Beyond Redemption || Lee Know

Four.

Chan left me a text message when he left for work.

Chan 9:32am- Morning! I know you're off work today. Try to relax and take it easy. I'll bring you takeout tonight. Home around 7.

I smile slightly. He's being extra nice so that I might forgive him. Truthfully, I am still a little upset, but not enough to leave him on read.

Tristin 1:49pm- Good or bad?

I finally realize the time when I text him back. What the hell?! How did I sleep so late?

I rub my eyes and stretch out in Chan's bed, then roll over onto his pillow. It smells like him, like his cologne. I take a deep breath and inhale his scent before I realize what I'm doing.

Ew. What is wrong with me?!

I shake off the disgust and get out of bed. Our apartment is dark despite it being the afternoon. I open the curtains in the living room and allow the sunlight to wash over my tired skin.

The vibes in the apartment today are a stark contrast to what I was feeling last night. It feels warm, calm, and comfortable. Like home again.

I make a cup of coffee and curl up on the couch with a blanket. It's after 2pm, but it still feels like morning to me. I guess running like your life depended on it will do that to you. I start going through possibilities in my mind. What was in the woods last night? Something was chasing me out there. Something either too fast, or invisible. Something dangerous.

Listen to yourself, I think, no wonder nobody believes you.

Chan's reply interrupts my inner conflict.

Chan 2:21pm- If I say bad, will you take pity on me?

Tristin 2:22pm- No

Chan 2:24pm- Rude

Chan 2:24pm- It's actually a good day. But I can't wait to get home and hang out with you! We can stay up late and watch trash tv!

What in the world?! He's trying too hard now, and it's weirding me out.

Tristin 2:27pm- I will not be home when you get here 😅

Chan 2:29pm- Rude. Again.

I don't respond anymore, deciding to give him a hard time with my joke. Besides, I'm pretty sure I will be over my anger with him by the time I see him this evening, so he can sweat it out a little until then.

Even though all seems normal today, I start to get bored just sitting around in the living room. After several hours of channel surfing and scrolling through my phone, I decide to get out of the apartment for a little bit.

* * *

I walk into work and am immediately greeted by Kathy.

"Tristin, why are you here on your day off?"

"I was bored at home." I shrug.

My supervisor looks at me quizzically. "You're not here to work, are you?"

"No, ma'am."

She nods knowingly and supportively. "You can go see her, it's okay."

Mrs. Garcia is asleep when I enter her room, so I sit in the chair next to her bed, intending to wait and let her rest. But she awakens right as I take a seat, immediately perking up.

"Hey there, sleepy head." I smile at her.

She sits up in bed and looks at me, questioning.

"I know, I'm not usually here on Fridays. But I wanted to come see you after what happened yesterday."