14th➳

"Nari, do you know what this is talking about?" Joshua asked me, pointing at the section I recently just read.

So that was what happened... But we still haven't found the answer to why they took them away. "Yeah, I do. But it's not really adding up. The question why still remains. Why did they take them away?"

Joshua took the papers away from me and looked through it all. After looking, he gave me a sad look and said, "There is no answer to why. That's it. That's all there is. I'm... sorry, Nari."

"No," I stopped him from feeling sad. "There must be a way we can find out."

"I'll try to find out as much as I can," Joshua offered.

"Thanks Joshua. You're the best," I said, giving him a weak smile.

♥

Days, weeks passed and there has been no reasons why Hoya and Jaemin were forced into an orphanage. No matter how hard Joshua and I tried, nothing made sense nor add up. In the end, I just gave up on trying how to figure out the truth. Joshua has been doing a good job trying to distract me with tons of fun, but the guilty pain doesn't go away that easily.

"Hey, you okay?" Joshua quietly asked me, taking a seat on the end of the bench I sat on too. He first sat on the end, but slowly, he moved closer and closer until our elbows touched.

"I... think so," I replied. Although I can't do anything more to help Hoya and Jaemin, I should at least try to go back to usual. After all, I've never taken responsibility for them before. What's the difference now? Well, obviously, the difference was that I wanted to take responsibility for them, rather than them taking care of themselves. Growing up is inevitable, no matter how hard you try to stop it.

In front of me, Joshua held something while looking in the other direction. He didn't even say a word to wake me up from my thoughts. I've been getting used to these time consuming thoughts. "Here."

"It's for me?" The enthusiasm and excitement wasn't easy to hide when my favourite banana yogurt drink was held in front of me. "Really?"

Joshua turned his head back to face me and grinned. Handing it to me, he ruffled my hair like I was a kid. "You're like an adorable kid, Nari. You really like this drink?"

"I prefer this to espresso and coffee," I told him, poking the straw into the small plastic cup through its aluminium then drinking up. "This is far more delicious than what you guys drink every time. Why do you even like coffee?"

"What's there not to love?" he asked back.

"Everything." I blinked at him before looking forward again to stare at our empty surroundings. I guess everyone was either at class or eating lunch at the canteen. "It's bitter, it smells like dry wood and it leaves a weird aftertaste in my mouth."

"I guess it's not just your mind that thinks like a child. Your tongue is also like one," Joshua said, patting my head. "Coffee is great. You'll learn to love it as you grow up."

"Nope," I said after thinking about it.

Joshua didn't grow mad. Instead, he pinched my cheeks and said, "There's only two types of people in this world, Nari. The ones to who coffees and the ones who love tea."

"Nah," I said, shaking my head. Lifting my empty plastic cup up in the air, I said, "Yogurt homies! There's got to be that group of peeps, too!"

"You're just talking about your fellow kid mates, Nari. I don't think that many people your age likes yogurt drinks," said Joshua. After a while, he added, "Oh, wait. There's Kang Yeon Doo and Ha Dong Jae of Korean drama Cheer Up."

"Ha! See? There are people," I told him, trying to prove my point to him. "Kang Yeon Doo unnie!"

Joshua just shook his head at me, like I was a kid stuck in my jelly bean hallucinations. He was smiling, though. "Hey, um, your friend sent a text to me the other day."

"Jiyeon?" I clarified. So, I guess she was making her first move in trapping Joshua into her love trap. I hope it goes well for them.

"Yeah," Joshua answered, scratching his head awkwardly. "She asked me to hang out with today but I wasn't sure if I should..."

That didn't sound good. Time to help my best friend Jiyeon. "You should! She's a great girl, really.

"Are you sure?" he asked me one last time.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Then come with me."

♥

I really should've been firm with my protest so I wouldn't end up following Joshua on his supposed date with Jiyeon. I would have gone to work instead but Joshua had already told the management we can't make it today. Can I just run away in the middle of the date?

When Jiyeon spotted me next to Joshua, she was taken aback at first. But then she became excited and told me in a whisper that she was glad I came because she would have no idea what to do when an awkward atmosphere took over them. Honestly, there's already one forming around us. 

"Do you girls want to go to the movies?" Joshua asked the both of us after idly wandering around the streets, talking. I did my best to exclude myself in conversations so that the two of them could talk together, but every time I do, it turns into an awkward silence.

