Lost & Found

Chapter Eight

Present Day
22-Years-Old

"I really appreciate you setting this all up, Sunhee."

Aera was watching as the nail technician did her manicure as Sunhee sat beside her doing the same.

"Of course," Sunhee replied. "I thought it would be fun to have a girls day."

"This is not something I'd normally think to do," Aera admitted. "But it's fun. And I'm glad I get to do it with you."

Sunhee grinned at her. "You're not really a girly girl, huh?"

Aera chuckled. "Was it that obvious?"

"Well, I'm glad you were willing to give it a try!"

They continued chatting and admiring their nails through the various stages of the manicure. By the time they were done, both girls gushed over each other's nails.

And no, it wasn't something Aera would have ever chosen to do on her own. But she enjoyed Sunhee's company and her nails really did look nice. She was pleased, and the day was quickly making the stress of her situation with Jungkook disappear.

After the manicures, the girls decided to go to lunch. They were waiting for the food, when Sunhee brought up the inevitable question.

"So, what's up with the little boy you watch? Is everything okay there?"

Aera sighed. "I met him on the bus one day. Yoongi and I were headed to the park to people watch and this little boy was just sitting by himself, looking terrified. He wouldn't speak, but we eventually figured out he was by himself. We took him to the police station, and they let us know that they knew him because he got lost often and had been brought in numerous times already."

"Oh no," Sunhee said. "That's awful."

"Yeah," Aera continued. "They told us he lived with an aunt and uncle who didn't pay much attention to him. I gave an officer my name and number in case the aunt and uncle ever needed a babysitter. And the uncle ended up calling me. I've been watching him most nights for the past couple of weeks."

"For free?" Sunhee asked.

"Yeah," Aera said. "He's so precious. I can't even imagine asking for money to spend time with him."

"That's really selfless of you," Sunhee admitted. "That's a lucky little boy."

Aera shook her head. "I think I'm lucky. I feel like I've really gotten through to him. And he hasn't run away anymore. Well, until..."

There was a pause and Sunhee frowned. "What happened?" she asked carefully.

"Well," Aera said sadly. "Apparently he tried to get out again one day when I wasn't there. His uncle caught him, though. And he hit him."

Sunhee gasped. "Oh my god. That's terrible."

"Yeah. That's why I was crying the other day at the apartment. Because I knew I needed to turn the uncle in. But I was scared I'd never get to see the boy again."

"What a hard decision to have to make. I'm so sorry, Aera."

"It's okay," Aera said, though the shakiness in her voice betrayed her. "The police said there wasn't much they could do to keep me informed after they'd perform a welfare check. Now, I'm just waiting to see if I'll ever even hear about him again."

"Oh no," Sunhee said sadly. She placed her hand over Aera's.

"He's just the sweetest little boy," Aera continued. "I even offered to foster him, but they told me that wasn't really the way the system works."