Jonan sits in a wheelchair beside the window. It's been a month and a half. Jonan had visibly thinned, eyes hollow. He sees Gabriel walk into his room and only says, "Hello."

Gabriel swallows dryly, his tongue like sand.

"Yes."

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

The Sunday morning is quiet and placid, without even a bird on the branches. The snow had long since retreated, and patches of grass peek from the soil. A breeze flows through the window sills and glides its hand across the silky curtains that wave under its charm. Rays of light refract on the hazy cloth, rising and retreating, making tides upon the tile floors.

"No, before that, could you tell me the truth?" Jonan's tone is calm but carries a subtle plead. "Could you tell me, did you know?"

Gabriel falters at the question but collects himself and answers, "I knew."

"How?" He asks, not an interrogation, but simply a question.

"I found a notebook."

"I want to hear the truth."

"This is the truth. I found a notebook, and it told me you were going to get into a car accident. That you were going to lose your legs."

Jonan's eyes find Gabriel's and hold the contact. He is searching for a trace of lies, anything that tells him that Gabriel is joking.

When he finds nothing, he turns away.

"If you knew, why didn't you stop me?" Jonan's voice cracks.

Gabriel forces himself to look at Jonan. Gabriel can't run, not because his legs stop him, but because he needed to face his mistakes. It was his responsibility.

Jonan shakes his head, "No, I wouldn't have listened even if you tried. I was so rash..." he runs a hand through his hair, trailing off.

Gabriel steps forward. "Jonan, I-- I know we don't really know each other," speech begins to pour out as if something, someone, was tugging them out. "And I can't say that I can understand your pain, but just have to tell you that you have people who care about you and t-that you aren't alone on this journey. Oliver, your family, they care so much, even if they say the wrong things or don't tell you." Gabriel tugs at the sleeve of his hoodie and continues, "they care about you. They really do.."

When Jonan doesn't respond, Gabriel drops his book bag, retrieving the notebook, and hands it to him. "The book showed me the thoughts from the future--it was from your father's entry that I found out and ignored."

Jonan stares at the black cover and back to Gabriel. When he takes it, the notebook strikes him as warm, as if it were a living creature. He steadies his hands and flips through. He sees the first entry in his father's handwriting. He cannot stop the tears that blotch the paper as he turns the pages. He sees his father, mother, Oliver, Amelia.

He clutches the notebook in his lap, his eyes too blurry to read on

"I've hurt so many people...I've..." 

"Jonan, we can't change the past," Gabriel's lip quivers. He knows his regret, and he wonders if he's a hypocrite, but he continues. "We can't change the past...but maybe we can change the future, we can change what is written in the notebook."

The boy bites his lip. "But what should I do?"

A knock at the door interrupts Jonan, and he sees Oliver poke his head through the door. Jonan glances at Gabriel, who nods at him. It's up to you.

Gabriel smiles sadly and collects the notebook, exiting the door as Oliver enters.

"He came," Gabriel thinks to his surprise when he walks down the halls. He turns left towards the stairs and passes Mr. and Ms. Shun and Amelia.

"Hi Gabriel," Ms. Shun greets him with a drained smile.

"H-hi Mr. and Ms. Shun," he stutters. "And Amelia."

"Did you come to visit Jonan?"

"I did, and um, I'm actually going home. There are some... family events tonight."

"Well...thank you for dropping by..." she says, and they exit the stairs.

When they leave, Gabriel sighs and slumps towards the railings. He had thought he might have improved, but it was still a struggle to talk to strangers. He still has a long way to go.

In the room, a small journey was concluding.

Oliver rests a hand on his neck and says, "Jonan, I'm just so sorry, you know. What I said that day, about understanding your pain and all that. I shouldn't have been so insensitive."

"I should know you didn't mean it, but I was so mean..."

The door opens again, and Jonan thinks it's Gabriel who returned, but Amelia pushes through the door instead, followed by her parents.

"Mom, Dad... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for everything..." he says as his shoulders tremble, and his breaths shake.

His parents look at each other, at their son.

Amelia sets her chin on the armrest of Jonan's wheelchair. "It's okay," she beams, showing a toothy grin. "Because we all still love you."

Jonan can't resist a smile, and embraces his sister closely, following their mother hugging them both.

"Aw..." Oliver remarks and Mr. Shun cracks a chuckle--the first in such a long time.

Inside Gabriel's bag, the notebook book begins to morph. The ink begins to fade within the pages.

A/N

Thank you so much for reading up to this point! It sincerely means so much to me that someone is willing to give this work a chance <3

This chapter will be the end of the JONAN portion of the story, but this isn't the end of the book! 

Starting tomorrow, will be the start of the chapters titled "MARABEL". 

Stay tuned!