I've been cleaning all night – from edges to corners to ceilings. I didn't want to leave any trace of dirt in the house once Forest arrives. I never even clean with family visitors but for some reason, I'm cleaning because Forest is coming over and we'll be spending time together alone like a date. The thought of Forest and I together unforcedly makes my stomach scrunch.
"Mom, will you be able to make us meal courses from lunch to tomorrow's breakfast? Do we have ingredients to prepare? Should I go stop by the market to get some spices or meat or veggies? Rice? Do we have rice/"
"Sweetie." Mom plants her hands over my shoulder to calm me down as I paced back and forth. "We have everything we need here. Why are you so tensed for having a visitor?" She brushes her fingers over my cheeks in worry. "You're making me nervous." She chuckled, pinching my cheeks lightly.
I scratched my head, trying to catch my breath. "I just don't want that person to think I'm not a proper man."
"Last time I checked, you were just a kid." Mom crossed her arms and looks at me suspiciously. "Why do you suddenly want to become a man?"
"Mom," I turned to her with a frown and she laughs. "Please don't be like that once she comes over."
She stops laughing. "Okay, okay, dear. I won't. I promise." She touched her chest, slightly leaning towards me as she spoke. "I'll just head to the mall real quick. I'll be back before lunch to make you a delicious meal, okay? Lock the door and don't let anyone in." She takes a step and turns back to me with a frown. "Except your visitor of course." I chuckled. "You get what I mean."
"Okay, mom." I give her a small push out of the main door. "Be careful."
After minutes of waiting in the living room frantic and unable to relax — Ding dong. I turned to the door and my heart immediately accelerated. She's here. I ran my palms over my pants and nervously walked towards the door.
Should I brush my teeth first? Change my clothes? I tried to smell myself but I never smelled this fresh from the bath before. I ran my fingers through my hair one last time before I held the knob. I took a deep breath… this is it. The moment the door opened, Forest's red dazzling and fiery hair welcomes me. Something about her today was vibrant but maybe that's just my feelings overpowering my other senses.
What's strange about her today is that she wasn't in an all-black outfit. She wore a black turtle neck sweater over her clean white oversized v-neck shirt with not-short shorts that were tasseled by the rem. Her lousy denim bag was hanging loose over her shoulder and she was holding thick books on her right arm.
I smiled at her. "Forest, you're here."
She frowns. "Obviously."
"We can stay in the study room. The books I told you about are there."
"Sure."
I blinked, a little disappointed by her short replies. "Come on in." I open the door wider for her so she can enter. As soon as she stepped inside the house, she looks around with her brows furrowed. She was probably not used to clean houses.
I shut the door behind her and followed her slow steps as she forwarded. It was strange to see her here. I know I've always wanted to spend some time with her but this maybe too much for my heart to handle. She looks even more beautiful than I remembered.
"Shall we go?" I asked when she kept roaming her eyes around the place.
For the past few hours, we were reading the three thick books non-stop. We weren't even half of the first books we've read and it was already dark outside. Forest was surprisingly taking this project a lot more serious than I thought. Nothing beats a girl who is good with science. She was so devoted to it she even jots down notes.
"Do you have any concepts in mind now?" I asked turning towards her.
She doesn't reply.
"I thought of an idea." I started and she still doesn't seem interested but I figured I'd keep going regardless. "What if we made a scanner that can gather DNA? And we can digitally replicate anything off of it."
She squints her eyes.
"We can already do DNA cloning, but it hasn't reached into an extent of having them replicate an exact form physically."
"There's a reason why it doesn't exist." She turns to me creasing her brows as if I've done something wrong again. "It simply just isn't possible."
"For now," I tilt my head. "What's the point of inventing if you doubt the process?"
She stares at me intently. She suddenly throws me her notebook. I catch it and opened the page it was creased at. My lips parted at the sight of her scratches on this device she's been conceptualizing.
"Through the Glass?" I asked as I read the boldest word scribbled on the page. Find. Calculate. Analyze. It looked like a tablet but it shows that it's supposed to be glass.
"Why don't we make something more possible for our age?"
"This—"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Mom looks inside and I look at her. "Mom," I turned to Forest and she looks over to the door and sees her. She blinks and looks at her the way I'm probably looking at her right now.
"You must be Forest. Mark has told me about you."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Lee."
"A pleasure to meet the girl my son is crazy for,"
Oh God, Mom.
I looked at Forest who didn't seem to take it seriously. "Mom," But still, it was embarrassing for her to say that. Forest kept a poker face and I'm surprised she wasn't being rude to my mom. I've seen her talk back at our teacher all the time.
