Daffodil's Sunshine

Chapter 6 - A New Friend

As the night sky grew darker, Irene was covered in her heavy red blanket, snoring lightly, fast asleep. She felt like a princess, living in a fairly large home with such a huge bed. What didn't make her feel like a princess, though, was being interrupted by a loud ding from her phone. She was about to throw it against the wall, until she noticed whom it was from.

"Areum?" she whispered aloud, rubbing her eyes as she read the screen. "I didn't expect her to actually message me."

Hey, it's Areum! Are you asleep yet? Sorry if I disturbed you (^-^*)ノ

Irene's heart skipped a beat. What was she supposed to say? If she admitted she was sleeping she would likely feel bad.

After a moment of thought, Irene's fingers clicked on the keyboard.

You did wake me up. It's no big deal, though. Didn't I tell you to rest when you got home?

Irene laid back down, closing her eyes and letting peace flow through her. Then her phone rang again.

Areum: Lol I did! I wrote a song and took a short nap. That's all the rest that I could get, since I have a shift at 5 am tomorrow and have to get to sleep soon :P

Irene stared at the screen. She couldn't possibly be serious.

How many jobs do you have?

A couple seconds pass by...

Areum: Just two! My job at the restaurant and tutoring younger teenagers at the library before music sessions (σ･ω･)σ

Two jobs?

How old are you?

Irene felt awkward asking that. At most, she had to be just a little younger than Irene.

Areum: I'm 17! Why do you ask?

Areum was older than her. She was older than her.

Oh. I thought you were 12.

Oh boy...

Areum: Huh!? Do I really look like a child to you? I mean I know I have a bit of a baby face, and I'm a little short, but I do not look that young!

After a few more seconds, Areum sent another message.

Areum: Ok maybe I do look that young ;;

Irene laughed out loud. Smiling, she typed;

I was joking. I knew you had to be around my age, but I didn't expect you to be older than me. I'm 16 years of age.

Areum: Woah. I thought you were 20 or somewhere around that age. I'm sorry! It's just that you're so tall and look so serious all the time (-ω-)ゝ

I don't blame you. Many people think I'm older than I actually am. I believe that may be because of my way of speaking, or something similar.

Irene pondered. Maybe she did look as serious as her brother told her and she just never noticed it?

Areum: Yeah, even in texting, you're ridiculously formal! Have you ever even texted anyone before? >_>

Well, that was certainly a low blow. An unintentional one, but it made a pit form in Irene's stomach.

No. You're the first person I've ever given out my phone number to.

Irene was uncertain as to what to say next.