Truth and Accuracy | K.TH

5

I somehow got through the night, though riddled with anxiety. I assured myself that if I found Taehyun before school on Monday, I could submit my story without any complications.

However, for that plan to go through I had to actually write the story. But when I sat down to write I was hit with a journalist's worst enemy: writers block.

The worst part was that I couldn't even take a walk, which I normally do when hit with writer's block, because I was grounded. But I somehow managed to convince my mom to let me sit outside while I wrote.

I laid on my back, closing my eyes and allowing the cool autumn breeze to glaze over my body like ocean waves. Every once in a while a car would pass by and I could hear the engine get closer and closer until it suddenly faded out.

One car in particular didn't fade out, and instead the whirring engine stayed humming right in front of my house. I opened my eyes slightly and sat up. The sight of the familiar car relieved me and I ran straight to the window.

I knocked on the window and peered in, but as soon as I got close the door opened and sent me stumbling backwards.

"Hey, what the hell? Couldn't you see me there?" I hissed, cradling my scraped hand.

"Huh. I must've missed you." Taehyun shrugged.

"You liar." I mumbled. I glanced at his empty hands and the seemingly empty front seat of his car. "Where's the camera?"

"What camera?" He asked.

"Isn't that why you came? You never gave my camera back." I explained.

His big eyes widened even further. "Oh, no. I came because you left these."

He held out his hand to show the two earrings I was wearing last night.

"You left them in the jacket pocket."

"Tsk. You could've given these back on Monday. Why couldn't you bring the camera." I complained, walking back to the grass and plopping down.

"Well, excuse me. I thought I was doing something nice by bringing these. My sister always gets freaked out when she loses her jewelry." He said, following me to the grass. "But I guess you're so spacey you wouldn't have even noticed you lost them."

"Hey, I am not spacey." I defended. "Plus they were like $2, it's not that big a loss."

He shrugged and shoved both his hands back into his jacket pockets. "I guess I'll just keep them then, since they don't matter."

"Hey, wait."

"What, they're $2 right? Maybe I'll just buy them off you." He shrugged.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh yeah? For what?"

"In case I meet a pretty girl or something."

"Tsk. Who would want my used earrings?"

"She doesn't have to know they're yours."

He walked onto the grass and sat next to me, pulling out his wallet. "Here." He rifled through a couple bills and handed me $2. "You just made my hypothetical hot girl very happy."

"So the only way you could get a girl is through bribery?" I joked, but humored him and took the money.

"I didn't say that."

"Well, earrings or no earrings I'm gonna need that camera back."

He sighed and got to his feet, extending me his hand. "Come on, we'll get it now."

"Can't come." I mumbled. "Grounded."

"Seriously? What, cus of last night?"

I nodded. "Yup. Mom found out and is not happy."

"So what, I have to drive all the way out there alone? You could at least cover gas."

"What do you mean, 'all the way out there'? Don't you have it?" I asked.

"Nope. It's probably on the ground somewhere around there." He explained.

I gaped at him. "You left my expensive camera lying on the ground in the worst neighborhood in the area?"

"Guess so. So you coming?"

"Obviously, because you can't be trusted with anything!" I exclaimed.

"What about being grounded?" He asked.

I practically jumped to my feet. "Come inside."

Before he could say anything I grabbed his hand and dragged him inside my house. "Wait here."

"Where are you going?"

I didn't answer and instead ran to my mom's den. I knocked gently and when she gave the ok, I entered.

"Mom, I'm going to suggest something but I want you to hear me out before saying no." I said.

"I don't like where this is going."

"I know I'm grounded but could you please, please, let me go get my camera? I left it somewhere last night and I saved months to buy it remember? And I need the pictures on it by tomorrow." I explained.

"Really Jia? You sneak out and leave your stuff all around town? I thought you were more responsible than this." She sighed. "Who's going to drive you? I'm swamped right now."

"Ok, that's the thing. My friend who took me last night is here, and I thought maybe if you met him you'd be ok with him taking me?"

"The boy?" She emphasized.

"Yes, mom, the boy."

"And he's here now?"

I nodded.

"Ok," she got up. "But I'm telling you I'm not a big fan of little rebel boys who keep my daughter out til 1:30."

"I'm telling you he's nice!" But as the sentence escaped my lips I immediately knew it was a lie.

I followed her out of the office and back to the front door. Taehyun stood in the exact same spot, once again eyeing my house from top to bottom.

"Mom," I stood next to Taehyun and gestured to him. "This is my friend, Kang Taehyun."

His eyes slightly widened and he stared down at me, bewildered.

"Hello, Taehyun, it's nice to meet you." My mom said snidely, arms crossed.

"Hello Ms. Lee, it's nice to meet you too." He bowed low, surprising both of us with his respectful tone.

"How long have you been friends with my daughter?"

"Uhm," he paused, not knowing if he should lie or tell the truth. "About five days?"

My mom stared at me, mouth agape. "Jia... you haven't even known him a week?"

"We've been classmates for years!" I tried to justify myself but gave up and slumped. "Can I please go with him to get my camera?"

"Fine. But if you aren't home by 9:00–"

"Absolutely. No later than 9:00." Taehyun said.

She turned her gaze onto him. "Did you just interrupt me?"

"Sorry ma'am." He muttered, eyes on the floor.

"Back by 9:00." She eyed me. I gave her a thumbs up and opened the door for Taehyun to leave. As I was about to follow him, my mom grabbed my arm. "I'm serious, I don't like him. Guys like him are no good."

"Ok, mom, I'll be careful." I brushed her arm off and left, rolling my eyes.