Mom laughed teasingly and said, "I hate to interrupt but it's already almost five in the afternoon and you two need to have lunch and I'm starving already and it's almost dinner time. Why don't we all take a break and eat lunch and early dinner before you get back to whatever you're doing?"
"We'll be there in a sec, mom." Mom nods and smiles before she closed the door. I sighed in distress. "We should go. Mom hates it when you're called for a meal and you ignore it." She bobs her head. "It's actually a religious thing we—"
"I get it." She cuts me off. "We'll talk about this after."
"O-Okay."
The moment we were in the table, it was quiet and uncomfortable until mom started initiating a conversation – in the middle of eating. "So, Forest dear, I heard from Mark that you're very outstanding in Science."
Forest shakes her head. "He's clearly exaggerating, Mrs. Lee."
Mom suddenly puts her hand over her shoulder and smiles at her. "Call me Daina, dear."
"Ah," Forest nodded her head. She looked really awkward and stiff but I didn't want to yell at my mom right now for embarrassing me in front of the girl I'll probably only like.
"So how come? What do you like about science?"
"I, uh," I turned to Forest in anticipation. "—wanted to meet my mom."
"Your mom?"
Oh no, mom.
"She died when I was five."
Mom almost choked on her drink the moment Forest answered her. Even I didn't know about this so maybe I should thank my mom for this. Mom looks at her in misery. "I am so sorry to hear that." Forest remained still and looks down telling her it was okay. "How are you then? Are you living with your father?"
"No," she replies. "I don't live with my father." She glances up to my mom and added, "I often stay out of the house to be honest but if I do, I stay at my aunt's."
Mom nodded. Mom was surprisingly making Forest talk more than I can. Mom is always good with talking to people. There's something about her voice that's warm and comforting. "You can always come here if you want. You can have the spare room next to Mark's."
She flashes a small smile. "I'll prolly remember that."
"And you have a very beautiful hair. Is this natural?"
Forest suddenly wheezes. "I wish."
"And this tattoo?" Mom points at the hint of tattoo over her neck. "Very cool!" She claps her hands together like a child. "Is there anything behind this?"
Forest doesn't reply faster than normal. "I just had one to cover a scar my father left for me for the rest of my life."
A scar her father left? "Oh dear. I hope you're okay. You sound like you have a hard time dealing with your father."
"He's an asshole so…"
Mom looked surprised by how she just described her father but mom smiles like the angel she was and pushes her a bowl of soup. "Eat up, okay? We have a lot of food."
Forest nodded and brings a spoonful in her mouth.
"Mark made sure I served you the best I can cook."
I choked on my rice. I'm sure I coughed about half of what I had inside my mouth. "Mom!" I blushed but this only made my mom laugh harder. I looked at Forest and she doesn't look bothered by it which I'm thankful for. "I told you not to act like this in front of her." I whispered.
"I'm sorry, sweetie." Mom said but I was sure she didn't mean that. She always liked embarrassing me in front of people that I introduce her to. "I'm just excited to see you like this, that's all." Mom turns back to Forest as if she's completely forgotten that I was her son. "So Forest dear, have you ever cooked?"
Forest shakes her head. "I don't normally eat. If I'm lucky, a cup of noodles is all I get."
How come mom gets to find these things about her and I can't? I felt how strong my mom's ability was to make people feel more open. Too bad I couldn't inherit any of that because if I did, I wouldn't have needed her to make Forest spill all these things about herself.
"Oh dear." Mom sounded sincerely worried for her and I'm relieved that my mom doesn't hate her as much as I expected. I'd think she really liked her for treating her this way. "You can take the leftovers after then. Or you can come have dinner with us every day if you wanted."
I gulped. Mom has always been generous. I don't know how my dad let her slip out of his hand so carelessly.
After a few hours of continuing to read the books, I turned to Forest who was still focused on her assignment. We already agreed to present Through the Glass to Ms. Khan which I think is a really good project.
I turned to her direction and wondered why she can talk to my mom like that but not to me. I felt so jealous of my own mom. I'm happy I get to spend time with her like this but talking to her like how mom does so effortlessly is another level of satisfaction. "Hey,"
"What?" Her voice is even colder to me.
"Do you," I paused. "Do you, perhaps, want to take a short break?"
She looks up to me.
"The view from the pool this time is great."
"Okay." At first, I was surprised that she agreed to do it without hesitation.
