Catharsis | AVOOCU Sequel

Chapter 11: Once More, And Answers

[Chapter 11: Once More, And Answers]

Haah... I couldn't help but shift in my seat, back slouched and tense as I refused to look at the— the woman in front of me. No— not with these eyes. The heart in my chest pounded loudly, I'm surprised no one else could hear by how much it drummed in my ears.

After... after that encounter, I almost— I almost ran away again. But, as much as I was scared, terrified, even horrified, I was also tired of running away from my problems. One thing led to another and, along with, uh, lots of shouting, we ended up going to Tae-young's house, settling down on his dinner table.

"I, um," Awkwardly, Tae cleared his throat before standing up from his chair. "I'll leave you two be." He announced, stepping away from us. My lips pushed together. I don't want to be alone but... I stole one glance at my mo— her. I doubt she'd want him to be near. "Ashley," I flinched at the soft yet warm brushing of his breath in my ear. I blinked at how close the adult had gotten, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Make sure to scream if she does something." The Seong whispered, causing me to sigh.

It was a happy sigh, I had to say.

"Yeah, I will," I said with a sheepish laugh, sending him off with a nervous smile and a wave. Watching as he slowly disappeared from view, dread pooled in my chest again. I suddenly regret everything. I instantly thought, pressing my hands firmly in my lap.

Staring up from my hung low head, I noted how... skittish the blonde actions were. Was she nervous, scared? I asked myself, yet I already knew the answer. Of course she is, she's near someone like me.

Even now, it still hurts: thinking about how she... how I... Damn it, I cursed internally, I can't even finish that thought. Well, you can't just get over it overnight, as much as I want that to happen. "I," I tensed as the extricating silence shattered by the woman's voice. It was soft— yet also bold with the hint of nervousness. Like she herself didn't prepare for this encounter. Her shoulders hunched as her head hung low. "I'm sorry!"

I blinked. ...Wh...?

"What...?" I couldn't refrain from uttering out, my lips parted in shock. Sorry? For— for what? If I wasn't seating, I'm pretty sure I would have tripped over nothing.

"I'm sorry!" She repeated, furrowing her brows in what seemed to be... regret? Wh— what is even going on anymore? Her platinum blond locks swayed as she raised her head at me, a frown tugging her lips. "I— I shouldn't have pushed you away that day. I mean, I was in a terrible place and— and I—"

My lips trembled, reeling back. "Wa— wait, hold on—"

"I shouldn't have yelled at you, I know that now!" She continued, ignoring my words. The adult ran a hand through her hair, heaving deeply. Like— like she just couldn't stop as words endlessly spilled out. "And I— oh my God, I'm such a terrible person and—"

"I, um—"

"Please forgive me, I didn't mean all that. I, well, I did at the time but— but! I regret it now and I— I, uh, just wanted to apologize and just— just—"

"Wait!" I shouted, swiftly holding a hand out. I turned my head, flabbergasted but just how much she could ramble. I— I felt like shit when she clamped her mouth but I couldn't fucking wrap my head around this.

"Are you okay?!" I heard rushed footsteps, looking over my shoulders to see Tae-young back. He handheld the wall close as he ran his other hand through his hair. "Should I kick her out?"