What, did Joshua fall for her already?

"You two go and watch something. I just remembered I have to... um, do homework," I lied, smiling at the two. "I should go nowㅡ"

Joshua didn't let me, though. He immediately grabbed onto my wrist when I was about to walk away from them. "Don't go. Don't be a stranger, Nari. We can do things together."

I secretly glanced at Jiyeon, who stood behind Joshua quietly. I could easily see the change of colour in Jiyeon's cheeks, which made me shake my head at Joshua's offer. "No, it's okay, Jisoo. I should go, really. Bye." Joshua didn't let go of my wrist easily, though. "Joshua..."

Joshua reluctantly let my hand go. But before I left, he came closer and whispered into my ear, "Meet me at the convenient store tonight."

I couldn't make a promise I couldn't keep so I just gave him a smile before walking away from the two. I didn't want to head home because I didn't see why I have to go home after school ended. I have my own freedom so that whole afternoon, I spent my time at the arcade playing games.

♥

When night took over and put afternoon to rest, I still wasn't sure whether I should meet up with Joshua or not. He was calling me now, but I just didn't respond to itㅡI didn't answer it nor did I declined it.

Joshua: Nari? Are you coming? I really want to meet up.

I really wasn't sure anymore. I felt like a kid who didn't know what to do when they followed parents to their work siteㅡso confused, don't know what to do. In the end, I decided to just go because it would seem odd if I suddenly started ignoring him. I've done that so many times and now I'm indebted to him since he helped me get information about The House of Hope.

Picking up my thick coat off from the bed, I stuffed my phone into my pocket and began walking in the cold, crisp air of Seoul, on my way to the convenient store to meet Joshua. I wondered why he wanted to meet up with me. Shouldn't guys go home and stay up chatting with the girls they recently met? I have no experience in this so I heavily depended on dramas to find out.

Joshua wasn't inside the convenient store like I thought he would be. Instead, he was leaning against the wall next to the door, playing with his foot with his hands deep inside his pockets of his thick coat. I came close enough for him to look up from his feet and he instantly smiled and ruffled my hair. "You made it!"

"Yeah," I said, fixing the hair Joshua messed up. "What's this about? Why'd you want to meet up?"

"I just wanted to... you know, hang out with you," Joshua shyly replied, looking away to stare at the outside tables, clearing his throat. "Why'd you suddenly leave this afternoon? It was pretty awkward then. After we watched the movies, we just left."

Okay? Shouldn't there be more when a guy and girl are out alone together? I don't know, like walks in the park or buying drinks together? Like the wayㅡ 

Like the way Joshua and I did when we hung out together one day...

"That's unfortunate. Maybe it's because the two of you are too awkward around each other. Give it some time. You'll get used to her eventually," I encouraged for the sake of my best friend. It didn't sound like he was interested in her so I should really help Jiyeon with it.

"Aniyo, it's okay. I... I'd rather have you by my side," Joshua said, clearing his throat once again then scratching the back of his neck. "Waㅡwant to go inside? It's cold out here."

As Joshua helped me inside, I couldn't help but blink my eyes every time I glanced at him. He was avoiding eye contact and was acting strange and shy. What's up with him?

"Have you start working on your sketch? Do you want me to take a picture of myself so you can sketch it at home later?" Joshua asked me as he sat down on the high stools.

I kept on blinking at him and just stood there like a confused little kid trying to understand big words.

"What?" Joshua stared back at me with a confused look and also a nervous gaze. "Did it come out weird? So... sorry. Forget I said anything."

But honestly, it wasn't such a bad idea. Without words, I took out my phone and handed it to him, waiting for Joshua to react first.

Joshua stared at my offered phone before breaking into an excited smile which looked adorable on him. "You're serious? I can take a selca of myself for you to refer to? Really? Jeongmalyo? Jinjja?"

With a blank face and a gaze that would freak out a kid, I gave him a nod.

Before Joshua went with the whole selca fiasco, he looked at me with a concerned look. "Are you okay, Nari? You're not talking. That's not like you. Did I scare you?"

I shook my head again and excused myself, "I'm going to the candy aisle. I want to find some marshmallows for myself. I saw a little girl eating the type with jam in it and it looked tasty."  
    
Joshua laughed a little and said, "Okay then, little Nari. I'll be here. I won't stalk your phone."

