"Xiǎo, hurry up or we will be late." I called out as I prepared to go into town with the boy. The girls were planning on making a cake for him while I distracted Xiǎo.

"Can we watch a movie?"

"Hmmm, it is your birthday...I guess we could splurge on a movie." I winked down at him. Today was t last day of winter break and we were going to celebrate his birthday together before everyone went back to school.

"What were you planning on watching?" I asked innocently.

"Train to Busan!"

"Uhhh, sure. What is it about?"

"Oh, it's an action movie. All of the kids at school were talking about it." Xiǎo said excitedly.

Something in the back of my mind didn't feel right but since it was his birthday...

"Sounds good to me."

When we arrived at the movie theatre, I bought two tickets with my allowance for the nine o'clock morning showing.

"We have some time before the movie starts, is there anything you want to do..." but before I could finish, Xiǎo interrupted me.

"Gē!" (Slang for Gēgē)

"Gē?! Xiao, you don't have a Gē." Turning my head to where he pointed, I could see Tàiyáng and Jùn walking towards us.

"Hǎojiǔ bùjiàn(Long time no see), Míngqín." Jùn waved to me.

"Who is that? " Xiǎo asked me shyly.
"Another friend." I whispered to him.

"Are you watching a movie as well?" I asked the two boys.

"Yep, we are going to watch Train to Busan. " Tàiyáng said excitedly. "Jùn wouldn't shut up about it. He told me I needed to learn more about Korean culture."

"Oh, so are we." I innocently said.

Shocked, Tàiyáng exchanged looks with Jùn. "I didn't think you were a post-apocalyptic type of person." Tàiyáng said with a concerned look.

"Post-apoc...what?! I thought it was a children's movie." Looking down at Xiǎo, he had a guilty look on his face.

"But don't worry, we will sit next to you in case you get scared." Jùn tried to reassure us.

"Really?!" Xiǎo said excitedly. "Wait until I tell the kids at school that I watched it with upperclassmen!"

"Wait a moment! I don't think..."

"Come on, Songbird. We'll cover Xiǎo's eyes if it gets too gory." Tàiyáng said with a persuasive voice.

"Well, I guess...no wait ..gory?!!!" I frowned when Jùn and Tàiyáng started cracking up laughing. Taking my hand, Tàiyáng and Jùn led us into the dark theatre.

"Why is everyone interrupting me?!" I grumbled under my breath as we found seats near the front. Tàiyáng and Jùn position themselves on both sides of Xiǎo and I sat between Tàiyáng and the aisle.

*****

After the movie, I was clinging to Tàiyáng's arm as we stumbled into the bright morning light.

"That was awesome!" Xiǎo said as Jùn and him were discussing their favorite scenes. "Korean cinema is pretty cool."

"I don't think I can close my eyes ever again." I moaned as I released my hold on Tàiyáng when my feet felt steady.

"I have the present wrapped but I don't know how to transport it to the orphangage without Xiǎo seeing it." Tàiyáng whispered in my ear so the little boy wouldn't hear us.

"Oh, hmm..."

"How about..Xiǎo and I go to the park for a while and you can go to the Orphanage first. I already told them that you were going to come."

"Okay, will do." Grabbing Xiǎo's attention, I explained to him that his Gēgē's had to leave for the day.

"Already?" He asked sadly.

I nod my head knowing that it was for the best.

Xiǎo, bites his lip to hold back his feelings and nods his head. Erasing all emotions from his once happy face, Xiǎo thanked Tàiyáng and Jùn for spending time with him.

He's growing up so fast....

Waving good-bye to them, I led Xiǎo to a nearby park. "Do you want to play on the swings?"  I suggested in order to stall for time.

Looking at the swings with excitement,  his face fell when he saw some kids nearby. "Let's just go home." Xiǎo tugged on my sleeve as he turned around.

Looking at the kids, I recognized the hidden meaning and nodded my head.

That's one aspect in our lives that we can bothe relate to.

