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 2nd 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.”
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