Shonn went to a park in his neighborhood. He sat there for hours, watching parents play with their kids. He just smiled, trying to find some peace in the simplicity of life around him.
It was already evening when his phone buzzed with a text.
"Shonn, did you check the assignment results? We got first place! Yeeeee! Thanks for your effort. Let's eat together sometime soon. My treat."-Sara
He chuckled softly, realizing that he hadn't really smiled at simple things since his mom passed away until he met Sara. He replied,
"Why not today?"
"Oh? Today? You sure? My parents came today after their business trip. I cooked a lot of dishes. If you want, you can come."
"It's okay. I shouldn't interrupt. I was just kidding."
"Shonn, where are you?"
"At the lake park."
"I'm coming, wait!"
"No, no. Seriously, you don't have to. I'm about to leave. I've got work to do." He replied, feeling a bit panicked.
"I know you'll be uncomfortable around my family, so I'm coming to you. Bet you won't regret it. Let's have a small night picnic."
"Huh? I'm leaving." Shonn replied, feeling conflicted.
Seen…
No reply…
I shouldn't have said that in the first place. Shit! Should I just leave? Is she really coming? He stayed there for 15 minutes.
"Oh, she's not coming really then! That's a relief!" He got up from the chair, turned back, and saw Sara running towards him.
"Oh! I told you I was leaving. Why did you…" Shonn asked, his voice trailing off.
"I knew you would wait," she said, panting from running.
"I was just about to leave, Sara."
"Then why didn't you go when you said you were leaving!? Huh? Were you waiting for me?" Sara teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"What?"
"All you can say is just WHAT! Now come on. Help me set this up."
"Ah."
Sara brought a charger light with her even though there were lights at the park. Shonn started opening the boxes one by one while Sara noticed his puffy eyes.
"You really didn't have to bring me food. Anyway, thanks for it." Shonn said, feeling a bit more at ease.
"It's nothing. You're welcome." Sara smiled as she saw Shonn eating almost everything.
"You're a great cook, Sara."
She chuckled softly.
"Shonn, you really don't have to pretend you're okay when you're not. I'm not going to ask you what happened, but you really look awful today." She said when he finished eating. Shonn furrowed his brow at her, feeling a mix of emotions.
"What are you looking at? You cried, didn't you?" She asked. He didn't reply." I don't know if we are close enough, but you can talk to me when it's hard," she added.
Shonn chuckled and looked at her, feeling a sense of relief.
"Sara, you ever wonder how I got this scar? When I was five, my parents were having one of their usual fights at dinner. I was just sitting there, being a kid. There was hot soup on the table. My mom slammed her hand down, and the soup went flying, right onto my face. I was so embarrassed to go to school after that. Everyone kept asking about the scar. But weirdly, I was kind of thankful for it back then. It seemed to make my parents stay together a little longer. Of course, I was just a kid. I didn't realize they were only staying together out of pity for me." He stopped for a second, glanced at the sky, took a deep breath, and added, "Then my mom remarried, and I got a new dad and an older brother. Everyone seemed really happy in the new marriage, but I just couldn't get used to it. Then my dad died, and not long after, Levi's dad and my mom died in an accident. It felt like my world was falling apart all over again."
Sara listened to him without blinking, her heart racing. She felt a sudden chill as a cold breeze swept by. Shonn's hair blew to one side, revealing the scar beneath it. Unable to resist, Sara stepped closer and gently touched the scar, her fingers lingering on his skin. Shonn didn't blush this time, and neither did she.
"It's beautiful," Sara whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thanks for sharing that with me." Their faces were so close now, just an inch apart, and she could feel his breath on her lips.
"Thanks for being here, listening to my story," Shonn replied, his voice low and intimate. He moved his face away from hers, breaking the intense moment. Sara coughed, suddenly aware of how close they had been.
"Okay. I'll go then," she said, her voice a bit shaky.
"Wait. I'll walk you home," Shonn offered, a playful glint in his eyes.
"To play hero again?" Sara teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Why bring that up? Let's just go," Shonn said, smirking as they started walking.
As they walked, Sara glanced at him. "By the way, I never realized you have green eyes. They're beautiful."
Shonn looked surprised and scratched his head, looking down. "Oh! Thanks, I guess."
Sara laughed. "You guess? Come on, take the compliment."
"Alright, alright," Shonn chuckled. "Your eyes aren't so bad either."
"Oh, really?" Sara nudged him playfully. "Just not as good as yours?"
"I didn't say that," Shonn replied, grinning. "Maybe I should've said they're gorgeously captivating."
Sara blushed slightly but quickly covered it with a laugh. "Smooth, Shonn. Very smooth."
While they walked, Sara broke the silence again. "You know, I never knew you could be so friendly. It's been six months since we started college, and I've never seen you talking to anyone."
