Discover (1/2)

the school bell rang and one by one, the students returned to their seats before the Business Management tutor begin his lesson. i do not know why i am here. i have little interest in Business, the very least actually. my father had always encourage (force) me to pick up some business skills since he will handling his shop to me one day. i am dead serious about this issue. i have no say in that matter, mother would always side father in this and when i stomp off to my room, she would knock on my door and reassure that what my father's planning for me is for the best of me. and after that, she will list down her expectations of me, to be a top business student with straight As in all my modules and the route she would want me to pick up. we have been through this so many times that i can recite it fast-forwarded or maybe turn it into a rap. however, im not really talented in rapping, im more inclined towards vocals and singing. just when i was getting into the grove of rapping, one of my classamate walked in. we were 15minutes into the lesson and he seemed not worried about his lateness.

"jung yunho, dont u think you should give the least respect for me? cant u try to be early for my lessons for at least one time? huh, just one time?!" Mr Kim looked up from his laptop that he was showing on the visualizer and eyed on Yunho.

"my apologies. i will try." he kept his sentences short. it felt as though he didnt want to talk to mr. kim any further.

"you! are u showing any form of disrespect for the teachers in this school? i have heard that u are always late for lessons and why is that so!?"

"nothing. just late." again, he kept this replies short. everybody's attention was on the tension. Mr kim looked at him and saw the latter coming towards my direction. i remove my bag from the chair beside mine and he filled in the empty seat. i could see the blood veins from the side of Mr Kim's eye. even a blind person could tell he is going to explode any time soon.

"mr kim, should we just start the lesson? please?" i pleaded. i do not want any unnecessary attention to be on Yunho again. i used my tender voice, hoping that it will smooth out the anger that is boiling up in Mr Kim. i think he realize he is garnering too much attention and it would be best if he just drop the case and continue with lesson.

"okay Jaejoong. i will not hinder any one of your studies. please pay attention to what i will be going through. it will be tested during the mid-semester week."

i turned my head to face Yunho. he just sat there staring onto nothing. i nudged him.

"hey. are u okay? reason that cant be told again?" i questioned him again although i think i will get the same answer again.

"oh, yeah. nothing much"

"i see. okay then." i replied and turned my head to face the screen. although my eyes are on the screen, my mind isn't. why is yunho always late for the first lesson? yunho has always been the laid-back and quiet person. we have been friends since we were 10; we were neighbour back then. i thought we have come into terms where no secrets are kept between one another but i guess, it was otherwise. we have this special friendship where no communication is required. when you know this person for 10 years, automatically you get to understand his habits, likings and personality, whether you want or not. it is only this bit of him that i do not understand, his lateness for every morning lesson. this is a bad thing as our grades are inclusive of our attendance and i definitely do not want that to pull down his grades where they are not great to begin with. i eyed over the corner of my eyes to check what he is doing, and again he is just staring into space. i sighed and returned my attention to Mr Kim.

the bell rang again. streams of students flooded the corridoor as they rushed to the nearest eartry for some snacks and treats. i stayed behind and accompanied yunho,i know he needs it.

"hey, want some thing light? i can get it for you."

"nah, its okay. im fine."

"did you hear what Mr kim said? the test is going to cover 10 weeks' lesson and i doubt a week study break is enough. dont u think so?"

"yes. i think so too."

i always attempt to lengthen my sentence in hope that the replies from yunho would correspond. it always fail but i am not giving up, not just yet.

"so which module are you starting first? the one you cant manage well or the one you are confident of?"

"i dunno?"

silence filled the air as i do not know what how to respond to Yunho's short replies. i stared hard at the latter.

"yun, are you getting enough sleep lately? it seems like your eye bags have gotten darker."

"i.. guess so?"

even since i got to know Yunho, there is always dark circles on his handsome face. i wondered why but did not question as i knew, the question will be avoided with short replies.

"did you use the eye cream that i got you the other time? i think is it rather useful for me so i thought it might be useful to you as well." once again, i spoke with clear concern in my sentence. concern which was beyond friends.

"i was lazy."

"YAH! do you know how much i spend on it?! how can you not use it and let it rot at some corner of your room?!"

