Within A Stardust

Chapter 22 - Omamori

7:30 pm

After our dinner, I stayed in the living room just watching random shows and she seemed bored so she suggested we play this game on her phone.

"It's just simple, you tap on the empty boxes on your side until every space is filled in. This is a strategy game, the first to dominate the other, wins. You can quickly spread this molecule by tapping on it, when it becomes double or triple it moves to another tile in an instant securing another space for you." I nod. "What's the name of that game?"

"Chain reaction." Then she sets the game. Her color was blue and mine is red.

She taps the tile on her corner and a blue circle shows up, I did the same thing. For the next five turns I press on my corner, I was just curious as to what will happen if I keep doing that.

The next turn made the progress, I tap on the doubles and it spread on both directions. On the left the other became triple and on the right, a tile is now occupied. "Oh wow, that's quick." We kept exchanging turns until I press the triple molecule and it created a reaction which ate at least four of her molecules. "Damn, looks like you're going to win."

A few more taps and again, I press the triple molecule and it spread and left her with one molecule. "Oh, what the-" We were both surprised, I was just randomly tapping and then it happened.

She taps on another tile that is still available and doubled it. "I think you're going to win." I said. If she taps on the triple it would probably eat my molecules because that's what happened earlier.

And it did. "Not bad, at least you almost win." We were about to play another when a caller id pop-up into her screen. "Hey."

"Hey your face. It's been three days since you called!" She moves the phone away because it was a bit loud and it hurt her ears, but it made me curious. "Sorry about that. I just had to delete my socmed apps for a week. I need a break." Y/n replied. "You could have told me before you went off, I thought you're in danger. Luckily, your grandma was friendly or else I would probably be overthinking right now and might do some stupid shit, just to make sure that you're fine." She chuckles and apologized again.

"So, how are you doing these days? I'm always checking your timeline and it is best for you to not open it at the moment. Any of them." Y/n sighs. "Doing great. Although there weren't any updates on my poison situation but I've got a good progress even without medical help at the moment. I'm trying to walk again and i'm improving as the day passes."

"Good to know, at least now I can trust Alex a bit."

"I'm.. actually... not with Alex. I moved out of the apartment immediately. When you called right after the incident, I move to a new one due to an alleged stalker and the person who suggested me to move out is now my friend and sort of a roommate."

We both glance at each other and then went back to what we are looking at. "Really? Is he.. or she, there? I wanna see. We need a vibe check, I want to make sure you're safe and that person is good enough."

She chuckles. "I'll introduce you to her but, swear to me you won't say anything stupid. You don't even need to vibe check her, she'll pass."

"I swear and I know. I'm just really curious, the place looks grand yet minimalist. Your friend has a beautiful house, honestly." It made me smile.

I just hope she doesn't freak out 'cause I do feel she will.

Y/n gestured for me to sit close to her. "Here she is, my new friend, Lizzie." I wave. "Hi. You must be Avery?" I greeted while smiling.

She was so surprised, as if something came true. And now i'm thinking she might be a fan.

She kept squealing and exhilarating. My brows furrowed at y/n who's just embarrassed? Right now. "Girl! What did I tell you? I knew it! I knew it!" Then Avery continues to squeal. "Avery, what did I say? You swear." Both of us now can be seen on the screen and I was just sitting there confused. "Um... What's going on? If you don't mind." I asked.

Y/n was about to answer when Avery answers too. "We just have this friendly bet, which y/n thinks it was impossible to meet you but it did became possible. Haha, I win." She snaps. "Avery?!" Y/n said out of panic. "What? It's true."

I give her a look that says what does that mean? And she shrugged it off.

"But yeah anyway, we'll go back to that later, because I want to make sure you're fine. Your parents are slowly getting concerned and they are planning to call you anytime soon. Your grandma really made sure that everything is under control and it's impressive." Avery said.

"Thank goodness you called, now I have time to prepare in case." She sighs. "About the socmed, how bad is it?" Y/n takes a deep breath and her demeanor changes from calm to gloomy. "Getting worse, you are currently receiving a lot of death threats and it makes me mad to the point that I have to vent to my sister about it." Avery sighs. Y/n puts her phone in the table leaning on the laptop.

"And why is that happening?" I asked. I put my arm across y/n's shoulder and while I was talking to Avery I was comforting her at the same time. "Mainly because of you." She replied. "Although the headline about y/n's second kidnapping attempt didn't reach the news here, still, it's in social media. A lot of people know you're with her. I just hope his brother doesn't find this out. It will be a terrible mess."

I glance at y/n and she was sulking. "Um... Avery, what's her account on Instagram? I'd like to see." She mentioned her account and I check it on my phone immediately while they were talking.

Just her instagram alone... It was full of toxicity. Especially her recent posts' comments.

"I saw bits of it, you better not open it for the mean time, I agree with Avery." I sigh and put my arm around her again. "I'll call you again sometime for updates, but for now, just focus on yourself. I hope by my next call you're better and Lizzie, thank you. I know you're in contact with her grandma, she told it when I asked her." She smiled a bit.

I nod. "Yeah, I actually asked permission for her to stay here because she was looking for another apartment and... It's not really the right time for that since the kidnappers are still on the loose, you know. " Avery lift her brows. "Right. Well look at that.. despite a series of unfortunate events, you found an ofuda." Y/n titters. "A what?" I asked brows furrowed.

"More like omamori, bruh." She smiled a bit which gave me a relief. "Either way, you're still good. Both are still beneficial it just so happen that ofuda has more stronger protection." Avery winks which made her chuckle and shake her head no. "Ofuda in japan is a protection seal, same with omamori, but looks like a lucky charm." Y/n explained.

"Oh, so I... Have one?" They both snicker. "C'mon, what was that for? I was wondering if I did have one because I did go to Japan before and maybe I kept one and she just found it?" I was so unsure. "Forget it." Y/n chuckles. "It was just a special joke I made for her. Anyway, I have to go. I'm now convinced that you're gonna be slight fine. Stay safe and take care, byeee." Avery replied. Still chuckling. "Bye, you too, take care and stay safe."

I did say good bye but it was just a bit awkward.

The call ends and she sighs again. "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you." She said. "I'm so overwhelmed. I..I don't know what to do next... kept overthinking if I should disclose it or not." I hug her and let her lean on me. "I understand."

There was a pause. 

Even if she wasn't saying anything that much, I feel it. I just know I need to hug her. 

She was better at expressing herself in silence, in ways most people would have a hard time conveying themselves. 

"So where's that seal Avery was referring? I wanna see because it's doing its job well. Maybe I could get another for you." I said smiling. She chuckles. "You really didn't get it, do you?" I look at her. "That ofuda and omamori... is you." She poke my right cheek lightly which made me giggle. "Ever since I got here, things take a slow turn and.. it helped me process everything. It helped me to breathe- to take a break and I feel safe and happy." She glances at me with a smile. 

I bite my lip, trying to hide that grin. "Well if that's the case, let there be a rain of ofudas." Then I pretended to shower her with them, sprinkling nothing. It made her chuckle then she puts her palms together in prayer, bowed at me and said. "Arigato gozaimasu." We both giggle. 

It's not funny but for some reason it was. Guess we're both weird then...