A Gentle Collision

Chapter 20

The sun had barely risen when Freen woke up to the sound of her father’s heavy footsteps outside her room. Instinctively, she tensed, waiting to see if he’d come barging in. When the sound of the front door slamming echoed through the house, she sighed in relief. He was gone for the day.

She stretched in her bed, feeling unusually hopeful. Becky’s presence over the past few days had filled her life with something she couldn’t quite name but didn’t want to let go of. It was a fragile, precious feeling—a small rebellion against the monotony and fear that had defined her days for so long.

---

By noon, the doorbell rang. Freen practically flew down the stairs to answer it, her heart already knowing who it would be.

There she was—Becky, standing with her hands in her pockets, her headphones hanging around her neck. Her usual indifferent expression softened the moment Freen opened the door.

"Ready?" Becky asked casually, though her lips quirked upward in a barely-there smile.

Freen grinned, nodding. She didn’t even need to ask where they were going. As long as Becky was there, it didn’t matter.

---

The cafe was small and cozy, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Freen had never been to a place like this before. The air was rich with the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries, and the low hum of conversation created a comforting backdrop.

Becky led her to a corner booth by the window, her movements confident and effortless. Freen followed hesitantly, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

“What do you want?” Becky asked, flipping through the menu.

“I… don’t know,” Freen admitted, feeling a little out of place.

Becky rolled her eyes, though not unkindly. “Alright, leave it to me.” She flagged down the waiter and ordered an array of drinks and snacks that Freen couldn’t even pronounce.

When the food arrived, Freen stared at the spread, unsure where to start.

“Try this,” Becky said, pushing a small plate toward her.

Freen hesitated, then took a bite. Her eyes widened in surprise. “This is... really good!”

“See?” Becky smirked, leaning back in her seat. “Stick with me, and you’ll learn a lot.”

They spent the next hour tasting different dishes, sipping on colorful drinks, and talking about everything and nothing. Becky had a way of making even the simplest topics entertaining.

“You seriously don’t like pineapple on pizza?” Freen asked, her eyebrows raised.

“It’s an abomination,” Becky replied firmly, crossing her arms.

“You’re insane,” Freen shot back, laughing.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by teasing remarks and bursts of laughter. For the first time in years, Freen felt like a normal girl, free to enjoy the moment without the weight of her father’s shadow looming over her.

---

Just as they were finishing their second round of drinks, the door to the cafe swung open, and Nam and Kate walked in.

“Oh great,” Becky muttered, sinking lower in her seat.

Freen glanced at the newcomers, recognizing them from the party. She felt a pang of nervousness, but Becky’s presence gave her a strange sense of security.

Nam spotted them first, her eyes lighting up with mischief. “Well, well, look who’s here,” she said, striding over to their table with Kate in tow.

“What are you two doing here?” Becky asked, her tone flat but not entirely unfriendly.

“Same as you,” Kate replied, sliding into the booth beside Freen. Nam took the seat next to Becky, grinning.

Freen braced herself for the teasing that was sure to come, but to her surprise, Nam and Kate were surprisingly pleasant. They joked around, shared stories, and even included Freen in the conversation.

“Becky’s got a soft spot for you,” Nam teased at one point, nudging Freen.

Freen blushed, glancing at Becky, who rolled her eyes. “Don’t start.”

It wasn’t long before the four of them were laughing together, the air filled with warmth and camaraderie. For the first time, Freen felt like she belonged, like she was part of something bigger than herself.

---

As the afternoon turned into evening, Becky glanced at the time and stood up. “We should get going,” she said, looking at Freen.

Nam and Kate waved them off, promising to catch up later. Freen followed Becky out of the cafe, her heart lighter than it had been in years.

The walk home was quiet, the streets bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Freen trailed slightly behind Becky, watching the way her silhouette moved against the fading light.

When they reached her house, Freen hesitated at the door. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Becky shrugged, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “No big deal.”

Freen smiled, a warm, genuine smile that Becky couldn’t help but notice. For a moment, neither of them moved.

“Go inside,” Becky said finally, her tone gentler than usual.

Freen nodded, stepping through the door. She turned back for one last glance at Becky, their eyes meeting briefly before she closed the door.

---

Her father came home shortly after, his usual gruff demeanor unchanged. He ate dinner in silence, barely acknowledging Freen before retreating to his room.

But Freen didn’t mind. Her heart was still full from the day she had spent with Becky.

As she lay in bed that night, she couldn’t stop smiling. The memories of the cafe, the laughter, the warmth—they replayed in her mind like a favorite song. She hugged her pillow tightly, her cheeks aching from the constant grin on her face.

Everything was perfect.