"i will try it tonight."

"thats better." before i would continue their conversation, the Business Accounting tutor walked in the classroom with a stack of A4 size paper. the tutor place his teaching materials down on the tutor's table and wrote on the white board. -POP QUIZ-

the whole class showed their disagreement and displeasure of the pop quiz but the tutor ignored it and passed on the papers for everyone.

"i have warned you just last week to be prepared for one. those who heed for words will definitely have an advantage. you have one hour to complete this and your time starts now."

i glance over to yunho; he was staring at the papers and holding a black ball point pen on his right hand. i nudged him so that he would come to his senses and begin writing this answers. his body jumped a little by my action and he looked over. i pointed my index finger to the paper infront of him and signal him to start writing. he nodded his head and begin to write his particulars on the paper. i turned my head to face my own paper and started to fill up the blanks with the knowledge i'm taught. it was a rather easy paper for me, i thought.

-

the bell rang and it marked the end of today. i shove my backpack across my shoulders and turn to my right, Yunho is sleeping, again. he is always restless and tired whenever i see him. i sighed and poked him slightly.

"hey Yun, hey.. the class is over. hey.."

"huh. what?" Yunho replied grumpily as his precious sleep was disturbed.

“the class is over. Come on. I will walk you home.”

“ah. Okay.” He stood up, stretched his arms and took his sling bag. He headed towards the door while i hopped to catch up with his pace.

“how was the test? Was it manageable for you?” we were walking down the buzzing street of KimJung Avenue. It was across his apartment, KiShinBang Dong.

“yes. Lets hang out here.”

“why? I thought you were feeling tired just now during lesson.”

“not anymore. Lets walk.”

“alright. That reminds me, i need to buy socks for my sisters. They keep losing them! I don’t know why.”

“Cause you have too many sisters Jae.”

“i know right! But i manage to survive well, just that, i’m a bit feminine. Don’t you think?”

“you are, but im comfortable with that.”

“i know you wouldn’t mind. In fact, i think you liked it!” i playfully smacked/punched Yunho’s shoulder. Yunho lips break into a small smile.

“yes yes. Socks are that way.” He pointed his index finger down the street. I can see that he is loosening up each minute.

we reached the street stall selling all sorts of socks; high or low cut, thick or thin, colourful or plain, cartooned or popstars.

“How many pairs do you think i should buy, Yun?” Yunho faked a pondering face and replied, “8 pairs? 1 for each?”

“i thought so too. help me pick some of them. Why am i doing all these when it is supposed to be a lady’s job. Gosh!”

“cause you are a good brother and you love them.”

“i do...” my thought faded off, and to you too.

After we have finished selecting the sock, we headed down to the nearest coffee house and brought coffees to enjoy the crowd rushing home to their families.

*POV changed*

“can i have a Caramel Frappe and a Green Tea Latte please.” Yunho placed his orders while Jaejoong was busying twittering on his blackberry.

“sure. One minute please.”

They waited patiently at the counter for their drinks. This coffeehouse was one of the quietest and cosy one out on the streets. It became one of their favourite hang-out places after school and they always had their usuals, the ones that Yunho had ordered.

“sir, your drinks are done. Thank you for waiting and enjoy your drink.”

“thanks” Yunho mumbled to the staff and head off to their usual table. The table was situated near the glass panel that over sees the busy street. It was a perfect place to people watch and get lost in thoughts. Jaejoong followed closely behind Yunho, eyes still on his BB. Yunho took this seat and placed down their drinks; Caramel Frappe for Jaejoong and Green Tea Latte for himself.

“you should create a twitter account for yourself. It’s so much fun!” Jaejoong spoke, with his eyes still locked on his BB.

“i am lazy to create one.”