"So, you've been keeping an eye on me?" Shonn teased, his tone playful.
"Haha, it's hard to avoid you in class since the girls are always talking about you. Even if I don't want to, I have to listen," Sara retorted, nudging him lightly.
"You're no different," Shonn said softly, his eyes twinkling.
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm not like those girls who only think about boys all the time. Hmph." Sara pouted, crossing her arms.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Shonn said, looking a bit confused.
"Eh?" Sara glanced at him, puzzled.
"Nothing. Never mind. I think we're here. See you tomorrow then," Shonn said, stopping in front of her house.
"Thanks for walking me home," Sara said, her tone sincere.
"It's nothing. Thanks for the company," Shonn replied, smiling softly.
"Shonn, whatever happened, I don't know, but cheer up. Talk it out. You'll be fine," Sara said, her voice gentle and reassuring.
"I'll try," Shonn said, nodding. He started to walk away, but Sara called out to him again.
"Shonn?"
"Yeah?"
"You're nicer than you think. Cheer up," Sara said, giving him a warm smile.
Shonn just smiled back, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. I'm a curse, Sara. People around me always die.
. . .
"Mom, Dad, come on! You're making me more nervous," Maya protested, spotting her parents huddled by the computer, anxiously awaiting her job results. Their faces were a blend of worry and hope, mirroring her own jittery excitement.
"How can we not be? VISHO is the job you've always dreamed of," Mr. Larson said, his voice radiating pride.
"You'll understand once you have kids," Mrs. Larson added with a knowing smile. "Why are the results taking forever?"
"Just ten more minutes," Maya replied, her eyes glued to the ticking clock. Her heart pounded like a drum, each second dragging on.
"I'm home," Sara announced, breezing into the room, her casual demeanor sharply contrasting with the tension in the air.
"Did your friend enjoy the food?" Mrs. Larson asked, momentarily distracted.
"Yes, Mom," Sara replied, trying to keep it brief.
"Is this friend a guy?" Mr. Larson inquired, eyebrows raised in a protective arch.
Maya grinned knowingly, well aware it was Shonn. Her teasing look made Sara blush.
"Yes, Dad. Why else would I go out? Geez!" Sara retorted, attempting nonchalance.
"If he's a good guy, I won't say anything," Mr. Larson conceded, still protective.
"He's just a friend. Seriously!" Sara frowned, her cheeks turning crimson.
"Everyone starts out as just a friend," Mr. Larson teased.
"Enough with that, Dad. Sis, did you get the result?" Sara asked, eager to switch topics.
"One more minute," Maya replied, her hands trembling as she refreshed the page.
"Don't worry, it's okay if you don't get it," Sara said, trying to comfort her sister.
"Stop talking nonsense," Mrs. Larson scolded, eyes fixed on the screen.
"I GOT THE JOB! I GOT THE JOB!" Maya screamed as her name appeared on the screen. The room erupted in joy.
"Congrats, Sis! Buy me a car, okay? No, an apartment," Sara teased, jumping up and down.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Maya laughed, tears of relief and happiness sparkling in her eyes.
"Congratulations, sweetheart," Mrs. Larson said, pulling her into a warm, tearful hug. Mr. Larson joined, wrapping his arms around them both.
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad," Maya whispered, feeling the weight of their love and support.
Maya excused herself and called Kira first, her heart still racing. Then she dialed Steven, eager to share the news and maybe rub it in a bit.
"Hello?" Steven's voice was cool and collected.
"Steven?"
"Yes, it's me."
"I got the job! Can you believe it?"
"Yeah, I already know. You didn't have to call."
"Oh, you know already?" Maya felt a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Yes. You have to call me 'boss' from now on," Steven teased.
"Why are you being so tough?" Maya rolled her eyes.
"Am I? By the way, do you have my number saved?" Steven asked, his tone shifting.
"What?" Maya didn't understand at first, the network connection faltering.
"So you didn't save it," Steven's voice was tinged with disappointment.
"Sorry, what?" Maya repeated, confused.
"You can't say you changed your number. You never actually saved mine!" Steven sounded sad.
"Wait, what number? What are you talking about?" Maya felt a knot forming in her stomach.
"Comfort zone, you said. Goodnight! I have work to do. See you tomorrow."
"What? Tomorrow? Why?" Maya asked, confused.
"Oh, you're so overwhelmed that you didn't see the notice. Your job starts tomorrow. We'll have orientation at 9 am. Don't be late."
"Crap," Maya muttered, feeling the pressure.
Steven hung up without another word. Maya was left in a daze, wondering if he was just messing with her.
What am I even doing? I'm sorry, Maya. I can't let myself be weak for you anymore, Steven thought, his heart aching.