"There's nothing to stalk, anyway." Then I remembered my conversation chat with Jiyeon. Jittery, I added, "Except the chat with Jiyeon! Don't... just don't stalk the chat app LINE, arasso?"

Joshua smiled, his eyes talking. He promised he wouldn't, as his eyes said. Feeling reassured, I nodded and walked away to the candy aisle.

♥

"Shouldn't I walk you home? It's ten now and there could be drunk ahjussis out and about. I don't want anyone of them to touch you by accident or intentional," Joshua worriedly informed me, following me out of the convenient store.

Turning around and stuffing my hands into my warm pockets, I gave him a reassuring smile. "Aniyo, nan gwaenchana. You should head home, too. Your sister might freak out knowing you came home late or something."

"They don't exactly care, seeing everyone in my family is concentrating on how to become richer and more known," he explained, scratching his head. "Sometimes I just don't feel like I'm their son at all. They all work for money. Can't they at least relax for even a minute to sit around the table, talk a little and enjoy the family's company? Sorry, Nari. I shouldn't have talked like that."

To hear that Joshua was lonely was something you rarely hear everyday. I couldn't even muster a word of encouragement to him for comfort. I only continued to stare at the boy I thought was perfect. He's not a Prince Charming. He's a Lost Boy.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you back home?"

Hearing Joshua's voice snapped me back to the reality world. Shaking my head once to make sure I came back to my senses, I shook my head one more time as an answer to Joshua's question. "No, I'm fine, Joshua. You should head home too. I don't want to take up too much of your time."

"You're not going toㅡ"

"Bye," I said, turning around so my back faced him and began walking away, with a hand waving so he could see it. Just like that, I began walking home alone.

I have to admit, maybe I should have gone home earlier. Walking alone in the dark and empty streets sure can bring unwanted, creepy thoughts like a man suddenly walking out of the alleyway and lunging forward to rape me or something. I tried to ease my mind by imagining I kicked him in the balls hard then kicking him onto the floor. But when a girl is going up against a drunk man, it was obvious who the winner would be.

All my imaginations came to a halt when I spotted three man walking drunkenly side by side. This right now was cliché but as cliché as it is, it was real and it was happening. They were walking nearer and nearer and I immediately froze in place and my mind couldn't even think of an escape way because the fear was taking over like a virus in a computer.

The three man stopped walking and tried to stand straight but kept slipping on their feet. Their drunken eyes squinted as they tried to make out the figure standing a few steps awayㅡme. The one in the middle pointed their index finger at my direction and a disgusting smirk crept up their face as they began taking step forward.

My heart was beating so fast and I was screaming in my mind, telling it to run properly but even my legs couldn't process what I was trying to tell it. I was just like an icicle on the streetsㅡfrozen in place; unable to move.

That was then a hand gripped onto my wrist and we began running away down the streets with three man chasing after us.

~Author's Notes~

I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)

Kimichies, should I make a contest? Since it might be the first time I'll host it, what kind of contest should it be? And what should the prizes be? Please help me, Kimichies! Comment your ideas so I can see what your ideas are :)) I'll decide which contest will be the best in the next, or future chapters :))

Any Kimichies here talented in graphics or want to do fanarts? :3 I've always wanted to see fanarts made by readers and I wonder if any of you amazing Kimichies would like to do it :)

If you decided to make one and send them to me, here's where you can send them to:

Instagram: @_queenmichelsa_

Twitter: @ Queen_Michelsa

If you have found me on Instagram, comment your username on one of my post so I know who you are (or you can just DM me) *you guys will finally see my face if you visit my account 어머 부끄 *embarrassed emoji*

I don't really use Twitter but I'll try to visit it more to see if you sent in any fanarts. Like before, comment or tell me your username so I'll know who you are :)

Characters in the fanart include Jung Eun Ji of A-pink and Joshua Hong Jisoo of SEVENTEEN. You may use sentences/quotes from this book if you want to add it.

This is all for fun, but if you sent fanarts to me and I see one I like, I might post it in the media in the next chapter :)

Also, before I leave...

SEVENTEEN'S COMEBACK IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED THIS MONTH! I have Pretty U on replay as well as all the other songs in the album. Chuck is my jam! Anyone else agrees? Also, Drift Away is stuck in my head, it won't get out, nor would I want it to HEH

Q&A: who wrecked you 

Thanks for reading this chapter and this incredibly long author's notes :))

xoxo,

Byun Sang Kyung