Stay Junlin | h.jl✓

•THIRTEEN•

I turned in bed then opened my eyes. I knew it had to be around 4, although I did not have my alarm, I had a biological clock. My body knew the time it got up. I looked at my phone and it was indeed around four, I got up, opened the door and realized there was nothing but silence. No one was awake yet.

As I walked back to catch more sleep I realized something! My essays were still in my flash and they had to be submitted! I couldn't afford to miss the marks, it was my final semester. I quickly ran to the bathroom to get ready.

I planned not to ask anyone for help, I'd get to the college, get my essays printed then submit them. After I got ready, I made my way downstairs. As I finished the last step, I heard a sniffling sound. I stopped in my tracks then listened attentively, the sniffle was accompanied by sobbing.

I followed the sound and saw the back of a person, I knew this person too well and he was sitting on the piano stool, right in front of the piano sobbing.

It touched my heart, what on earth would make an innocent and cheerful soul like him cry. I walked closer then placed my hand on his shoulder, he slowly turned to me and I could see the misery in his face, he looked at me then broke down even more them dropped a picture he was holding. I felt so bad for him, I sat next to him, but I didn't know what to do, I didn't know how to comfort him.

He seemed to know how I could comfort him because he leaned his head on my lap crying. I slowly stroked his hair.

He began to calm down then he slowly sat up and wiped his tears. I bent and picked the picture he was looking at, it seemed a little old. On the picture was a beautiful Chinese woman, her hair was tied up, she had rosy cheeks and red lips, she wore a smile on her face that expressed her innocence and beauty. I looked at the picture a while.

"She was my mother", Junlin finally said, "today marks the 17th anniversary of her death".

I felt bad for him. I had no idea he had lost his mother, "Junlin...I'm so sorry", I said.

He nodded then took the picture and put on a smile, "what are you doing up so early?", he asked.

I smiled as well, "I have to submit my essays at school....but tell me more about your mother, your life", I said to him.

He shook his head then stood, "okay, but I'll tell you later in the day, now I have to get my driver to drive you to the college so you can submit your assignments", he said.

"But it's four a.m...they're not due until 07:30", I said.

"Yeah it's fine, we can wait a while then get there", he nodded then walked upstairs.

After submitting my work, we had to get back in the car in a hurry because it started to rain. We arrived back at his place safe and sound but it was still pouring. We ran to the front door. Teresa scrutinized our wet shoes and asked us to take them off before coming in. We did so with giggles and each one of us shivered at the cold.

"You poor things, put on some warm clothes and I'll make you hot chocolate", she said as she ruffled Junlin's hair then pinched my cheek.

Junlin's phone suddenly rang, he took it out and looked at the screen? "Oh, Violet", he said with a smile and began to walk further.

"Violet? The youth group founder’s daughter?", I asked.

"Yep!", Junlin nodded then answered the phone. He then walked upstairs. I felt a little upset. I didn't know why. Violet was perfect, everything I wasn't, she was beautiful, bubbly and had her life altogether. I sat on the chair as a cup of hot chocolate was placed before me, I smiled and thanked her.