Aaron Hakimian

> "I get that his memory is erased, but is our whole friendship erased too?" (87)
>
>

Aaron Hakimian is one of the main antagonists of Restart. Along with Bear Bratsky, he continuously brings harm to the other characters of the story in an attempt to regain Chase Ambrose as his friend. By the end of the book, he is outcasted by Chase and the other members of the Hiawassee Hurricanes with Bear seemingly being his only remaining friend.

## Story

### Chapter 3

Aaron makes his first appearance in Chapter 3 where Chase returns to school after being discharged from the hospital.

While Chase is intimidated by his and Bear’s loud entrance, they treat him with his respect for his injury and show a friendly attitude.

After confessing his condition, Chase notes the sense of urgency in Aaron’s voice when he asks Chase if his memories will return. Although Chase is internally unsure, Aaron shows open support in saying that he is there for Chase.

### Chapter 4

At the end of Chapter 4, Aaron makes a brief appearance telling Chase to sit with him and the other Hurricanes during lunch.

### Chapter 5

In Chapter 5, Aaron and Bear are relentless in their questioning of Chase’s memories and if they have returned.

Even through his uneasiness, Aaron still manages to show his support for Chase as his friend. Later, he explains why the three of them are forced to do community service and describes the incident involving Joel Webber.

Aaron then goes on to tell Chase of his past self, saying the “old Chase” would not have cared about the negative reactions of their prank and claims that the people of Hiawassee are jealous of the trio because of the lack of repercussions they received for their actions (whether he meant this as a joke or as a serious statement is unclear).

While he is not happy about who he was, Chase is grateful to Aaron for being honest with him.

### Chapter 9

In Chapter 9, Aaron defends Chase from the other Hurricanes for having to be involved with the yearbook staff rather than the football team.

Shortly after, he and Bear leave to continue their service at the Graybeard Motel. When Chase follows along with them, Aaron informs him that he has been cut from doing community service because of his injury. While Chase decides if he should go to the motel, Aaron says that he would like Chase’s company “even if he’s nuts”.

When the three of them enter the motel, Chase is disappointed by Aaron and Bear’s ransacking of the snack cart, but Aaron informs him again that he used to steal snacks from the cart as well. Supposedly, he is the “polite one” out of he and Bear when circling the cart around each room. Though, Aaron refuses to answer any questions for the elders and complains to Chase when he takes the time to fulfill requests. He also rushes Chase out of Mr. Solway’s room before Chase could take the time to ask Mr. Solway questions about his past.

After they leave, Aaron tells Chase about the room they call “Cloud Ten” because of the tips they receive from Mrs. Swanson. Chase considers their acceptance of these tips as stealing and wants them to return the money, but Aaron justifies this by reasoning that because of Mrs. Swanson’s poor memory, she’s already forgotten that she handed the boys money and attempting to return it would only complicate the situation.

Bear offers to take the three of them out for pizza using the twenty dollars they had just received. With Chase visibly guilty about the ordeal, Aaron shows his concern by asking Chase if he is okay before Chase runs off to return Mrs. Swanson’s money using his own cash.

### Chapter 10

During the pep rally in Chapter 10, Chase attacks Joey Petronus for picking on Brendan.

Other Hurricanes intervene, and two end up subduing Chase, but Aaron comes to his rescue when he tells the team to calm down. Shocked by Chase’s siding with the Video Club, the Hurricanes and Bear jog off and leave Chase behind.

Aaron is the only one left to face Chase and says that he should’ve treated Joey better, as they were friends. While Chase disagrees because of the size difference between Joey and Brendan, Aaron states that he would’ve stopped his actions had Chase simply told him to. After this, he leaves Chase and follows the others outside.

### Chapter 11

Chapter 11 is the first of two chapters that are written in Aaron’s point of view.

Aaron is aggravated about Chase’s condition and how his change in personality has affected their relationship. Aaron also discusses with Bear about Chase’s possession of the Medal of Honor.