We both headed out of the room, then out of the back door to get to the pool area. When we stepped out, she immediately looks up to the moon as she heaves a sigh. I walk towards the edge of the pool and sat, dipping my feet over the cold water. She followed and sat a little further away from me, her feet crossed as she sat.
The moon light was reflecting over the pool's water. The stars were brighter today than other days like it was meant for her and I to witness. It was quiet. I was happy to see that she looked like she was enjoying the view like I expected.
"I'm sorry about my mom." I said breaking the silence between us. "She's just too friendly sometimes but she doesn't mean to be nosy or anything like—"
"You have a very nice mom."
I was speechless. That, I didn't expect to hear from her. I feel like I've mastered to expect the worse from her – the violence. I stared at her luminous face. She was just looking up to the sky. I wanted to know what she's thinking so badly but I can't come off too strong because I'm afraid I'll end up ruining what I started to build up with her. "Nice moms should let their children eat ice creams." I shouldn't be making this joke, but I already did. "My mom doesn't so,"
She turns to me and suddenly chuckles.
I froze and I couldn't stop staring at her smile. I haven't seen Forest with this kind of smile or laugh. I always see her creasing her brows if not a mischievous wicked smile. Her laugh, her smile is different from her usual wheezes or arrogant smirks. Seeing her this way makes my heart melt like a candle. I'm too soft for Forest when she acts like this – the type she doesn't show outside my radar.
"What, I can't laugh now? I'm also human you know."
"It's just…" I paused, still unable to take my eyes off her. For some reason, she doesn't seem to care that this was all happening in front of me. She was always so careful not to act in a manner that I'd find attractive. "—rare."
"Little demons aren't allowed to have anything sweet." She said. "I don't blame your mom." I can almost hear her chuckle every time she spoke, it's weird.
I chuckled. "Don't we?" If being a devil brings me closer to her, I'd gladly take the invitation and burn in hell. "My mom really appreciates people who are brave enough to be different without caring about what others think." I explained. "She thinks people that think normally are the crazy ones."
She smirks. "You suck because you didn't get that from her." She raises a brow at me. "You're below ordinary."
"That makes me not ordinary still, don't I?"
"Nope. You're fucking lame."
"For a moment, I thought you were going to talk to my mom the way you talk to almost everyone." I said under my breath. "Cussing and mean, and rude."
She wheezed. "I don't respect people my age but that doesn't mean I don't respect people who deserve respect." How much further will I be falling for this girl? "Your mom is one of the few people who deserves my respect."
"She really is cool, isn't she?"
"She is." She looks up again. "Your dad," I looked at her in anticipation. It was about time she asked about my father. If she hadn't noticed, I'd be surprised. "What happened to your dad?" She turns to me. This is the first time she ever asked me about my life so I smiled.
"He left us for another family."
She was quiet.
"It's okay though. My dad isn't really worthy of my mom." She looked away nodding. She must have thought it was best to stop talking about it thinking it makes me uncomfortable. "I never knew about your mom. I'm sorry for the loss."
"That was a long time ago. I barely remember her."
Every answer she tells me just fascinates me. Am I starting to build a friendship with her? We were talking. We were really talking – like an actual conversation was actually happening between the two of us. I'm not sure I want to wake up and deal with the old Forest that pushed me away whenever I tried to advance. "You said you live with your aunt. Does that mean you don't have anyone else now?"
"I rather not talk about it."
I gulped. "Sorry."
"God, keep some fucking pride, will you?"
I looked at her confused. "P-Pardon?"
"The more you say sorry, the more you're losing some self-pride. You don't always have to own up to things especially when they're not worth apologizing for."
"I'm apologizing because I know you hate talking."
She sneered in disbelief. "You fucking loser."
Is it morning? My eyes slowly flew open but disappointed at the dark view of the outside from the study room window. My eyes stung a little as I tried to keep them open. I turned to my right and felt the pain around my neck. I froze when I saw Forest leaning over the table as well facing my direction.
I felt my heart accelerating faster than normal. I could hear it from the silence inside the room right now. She looked so angelic when she's sleeping like this. She was still wearing her eye makeup though. I smiled and rested my cheeks over my arms to stare more of her face. I don't think I've complimented her physical look this much.
I don't know why but I ended up watching her asleep for the next hours until she woke up and the sun was already up. I looked at her and she immediately frowns. She crouches away from the table and stretched her back.
"I reformulated the equation you did. I think this will work for the microchip better than the past versions we had."
"Great. The faster this finishes, the better for me."
I laughed nodding. "Mom left for work but she made breakfast. Let's go eat before we go to school."