“how about me creating one for you. It’s easy.” Suddenly, Jaejoong burst out laughing, “you should totally see what Junsu tweeted to Yoochun! He wished that Chun was a girl!” Jaejoong continued to laugh by himself. yunho just sat there, staring what was beyond the huge window pane. he was tired. but, he just cant to fall asleep. this has been hunting him for years and it is slowly draining his remaining energy away. he is suffering from long-term insomnia. it happened to him when his granny passed away 4years ago. he was very close to his granny that her death became a huge blow for him. after since then, his sleeping habit was disturbed and it got worse day by day. for everyday, he could not fall asleep till 7am but his school starts at 9am. he did not want to disappoint his granny last wish which was for him to enter a prestigious college. in order to achieve that goal, he will and must attend school by all means including having his precious sleep taken away. he did not let any one know his illness, including his best friend who is sitting right in front of him. he sighed and continue to stare out the window, in hope that the hurried footsteps of the traffic will bring him into sleepy-land. on the other side, Jae acted like he was busy on this BB but he wasn't. he was observing yunho's every movement as he is puzzled as to why yunho seems more lethargic day by day. he is determined to find out why. before the both of them knew, it was time for dinner.

"hey, its already 7pm. i need to be home for dinner." Jae lied while he shuffed his phone into his bag.

"okay. lets go" both of him finished their drink and headed out. Jae insisted in sending yunho back as he planned something. he reasoned to yunho that the cafe was near his place so it is convenient for Jae to send him back. when both of them reached yunho's house door, yunho stepped in and bid his goodbye. Jae reminded still, plotting a plan within his mind.

TBC.

author's notes: how how how was it? it the response is good, i will continue. hahahaha

Episode 10 – Two sides

Taeyeon is following blindly. Ahead of her are 2 of her new friends, Sunny and Sooyoung. Apart from their height difference, they can actually hit off really well. Eventually, her footsteps brought her into the kitchen. It was actually Taeyeon's first time in the kitchen. She was too occupied playing with Stephanie at the backyard all the times. Furthermore, a kid is not necessary in the kitchen where all the food items are prepared by the adults. All she needed to do is to wait patiently for lunch to be served at the dining area. She scanned the environment with her eyes; it was actually bigger and more spacious of what Taeyeon has thought of. The upper and lower cabinets are tainted by glossy brown paint with a white marble top. Taeyeon's head is just 5cm above the counter top. All the kitchen wares are well-kept and it gives the place a posh and elegant feel.

"Where are the gummies? I don’t see any."

"The teachers don’t just display sweets around the kitchen, Taeyeon. If they do, it will be havoc here. They are placed right up at the highest cabinet so we can’t reach it."

Sunny responded to Taeyeon's questions with her index finger pointing at the direction where the gummies are rested.

"Where is Mrs Park? I thought she is always in the kitchen preparing food and safe guarding the sweets and candies." Sooyoung looked around the room in search of the human figure.

"Maybe she is chatting with her boyfriend in the toilet while doing her business. I heard from Yuri just now that she’s suffering a stomach-ache. Now we need to concentrate before Mrs Park comes back." Sooyoung reminded Sunny while grabbing one of the nearby stool. She climbed on it and reached for the cabinet.

“No wonder there is a weird and awful smell here the moment I step in. God.” Sunny added while Sooyoung grabbed handful packs of gummies before landing on the ground. Sunny quickly place the stool back to where it was originally and gathered with the girls.

“Okay. 2 big packs for each of us. Should be enough for a week.” Sooyoung announced and when she was about to hand over 2 packs of gummies to Taeyeon, footsteps were heard near the corridor.

“Hide it quick!! Mrs Park is back!””

Loss of ideas, Sooyoung quickly pull Taeyeon’s sweater forward and dump the packets of gummies in. Luckily, Taeyeon had tugged in her sweater which had prevented the gummies from falling out but it seemed like Taeyeon had a bloated tummy, like some middle-aged man. When Taeyeon was about to retaliate, a woman with her hair bun up walked into the kitchen.

“What are you girls doing here?” Mrs Park questioned the girls while looking down at them. She was a stern lady who strongly abides the rules. “What is wrong with your stomach, Taeyeon?” Taeyeon was dumbfounded and lost for words. It was her first encounter with this teacher and she was afraid that she could eat her up alive. She gives off an aura that frightens the children away and that is the reason why the children hardly come by the kitchen.

“Umm. Ummm” these are the only words Taeyeon is able to articulate. Her mind was shut down and she can’t think of any reasons to cover her act. She looks down at her foot with 2 of her toes clasped together.

