Summer season of August [Daerin]

Chapter 7

July 10, 2014

I'm here in Mom's office where the CCTV room is. Dad wants me to bring the food he cooked for Mom that's why I went here in Haneul's school. Her other workmates told me that Mom's in the comfort room so I should wait here.

My eyes shifts at different monitors one by one. I wonder what monitor belongs to Dani's room. She's studying here too, together with her sister.

"Haerin-ah, I'm glad that you're here."

I turned to see Mom when she spoke. I gave her a bright smile and lifted the lunch box that Dad prepared for her, "Special delivery from your man." I said.

Mom walks toward me with a genuine smile. I know that she's happy because I went here by my own.

"You're finally getting out of your shell huh?" Mom teased, I scratches my head in return.

"It's a practice, Mom. What if I pass the test

abroad, right?" I said with a smile, thinking about my dream school in Australia. After long years of being homeschooled, I think I'm finally ready to make it in a big school.

I'm 14 and if I ever pass, I'll be studying abroad at the age of 15 already. I'm so excited for it. A new journey for me indeed.

But Mom's eyes doesn't look right.

"You can change your mind. You're still young, can you handle your life all by your own?" Mom's hand reaches for my head, stroking my hair and looking at me intently.

"Mom, years of being in a condominium all by myself. I'm independent, Mommy. You don't have to worry about me." I stated. I'm confidently speaking right now since no one's around. Mom's workmates are taking their lunch.

"How long will I long for a younger daughter, Haerin?" she asks and puts down the lunch box on her table, "Life is so miserable..." she lastly mumble.

Mom took a seat that's why I went behind her. I cupped her shoulders, slowly rubbing my hands on it, "If I reach my goal then I'll be with you forever, Mom. Just wait for few more years." I said.

"Your goal to be an architect? Are you kidding me? An architect like your Dad who couldn't stay by our side. So you're telling me you're gonna reach that goal of you then you'll be with me already? You're pathetic, sweetie. Don't leave me hoping for nothing." Mom stated. I sneaked a kiss on her cheek and smiled.

"Aren't you proud of me? Why are you like that, Mom? Aren't you proud of me huh?" I asks, pouting. I rested my chin on her shoulder while hugging her from behind.

"Haerin, I'm always proud of you. I have a daughter who's an achiever, with a big dream, an independent one at a young age I am more than proud as a mother but you can't keep me from longing. You took that path at the age of 8. At that age where I'm supposed to be taking care of you..." Mom sounds so devastated.

I feel bad...but I still wanna pursue what I want. At this age where young people tends to waste their time, their life in particular, I am here-standing proud and mature. I'm happy with this. I'm not forced. I am certain with what I want in my life. I know I'm still young but as much as I want to, I don't wanna keep wasting my time.

"Look at this guy, he never got tired to tie the strap of Danielle's bag on her chair." Mom mumbled. I follows her sight and sees a monitor above where a guy is secretly tying a girl's bag who's in front of him.

That's Danielle. Isn't it bullying?

"He's bullying Danielle, why aren't you doing something?" I curiously asked.

"Don't worry. That's not a serious matter, besides, that guy keep slipping letters to Danielle's locker. I bet y'know..." Mom smirks but the scene gives me an opposite reaction, "Kids nowadays..." she whispers.

I saw a woman standing near Danielle's room. She's holding a paper bag.

"Is that their teacher?" I asked but she's wearing a casual clothes.

"Huh? You don't know who she is?" Mom unbelievably asks, "Oh I forgot that you're not very familiar with the neighbors. That's Danielle's mother, prolly waiting for Danielle's dismissal to give Danielle's lunch." Mom said that made my eyebrows arch.

"Mom? But that doesn't look like Aunt Yoojung, who is that, then?" I confusingly asked.

"Oh my bad again...actually...Yoojung lives with a woman too. That one is Suzy and she's a mother of Marsh sisters too." Mom explained that left me in awe.

Woah...that's why I haven't seen their Dad? Because they don't have Dad in the first place but instead...a double Mommy?

"I heard that Yoojung's husband left her in debt when the kids were still too young to understand. Luckily, the kind woman found another life in someone's arms." Mom stated which made me smile, "Suzy isn't always in their home because she's a business woman but everytime that she's got her free time, she never failed to go and bring some snacks for the sisters. Just like what you're seeing, she's patiently waiting for Danielle's dismissal behind that closed door."

"Yoojung was prolly unlucky with a man but at least, the fate brought her to Suzy." she mumbled.

I know, Danielle and Jiwon unnie deserves her.

She have a pretty cool family, buddy

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