After school, the three of us, Ms. Khan, Forest and I, headed to her personal laboratory as she said. She showed us our temporary rooms which was also located inside her laboratory. Forest's room and I were separated but it was just across each other. Each room had two single beds which I think Ms. Khan prepared for events like these.
Ms. Khan's laboratory was a lot bigger than I imagined. It's nothing like NASA or Star Laboratories or Stark Industries but it was big for a personal laboratory she owns. True to her words, it was complete with the things we needed. However, we had to order a few parts we needed for the project that wasn't available in her lab.
We also consulted technicians for our project to make sure we were going the right path and thankfully, Ms. Khan guided us throughout the process – so did, Mr. Oliver. It's only been a week since we started the project and we were all so devastated and tired for all the trials and errors we've faced. In the first place, we knew the project was going to be challenging because it's supposed to be an artificial intelligence. My small knowledge about coding wasn't enough so I had to study more of that alongside the other branches we needed for the project.
"I'm heading out to buy you both dinner, okay?" Ms. Khan announced so we nodded in response.
Forest's been working on the formulas we needed to get accurate analyzations on screen. She has been working on it endlessly. The project was a lot more complicated as it's supposed to assist people – which required more than just science and mathematics.
"Forest!"
I creased my brows in shock. I turned to Forest and she was just as surprised as I was. Is there someone outside calling her name or was I just hearing things from not getting enough sleep?
"FOREST GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE OR I'LL BURN THIS PLACE DOWN!"
"Fuck," Forest stood and walked out of the laboratory so I followed behind. I was scared to find out whoever was outside Ms. Khan's place. The angry words coming out of that person's voice made me imagine a serial killer standing outside with a bomb ready to explode.
Forest opens the door and I froze the moment I saw the man who was hitting Forest in that house a few days ago – theoretically her father. How did he know where she was and how did he know we were in Ms. Khan's place? It just doesn't make sense.
"Leave. I have no business to talk with you."
"You fucking talk back to your father like that now?!"
"You're not my fucking father."
"Why you," The man suddenly pulled Forest's hair and drags her out of the door like she was a rug. "I'll show you who you're messing with, you fucking bitch. If I say you get home by six, you go home before that and cook for me every day! I thought I made our deal clear young lady!"
"Four!" I take a step forward but stopped when she shouted.
"Let me go!" she screams as her father drags her all the way to Ms. Khan's front yard. She pulls herself away from her dad and glares at him. "I never made a fucking deal with you okay? How fucking dare you use your authority on me!" She yelled – so much that her veins popped out of her neck. "You only keep us so you get your share with fucking Linda's government money for taking us from the foster house!"
Her father makes a big slap on her face but Forest was still. "SHUT UP!"
"What? You're ashamed of hearing your dirty ass crimes?! You only use the fucking money for your fucking self when it should be used for Polar, you fucking useless piece of shit!"
"I said shut up!" The man knees Forest by the abdomen making her fall down the ground choking in pain.
"Forest!" I ran to where she fell and grabbed her head before glancing back at her disgusting father. "Sir, I'm sorry but this is a private property. If you don't get out this instant, I'm gonna have to call the police." Even I was scared of him but I somehow managed to tell him that despite his angry look.
"What is going on in here?!"
"Ms. Khan!" I see her run towards us. "Ms. Khan call the ambulance and the police now!"
"You better fucking hide yourself well, Forest." He points his fingers over her. "If I find you, I won't hesitate to kill both you and your fucking sister."
"Excuse me, sir!" Ms. Khan yelled but Forest's father already ran too far. "Yes, please. A student of mine is unconscious. A man just came and I just got home! I don't— please hurry up!"
I hear Ms. Khan speak over the phone but I was too worried of Forest right now to care about anything else. "She's not waking up, Ms. Khan." I said, my voice shaking in worry.
Ms. Khan said when she reached us. "What happened here?! Who was that man?!"
"She needs to go to the hospital, Ms. Khan!"
She dials and brings her phone up to her ear. "Hello? This is Elizabeth Khan of—"
"Forest…" I ran my fingers over her face and her eyes were closed. "Wake up." I mumbled, lightly shaking her by the shoulder but she doesn't budge.
"Fuck," I hear her mumble. I looked her in relief.
"You're awake." The moment she had her eyes open, she quickly rises up from the ground and runs away. "Wa— Where are you going?!" I yelled but she didn't answer. She kept running.
"Ms. Young!" I hear Ms. Khan yell. "Come back here!"
I ran back inside the lab to grab my jacket before going back out only to find that she wasn't anywhere to be seen now. I sighed in frustration. "Forest!"