Once Upon a Star

Chapter 13

“What do you mean? Is she lost?” Stanley asked Jenny with concern. “Should we find her?” he added as he looked at her. “She probably doesn’t want to see me right now and hates me very much. She stays at her friend’s. I miss Hanna so much, I wonder how she’s doing right now,” Jenny asked. Stanley comforted her and left.

Sean was standing near the place Jenny and Stanley left. He looked at Jenny and Stanley walk away, “Could it be, that she’s Hanna’s sister?” Sean thought and looked at the cheesecake. Sean got back and saw Hanna sleeping on the desk. He went and knelt before her; he carried her to the couch and covered her with blanket. He looked at the table and saw the quiz he had given her. He took it and saw the answers; Sean smiled and looked at Hanna, “You got them all right now,” he told her.

Hanna woke up at seven in the evening, and she saw that the sky was dark. Hanna sat up, “Sean’s going to rant at me,” she said in a low voice. She sat and faced the table when she saw Sean and yelled. Sean looked at her, he closed the book he was reading and went to the dining room.

“I’m so full! I’ll clean it all up,” said Hanna. Sean suddenly stood up and took a box from the refrigerator, and put it on the dining table. “Is it your birthday?” Hanna asked when she saw the box. Sean opened the box; Hanna stared at the cheesecake. “Happy birthday Hanna, go on and make a wish!” Hanna remembered her happy family. Sean looked at Hanna, and saw tears falling from her eyes.

[Missing You Instrumental] Hanna was at the balcony, glancing at the stars. Sean went out and looked at the stars as well. “The cake you brought tonight was my favorite cake, thank you,” she thanked him. “My father and sister would always buy me that cake whenever I feel lonely, depressed and during my birthdays; I badly miss them both,” Hanna went on. “I miss my family,” she said as her tears came falling down on her cheeks. Sean heard her crying and sniffing. Hanna faced Sean, “I know I’ve caused you a lot of burden, but… Can I ask you a favor?” she asked him with puffy eyes.

“Can I hug you, even for just 10 seconds?” Hanna asked him. Sean faced her, and looked at her. Hanna slowly walked to Sean, and slowly hugged him. Sean slowly hugged her back, “You won’t know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option you have left,” he uttered. Hanna burst out in tears and kept crying, and she hugged him tighter. Sean tucked Hanna in bed and looked at her. He fixed her hair, “Goodnight,” he whispered to her.

“What happened to you? You look so weary,” Debby told Hanna as they ate. “They’re swollen, did you cry all night?” Lyndon asked her with concern. “I’m fine,” Hanna said and smiled at her friends. “Good luck on your exams,” Lyndon said and hugged her. “I know you’ll pass,” he encouraged her.

Debby was busy answering when she accidentally turned and saw Hanna sleeping on her desk. “Snap, why is she sleeping?” Debby thought. “So, time to pass your papers,” Ella announced. Hanna slowly woke up and saw her class mates passing their papers. Hanna stood up and passed her exam papers, “Did you sleep well, Ms. Park?” Ella asked her with a bit of sarcasm. Hanna just bowed and left the room, leaving Ella speechless and guilty. Debby was behind her; she passed her exam paper. “Ms. Do, you’re close to Hanna, what’s happening to her? She has a lot of absences, failed quizzes; she needs to pass this exam,” the teacher asked with concern. “Family problem, ma’am,” said Debby; she bowed and left the room as well.

Hanna was walking in the hallway, thinking deeply how she slept in the classroom during the exam. She was walking to the gate when a number of students came running by; one of them accidentally bumped her causing her to lose balance. Sean caught her by her shoulders, “Are you okay?” he asked her. Hanna looked at him, nodding.

Sean and Hanna walked home, with Sean walking ahead of her. Sean stopped walking and waited for Hanna to reach the distance he walked. He stood in front of her. Hanna looked at him as he knelt down, his back facing Hanna. “What do you want me to do, Shane Joseph Kim?” Hanna asked Sean as she looked at him. “You walk so slowly,” he told her as he knelt.

“Your back is so… broad and strong,” Hanna whispered to Sean. “Just don’t wet my coat with your tears,” he told her. Sean stopped walking, “Stop crying,” he told her and continued walking. Hanna was staring blankly as they stayed in the living room. Sean closed the book he was reading, “Why don’t you play your guitar?” he asked her. Hanna looked at her guitar and took a deep breath. “I’m not in the mood for playing,” she answered him. Sean nodded. “I’m sorry. I don’t know if I’ll fail the exam, I’m sorry if I disappoint you. It’s probably okay, I’ll probably stop schooling next semester and start working. When I save enough, I’ll leave. I really feel like I’m causing you trouble,” Hanna told Sean as she looked at him.

Hanna went to the cabinet and took something. Hanna went to Sean and knelt before him. Hanna was holding a locket watch. “This isn’t much, but this is the most valuable thing I have right now. It was given to me when I was still young,” said Hanna as she held the locket watch. Hanna was putting it on Sean when Sean held her hands and took the locket watch off of him. He took it from her and put it on her instead. “I don’t like the feeling of taking valuable things from other people. I believe this is something very important and special to you. If you want to repay me, do it by wearing this,” Sean told Hanna.

[Missing You] Hanna stood in the balcony, looking at her locket watch. “What is this?” Hanna asked her mother, “It’s a gift for you, for being good,” her mother told her as she put it on Hanna. “It’s so beautiful,” Hanna said and smiled. “It looks good on you. Promise me to always keep it,” her mother told her. “Mom, can you see me? I’m Hanna, your daughter. I know you’re looking after me all this time. I’ve grown up so well, can you see?” Hanna talked to her mother as she looked at the stars.

“Thank you for sending someone to look after me… But, why does it hurt knowing that I’ll have to leave soon?” Hanna asked. She placed her right hand over her chest again, and felt her heartbeat. “I thought I only liked him…” she whispered.