Aaron is concerned that Chase’s amnesia may have caused him to forget where he placed the medal, but Bear claims that Chase is faking his condition to keep the medal to himself because of its value. While Aaron reacts angrily to this, he would’ve been happy to have his friend back if that was the case.

Coming to terms that he is most likely no longer their friend, Aaron and Bear are unsure of what to do regarding the situation with the medal. Aaron decides that he would attempt to coax an answer out of Chase during their service hours but notes incessantly about the elders’ love for Chase and his annoyance of it because his and Bear’s image have been made to look even worse against Chase’s newfound kindness.

Aaron is also irritated at Chase’s friendship with Mr. Solway because of Mr. Solway’s own negative reputation, and the fact that the mention of the medal makes Aaron anxious.

### Chapter 14

In Chapter 14, Chase decides to make a movie about the Graybeard Motel to Aaron and Bear’s bewilderment.

Chase says he’s trying to make things right with Shoshanna with this project, but Aaron rejects this idea because of how much the Webber family hates the three of them. Chase mentions Aaron’s face having a look of genuine hurt and betrayal for him wanting to spend more time on the Video Club rather than with Aaron and Bear.

Chase tries to explains his admiration of Mr. Solway, but this results in a small argument between the three. While Chase is upset that the two can’t be bothered to get to know the elders, Aaron explains that the two have more to be worried about between football and completing their service hours by law. This interaction leaves Chase regretting his words as the two are now mad at him, and he believes that they no longer trust him.

### Chapter 18

Aaron makes a brief appearance at the end of Chapter 18.

He’s confused at why Chase would choose to be around Joel Webber given their history. When Chase erupts at Bear for making a distasteful comment, Aaron attempts to deescalate the situation by agreeing with Chase that the prank they did was harmful but to move on because he and Bear are already serving their punishment.

### Chapter 19

Chapter 19 takes the perspective of Bear.

Bear and Aaron try to fall asleep during an assembly until they find out it’s being held to congratulate Chase and Shoshanna for winning the video making contest. The two of them are infuriated at the appearance of the Chase and Shoshanna together because of the rivalry between the trio and the Webbers.

Bear brings up the idea that Chase is faking his amnesia to hide Mr. Solway’s medal again, but Aaron believes in Chase’s condition on account of him no longer wanting to be their friend. At the end of the assembly, Aaron comes up with a plan to hopefully bring back Chase’s memory of their friendship.

### Chapter 20

In Chapter 20, Aaron and Bear disrupt the Video Club by spraying fire extinguishers into the band the room.

Joel pleads for them to not harm the instruments, and they respond to this by throwing a multitude of instruments and other band equipment around the room. After Chase walks into the band room, Aaron pretends that it was his idea to bring the fire extinguishers. Multiple teachers come in to defuse the situation, and the three boys are sent to the Principal’s office.

### Chapter 21

In Chapter 21, Aaron is satisfied with himself in how the plan worked out with the trio now sitting the Principal’s office together like they used to.

Chase is stressed about what is going to happen to them given their reputation, but Aaron is relaxed and tells Chase to follow his lead. When told to explain what happened, Aaron immediately lies about a fire being started by the Video Club because of a short-circuit in the band room. The Principal retorts that the Video Club recounted the events differently, but Aaron continues with the lie anyway.

Chase ultimately chooses to back up his story for the sake of the Hurricanes which allows the three of them to escape without repercussions, an outcome that leaves Aaron extremely happy as believes that he had successfully gotten his best friend back.

### Chapter 23

In Chapter 23, Chase vehemently avoids Aaron and Bear for their stunt in the band room.

The two take notice of Chase’s avoidance, and Bear decides to tackle him during practice where Chase wasn’t allowed to wear pads. Aaron takes this opportunity to call out how much he has been switching between being with him and Bear and the Video Club. He also alludes to Bear’s idea that Chase is possibly faking his amnesia.

While Chase is angry at the two because of the aggression in the tackle, Aaron says it was to get his attention because of the way Chase had been ignoring them. Aaron also mentions that he had been convincing Chase’s other friends that he was the one who set up Aaron and Bear’s stunt in the band room. Bear then fully accuses Chase of faking his condition to keep the medal, but Chase says that he knows it was Aaron and Bear who stole Mr. Solway’s medal. Aaron then realizes that Chase undoubtedly amnesia because he didn’t know that it was himself who stole the medal.

