Hazelnut - Ryeji

7

"I said get a divorce. You have a decent job, Mom. You don't need Dad." I said

She crossed her arms and looked at me in the eyes. "He will change."

I chuckled. "We've been like this for a year or two. Everyday is the same." I held my head. "Everyday, all I can hear are your arguments. Everyday, he always yell at you and hurt you." Tears started to form in my eyes.

"Everyday is painful. Everyday feels like shit!" I yelled.

My mom stood up from her seat. "Language, Ryujin." She threw a glance at my sister.

"Shit!" Yuna imitated me in a cute voice.

I looked at my sister and I forced a smile. "Yuna, don't be like me." I pointed at myself. "I am a bad person."

Yuna nodded and looked at me with her puppy eyes. "Oh-keh." She replied.

I switched my attention to my mother. "Alright, Mom. If you don't fix your relationship with Dad, I will jump on Mapo Bridge." I threatened.

My mom glared at me. "What did you say?!"

"I can't live like this. I will jump without hesitation, Mom. You will see my dead body floating on the river!" I yelled.

I inhaled and sharply exhaled. I walked away and I grabbed my bag that is on the floor. I placed both of my hands in my pocket while looking at my mom who is still shocked at what I said. "Thanks for the breakfast. Goodbye. I'm going to school."

"Hey, come back here, you brat! you didn't even eat!" She yelled, but I ignored her.

--

While sitting down on my chair and waiting for school to end, I rested my head on my hand while thinking about the small argument I had with Mom this morning.

It was the first time I argued with her. I hope that my mom made up her mind and decide to to fix their relationship. I just want us to be happy again

"Ryujin." Someone suddenly spoke that made me snap out of my thoughts.

I looked at the person standing in front of me. "What?" I looked at the person in the eyes and my world lit up a little bit. "Yeji." I said.

Yeji smiled and sat down on the empty chair besides me. "Do you remember the nurse who assisted me when you brought me to the hospital?" She whispered.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Yeji showed me the notebook she is holding. "She handed me this earlier. She said that you left this at the hospital."

I weakly chuckled. "O-oh. I must've forgot to give it to you." I said. "Don't worry, I didn't read your diary."

"I actually have a bucket list." She said.

I opened my palm and started caressing the back of my head. "D-do you need help with your bucket list?" I shyly said.

Yeji's smile grew as big as the skies. Yeji stood up and excitement is seen on her face. "Really? you will help me with my bucket list?"

"Yeah. You made me happy yesterday so I'm willing to do the same." I said.

Yeji hopped like a bunny out of excitement. "Thanks, Ryujin!" She happily said and walked away from me with a smile on her face.

I smiled and rested the right side of my face on my palm.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder that made my soul jump out of fear.

I looked behind me and my eyes met with my friends. "Hyunjin, Heejin, what's up?" I said.

"The ceiling." Heejin said and crossed her arms. The two had a serious look on their faces that made me a little confused. They looked like they want to beat me up.

"Something wrong?" I asked again.

Hyunjin leaned forward to me. "Why are you hanging out with that beanie girl?" She said with a hint of jealousy.

Heejin nodded. "Yeah. Why won't you hangout with us? it's been a while since I saw you land a punch on someone."

"Yeji is...." I struggled to construct a sentence. "She's what I need."

The two laughed at me.

Heejin held her stomach while laughing at me. "Ryujin, your jokes never fail to make me cackle."

Hyunjin did the same. "That's true."

They kept on laughing until their faces turn red. I wanted to laugh too. 'Saying "she's what I need" is so corny.' I thought to myself.

After a few seconds, the joyful look on their faces dissolved into a serious look. They looked at me with their bossy eyes that made me gulp in a quiet manner.

"Seriously, Ryujin. Come hangout with us." Heejin said.

I stood up from my seat and smiled at them. "I'm sorry."

"I'm going to spend some time with Yeji." I said without hesitation and walked away from them.