Intersecting Lines

Chapter 8

"Lock it." I added as I raised my pinky finger waiting for him to intertwine his. He smiled and locked our promise.

The elevator came after we made the promise and we went inside. We are both silent but the atmosphere becomes heavier by the second. I look at his empty hands and reached for it. He looks over at me and I give him a look.

"What?" I ask him. He just shook his head and smiled stupidly, "Elevators are starting to scare me." I lie to him. Who am I kidding? I'm not afraid of elevators. I'm afraid that I might lose contact with Alex. He grabbed my hand a little tighter and we wait for the elevator to reach ground floor. The elevator dings and we look at each other. He gave my hands one final squeeze before the elevator doors open and I let go of my grasp.

"Sophie, sweetheart" Dad welcomed as soon as he saw me, I know Alex is trailing just behind me. Dad gives me a hug and looks over at Alex.

"Appa," I tell him. My dad is Korean so, I call him like that. I also look over to Alex and said "this is Alex. He's my friend." Alex immediately did a 90-degree bow and my dad bowed as well. We're a bunch of Koreans here.

"Good after, Mr. Park. I'm Alex Kim. Nice to meet you" Alex said as he bowed again. Dad smiled and tapped Alex's back. Yes, my dad isn't scary. He's actually friendly. Alex gives an awkward smile.

"Nice to meet you too, Alex. But, we should probably go." He told Alex and he just nodded. Dad and mom made their way out of the hospital and I give Alex one final look and slightly waved at him.

"I'll see you soon." He told me and smiled. I nodded and made my way out.

On the ride back home, I called Karina to tell her that I'm already discharged. She told me that she would like to see me tomorrow at the practice rink and I told her that I'll come. After that, there was nothing for me to do. I look outside and realize that summer is right around the corner. It's surprising that I spent three months inside the hospital but it a lot has actually happened within the span of it. Never did I expect that I'll be discharged of that hospital. If it wasn't for Alex, I would've ended up in a morgue at St. Patrick's Day. We reached our house after a couple of minutes and I was overwhelmed with its view that I had a wide smile plastered across my face as we entered inside. I went straight to my room to find it the way it was when I left it three months ago. The sheets are nicely folded and there was my study table across the room. I missed the pink interior of my room. I got so used to the white walls that I indulged in the beauty of pink when I saw my room.

I sat on my bed and looked through my phone. Now that I get to finally use my phone, I realize that Alex and I have never had a picture together. Not one. I shrug the thought off and lied down to my bed. I allow myself to drift to sleep.

It was around 7 in the evening when I woke up. Mom called me down for dinner and I silently ate it and went back to my room. It's not that I'm on a bad mood or silent rebellion. That's not the reason why I'm silent. The reason is, I'm trying to think. I'm trying to organize my thoughts and plans when they remove my cast two weeks from now. What do I do at 18? Should I consider college or go on and chase my Olympic dream? Alex told me that I have endless possibilities. And now I don't know which way to go. My phone rang suddenly and I get it on top of my bed. It's an unknown number but I answer it anyway.

"Hello?" I ask to the person on the other line.

"Hi" he shortly answered. I'm pretty sure it's a "he." He sounded like a guy.

"Who's this?" I slowly asked him. I hope he's not offended that his number is not recorded on my phone.

"It's the guy who eats bibimbop at 2 in the morning." My smile goes wide that I feel my cheeks hurt. It's Alex. I don't know but he sounded a little different on the phone. I guess it's because of his colds.

"Hi Alex" I reply to him. I can't believe he knew my number.

"So, you do know that you're going to keep someone up tonight, right?" he asked me and I tell him yes. We might keep each other up tonight because we'll be talking on the phone.

"The hospital feels empty." He silently said followed by a sigh, "how's the outside?" He said trying to change the atmosphere.

"It's good. Summer is already here." I tell him and he remains silent. This is hard. I can't even see his reaction.

"It's such a shame isn't it? I don't get to see you until Saturday." He told me and I smile at his words.

"I know," I begin, "hurry up and get better Alex" I added.

"I will." He replied to me.

"You're starting to make me hate Mondays." I heard him laugh on the other line and I smile for hearing him do it.

"Listen, Sophie. I'll call you later. Dr. Scott wants to talk to me. This may be a good news." I wanted to tell him not to drop the call. But instead, I told him okay.

"I'll see you soon, Sophie." He told me before dropping the call. The room fell silent and I look at Alex's caller I.D. and take a deep breath. I don't know how tonight ends but I wait for his call. I remembered the piece of paper he gave me earlier at the rooftop and got it in my jean's pocket. I hurriedly opened it.

"You make me feel like I'm a school guy. Why? Because I keep waiting for Saturday and Sunday to come :) try not to die outside, Sophie. I'll see you soon. - KIM"

I keep the piece of paper inside my drawer together with the other pieces of paper he gave me. I've been keeping everything. I smile at the thought of Alex and everything that we've done together.

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Author's Note: I know, this isn't my best update. My mind is a little disoriented but I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter. THANK YOUU!!