An oddly mysterious Canadian boy and a curiously down to earth Korean-Canadian girl learn to become each other's buddies in their sophomore year of highschool, where together they would unravel each other's invaluable secrets with the most precious...
"I'm home!" I loudly signal my early arrival back to my parents.
After securely shutting the house door behind me and perfectly aligning my shoes to the side of the entrance way like engraved to me by my ancestral blood, I immediately slip out of the extra heavy layerings buffing me up like those typically overpowered RPG muscle men with their shiny bald heads.
I wonder if that's what I seemed like to Hugo — funny looking and clumsy. I really wouldn't put it past him if he did, even I would have considered myself to be utterly ridiculous back there.
I silently shake my head in denial, as I rehang my winter coat and scarf on the side hanger again.
"No, Celia," I whisper to myself reassuringly, "He did kind of smile there at the end, right? That was a reaction infused with emotion! If that isn't progress, I don't know what is."
"You're back so soon?" Mom yelled back from the direction of the kitchen.
I snap out of my thoughts at the sound of my mothers voice and make my way to the kitchen with the goodies bought in hand.
Mom was over by the stove, fearlessly handling the sizzling chops of half–grilled chicken we're having for dinner.
"I am." I say once I reach her side.
I stretch up on my toes to open one of the many cupboards above and stow away the cheese popcorn boxes I got, then move on to the fridge to stuff the tub of ice cream in the freezer to chill some more for dessert later today.
"I was expecting you to come in a little later than this, what happened?" Mom asked, sparing me five seconds of her questioning gaze, before facing the onset of seasoned heatwaves emitting from the pan she's currently handling.
I just casually spin on my heels to take a seat across the kitchen top.
"Nothing happened, Mom," I assure her, "There definitely were kids out playing on the streets like Dad had mentioned, but they were nowhere near my age."
I prop an arm up against the tables smooth, glossy surface and rest my head on it, while my eyes trail Moms hands flipping the chicken front and back for a clean searing.
"Now that's impossible." Mom states in a matter-of-fact tone.
"But I'm telling the truth!" Raising my head again and straightening up my posture to show across my genuine sincerity, but she couldn't see it since she was still facing away from me.
Regardlessly, I continue recalling the events of my short trip to the convenience store, knowing full on well Mom has her ears trained in on me.
"I only saw a bunch of kindergarteners, along with some older looking boys who terribly sucked at their skateboarding tricks." I truthfully speak out.
"Well, if what you are saying is true, then why didn't you think of passing by the park?" Mom enquired.
"That's right, the park! " I dumbfoundedly clasp my hands with each other, as I repeat after my mom's words, "I didn't even think of going over there."
"Celia? And forgetting? Together in a singular thought process?" Mom finally switches off the fire on the stove and turns around to meet me with a hand settled on her hip.
"Am I still talking to the same girl who memorized the directions of a twenty minute car drive to the local movie theatre, just because of how much she loved watching movies?" Mom chuckled in a way that told me she knew something was off with me.
"It's only natural I would forget," I retaliated in my defense, "You guys forgot to hand me any money to purchase the ice cream we agreed on buying from the store."
I squint my eyes shut, painfully remembering how alike I was to that of a pitiful rabbit caught in the headlights.
"We did?" The realization on Moms face told me she knew she was guilty as pleaded.
"Yes, you did." I open my eyes to stubbornly stand my ground, denying any unfair defeat that could occur from this conversation.
Mom just tilted her head in confusion, as she struggled to put two plus two together.
"Wait, then how were you able to walk out of the convenience store with the tub of ice cream..."
Mom dropped the hold on her waist to go pull open the top cabinet behind her, remembering how I had previously gone through it.
"...and two microwavable popcorn boxes?" She looked back and forth between me and the poppable seeds doubly encased in paper and cardboard wrapping.
I part my lips to speak out but manage to say nothing, as my speech gets overridden by Mom without a moment's hesitation.
"Did the worker at the store cover the bill for you? Or was it another customer like you?" Mom shook her head unacceptably, as she hastily went to wash her hands in the kitchen sink.
"Dress up again, honey. It hasn't been long since you've arrived, we can still catch up to whoever helped you out and pay them back whatever it is that we owe."
Before she can drag me and her purse for a useless trip down the street, I swiftly jump off my seat and extend my arms out to prevent my mom from taking yet another step out of the kitchens perimeters.
"Mom, stop," I say frustratedly. "Hugo Isn't there anymore. It's pointless for us to go back to the store."
I think Mom became aware of how hard I was trying to stop her from leaving, since she had at long last stood still to listen to what I have got to say.
I cautiously eye her movements, while she takes a brief moment to recollect herself; discerningly clearing her throat, before commenting on what I just mentioned.
"Hugo? Who's he."
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