The Other

29

(Yuki)

                                        I thought about what Yasir had told me and honestly, I was a bit creeped out. I am not religious. I don't know how people can have a religion. I mean, it's so unrealistic. Jinns? Gods? Stuff like that only happens in movies...

In reality, we live and we die. There is no afterlife! I have never understood how people can believe in things like that.

But on the contrary, the universe is not small. Who knows what else can be out there besides what is visible to the eye...

Too much was happening. So much was on my mind. All the recent deaths, Yasir talking nonsense. I needed to get things off of my mind, so I decided to text my best friend, Arlo.

I told Arlo that I was coming over. Arlo has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Things were always happier with him around.

I threw on a black long-sleeved crop top with a high-waisted plaid skater skirt. I put on some black knee-high socks and slipped on my white Adidas sneakers. I walked to Arlo's since he only lives a few blocks away from me.

The black top with the black socks was a bad idea since it was burning hot outside. My brown hair rested on my shoulders as I walked. I always thought about going blonde... Lol. Irrelevant.

Anyway, I arrived at Arlo's and walked through the door. That's just how close we are.

I spotted his mother making kimchi in the kitchen. She looked at me and smiled.

"Omo! Yuki!" she yelled as she headed over to me and gave me a large hug. "Annyeong. How have you been?"

I smiled. "Good, Ms. Kyung." I said. She smiled back.

"That's nice." she said. "You look beautiful like always. Like a k-pop idol!"

"Oh, stop it." I said. "You look beautiful too! Like an actress."

Arlo's mother chuckled. "Arlo!" she called.

"Mwo?" Arlo asked from upstairs.

His mother said something in Korean and Arlo replied.

Seconds later, Arlo came downstairs. "Best chingyu!" Arlo yelled as he gave me a hug. "What brings you here? You haven't visited in weeks!"

I used to go to Arlo's every day. I basically lived there. I don't know why I stopped. I'm now a senior. Maybe I just grew out of that habit. It's like they say... You grow further apart from your friends as you get older. I just hope Arlo is going to be my friend for the rest of my life. I don't want him out of my life ever.

"Oh... Uh... I just needed a friend." I said. Arlo looked worried and confused, but then he smiled.

"Let's go upstairs." he said. He ran up the stairs and I followed him.

Arlo's house was huge. He was pretty wealthy. He had a pool, a deck, and even a balcony! There were 5 bedrooms. He lived with his mother and his 3 siblings, Nari (5), Min (8), and Len (9). Nari is a girl while Min and Len are boys.

Arlo led me to his bedroom. He had a window in his room and I can see his siblings playing in the pool in the backyard.

"It is hot as balls today." Arlo said as he sat on the bed. I sat down next to him. He looked at me and sighed. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded my head, but Arlo knew something was wrong.

"Yuki..." he spoke. "I know there's something wrong... Tell me. Talk to me. I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything."

I sighed. I honestly had know idea how to put my feelings into words, but like always, Arlo was able to tell what was bothering me...as he should. He's such a great best friend.

"Is it the recent deaths?" Arlo asked.

I slowly nodded my head. I didn't know if these deaths were just a coincidence or if something was causing them, but all I could think was:

What if I'm next? Or worse...someone I love...