Raising His Baby

Best Friends Forever

Flashback
"Guys wait for me!" I ran as fast as I could so I wouldn't be left . "Come on Lyra! We're gonna leave you behind if you go any slower." I pouted and stuck my tongue out at Mark. "Give me your hand Ly. I'll help you." I smiled as Joey reached out for my hand. We were like the 3 Musketeers, always together. Mark said he had something important to tell us so we were going to our secret spot. "Finally we made it." I practically collapsed on Joey and he groaned in response. Mark was smiling from ear to ear and could barely contain his excitement. "Alright Mark we're listening. What's up?" Joey pushed me off as he got up. "I've got big news guys. I hope you don't get upset though... I'm moving to Korea to be a trainee for JYP Entertainment!" My heart sank and tears began to flow freely. I was happy for my best friend, but I didn't want him to leave. He was finally pursuing his dream to be an idol, but he was leaving me. I needed him by my side. We've never been apart and the distance is far to vast. Mark's face changed from happy to worried as he ran to me. He engulfed me in a bear hug and tried to calm me down. "Lyra I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I didn't think I was going to make it. I'll keep in touch with you I promise. You're my best friend please be happy for me." I looked up a him and forced a smile. "I am happy for you Markie. I'm just going to miss you sooo much! Promise me no one will take my place!" He cupped my face and brushed my tears away. "No one will ever take your place! You will always be my best friend." I smiled and he hugged me tighter. "Lyra I promise I'll keep in touch and you can come visit during the holidays. You have been my biggest motivation and like a vitamin I need you. You're my #1 home girl!" I laughed and pushed him away to wipe the rest of my tears. Joey came from behind me and put his arm around me and gave me a big smile. "Don't worry Ly I'll be here for you and we can visit him together in Korea." I nodded and continued to dry my eyes. Mark got between us and put his arms around both of us. "Don't go falling in love while I'm gone now." Mark ran away while Joey chased him to the car. I laughed at the scene before me but deep down I was sad. How was I going to manage without my best friend?

Fast Forward 3 weeks @ the airport

I stood there with the Tuans saying goodbye to Mark. He came to give me a hug last, and I held him tight. He pulled me in closer and I nuzzled my head in his chest. "Lyra I promise I'll keep in touch. Text me or message me on instagram. I might not be able to answer right away but I will reply ok? I'll even skype you." I nodded and gave him one last tight squeeze before I let go. Joey came up to me and held me as I watched my best friend walk towards his dream. Our friendship was no ordinary friendship. Our bond was so much stronger than most. I'm hispanic but I was adopted by a Korean couple. My parents adopted me when I was 3 months old and they went to heaven a few years ago. The died in a terrible car accident and I was left to my dad's business partner. He was married and his children were all grown up and living on their own. He worked overseas all the time so I was usually by myself or with the Tuans. Mark was with me for everything we met in preschool and stayed close through the years. The Tuans always welcomed me and would hope I'd end up with Mark or Joey, but we're just friends. I watched Mark leave and cried when I could no longer see him. Mama and Papa drove us back to their house and Joey brought me up to his room. "Come on Ly, please don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this." I wiped my tears and went to lay with him. "I'm sorry Joey. It's just he's my best friend and I miss him already." He pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. "I know, but you still have me and I won't leave you... I promise I'll always be by your side." Joey's words comforted me and I fell asleep in his warm embrace. I had to have been dreaming because I thought I heard Joey say he loved me I thought I felt him kiss me. I felt content in his arms and safe.

Fast Forward (6 Months after Mark Left)

I woke up with a pounding headache and sat up to stretch. Joey was asleep on the floor and the movie we fell asleep to was playing in the background. I got up and checked the time. Shit we're gonna miss our flight! "Joey get up we gotta go! We're gonna miss our flight!" He jumped up and I ran to my room to get ready. My guardians talked to the Tuans and decided to let me live with them since I was always there and my guardian was never home. Papa Tuan had a business trip in Korea and agreed to let Joey and I go with him. The plane ride was so long and I tried my best to sleep but Joey kept me up. We landed safely and went straight to the hotel to freshen up. Papa and Joey were tired but my need to see Mark overpowered my sleepiness. I got ready and messaged him to let him know where we were and to make sure he was free. Papa stayed to rest so Joey and I went to meet Mark at a nearby cafe. While we were walking guys kept stopping us and asking me questions and Joey didn't like it. "Ly hold my hand so you don't get lost." I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. "Do you think he's excited to see us too? I wonder if he'll bring some friends for us to meet!" Joey held my hand a little tighter. "Just stay with me ok? I don't want you getting lost." I nodded and followed him into the cafe. My eyes scanned the place and when I saw him across the room I ran to him. He stood up and I jumped into his arms. I missed his scent and his hugs. He carried me and held on as tight as he could. "Lyra if my friends didn't know you were my best friend they'd think you were my girlfriend." I laughed and he put me down. I felt a little embarrassed when I saw his friends staring at us with a tint of blush on their cheeks. "I'm sorry I just missed you Markie." I went to grab his had but someone pulled me away. "I thought I told you to stay with me Ly? And why did you have to jump on him? Your skirt went up and almost everyone saw your naughty bits." I frowned at Joey. How could he get after me? He knows how much I missed Mark. My face got hot when I realized Mark's friends got a sneak peak at whats under my skirt and burried my head in Joey's back. The brothers exchanged hugs and Mark introduced us to his friends. Joey pulled me to sit next to him at the edge of the table and kept a hand on my knee under he table. "Okay guys, tell me. Is here something going on between you two?" I shook my head. "No Mark you know that we're just friends." Joey didn't say anything and Mark laughed a little. "Sure whatever you say Lyra." I got to know his friends a little better and they were all so cute. Mark gave us the address to the dorms and we agreed to go over later in the evening after we took a nap. I could hardley sleep but I finally fell asleep and took a 2 hour nap. When I woke up Joey was in my bed holding me. I slipped out of his arms and went to take a shower. When I got out of the restroom Joey was gone so I continued to get ready. I texted him when I was done and we started walking to Mark's dorm. "Ly come here. You're attracting too much attention. Why did you have to wear such a short dress? The wind is going to make it fly up." He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. I don't get it one minute he's nice the next he's a jerk. "Why do you treat me like I'm a child? I'm a year older than you!" I let go of his hand and walked ahead of him. I could hear him calling me but I just kept walking. When I got to Mark's dorm I texted him and he told me the door was open. I walked in and that's when I saw him. Time stopped and I could only see him. He was smiling and laughing and my heart was pounding. I was pulled into reality by Joey puling my arm. He was getting after me but I wasn't listening my focus was on the perfect boy across the room. He turned his attention to me and our eyes locked. I blushed a little and looked away. "Joey lay off she's fine and she's here. Let go of her arm now!" Mark was now getting after Joey and I pulled them apart. "I'm sorry I was just eager to see you again Markie." I gave him a hug and he calmed Joey down. I held onto Mark as he introduced us to the other trainees and when Mark got to him I bowed. He smiled and went to shake my hand but Joey blocked him. He went around Joey and properly introduced himself to me. I was so captivated by him and no one else in the room mattered to me. Mark caught on and pulled Joey so we could talk more. We talked for a bit but he had to leave for practice. Mark came up to me after he left and smirked. "So you think he's cute huh? He's single by the way." I pushed Mark away and rolled my eyes. It's true I thought he was cute but I want to get to know him more, and I pray he feels the same out me.