But before we could leave, I noticed some of my old classmates approaching us. Trying to ignore them, we kept walking until one of them brushed against my shoulder in order to start a conflict.

"Watch where you are walking, Míngqín." the girl snickered. Xiǎo looked at me in surprise when he realized that I got bullied as well. Crouching near the boy, I whisper in his ear. "Run as fast as you can back to the orphanage. I will follow you."

"I can't do that. Bà said that since I'm the only boy in our family that I need to protect the girls and that includes you. I'm twelve years old now, I can take them."

Knowing he meant well, I gave him a warning look. "Please listen to my words Xiǎo. I will be right behind you, I promise. Besides, I don't want you to fight girls." Frowning, he nods his head obediently. When Xiǎo starts running, I give my full attention to my classmates.

I could never forget their faces since they have been my tormentors since grade school.

"Didn't we tell you to stay away from Tàiyáng." The tallest girl said while the other two girls blocked my only way of escape.

I slowly nodded my head while trying to find a way to escape even though they were blocking my view. If I put up a fight, it will take too long and I might miss Xiǎo's party. It will be faster if I just gave then what they wanted...

"Then how is it that you seem closer to him after only a couple of days?"

I walked backwards until I could feel the cold concrete against my back. What should I do? Fight or give in to make it go quicker?

"Check her phone." Suggested the third girl who pointed at my phone that I was clutching in my hand.

Snatching my phone, they quickly checked my contacts and messages since I didn't have a password on it. The two girls crowded together and read my messages while the third held me pinned against the wall.

Then before my eyes, they smashed my phone onto the ground and stomped on it until it was in a dozen, tiny pieces. My heart felt broken.

What did I do to deserve such hatred from them? When the girls turned to face me again, I let my body go limp as I moved into a defensive position that would deflect most of the hits. I have made my decision.

The less I fight, the shorter it will last.

Each blow to my body hurt, But I restrained myself from crying out pain. I will not give them such pleasure in hearing my cries of misery.

Peeking through my fingers that covered my face, I see one of the girls raise her hand to smack me again. I squeeze my eyes shut and brace myself......

But only silence greeted me. Expecting to hear the slap of their palms against my flesh, I'm surprised to be met with silence. Because the suspense scared me more than the expected, I hesistantly opened my eyes and and saw a shadow tower over us.

"You girls disgust me."

I turned my face towards the intense voice and saw Tàiyáng! Seeing his face makes me feel relief and yet sorrow.

I'm safe!
Yet, is this the first time I've not seen a smile on his face?

And it's all because of me...

If only I wasn't such a coward.....

When I see the girls start to flee the scene of the crime, I crumble to the cold ground and hold my face in my hands. The stinging sensation of my wounds keep me conscious while the feeling of a warm liquid starts to run down my face. Why do I feel so cold?

Suddenly, I feel a presence beside me. Surprised, I peak through my hands and see Tàiyáng crouch down near me. Warmth envelops my cold body as Tàiyáng wraps his arms around me. I lean my head on him and just let the tears fall....

*********

"Come on. Let's go to a place that is warmer than here." His voice gently breaks me out of my revere. How long have we've been in this alley?

"We should probably head back to the orphanage, I promised Xiǎo that I would be right behind him."

"Yeah, Xiǎo told us when he caught us before we made it to the orphanage.  He was the one who sent me to go get you."

I smile which made the cuts on my face hurt. "He is growing up so fast...

"Yep, and that's why you need to get these cuts and bruises cleaned up before we head to the party or Xiǎo will worry instead of enjoying his birthday."

Standing up, he offers his hand to me and helps me get back onto my feet. "I know a good place that will soothe you." He offered me a smile as he leads me out of the dark alley and into the busy midday streets.

I mumbled an apology as I wiped away my tears.

"For what?" We stopped in our tracks to face each other.

"...that you had to see that." I looked down at my trembling hands. "I wish I was stronger...

"You don't have to be strong if you have someone to lean on, so don't be sorry. I am just upset that I couldn't prevent you from being hurt the first time I met you."