“We were playing hide-and-seek, Mrs Park. I found Sooyoung first at the second level, then Yuri at the toilet. I covered all the places except here. So I was wondering if Taeyeon is here and here she is!” a few laughter escaped Sunny lips as she tried to cover up their act. The atmosphere remains quiet and intense as they wonder if Mrs Park will buy off Sunny explanation.

“Okay. I see. Next time when hiding, don’t come into the kitchen. I don’t want to clean up a messy kitchen. Off you go girls, to the common room.” Mrs Park gathered the girls out by extending both her hands and ushering them out. “Now, go play at somewhere else.” While finishing her sentence, a small sound was heard followed by an unpleasant smell. They all are fully aware of what it is and they giggled at the thought of it before launching off towards the common room.

___

“I am sorry about what happened just now, Jessica.”

Stephanie was awarded with a cold glare from Jessica together with a “humph” and folded arms.

“awww come on. It wasn’t on purpose.”

“Sorry no cure.”

“Will there be cure with ice creams? Daddy brought some yesterday. Or some gummies?”

Jessica softens her glare at Stephanie and tilted her head towards the short hair girl.

“If there is enough, I will forgive you.”

“It’s as big as a big huge mountain!”

“Make sure it is.” Stephanie held on to Jessica’s hand before pulling her towards the kitchen.

“Would popsicles do the cure?” Stephanie asked, standing on a stool to reach the level of the freezer while ransacking for ice creams.

“I want vanilla flavoured!” Jessica is attempting to peek at the contents inside the freezer while hopping up and down.

“Okay. Got that.” Stephanie came down from the stool; handed over the vanilla flavoured popsicle to Jessica while she unwrapped her chocolate flavoured popsicle. Both of them positioned themselves comfortably on the couch while enjoying the coldness of the popsicle.

“Hey Stephanie, try biting it. It’s more delicious that way.”

“Really? Okay I will try.” When her teeth were in contact with the popsicle, the icing sensation was refreshing for Stephanie. She enjoyed eating that way very much.

“ahhhh. It tasted better this way. It’s so yummy! Thanks a lot Jessica.”

“Nothing much. I thought you will like it as well.” Jessica took a bite off the popsicle as well but she pull off the popsicle so hard that her already lose front tooth came off. A high pitched scream echoed the room like a gunshot piercing through a silent room.

“What happened dear?” Simone came rushing into the room with her gardening tools dropped to the side before kneeling down to her daughter’s eye level. Jessica could not reply her mother because the pain was unbearable to her.

“Her tooth was pulled out while she was biting off the popsicle, Aunt Simone.” Stephanie replied, sounding a little concern, holding on to her melting popsicle with her right hand.

“Oh. That’s alright darlings.” She said to Stephanie before turning to her daughter, who is still sobbing very hard.

___

Year 1998

Both Stephanie and Taeyeon had found their newly-found playmates, but both of them did not forget about one another, just yet.

Taeyeon would always have mushrooms in her drawings regardless of the theme. She doesn’t mind if her drawing is out of theme, she just enjoy drawing mushrooms like she was 3 years ago.

The promise to fold blue stars was not forgotten by Stephanie, neither. She remembered to always make one when the date of 8 Marche is written on her class work.

By now, she already has 3 blue stars in a small glass bottle - The bottle she would pass to Taeyeon when they meet 15years later.

Episode 9 - New Beginning

Life in America was really hard to adapt, at least for Stephanie. She just lost her best friend and play mate, plus she was barely 7 years old for American age. Her father did not send her to any childcare centers now; instead, he had a different plan now.

“Steph, you will not be going to any childcare centers anymore.”

“Why daddy? I’m scare if I’m alone at home, all by myself!” Stephanie shouted back at her father.

“I want something new and changes. Since we are at a different place now, let’s try something new. You will like it.”

“What are the changes? No school?!” Stephanie added, sounding excited.

“You will still attend one as a 2^nd grader, just that no more childcare for you. You are growing up my little girl” he said with a pat on his daughter’s head.

