state topper, like you’re too good for us now.
Mom: All the other kids are home for
Thanksgiving. What are our relatives and
friends going to think?
Mom: Honey, are you still holding a grudge
against your sister?
Mom: I told you, she was just upset about her
SAT scores. That’s why she threw your skirt
in the toilet. Do you really need to hold onto this for so long?
I couldn’t bring myself to read any further. I
<
closed the chat. There was so much wrong
with those messages, I didn’t even know
where to begin.
It did rain that night. The next morning, it was
still drizzling. I took my umbrella and went to
the bubble tea shop. It was larger than most,
with ten tables and a wish wall covered in
sticky notes. I went into the back room and
changed into my uniform. The manager said I
looked presentable enough to work the cash
register. It wasn’t a difficult job, but standing
all day was tiring. Around 9 pm, just before
closing, the door opened, the bell chiming and
the sticky notes on the wish wall fluttering in
the breeze. I looked down at the register.
“What can I get for you?” “Lemonade,” a
familiar voice said. “One moment.” I entered
く
the order. As the receipt printed, I looked up,
straight into Ethan’s dark eyes. He was
wearing a light blue hoodie that made his skin
look even paler. His dark hair was slightly
messy, the wind having ruffled his bangs. He
was as handsome as ever. Ethan raised an
eyebrow. “I heard you worked here, but I
didn’t quite believe it. Fancy seeing you here.”
I blinked, licking my lips. “Did you come here
specifically to see me?” Ethan just smiled. I
turned away, putting his lemonade in a bag
and handing it to him. He took the bag, but
didn’t leave. He stood there for a moment.
“Do you mind if I ask when you get off work?”
“Five minutes,” I replied. Ethan nodded and
walked out. When I finished my shift, I
grabbed my umbrella and stepped outside.
<
Ethan was sitting on a bench, his long legs.
crossed, his face half–hidden in shadow, the
red glow of a cigarette between his lips. He
was smoking. “…You didn’t leave?” I asked,
surprised. “Waiting for you,” he said casually.
“Waiting for me? Why?” I asked, walking
towards him involuntarily. Ethan looked up at
me, the wind tugging at his hair. He looked so
young in that moment. “Ashley, do you have a
crush on me?” he asked. The question caught
me off guard. I felt a flicker of fear, a rare
sensation for me. It was like standing on the
edge of a cliff. One step forward, and I’d fall.
One step back, and I’d be safe. “No. Why
would you think that?” I feigned ignorance. “I
just see you as… an older brother figure.”
“Really?” he smirked. “Then maybe don’t look
く
at me like that next time.” My palms started
to sweat. He was right. Even if I didn’t say it
aloud, my eyes betrayed me. I stayed silent.
Ethan took a drag of his cigarette, adjusting
his sleeve, trying to look nonchalant. “So, do
you want to go out with me?” “What?!” |
stared at him. “I said, do you want to go out
with me?” he repeated. My mind went blank.
“Is this a dare?” “No,” he said, taking the
cigarette from his lips and stubbing it out in a
nearby ashtray. He stood up, looking directly