"You noticed?" I asked in surprise as I turned to face him.

He nodded his head. I ducked my head and stared at my shoes. "I don't blame them. They might be going through something that I don't know about, and they need to let their stress out."

"I don't mind them letting their stress out. They just can't do it on you." With that, silence covered us again.

"You know.....I almost went against my morals today." He commented as we continued to walk.

"What would that be?"

"Punching girls."

I snorted. The thought of Tàiyáng punching someone, let alone a girl, was an amusing picture.

Taking my hand, Tàiyáng leads me inside inside a small cat cafe. While Tàiyáng waited in line to place our orders, I attempted to find an available seat.

Feeling self-conscious of my injuries that I couldn't hide this time, I quickly find a discreet place that was in the back. A nice small table that seated two.

A coffee brown feline brushed herself against my leg. With a smile, I pet the tip of her head with two fingers as she purred.

After a few minutes, Tàiyáng comes over carrying what looks to be a brown beverage with foam on top.

"What is that?" I curiously asked trying to guess what it was.

"Hot Chocolate. Trust me, you'll love it! I showed Mei how to make it."
Wrapping my fingers around the cup, I take a small sip. "Ack, hot!" I said while blowing on the drink. Tàiyáng tried to hide a smile as he watched me try this new drink.

"It's good!" Licking my lips from the sweet white foam, I smile up at him. Tàiyáng holds up one finger to signal for me to wait as he takes his backpack off and sits down. Setting the backpack on his lap, he searches inside its contents and pulls out a small white box with a red cross. "First aid." He explained while opening it. I opened my mouth to protest, but he gave me the Don't even think about it look.

Sighing, I close my eyes as I allow Tàiyáng to tend to my wounds on my face. His feather like touch on my skin gives me goosebumps.

"I'm sorry." He quietly whispered when I winced from the stinging. When he finished, he explained that I would probably have a couple of bruises, but I shrugged my shoulders.

Nothing new.

"How did you know to administer first aid?" I asked

"My brother is a doctor."

I noded my head. At that moment, I catch a glimpse of someone.

"Hello, how are doing? Would you like to order anything else?"

It was Měi! I smile up at her. Following her eyes, I could tell that she noticed the bandages on my face, but she didn't mention them. I was relieved.

"No, we just finished." Tàiyáng said as we got up from our seats. "Do you work here?" I asked Měi.

Yes, Jùn's parents own this cafe." She explained "I prefer working here than with bread" Měi laughed as she picked up the coffee brown cat to cuddle it.

"Did you come here for the cats or for Jùn? " Tàiyáng snickered.

"Ha! Ha!" Mei gave him a fake laugh as she roughly slapped his back a couple of time. "If you don't want me to put poison in your drink, I suggest you stop talking." Měi whispered in his ear as she gave Tàiyáng a warning look before smiling up at me.

"Well, I hope you enjoy." She said before turning back to Tàiyáng.  "And I hope you choke on your drink." She gave him an evil smirk before leaving.

"I don't give tips to rude waitresses." Tàiyáng yelled at her retreating back before laughing.

When we get up to leave, Tàiyáng grabs my hand and leads me outside. It was slightly busy since it was the middle of the day. While still holding my hand, he uses his tall form to shield me from most of the pushing from the other people. As we started walking back to the orphanage,  silence surrounds us once again.

"I am so sorry for all the trouble I have caused you. I'll pay you back, I promise." I said as I looked down again. What does he think of me? I'm so stupid.....I could feel tears fill my eyes again.

"Smile."

"What?!" I jerked my head up in surprise.

"I said smile. You can pay me back by smiling more. You look so pretty when you are happy."

My face turned a deep pink when I heard what he said.

I gulped. What should I say?

While I was panicking over how I should answer him, he whispers out his pet name for me. "Hey Songbird......"

Looking into my eyes, he slowly leans closer to my face and gently touches my cheek.

Is he going to kiss me?!

Hello beloved readers! How is the story ao far? Oh, and feel free to comment and press the star button. It's fun to read your comments. %>_<%