“So what is it? Daddy has to work so”

“So someone will come by our house to take care of you.” Her father cut off her statement and continued.

“Who will it be?”

“She’s a nice lady. Plus, she also a Korean. “

“That’s cool daddy. But, I will have no one to play with.” Stephanie sounding a little dejected, she missed having Taeyeon by her side.

“Don’t you worry about that Steph, I will everything under my control and I bet you will like it.”

“But daddy,”

“No more buts Steph. Now it’s time you hit your bed. Come on.”

Stephanie groaned while being dragged up the stairs to her bedroom. Everything changed; her house got bigger (from a single to double story); her father became more gentle and caring and she got no one to play with.

“Sleep well alright Steph. Tomorrow morning will be great, trust me.” Her father brushed off strands of hairs off her face and kissed her forehead.

“Nights daddy.”

“Good night Steph.” He said while switching off the lights. Stephanie tucked into her blanket and closed her eyes. She wondered what will happen tomorrow and what her playmate is doing right now. Slowly and surely, she drifted off to her dreamland.

…

“Taetae?”

Stephanie was on a beach, the same beach that Taeyeon and she were before. The cloud was clear and dreamy. The beach was quiet; the wind was smooth and calming while the sea waves were soaring towards the coast. She saw an outline of a person, a petite and familiar one. She took tiny steps towards it; she was filled with curiosity and fear. She was curious of who that person was, but was feared why she is alone here at the same time. Both emotions build up slowly within her as she advanced faster towards the figure. It was as if the figure was asking her to follow it, and Stephanie did. Bit by bit, Stephanie found herself surrounded by palm trees, somewhere off the coast as the sounds from the soaring waves were minimal. She looked around her to find that figure again, she spin on the spot a few times before seeing her a few meters ahead. Carefully and cautiously, she walked towards it. The figure had her back facing Stephanie; she was wearing a jumper suit and had a tiny ponytail. Stephanie was narrowing her eyes to have a good look at the figure. The figure was about to turn her head towards Stephanie when the latter felt a tickle at the waist. She giggled and looked down. She regained her posture but the figure was gone. The tickling got fiercer and soon she was on the ground, giggling. She heard whispers, faint voices of “wake up”.

…

“Wake up!” another girl was attacking the sleeping body with continuous poking at her waist. The sleeping body was fidgeting on the bed, with her eyes closed. So the girl poked and shakes the sleeping body harder. Slowly, the sleeping body’s eye opened.

“AHHHHH!” Stephanie was awake now and she pushed the person who was a total stranger off her.

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!” Stephanie demanded an answer from the girl who was thrown off the bed.

“What was that for?” The push was not a hard one. It’s more like Stephanie brush the girl off the bed.

“This is my room and I don’t know you. That’s why!”

“I am going to tell mummy!” the girl stood up and brush off any invisible dirty on her before dashing her way out of the room. Firstly, she got a weird dream and secondly, there is this weird girl. She made her way towards the bathroom to clean up but a voice caught her.

“Stephanie, you are awake?” Stephanie took a step back as she fixed her gaze at the woman before her. She was tall and slim, figures that seem to only appear in the television, she thought. The woman was wearing a red apron, approaching Stephanie step by step.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m Simone. I am taking care of you from today. Maybe your father mentioned something about it to you?” Stephanie stood still in the “thinking” pose; left arm crossed supporting the weight of her right arm with her right index and thumb on her lips. Daddy said he got everything under control and someone will be here today. So that must be her.

“Daddy did mention someone will be here today. So you are the one?”

“Yes I am.” Simone approached Stephanie and kneeled down so that they are of the same eye level. “It’s nice meeting you Stephanie” she patted the younger girl ‘crown and smiled.

Stephanie felt warm and slowly, her lips shaped into a smile.

“Mummy, she pushed me!” the girl from before broke the warm atmosphere as she nudged Simone’s sleeve with her left hand and pointing her index finger towards Stephanie.

“It’s okay, darling. She is your friend.” Simone tugged the girl closer to her and glanced over to Stephanie.

“Stephanie, meet your new friend, Jessica, my daughter.”

