CHAPTER 46

Tom woke up on the morning of Christmas Eve, feeling groggy from a night of restless sleep. He wasn't a fan of the holiday, but he had been looking forward to it nonetheless, as it would be his first Christmas since he arrived in the bustling city and menacing world. 

He made his way to the kitchen and brewed himself a cup of coffee, inhaling the rich aroma as he took a sip. Looking out of the window, he saw the streets were already bustling with people, hurrying to finish their last-minute shopping before the stores closed early for the holiday.

Tom sighed and rubbed his eyes, still feeling exhausted. He had been invited to a Christmas party on campus that was taking place later that evening. He wouldn't have attended the party if he hadn't been invited in an awkward way. Despite this, he decided to go and give it a chance.

As he finished his coffee, he couldn't help but think about his dad and his friends in his previous world. He missed them dearly and wished he could be with them for the holiday. But he knew there's no way in the fucking world he would get that chance, the possibility of that happening was less than one percent from his perspective. 

He grabbed his coat and headed out into the chilly morning air, the snow crunching under his boots as he walked. Despite his lack of enthusiasm for the holiday, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement in the air. There was something magical about Christmas, even if he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

As he made his way through the crowded streets, Tom couldn't help but notice the smiles on people's faces, the laughter and chatter that filled the air. It was infectious, and before he knew it, he almost found himself smiling too.

'It wouldn't hurt to relax my mind and just enjoy my second opportunity at life, even though it was in a world as messed up as this one.' Those were the words that came to his mind as he tried to accept the Christmas spirit. 

Tom stood at the entrance of the house, clutching a pack of beer in his hand. He had been invited to their Christmas Eve party, but he wasn't particularly excited about it. He had never been a fan of the holiday season, and he didn't know many of the people who would be attending the party. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping inside.

The house was decorated from top to bottom in garlands and twinkling lights, with a large Christmas tree taking center stage in the living room. Tom scanned the room, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sea of faces. He spotted his so-called friend, Andy, across the room, and made his way over to him. 

"Hey man, thanks for coming!" Andy said, clapping him on the back as he took the pack of beer and gave it to someone by his side. "You recognize everyone, right?" He asked, hoping even if Tom did not have his memories he must have seen a few of them around campus. 

Tom shook his head. "Not really, no."

"That's okay, you'll get to know them," Andy replied, passing him a drink. "Just relax and have a good time."

… 

Turns out Andy was a close friend to Tom before the accident which was assumed to have caused him to suffer from amnesia. The first day Tom resumed for the semester, he saw him on campus and walked up to him to know how he was doing and if he remembered him. 

Sadly for him, Tom walked past him without giving him a second glance as he headed straight for class. That moment made it clear that he had lost a friend and could only hope Tom regained his memory soon. He contemplated walking straight up to Tom and starting their friendship all over, but he was scared of how awkward the situation might be and Tom's personality seemed to have changed too, like he was a completely different person. 

Few days before Christmas, he was shopping for his Christmas Eve party and bumped into Tom who seemed like he was observing everyone at the mall. He steeled his resolve and took the brave initiative to approach Tom. 

"Hey." He said out loud, as he walked over to Tom with a smile on his face and with a waving hand. 

Tom turned over to him and just responded with a wave. He had seen Andy around campus but never had a conversation with him, or even exchanged pleasantries. 

"Hi Tom." He paused for a second before he continued, breaking the awkward silence. "You probably don't remember me because of your amnesia, but we were friends for many years before you had your accident." 

"Oh, I'm sorry but I don't remember. I've seen you a few times around campus though." Tom said, trying to ease the stilted atmosphere. 

"I should be the one apologizing." Scratching the back of his head, he let out a nervous laugh. "Anyway, I am having a party on Christmas Eve at campus and I'd like you to come. "Maybe being at a night party would help jolt back your memory."

"I wouldn't mind coming, but the part about me recovering a memory is at an extremely low probability range." He replied to Andy with a friendly smile as accepted the invitation. 

"Nice. Give me your number and I'll send you my address." He reached for his phone in his pocket, and stretched it over to Tom who took it and input his cell phone number. 

"Okay man, I'd be expecting you." With an ideal grin on his face, he said his goodbye before getting back to the reason he was at the mall. 

… 

That was how they got acquainted with each other and how Tom got invited to the party. 

Tom nodded along, taking a sip of his drink. He hasn't been to a party in what seemed like forever. Unlike his previous life where he went to a lot of night parties with his friends on campus. 

As the night went on, people began to break off into groups, sharing stories and laughing together. Tom felt like he was on the outside looking in. He leaned against the wall, taking another sip of his drink.

Suddenly, Andy appeared at his side. "Hey, come on man, let's join the group," he said, gesturing towards a group of people gathered around the fireplace. 

Tom took a quick look at the group who were sitting around the fireplace. "I'm all good man." He replied to Andy as he tried to wave off his offer. 

"Oh, I hope you change your mind bro. And when you do, please do not hesitate to join us." With that, Andy walked over to join the group who seemed to be having fun near the fireplace. 

'Like hell I would.' Tom thought to himself, knowing there's no way he would want to hang out with a bunch of drunk groupies, who clearly do not respect boundaries. 

He sat alone at the bar, nursing a beer and watching the crowd. He didn't know why he had come to the party when he knew he couldn't socialize, but he needed to get out of the house. He had always been a bit of a loner since he left the hospital, and socializing wasn't his strongest suit. 

As he sipped his drink, Tom's thoughts were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see his friend Olivia standing beside him, looking expectant. Tom had been avoiding her for the past few weeks, ever since their argument over a minor issue, but he couldn't deny her friendly demeanor.

"Hey Tom, I've been looking all over for you!" Olivia exclaimed, sliding onto the barstool next to him.

Tom forced a smile and replied, "Hey Olivia, what's up?"

Olivia ordered herself a drink, then turned to Tom and asked, "Why are you sitting all alone at the bar? This is supposed to be a fun night!"

Tom shrugged and looked around the crowded room. "I'm just not feeling it tonight. The crowd seems too loud, and I can't seem to connect with anyone, not like I made an effort to."

Olivia nodded in understanding. "I know how you feel, but you can't just give up like this. You need to loosen up a little and enjoy yourself."

Tom sighed and took another sip of his drink. "I know, but it's easier said than done. It's just been a long week, and I'm not in the mood for this kind of party."

Olivia leaned closer and said, "Well, you don't have to be the life of the party. You can just chill with me and have a few drinks."

Tom considered her offer and nodded. "That was my original plan, except it was with just my drink and I."

Over the course of the night, Tom and Olivia drank and chatted at the bar. Tom still seemed a bit cranky and withdrawn, but Olivia kept him engaged and entertained with her stories and jokes. Slowly but surely, Tom began to relax and enjoy himself, thanks to Olivia's persistence.

As the night wore on, the party began to wind down, and Tom and Olivia found themselves as the only ones left at the bar. Tom turned to Olivia and said, "Thanks for hanging out with me tonight. I needed to loosen up a little."

Olivia smiled and replied, "Anytime, Tom. That's what friends are for."

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