Jaxon's Story

Chapter 3
Chapter 3

Chapter Description: Backstory time.

    Ava was smarter then most thought. On the outside, she looked like your normal 11 year old girl. She acted girly, got decent grades, loved watching reality TV shows.. But inside, she was very intelligent. Some of her teachers knew this, specifically teachers that taught in subjects she liked, but she usually kept that side of herself secret. Unlike her brother, she was outgoing. Always happy, or chipper as some have described her. Despite her intelligence, her parents still insisted on her big brother babysitting her. But, she didn't mind all that much. Although he had been a bit mean to her over the past few months, she did still care about him. That care and love she had for her big brother is what made her so concered for him. Sometimes at night, when she'd walk out of her room to grab a snack, she'd hear him crying in his room. She once found a journal of his that discussed his loneliness, and how he wished he had more friends. On that same notebook page were writtings that talked of how he wished he was a kid again. When he was a kid he had friends. When he was a kid, people wanted to hang out with him. He was happy. But once he grew older, all of that vanished, and Ava could tell it was taking a toll on him. With each passing day, she could tell that her brother was descending deeper and deeper into a downward spiral of depression. He was always sad. Sometimes he skipped school. He didn't take good care of himself. But there was nothing she could do. Or, so she thought.

One day, while out at the mall with her mother, Ava was allowed to wander around and look for things to buy. On that fateful excursion, she walked into the local chemistry and science store, one she often frequented. Science was her favorite subject, one that she excelled in. She was years ahead of her peers in regards to knowledge of the subject. The clerk that ran the store was very familiar with this, as they both often communicated when Ava came in to purchase things. 

On this specific day, Ava came in with a sad look on her face. The clerk at the desk, Mr. Andrews, noticed this right away. "Why so sad today, Ava?" He'd ask, as he cleaned off what appeared to be small beakers behind the counter. "Nothing." She'd respond, although the tone of her voice obviously said otherwise. "Come on, I know a sad face when I see one." He'd respond, turning to face the young girl with his whitebeard and glasses, placing the beakers to the side. Ava would come up to the counter, and lean against it. "Do you remember me telling you about how upset my brother has been recently?" She'd ask, as the old man on the other side of the counter would steady himself in front of her. "Of course. You told me ole' Jaxon was down in the dumps. Seems like that's been on your mind a lot recently. You worried about him?" Ava would nod. "He's so upset with school.. and he says people just don't hang out with him like they used to.. and a lot of his friends haven't hung out with him like they did when he was a kid." The old man would nod at her words. "I see. Teenage depression, hmm. Wishes he was still a kid?" Mr. Andrews would ask. "I guess so. He was happier when he was younger. He's been like like for a few years but it keeps getting worse, and I'm kinda worried about him, Mr. Andrews." Mr. Andrews would nod once more, before turning around and going through his cabinets. "I think I have something that can help." He'd tell Ava, as she'd hear him going through the many glass beakers and boxes within the cabinent. Soon, he'd emerge with one small beaker full of sparkly dust. "Ever wished you had a little brother, Ava?" He'd ask the girl. "Y-yeah kinda.." She'd respond, a bit confused at what the old man was getting at. "Well, you're a smart girl.. I've never given this to someone before. Lean in, and I'll tell you what it is." Ava would do just that, leaning in to hear the old man speak. A wide smile would come across her face as he'd describe the purpose of the dust to her. A few short minutes later, she'd skip out of the store, a small beaker of sparkly dust in tow, a wide smile across her face.