Episode 8 - New Friends

Taeyeon was sitting alone at the table drawing and doodling on a piece of white paper. She’s drawing mushrooms and more mushrooms.

“Do love mushrooms that much?” Taeyeon dropped her crayons and turned back to the source of the voice. It was a petite girl with pony tails tied at the sides of her hair. She was wearing a dress and holding a Barbie doll in her hands.

“Well. I.. “

“I like mushrooms too. They are yummy.” The girl said and took a seat next to Taeyeon.

“They.. are.. “Taeyeon stumbled with her words as she was being asked about a typical regular mushroom, not the human mushroom she was thinking about.

“You must be new here. I haven’t seen you around since I left.”

“I’m not really new. I’m here for about half a year.

“Really? I’m away for half away because of my parents. They kind of took me off for a world tour.”

“That’s nice. How’s the rest of the world?”

“It’s really nice! There are so much food to eat and candies.”

“I love candies! Especially gummy bears!” Taeyeon exclaimed with excitement. The other girl laughed at the silliness of this girl.

“I’m Sunkyu but please call me Sunny.”

“Hi Sunny. I’m Taeyeon.”

“Want to go grab some candies?”

“How to? Ms Kim wouldn’t allow us, will she?”

“Don’t be silly, we can sneak around to get hold of them. One of my friends is really good at coming out with ideas like this.”

“Really? That’s so cool.”

“Wait till you meet her. Let’s go find her.” The two walked around the compound of Joan to look for Sunny’s friend; there was no sight of her at the first level.

“Let’s go up to the second level. She’s abnormally tall for her age. Try to look out for her.” Taeyeon followed the Sunny’s lead and started looking out for the tallest girl in Joan. Just then, she saw a shadow behind one of room’s curtains. The sunlight casted into the room brightly, revealing a tall and skinny silhouette.

“You don’t think she is there right?” Taeyeon whispered to Sunny’s ear, afraid of alarming their “prey” while pointing her index figure towards the huge windows.

“She must be hiding from someone or something. Com’on.”

Once again, Taeyeon tailed closely behind Sunny’s back, tall people are very scary for Taeyeon.

“YAH! CHOI SOO YOUNG!” the scream startled the hidden person behind the curtains. She lost her balance and fell forward. She crashed while pulling the curtain together with her. Even when she is on the ground, she was covered with curtains. Sunny lifted up the curtain to reveal a girl with a tiny face and shoulder-length hair.

“What’s that shout for LEE SUNKYU!? I’m not deaf just so you know.”

“What are you hiding from?” Sunny helped the taller girl out of the fallen curtain and attempted to hang back the curtain. She pulled over a nearby chair, stood on it and stretch her arms to their fullness, but it is not anywhere near the hooks.

“Are you being serious, Sunny? Given your height you think you can hang the curtains back?”

“Must you be so mean? I’m trying to help you here. “

“Or are you just feeling guilty? You made me fall after all.”

“I will never feel apologetic towards an evil.” Sooyoung scoffed at her comment and took the curtain from the latter’s grip.

“I will do it.” Sunny stepped down from the chair and Sooyoung got up and hang back the curtains. She doesn’t even have to extend her arms to the fullness to reach the hooks. She not only has long body length, but long arms too. Taeyeon stood still witnessing this whole scene.

“Oh, there another person here? You are too short for me to notice just now. I believe you should know my name with Sunny’s surprise scream just now?” she brushed her arms and knee caps while talking to Taeyeon.

“Yes. I have heard. I’m Taeyeon by the way.”

“Hi Taeyeon. Stop hanging around Sunny. Or you will just be like her, like her height. I haven’t seen you around. Were you new?”

“You asked the same question like me, giant. Were you away like me? Or I suppose you were in the kitchen busy wiping out the food supply the whole day to notice Taeyeon?”

“YAH! I did not.” Sooyoung voice trailed off at the last word. Taeyeon had to compress her laughter within herself at Sunny’s comment. She breathed hard and spoke up for Sooyoung.

“I was always outside at the backyard. Maybe that is why Sooyoung didn’t see me, Sunny.” Suddenly Taeyeon mind was flooded with images of sand sculptures that Stephanie and she used to build. She was zoning out for that moment when Sunny snapped her figures in front of her face.

