Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 39

(CHANYEOL'S POV)

Life dulled to a boring routine without Allie here, and class was even more boring without Lay because the teachers realized that they didn't have anyone to go to for extra participation and question support for two weeks. It's only been two days since they left, and no matter how much time I'd spend with my beagle buddies, I wasn't the same person without them here. Thoughts kept on racing through my mind, counting up the endless possibilities of what could happen between Lay and Allie during these two weeks. I kept on replaying the what-ifs and following up with the then-Is.

My mom has been going to therapy once a week for her arm and shoulder just to strengthen her muscles. I'm so glad that she's been feeling okay. The whole time she's been in the hospital, I only got to see my dad about every two days.

My mom noticed that I was down and came to ask me one day, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

I told her how Allie was going to watch Lay compete at nationals for dance. She put it off by saying, "Lay just needs moral support," but I told her that there was more to it than she thought. "Well, in that case, I don't know if there's anything you can do, Yeol. It's not like she'll be texting you a lot over there."

"Yeah." I look down. What did I do wrong? Nothing.

"Are you suffering from heir withdrawal?"

I chuckle. "Nah, I just...miss her. Already. I was pretty upset when she told me that she was leaving but I didn't think I'd be like this."

"Well if you need friends just call 'em over. And I know you don't like her at all, but just to let you know Miriam Grady's back in town for another week. Her mom's back in Idaho doing other work, but her dad is here to participate in the Spring Investment Conference the day after tomorrow. Both your father and I will be there too. She's staying in the Hilton Chicago this whole week and I bet she has nothing to do. If you're really feeling desperate you could call her up and go have some coffee with her. No messing around though. The engagement is still going to carry through once Allie comes back. It'll be like a...gift to prepare for summer." She gives me one of those trying-to-reassure crinkly mom smiles.

Miriam. "It would be good to take my mind off of Allie and Lay for once," I reach for my phone. "I don't have any way to reach Miriam though. Do you have her number?"

"I do." My mom hands me her Samsung Note and I put Miriam's number into my phone. "Don't spend too much time together though. Your father and I will be out the whole night, starting from six in the evening to eight in the morning. Don't be naughty." She winks.

"I got it, Mom. I would never do that with someone I haven't seen in a couple of years." I say.

She seems very reassured that this is just a friendly meeting, and so she leaves.

I pull out my phone. That night of the New Year's Eve party, I was so surprised to see that Miriam has changed so much. Who knew that three years could do wonders for a girl who seemed so hopeless?

Me: Hey is this Miriam?

Miriam Grady: Yeah, who's this

Me: Chanyeol

Me: I don't know if you still remember me or not

Miriam Grady: Oh I do! hey what's up

Me: Nothing, I heard you were in Chicago

Miriam Grady: I am, I'm at the Hilton. Boring as fuck

She was so against swearing the last time I saw her. I said the word "damn" and she tried to tie my hands up with one of her scarves.

Miriam Grady: Anyway, I thought you hated me, why are you trying to contact me now?

Uh.

Me: Let's just say that you've changed a lot. I used to hate you but now I'm reconsidering my choices

Miriam Grady: haha

Me: Do you wanna go hang tomorrow?

Miriam Grady: hell yeah

Miriam Grady: I have a Benz now, all to myself. I've been meaning to drive somewhere but it's just so boring all by myself and my old friends either don't remember me or think I'm a major loser

I tell her that we should spend some time together the day of the Spring Investment Conference, and she agrees.