Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth
Contemplating his life after finishing a long day at the job he hated, Willie Smiles couldn't help but look back at all of the opportunities for riches there were during his age of growing up. Born in 1970, he lived during rise of media, the golden age of Hollywood, and even the advent of the Internet age.
Growing up as a single child in a wealthy family, he grew up with no absurd desires and thought he could enjoy his comfortable lifestyle for the rest of his life. That came to an abrupt end when his parents both got into a plane crash traveling abroad when he was just 16 years old.
At the time, he was still in a boarding school and only contacted his parents weekly. The abrupt death of them kicked Willie into an endless spiral of regrets and depression.
From that day on, his mental health depended on daydreaming about his parents still being alive. His chunky inheritance was spent on alcohol and drugs that helped him cope with the reality that his parents were gone.
The only thing other things that accompanied him in his dystopian of daydreams, drugs, and alcohol were the the movies and TV shows that distracted him from his unpleasant situation.
As he fell asleep drunk, he couldn't help picturing if he could back to when he was 16 years old. Before the plane crash and when he happily enjoyed his parents' company.
He imagined himself making billions off of his knowledge of the future and the proud look of his parents' faces.
This is how he normally cried himself to sleep, closing his eyes and fading into his dreams.
Except this time something incredible happened.
.....
As Willie opened his eyes, he felt like his surroundings were a bit off. There was no longer that beer like oder that he was used to having in his mouth. He also felt the presence of a bunch of other people.
Looking around, he saw the familiar classroom and faces from his days in high school. Wasn't this Mr. Willow's class that he took in Junior year. His face couldn't help but show a confused and queer expression. He quickly gathered his thoughts and realized what might be happening.
But thinking of the one possibility Willie hoped for most, he felt like he was still dreaming. After recognizing that it was real, he felt lost for a second.
His dreams of going back to his youth were finally realized. Willie wasn't religious or anything but he couldn't help but thank God.
His somewhat strange expression didn't escape from his best friend Jackson.
The best way to describe Jackson would be serious with a good sense of humor. Growing up as an orphan, he coped with his troubles through hard work and laughter. He got into Willie's boarding school through a scholarship program for gifted children.
Jackson couldn't help himself from smiling a little bit once he saw the silly expression on Willie's face, "Lol, you look like you just saw a talking dog. You got to stop falling asleep in class, though or Mr. Willow will probably call you out on it."
Willie didn't have many friends in high school, but Jackson was definitely his closest. It's too bad that they grew distant after going to different colleges.
They still contacted each other monthly, but weren't as close compared to their relationship in high school.
Willie looked at Jackson for a second, then hurriedly asked, "What's the date today?"
Jackson looked at him funny and replied, "January 23rd, we just got back from winter break. What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing. I am just a bit confused from waking up, but I also just remembered I have to do something. I need to go contact my parents."
Willie didn't have time to deal with the follow-ups of Jackson and quickly excused himself the classroom to head for the student dormitory where he could access a landline.
Willie's mind couldn't stop ringing when he heard January 23rd. Just about 2 weeks before the death of his parents.
He couldn't wait to call home and hear his parents' voices again. Although his boarding school was in the suburbs of California, he grew up in the Upper East Side of New York.
His parents started their own fashion company called Smiley Co. when they were younger. His dad, Richard Smiles, handled the business and financial matters, while his mom, Amy Smiles helped manage the company and design clothes.
After years of hard work, their company had risen to a value of $100 million when they decided to sell 20% of the shares.
This gave them about $20 million in liquid assets, which they used to invest in New York real estate.
This is where his family's real fortune came from. Although his parents have worked hard to spread Smiley clothes to the major cities, most of their income still came from renting out the buildings they owned.
Dialing his home phone number, he could help but stand there nervously. He actually didn't believe they would be home at this time, but he still had some hope that one of them would answer.
Then, the phone clicked and he hard the familiar voice of his mother coming through, "Hello Smiles Residence, this is Amy Smiles speaking. Who is this?"
Willie couldn't help croaking out, "Mom."
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