Aaron then explains that they had agreed to split the profits gained from selling the medal between the three of them. He continues to say that because it was the old Chase who had stolen the medal, he has no choice but to follow the rules they had made before Chase’s accident. Chase notes the serious look on Aaron’s face as he says this.

### Chapter 27

Chapter 27 is the second of two chapters that are written in Aaron’s point of view.

While at the Graybeard Motel, Aaron and Bear use their time to slack off and ignore the elders they should be helping. Bear notices Chase speedily walking down the halls of the motel with an object in his pocket, and Aaron calls out to Chase asking what he has. They manage to steal the object from him and discover he was on his way to return the medal to Mr. Solway.

The three of them fight over the medal until Chase manages to escape with it when an elder asks for help in the Rec Room. Aaron and Bear keep stake in front of the doorway since Chase would only be able to leave the room through them. Chase attempts to conceal the medal by vacuuming it while he cleans up a mess, but Aaron and Bear notice the action anyway. Chase uses the vacuum cleaner to knock the two out of the way while he makes an escape, and a chase ensues for the medal.

### Chapter 28

Aaron makes his final appearance in Chapter 28.

He lands on top of Chase who is holding the vacuum tightly in his arms. Bear tries to punch Chase away from the vacuum, but he refuses to let go. A brawl then breaks out between Bear, Kimberly, Shoshanna, and Brendan. Chase goes to save Brendan, and Aaron takes the chance to grab the vacuum.

As it appeared like he was about to attack Chase with the vacuum, Mr. Solway hits Aaron’s kidneys with his Walker. Aaron and Bear are then captured by security. Chase confesses to stealing Mr. Solway’s Medal of Honor which distracts attention away from Aaron and Bear, allowing them to escape repercussions once again.

### Chapter 30

In the final chapter of the book, Chapter 30, Aaron is only briefly mentioned by Brendan. He is described as still holding a “Neanderthal” personality, and the incident regarding Mr. Solway and his medal caused the Hurricanes to ignore Aaron and Bear, effectively making them outcasts.

## Personality

Aaron is mostly portrayed as a ruthless bully against other kids he doesn't care about, and his rude attitude can be extended towards the elders he was assigned to take care of. Aaron is shown to be quite cunning as well, as he is quickly ready with a false story about the incident in the band room and doesn't show signs of hesitation when telling his iteration of events. He can also be seen as greedy based on his want of the medal for profits.

In the first few chapters he makes an appearance in, Aaron shows a softer side of himself when interacting with Chase. He's shown to be considerate of Chase's injury and does what he thinks would make Chase more comfortable. This displays that he has the capability to be kind but only to those he cares about.

## Trivia

* The name ‘Hakimian’ can be traced back to having Iranian and Peruvian roots.
* Aaron is a lineman on the field
* Aaron is a size 14 in footwear.
* Aaron has a relatively full beard for an 8th grader.
* Despite being a bad person, Aaron shows traits of being a good friend and deeply cares for Chase and his well-being until Chase’s betrayal.
	+ Aaron is considerate of Chase's injury and makes space for him to walk in the halls.
	+ After they take the twenty dollars, Aaron notices Chase's uneasy face and asks if he is okay.
	+ Aaron continuously defends Chase against the other Hurricanes, even when he attacked one of them for Brendan.
	+ Aaron tells Chase multiple times that he is there for him.

* Chapter 30 has a continuity error regarding Aaron and Bear’s reputation.
	+ Brendan states that the situation with the Medal of Honor exposed Aaron and Bear for being delinquents and bullies, but the two have had a negative reputation long before the event takes place.
	+ The Hurricanes also decide to no longer associate with Aaron and Bear because of this despite actively participating in bullying others as well. Though, it can assumed that the Hurricanes decided to change ways and abandoned Aaron and Bear for not following along.