Photograph [on hold]

Dinner

(Sang's outfit for dinner.)

I stood up, making my way to the bathroom. A week had passed since I met Kota, and I couldn't stop thinking about how he, along with the others, seemed to care so much about me.

But why? I'm just an average looking girl in a broken family. Why would you want to be friends with me? You wouldn't. And the fact that guys care about me is crazy. I stared into the mirror. Same dirty blonde hair and green eyes, and a small scar placed slightly above my left eyebrow.

I sighed and splashed some cold water on my face before heading back into my room. Pulling my phone out, I plopped onto my bed. 5:30.

"Sang honey, come here a minute." I made my way then to the kitchen.

"Yeah mom?"

"Go get ready, and put on something nice, like a dress or something. We're leaving in fifteen minutes. The neighbors invited us to dinner."

"Yes mom." I say, rushing up the stairs and speeding to my closet. I pick out a pink knee length dress, and match it with a white short sleeve shoulder shrug. Throwing it on, I grab a clutch and tuck my phone inside. Hurrying once again to the bathroom, I brush out my hair and put it in a twist, using a flowery barret. I really want to make a good impression. I slip on my white flats and follow my mom to the house across the street.

My mom knocks and I smooth out my dress, and take a deep breath. The door opens and a woman with green eyes opens the door, welcoming us as we step inside.

"Let me introduce us for you. My name is Erica. This is my daughter Jessica, and this is my son, -"

"Kota?" A grin broke out over Erica's face as I stared at Kota, who stared back at me.

"And this is my son's friend, Nathan. He lives a couple houses down." I shifted my eyes to the boy standing next to Kota. He had blue eyes and hair that looked soft, like rabbit fur.

"My name is Melissa, and this is my daughter Sang." I mutter a hi and Erica claps her hands together.

"Kota, why don't you and Nathan and Sang go up to your room until dinner's ready." He nods slowly and I follow them up the stairs. Nathan plops down on the floor, but I'm not sure where I should sit.

"You can sit on the floor if you'd like." Kota says. I start to sit down, but remember that I'm wearing a dress.

"Um.."

Kota studies me momentarily before he turns and walks over to a desk.

"Here." He says, offering me a desk chair. I smile, grateful.

"How's your shoulder healing?"

"Fine, thanks."

"So, this is another one of my friends, he lives a couple of houses down."

"I like your hair." Nathan says. I blush.

"Thanks."

Nathan shrugged.

"So, I um, know I ran off the other day, but... do you think maybe we could, I don't know, be friends?" I stutter quietly. A smile appeared on both of their faces.

"Yes." Kota says, his eyes sparkling. I smile.

"Hey. You want to come swimming at my place?" Nathan asked.

"Now?"

"No, tomorrow." Nathan chuckled. My phone buzzed and I looked at it.

Mom: I have to go to a meeting tonight, and I have a business trip so I won't be here after that. Will be gone for a week. I'll check in with you, love you.

I felt the tears threaten before I can stop them.

"Sang what's wrong?" Nathan asks right before Erica called up the stairs.

"Sang honey your mom left but you're welcome to stay if you'd like." Nathan and Kota shared a look.

"Sang what's going on?" I handed my phone to Kota, as Nathan wrapped his arms around me. Kota read the text out loud.

"I have to go to a meeting tonight, and I have a business trip so I won't be here after that. Will be gone for a week. I'll check in with you, love you."

Nathan's grip on me tightened.

"Oh, Sang. I didn't know it was that bad." Kota said, enveloping my other side as the tears continued to spill out from my eyes.

"Shh, it's okay." Nathan murmured rubbing my back. I calmed down, forcing myself to stop crying. Nathan's face swam into view as a chin lifted up my face.

"You okay?" I nodded. I watched as he tilted his head, studying my face. Slowly, his finger traced over my scar and I shivered but remained still. Kota studied me.

"How did you get that?"

"I... well..." I swallowed. "It was a while ago. My step mother did that."

"The one that just sent you the message?" I shook my head.

"The one Kota arrested was my step mom. The man was my dad, and the one who just tested me was my real mom." I explain and they nod. "My step mom, she... likes to punish me, and well, I remember, that day she was already in a bad mood, and when she saw me talking to someone at the bus stop, she, kind of, got out a knife, and um, tied me to a chair..."

Shivers racked through my body. Nathan clenched his fist and I thought I heard Kota muttering numbers. He looked at me, dead serious.

"You don't have to continue." Kota said.

"I want to keep going." I say. He nods, his eyes intent on me. "She gave me other scars, too, but then, she tried, plunging it into my head." I choked out. Kota paled, and Nathan stiffened, looking like he was ready to explode.

"Nathan?"

"I'm fine." He replied. I looked at Kota who nodded also.

"My dad stopped her before it did any major damage. And then he told me to go patch myself up." I breath out. I can't help shaking. The instant Nathan reaches out to me, I collapse in his arms, curling against him. He runs his hands over my hair. I crawl away from him, and over to Kota. He jumps when I wrap my arms around him but hugs me back.

"I'm sorry." He whispers.

"Why?"

"I should be the one hugging you." I shrug, trying to cover up how much it means to me, the way it pours warmth into my heart.

"Hey." He says, looking into my eyes. "Do you want to stay with me and Nathan tonight? I'm going to stay over at his house." I look at Nathan who nods.

"Thank you." I whisper.

-----!!-----!!-----
So, what do you think of this chapter?
1. Did I surprise you with the whole, Kota is my neighbor thing?
2. Who feels bad that Sang has a neglectful mother? I do.
3. What do you think about what happened with her step mom?
4. Who hates her dad?
5. Do you want me to keep writing this story?
Love,
Jennifer