surprised though.

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           Take it away Squirrelman!

           No

More

Tears

Shall

Fall

From

Your

Cheeks

Anymore

Deadass I was not expecting to cry in the middle of a pandemic.

I never played the game, but the song is indeed powerful.

Damn you Shoji Meguro with your beautiful composition.

The game came out a little after this whole mess started no?

Yeah it did, holy shit you remember?

Of course I do, you reminded me for weeks despite my lack of video game knowledge.

Ah… sorry.

It’s alright. Whatever makes you passionate is my passion as well.

Ew stop.

And then it was a year. One year since… well everything. I think I’ll call it… ‘The Great Toilet Paper Shortage’. Yeah, that has a nice ring to it.

How are you holding up?

I should be asking you that. Your way of life changed way more than mine.

I’m doing fine. Your well-being is my concern.

To be honest, I feel as though I didn’t change at all from last year.

Nonsense, you’ve changed plenty.

Yeah yeah I know, character development is slow and all.

Well, I’m proud of you. And here’s hoping we can meet up again soon.

Hopefully, I think I grew like two centimeters.

That’s almost nothing.

Not my fault you’re a damn tree! Please tell me you haven’t grown anymore since I’ve last seen you.

I haven’t, although I grew a beard.

A… what…

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           Oh my god, ew, Squirrelman shave it!

           Never.

           I don’t care if I have to break social distancing laws to do it, I will shave it!

           You’d have to break into my apartment first. Which is worse. Don’t get arrested. Don’t break into my apartment.

           You don’t think I will?

           DON’T.

           I’ll get ya. When you least expect it. I’ll be there… unless you shave it yourself.

           Never foul demon!

           I love you too.