Quyen's room is really very simple, and even this room is decorated simply, to the point of being sketchy. In the small room, a bed is placed near the window. Above it is a nightstand with a night light placed on it. Next to the bed is a wardrobe, and at the bottom of the bed is Quyen's desk. Perhaps the only thing that counts in this room is her bookshelf. Bich Quyen is an avid reader. She can spend all day reading books. For Quyen, the feeling of being buried in words is an extremely indescribable feeling. It seems that every time she reads a book, those words will bring Quyen into a world where she will always learn new things. Manh Tuan remembers once, that Bich Quyen asked him to take her to a book fair. After just two hours there, she brought home three bags full of books. His face at that moment, bright and cheerful, was a face he could never forget.
Bich Quyen sat down on a chair, and tilted her head to the side, using a towel to absorb all the water in her hair. She finished that, then just took the dryer from the drawer, plugged it in, and quietly dried her hair. The sound of the dryer buzzing made the space more or less as silent as before, but also less embarrassing. Manh Tuan stood next to her, not saying anything. He quietly approached her and took the dryer in her hand. At the moment when their hands touched, Bich Quyen was startled slightly. Her movements were so light that even standing at such a close distance, Tuan didn't even notice. His hand slipped through her long, smooth, jet-black hair. The sweet scent of peaches around his nose was the scent of the shampoo he'd given her for her birthday last year. Bich Quyen liked things with peach flavour, he remembered that. Manh Tuan froze for a bit. It seems that what Quyen likes, what she doesn't like, he remembers them all. Not intentionally remembering, but unconsciously bringing those things into his mind. That's funny! He lowered his head, laughing mockingly in his heart. Obviously, he told himself not to pay attention to Quyen anymore, but he still remembered it unconsciously. By the time he realized that he shouldn't continue to care about her anymore, everything was already in his heart.
- Tuan, this is too hot!
Quyen's small voice was mixed with the sound of the dryer. It took him a while to recognize her voice. Tuan looked in the mirror, saw Quyen's face wrinkled, and realized that the dryer was making her hot. He quickly turned off the dryer and gently stroked her hair with his hand.
- Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
When he felt that the hair was no longer hot, he let go of his hand. In the mirror, Manh Tuan could see Bich Quyen's eyes filled with tears. She wasn't a very good pain taker, just getting a little hot like that made her want to cry. Dang Bich Quyen is not a good pain sufferer, she's just good at pretending like she's okay.
- No problem.
She shook her head, giving a small smile. The two of them were silent for a long time. Both of them remained silent until Mrs. Huong's voice came from downstairs, saying that the food was ready.
A warm family meal, a fun atmosphere with laughter and laughter Everyone was happy because Bich Quyen was discharged from the hospital. After a month in the hospital, she was finally able to walk normally. Mr. Hoan also asked Quyen if she needed crutches to walk, but she deftly refused. It's just a minor injury, so there's really no need to overdo it.
- Quyen, let Tuan take you to school tomorrow. You walk to school alone. I don't feel secure at all.
Mrs. Linh picked up a piece of stewed beef and placed it in Quyen's bowl. As for Bich Quyen, her eyes are looking at Tuan, sitting opposite. His face is a little uncomfortable. That's right, no one wants to appear with Bich Quyen in the same place. No one wants to be seen as friends with someone who is being isolated from the whole class. More than anyone else, Quyen is extremely understanding about this, and she also doesn't want him to be dragged into what is happening in class.
- There's no need. I feel better now. Aunt Linh doesn't worry.
Bich Quyen curved her eyes into a semicircle; the smile on her lips was really innocent. No one can realize that, behind that smile, is how heavy and worried Manh Tuan is. He understood the word "okay" that Quyen said. She is not fine. When the first rays of tomorrow's sun fall, her life isolated from her classmates will begin. No way! It's not the beginning, it's the continuation.
[..]
- Quyen, are you ready yet? Have you received the new timetable that Mrs. Tuyet sent?
Mrs. Huong knocked on Bich Quyen's door, then opened the door and entered. Seeing her daughter still sitting at the desk, her computer still showing a series of English test questions, Mrs. Huong could only sigh. This daughter of hers really just learns and learns.
- It's done, mom.
Quyen looked away from the computer and folded the scraps of paper scattered on the table neatly into one place. She bent down and turned off the computer. It's already past eleven, she should go to sleep.
- Then go to bed early. You still have to go to school early tomorrow.
Bich Quyen smiled instead of replying. Mrs. Huong walked out of her room. Before leaving, Mrs. Huong stopped for a moment. There were a few things that she wanted to ask Quyen about, but she didn't know how to ask her. Bich Quyen looked at her mother, still standing at the door. Her eyes were a little worried. Is it possible that her mother has something difficult to say?
- Is there anything else?
- Hey Quyen, are you and Tuan still okay?
Mrs. Huong's voice was so light, like a burst of warm sunshine in the cold winter, but it made Bich Quyen feel anxious in her heart. Could it be that her mother realized what was wrong between her and Tuan? That can't be! Bich Quyen remembered that she didn't do anything different today in front of everyone's eyes.
- It's okay, mom. We're still fine.
Quyen didn't want her mother to worry, so she just smiled. Mrs. Huong looked at her like that and could only sigh quietly. How could she not notice the difference in her daughter? Bich Quyen likes Manh Tuan. Mrs. Huong, of course, could see it. And there was not a girl who turned down the opportunity to be with the person she likes. Especially when that girl is Bich Quyen. Since realizing her feelings for Manh Tuan, Quyen has always wanted to be with that guy. But today, when given an opportunity to be with the person she likes, Quyen refused it. How could Mrs. Huong not see it? The only thing is, Quyen doesn't like to talk to her mother. She always wants to keep these things to herself. Really, Mrs. Huong can't do anything.
The door to the room closed, leaving Quyen alone in the room. Lying down on the large bed, she looked at the peach-shaped stuffed animal that was smiling stupidly in the corner of the bed. It was a gift that Tuan gave her on her birthday three years ago, while the two were out together. When he gave the stuffed animal to her, he said, she was very similar to the peach-shaped stuffed animal. Quyen asked him why he thought that. At that time, Tuan laughed a lot. He said she was like this peach, always smiling stupidly. No matter what happened, she still laughed stupidly.
- I am by your side. So, if you have a problem, don't try to solve it on your own. Tell me, I'll help you.
Tuan patted her head. The girl was only a few centimetres shorter than him but liked to carry everything on her shoulders.
- If I can't be there with you, just tell this peach.
His voice rang in her ears like it was yesterday. Bich Quyen hugged a peach-shaped stuffed animal, buried her head in its fat body, and cried quietly. Now she needed him, really needed him. But does he still want to be with her?
The sweetness did not last long, and in Bich Quyen's ears, Manh Tuan's voice once again sounded. He despised her. He stood among the people who bullied her, silently watching. When she needed him most, he let go and didn't respond. Bich Quyen didn't want to leave, she didn't want to be a turtle that can only shrink its head and run away. But, she didn't know how long she could continue to endure. Bich Quyen's head spun and her temples ached as a result of everything. Every night, in her sleep, the prying and disdainful eyes made her unable to sleep.