“Hey, HEY! Did this giant scare you? Don’t be afraid of her. She is only tall and nothing else.”

“Oh no. it’s not.” Taeyeon replied with a faint smile on her face.

“By the way, why are you two here? I was playing hide-and-seek with the Yuri. But in the end it’s you two who found me. I guess she gave up finding for me then.” Sooyoung exchanged glances between Sunny and Taeyeon while waiting for an answer.

“We need you in the plan. It is call “Get-the-gummies” plan. You should understand just by the name?”

“Yes. It’s so obvious. Why do you need me in your plan? Can’t you get any for yourself?

“Com’on Sooyoung, you know Ms Kim, she’s is like a terror to us. Plus, she wouldn’t even give us anything, more even candies or gummy bears.”

“And you want me to get into her black book?”

“Sooyoung, don’t act like you’ve never done it before when you’ve done it umpteen times.”

“Must you expose me in front of Taeyeon? She has had a good image of me until now. You totally ruin it!” Taeyeon was once again witnessing this whole scene as a third person. But when she heard Sooyoung comment, she thought otherwise. She had this feeling that Sooyoung was like a bully and loud, but she dare not voice her thoughts out, just in case she will evoke the bully.

“Oh please Sooyoung. We can share the gummies! You know, and I know you love gummies.

“That’s true. Now that you said that, I have a craving for some.”

“That’s the spirit! Let’s head down towards the kitchen!”

Episode 7 – Goodbye

Shortly after the day at the beach, Stephanie’s day to fly has arrived.

“It’s my last day here, Taetae. You know how much I will miss you right?” Stephanie spoke with slight clarity in her already hoarse voice.

“Yes, Mushroom. It will be mutual. I will feel the same too.”

“Remember the promise we’ve made when we were on the beach?”

“Yes. I will always remember it. You must not break our promise, okay?”

“Yes I will not break it. Plus, I will fold a blue star every year for your birthday. So when we meet next time, the bottle will be filled with 15 blue stars.”

“I will totally love it, mushroom! Like I said, you are the best mushroom; just that you can’t be eaten.” Taeyeon joked to neutralize the current atmosphere. She is not being used to this kind of situation at all.

“You have the thoughts to eat me?!”

“I will consider if you are blue.” Taeyeon chuckled while teasing her playmate. She will miss the times when she will tease the latter.

“Stop teasing me you, mean Taetae.”

“I’m teasing you right now because I can’t tomorrow.”

“Taetae, you know we will be meeting again next 15 years right?”

“but, 15 years is so long. A lot of things will happen during that period.”

“I’m sure a lot will happen, but I’m also very sure that we will meet that faithful day.”

“Pinky promise mushroom?” Taeyeon held out her closed fist, slowly stretching out her last finger.

“Sure Taetae!” Stephanie excitedly and hooked her last finger with the other girl’s last finger.

“Let’s stamp our promise!” with their fingers still linking, Taeyeon released her thumb from the clutched fist and looked up to Stephanie eye-level.

“Definitely.” Stephanie once again obligated to the other girl’s request and stamped their promise.

“Let’s have a punishment if we fail, touch wood, to keep our promise.” Taeyeon exclaimed while patting on a piece of nearby wood furniture.

“Sure. How about no boyfriends at all?! Or no sweets anymore?”

“No boyfriends! This is good! Okay. So if the person who did not keep the promise will be punished with no boyfriends for 10years!”

“That’s long! But it’s okay, since I will keep the promise.”

“Okay Mushroom! Let’s go outside and play with the sand!”

“Sure Taetae!”

Soon, the sun is setting and batches of parents came to fetch their children home. Taeyeon and Stephanie were the last few remaining after the supposed pick up time.

“I wonder what is holding up my Daddy” Stephanie mumbled to herself while sitting on the bench, swinging her dangling legs forth and back. But her voice was loud enough to be heard by Taeyeon.

“Same here, my Mummy is late too.”

The clock is ticking with every minute passing, finally a figure appeared in front of the both girls from the darkness ahead of them.

