The Miracle Of A Lifetime

Chapter 4 : Strange

I went downstairs to open the door. As I opened the door, I saw two police officers. Their faces were blank, and I could not figuire out what the problem was.
"Is your name Amber Siatkowska?" The officer on the right asked, still remaining expressionless.
"Yes, what's the problem?" I asked nervously looking at both of them in fear.
"It's about your mother... She's... She had a car accident. She fell unconscious while driving and the car got out of control. She was going 140km/h on the highway. There's no way she could've survived. I'm sorry..." The officer explained. I looked at them with my eyes wide open. I heard what he said but I couldn't believe my own ears. Tears began forming in my eyes. What now? Who will I stay with? Will I have to be adopted by a different family? So many questions were rushing through my mind. My legs felt like they were rooted to the ground.  Just then I saw a familiar face walking past my house. He looked at me and came running over to me. Junhong asked about what happened. I told him without hesitation.
"The coroner said that the reason why she fell unconscious was because she had brain cancer. Excessive fainting can be a symptom of brain cancer. Have you seen your mum fainting before?" The officer continued.
"N-No, officer. I didn't spend much time with my mother." I replied quietly. Junhong placed his hand on my back, and then slowly pulled me in for a hug.

After awhile of talking, the officers and Junhong agreed that I'll stay with him for a few weeks or months. I sat down on the couch in Junhong's livingroom with a mug of green tea. I looked down at the steaming beverage and I though to myself, I have no one left. There's nothing left to fight for. Nothing left to lose.
"I'm sorry about your mother. It must be terrible for you." Junhong sat next to me. "What are you thinking about?" He asked. I wiped the tear that ran down my cheek away and said "Oh well... She never cared for me anyway... But... Now that she's gone, I have no one else in my family. At least here in Korea. I have no one left, you know..."
"Well... You have me..." Junhong said and looked at me. I looked back at him and we stared at each other for a short while. He started moving closer and closer to me. His eyes were slowly closing, and so were mine. Withing seconds, his hot lips were brushing against mine. As we released this gentle kiss, I bit my lip; I could taste the gentle taste of strawberries. He must've eaten a few while preparing my tea. We looked at each other with our eyes half open. I looked away first.
"I liked you for quite a while now." He suddenely said. Because of that, I felt even more upset. I liked him. As a friend. A best friend even. But nothing more than that.
"I'll understand if you don't like me back." He continued.
"Listen Junhong, I... I don't want to lose you too. You're my only friend. You can't fall for me." I replied. I wasn't happy. I mean... wow someone likes me but... why does it have to be him? It's not like there's something wrong with him but he's my best friend. And now it's not going to be the same. I guess he wanted to let me know that he's there if I need him. And that I do have someone who would do anything to see me smile and live on. That's all.

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The winter break was over. The teacher allowed Junhong to sit next to me again. Lessons were alwasy dragging. I alwasy felt like I'm going to stay in the classroom for eternity. The bell rang and we went to the canteen to get food. I sat down with Junhong. Unfortunately, an unwanted guest has joined us.
"I've heard about your mother, Amber. Does her ghost haunt you at night?" Yongguk laughed with Himchan who was standing behind him. Junhong sat up and gave him a warning-stare.
"Aish chill out, I'm just joking!" He continued, when he saw Junhong.
"It's not funny you punk! How would you feel if your parents were dead?!" Junhong yelled at Yongguk. He quickly got up and leaned over the table. His face was about five iches away from Junhong who was opposite my and Yongguk.
"Listen, you little bastard... For yur information, I know exactly how it feels, so think before you open your mouth." Yongguk gave Junhong a deathstare and threw a paper ball at me as he walked away. Junhong and I looked at each other. I unrolled the paper ball and saw something written on it.