Once Upon a Star

Chapter 17

“Why is Hanna so quiet?” Lyndon asked Debby as they walked. Debby shrugged. “Hanna, what’s bothering you?” Lyndon asked her. “Oh, it’s nothing,” Hanna said as she smiled at them. “How about we watch a movie? Besides, we’ll be dismissed early today,” Debby said. “Congratulations, everyone passed,” said Ella as they clapped their hands. “Hanna,” Ella called her. “I’m sorry for insulting you that day, I didn’t know what you were going through,” Ella apologized and bowed. “It’s okay ma’am, see you,” Hanna said and walked away. She suddenly stopped walking. “If I get to see you again,” Hanna thought and walked away.

“So, let’s go!” Hanna said. “Wait, I’m waiting for Sean,” Lyndon said as he called Sean’s phone. Hanna looked at Lyndon with surprise, “Why? Don’t you want to see him? I thought you liked him?” Debby asked when Hanna sudden covered Debby’s mouth. “Why?” Debby asked. “Shhh,” Hanna told her best friend to keep her mouth closed. “He said he’ll meet us in the cinemas, he said he had to go somewhere and will follow,” Lyndon said.

“I’m sorry for coming in late,” said Sean as he arrived. “It’s cool,” said Lyndon. Sean looked at Hanna with a serious face. Hanna saw him and ignored him. Sean was sitting beside Hanna, who sat beside Debby, next to Lyndon. They were all busy watching the movie. Debby and Lyndon laughed as they watched, while Sean had no reactions. Hanna felt bothered and shy with Sean beside her. Not long, Hanna felt something. He felt Sean’s hand holding her hand. Hanna looked at Sean. Sean looked at Hanna and held tighter to Hanna’s hand. Hanna held back Sean’s hand and laid her head on his arm.

“We’ll get going now, bye!” said Lyndon as he waved at them. “Sean! Take good care of my best friend, okay?” Debby asked Sean. Hanna looked at Sean and saw him nod. They faced the other way, “Let’s go,” said Hanna. Sean held her hand again, “Let’s go,” he told her. “Aren’t you feeling awkward?” Hanna asked him as they held hands in the elevator. Sean did not respond, “Because I feel…” Hanna uttered. “I thought you like me?” Sean asked. “Yes, I do but…” answered Hanna then she suddenly looked at Sean. Sean looked at her, “Slip of a tongue,” she told him. “If you think it happened too fast, yes it did. It should’ve happened long time ago, but it was held back. If it wasn’t held back, still we would still be like this, until now,” Sean explained as he held Hanna’s hand a little tighter.

“I wasn’t in a clear mind that night, but If I heard right… Did you just say you liked me too?” Hanna asked as he looked at Sean. Sean looked at her, “I like you, Hanna Park,” Sean told her.

Hanna was fixing the couch when Sean went to her. “What are you doing?” he asked her with his hands in his pockets. “I’m fixing my bed,” Hanna answered. Sean pulled Hanna into his room and made her lie down with him. “It feels softer, doesn’t it?” Sean asked with his eyes closed. “Yes, it does,” Hanna answered as she lied on the other side of the bed.

H: Sean…

S: You can’t sleep?

H: I’m thinking about school.

S: It just ended.

H: About next semester.

S: You don’t have to worry about tomorrow. Go to sleep.

H: But I wanted to study.

Sean moved closer to Hanna and held her hand. Hanna looked at him and hugged him. “Just go to sleep, okay?” Sean asked her. “Where are you going?” asked Sean, “Debby asked me out, she said she wanted to buy something,” Hanna answered. “I’ll be back home early,” said Hanna and waved goodbye.

Sean was watching TV when the door bell rang. “How have you been, Sean?” Sean’s father asked him. “Don’t you miss your father? I even made time to visit you,” Ronald asked him. “I saw your report cards, and you did great, I’m so proud of you, son,” he praised his son. “Is there something you need? Just tell me,” he offered.

“Well, that’s easy. I’m glad to hear you have friends now,” he said and laughed. “Has your mom called you? She hasn’t been calling these past few months. She’s enjoying herself abroad,” he said and smiled. “If ever she calls you, give her my regards, will you?” he asked Sean. “Thank you for visiting me,” Sean thanked his father. Ronald hugged his son, “I miss you, so much,” he told Sean and let go of him. “Do visit me, in the mansion, or in the office; just give me a call,” Ronald said and left.

“You seem to be very close with Stanley,” said Mia as they ate. “He seems nice,” Jenny said and smiled. “But I feel strange, some people are like having dagger looks on me,” Jenny said. Mia looked at Jenny and drank her coffee.

Jenny went to Richard’s office and met his secretary. “Is Mr. Cha available?” Jenny asked the secretary. “He’s talking with his son, please wait,” the secretary told her. Jenny sat down and fixed the documents she’d be showing and the box of brownies she bought for him. “May I use the restroom here?” Jenny asked the secretary. Jenny washed her hands and fixed her hair. Jenny got out of the restroom and saw Stanley come out of Richard’s office. Stanley went straight out of the office. “I was going to call him,” Jenny whispered.

“Ms. Kim, Mr. Cha is now available, you may enter,” the secretary said and smiled. “Good, you did well with these articles,” said Richard as he scanned them. “Thank you for the brownies too,” said Richard as he smiled at Jenny. “Isn’t that Stanley’s phone?” Jenny thought when she saw a phone on Richard’s table.

“I forgot to get my phone, pa” Stanley said when he opened the door. Richard and Jenny looked at him.