“Steph? Are you there?” the figure said as he shortened the distance between him and the girls.

“I’m here, Daddy. Why were you so late?”

“I was helping this lady just now with the punctured tyre. I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s get on the car now.”

“Wait a while, Daddy. I must say goodbye to Taetae.” Stephanie cried and turned to the shorter girl.

“Taetae, this is goodbye. I really hope to see you soon.”

“Same here Mushroom. You must remember me and our promise okay?” Taeyeon finished her statement and rushed forward to hug the other girl. Stephanie returned the hug and they both enjoyed each other embrace until Stephanie’s father walk up to her daughter.

“You must be Taetae. Stephanie talks about you a lot. I’m happy that she met you here.”

“Hi Uncle. I’m happy that I’ve met her too.”

“I’m sorry that you girls have to part.” He said while placing his arm over Stephanie’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, Uncle. I will meet her again.” Taeyeon and Stephanie’s dad were having a conversation while Stephanie remained silent on the spot. She is extremely devastated and heartbroken to have another love one leaving her.

“I’m sure of that too. Steph,” he looked down to his daughter and added “we have to go.”

“Bye mushroom.” Tears started to form at the corners of Taeyeon’s eyes and seconds later, drops of tears streamed down her cheeks.”

“Good bye Taetae.” Stephanie said in between her breaths while catching oxygen from her intense sobbing. She is more emotional compared to Taeyeon. She was already weeping while the other two were conversing.

“It’s nice meeting you Taeyeon. I believe that is your real name and thank you for taking care of Stephanie these days. She was really happy. Goodbye.” Stephanie’s father patted Taeyeon’s crown and tugged her daughter closer to his body, signaling her to stop her crying while making his way towards the car. Stephanie followed his father footsteps and moved along towards the car, leaving a crying Taeyeon at the bench waiting for her mother. The both of them reached their car and Stephanie’s father opened the passenger seat’s door for Stephanie to get on.

“Steph, let’s go.” Stephanie remained on her spot and turned her head slightly to face Taeyeon. She saw a small figure ahead of her. She very much did not want to get separated with Taeyeon but her father circumstances did not allow that. She looked towards Taeyeon direction and with her gaze fixed onto Taeyeon. The gaze did not break while she was being carried into the passenger seat of her father’s jeep by her father.

“We.. will.. meet.. again.. Taetae.” Stephanie whispered to herself as the engine roared.

Taeyeon watched as Stephanie was being carried by her father. Her tears were falling without any internal control from her. She couldn’t bear without having Stephanie to tease, to play, to share lunch and to cuddle as they were having their afternoon nap.

“I’m sure we will meet.” Taeyeon thought to herself while looking that the vehicle that took off towards the main road. Taeyeon was left alone in the dark waiting for her mother after Stephanie was gone. Only after 5minutes, her mother’s car enter Joan driveway.

“I’m so sorry baby, I was… “Her mother said in a rush while walking over to her daughter and noticed she was sniffing and had a red puffy eyes. “Were you crying baby? Who hurt you?” her mother scanned Taeyeon’s body to look for any visible injuries.

“It’s not that. Stephanie is gone.”

Relived that her daughter was not hurt physically, she sighed and hugged her tight.

“It’s okay baby. Hush hush. Everything will be okay. Let’s get home and take a nice hot bath.”

That night, both girls did not fall asleep at the normal timing when they would be sleeping soundly. They thought about one another, the happy moments that they have spent together, and slowly, they drifted off to their sleeping mode. Both girls dreamed while the morning draw close.

-At the airport-

Every single minute passes, Stephanie will exhale a sigh. Her father noticed her behavior while roaming around the duty-free shops in the airport. He entered a candy store and brought a big bag of candies for her daughter.

“Don’t be too sad Steph. I am sad to see you like this. Have some candies or chocolates? It will help you feel better.”

“Really? She took the bag and picked out one blue gummy bear and began to chew on it. She replaced one candy with another candy in her mouth when they are munched off.

“Not too much of it, Steph. You will have a toothache if you continue eating at the speed. Keep it in your bag and save it for later okay?” Stephanie complied with her father‘s request and kept away the half-gone-candy-bag.