The Foreign Exchange Student

Chapter Twenty-Nine

December 25th 2019

Lotus Jones

I let out a breath as I slowed down my running. It was Christmas Day and I was over it...I grew to hate the holidays after my grandmother passed. I walked into the 7/11 and began making me a hot chocolate.

"Lotus."

I looked up and locked eyes with Mrs.Lee.

"Mrs.Lee? Hi, how are you?" I asked.

She looked at me before looking down. I continued making my hot chocolate before she spoke again.

"I'm ok, you haven't been by to visit." She said.

I shrugged.

"I don't think me visiting will be a good idea." I said.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" She asked.

I placed the lid on my hot chocolate and looked at her. She looked like she was on the brink of fucking tears and it made my heart hurt.

"I'm not really festive when it comes to holidays. Don't really have a family to do that type of stuff with." I explained.

"I see...we miss you." She said.

I nodded not knowing how to respond. She reached for me before I quickly took a step back.

"Lotus." She sniffed.

"I'm sorry it's just...I'm not mad but I'm trying not to stay attached." I said.

"You're trying to detach from us? From me?" She asked.

I sighed.

"I have to...what Ingrid did was wrong and I understand she is your daughter but I thought...I don't know what I thought." I shook my head.

"I was put in a hard place, and what Ingrid did was unforgiving. I...it's just she's 17 because if she was 18 I would've sent her to the apartment in Seoul. Instead of suggesting it to you." She explained.

"I understand, but Ingrid and I...she and I will forever butt heads because of that. I'm not letting you get in between that..." I trailed.

"Are you asking me to choose?" She asked.

"If you have to ask me that then choose her." I said.

I pecked her cheek and gave her a warm smile before I walked away.

"Lotus." She said.

I turned around and raised a brow.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"You call me if you need anything...you may not be my blood. You mean a lot to me...and I miss you around the house. I am always here if you need me, so please don't shut me out." She said.

I slowly nodded.

"I won't." I said.

I paid for my hot chocolate before I began walking back to my route. I felt my phone vibrate before I pulled it out.  I smiled before placing it on my ear.