The Long Fall

three

I smiled happily as the people around me sang, celebrating my birthday with cheers and cake. My mother wasn't there, off on another business trip as per her usual schedule, so it was just the Huang family and me, the perfect family.

Nobody questioned the small cuts on my face, which I was thankful for. I wore a long-sleeved shirt, despite the heat, just to hide the bruises that my mother had left on me from her disciplinary discussion. I'm fairly certain that they knew what happened but just didn't say anything to let me have my pride.

We ate happily and talked about the future, seeing that college was coming up soon. I mentioned that I wanted to be an idol too, which made Tao roll his eyes in fake annoyance, but his parents encouraged me to pursue my dreams just as they allowed Tao to do.

"Huan'er, we'll support you no matter what you do. You're amazing, intelligent, and a sweet girl. You'll get very far no matter where you go or what you do." His father said, making me smile.

After we finished eating, Tao and I went back to the bedroom to get it ready for the night. I sighed a bit, knowing it was another day closer to his departure. I wanted to tell him how I felt towards him, but I couldn't work up the courage.

"Sheng'er, does it hurt?" I looked up to see Tao looking at me with concern. His hands traced the wounds on my face, making me blush a little as I tried to hold back the rush of adrenaline he was giving me. "Why don't you ever tell us about it? We'd make sure to get you out if you just tell us."

"I'm fine, I promise," I replied, smiling and holding his hands against my face. "It doesn't hurt at all."

"Are you sure?" He asked, moving a hand to tug at my sleeve, pulling it up and revealing the bruises I'd worked so hard to cover up. "This doesn't hurt one bit?"

"I, i-"

"Don't lie to me, Sheng'er." He replied, sighing as he looked at me with a hint of disappointment. "I can't stand to see you hurt."

"Then take me with you." I blurted out, tears welling up in my eyes. "I'll drop out of school and run away to Seoul with you. I'll learn Korean and become an idol right beside you. I, I'll -"

"You can't drop out of school. It's too important." He cut me off again, making me cry. Pulling me into his embrace, he let me cry out my frustrations into his chest. "Stay in school, work hard, and when you're eighteen, I'll take you with me anywhere in the world you'd like to go."

"But what will I do when you're gone?" I asked, looking up at him. He chuckled as he wiped away my tears.

"You're a big girl now. You're fourteen years old." He answered, releasing me from his grasp. "And besides, you have a phone now. Just text me, and I'll call when I'm free."

"Alright," I replied, giving in to his demand with a sigh of defeat.

"For now though," he said, pulling me back out of the room. "Ma, can you treat her wounds? Aunty hit her again."

"I know, I just didn't want to overstep. If she's willing to let me look at them, I'll do so!" She replied, smiling softly as she ran up to the room. "Huan'er, is it okay if I take a look?"

I nodded, allowing her to lead me to the bathroom. The two of us both winced as I took off my shirt, hers were out of sympathy as she examined every wound that covered the surface while mine was from the pain of moving.

"Do you really not want us to do anything?" Aunty asked, looking up at me as she applied the medicine to treat my injuries. I let out a sigh, shrugging a bit as well. "This isn't a healthy thing to just let happen. You'll need even more help if this continues."

"I'm scared to be all alone." I finally spoke about what was holding me back, making her sigh and hug me.

"You'll never be alone, as long as I'm alive." She said, making me feel safe.

The weeks left quickly, and soon it was Tao's departure date. All four of us went down to the airport to send him off, my heart along with him. His parents were dealing with the luggage, so the two of us walked around the airport mall in search of random items.

"Look at this cute little panda toy!" I squealed, picking it up and examining it. Tao chuckled at my amusement, picking up one next to the one I had in my hands.

"It is actually kind of cute." He muttered, smiling a bit as he held it. "Remember when we first saw them at the zoo?"

"It was so amazing," I replied, smiling at the thought. "Maybe we can use these as little souvenirs. A memory of today and a promise to meet again."

"That's a stupid idea." He said, earning a pout. "You make it sound like I'm leaving for a long time."

"But you are! I'll only be able to possibly see you in four years. That's far too long, I'm afraid you'll forget about me." I explained, making him sigh in defeat.

I smiled happily as we bought the two panda toys. After we met back up with his parents, we sent Tao on his way to Seoul. He promised to call when he landed, gave each of us a hug, and made sure to wave to each of us before running off to find his gate.

On the way back home, I held the stuffed animal close to my chest, picturing it as if I was hugging my best friend. It was the only thing I could do to not cry as my heart flew away with him.

"I'll meet you there one day." I softly said, smiling with a thought of determination. "Please don't forget about me while we're apart."