Continuously Over Board | OTMOND

Chapter 9 - Absence

MAI RAYMOND's POV

My mind isn't feeling right.

Ever since I laid my eyes on Otter last night, I couldn't believe the uneasiness underneath those two beautiful pupils.

'Should I go visit Otter at his workplace? I probably should apologize for our misfortune'

I had slight feelings for Lilli Sinclair, my ex-girlfriend, but I knew something wasn't right when I held her hand.

I nervously pulled the door open and searched for the handsome taller.

"What would you like sir?" The baby-faced cashier asked, before hastily fixing his slowly tilting cap.

"Is Otter Kim here?" I said.

'I can't wait to become friends with Otter again' I thought and grinned in advanced.

The young cashier's face darken, as he softly sighed. "Didn't you hear what happened?" 

My eyebrows furrowed, as I shook my head.

"I shouldn't be the one telling you this so you should ask someone else" The latter declined, before serving the person behind me.

***

What is happening right now?

No one is telling me where Otter is, and it's freaking the hell out of me.

I sat next to an elderly woman while holding two packages popsicle sticks, a favorite of Otters'. The petite lady next to me kept sneakily glancing at me as if she knew me, which was making me uncomfortably shift.

Incoming Call...

Me:
"Hello?"

I heard sniffles from the other caller.

Timbo:
"I'm so sorry..."
"I couldn't stop him,"
"I t-tried but he wouldn't listen"

Something in my guts made me wonder if Tim was referring to Otter.

Me:
"D-Did something happen to my baby?"

Timbo:
"Y-Y-Your baby?"

Me:
"I...mean Otter"

Timbo:
"*gulp*"

Tears formed in my eyes, this isn't happening, I just need to hope for a better reality.

'This beautiful world wouldn't dare take my Otter away from me, right?'

Timbo:
"I'll...tell you where Otter is IF you answer my question"

Me:
"Whatever, hurry up"

Timbo:
"Do you love Otter Kim?"

Me:
"N—"

I paused, and bit my bottom lip.

Do I love Otter Kim? Do I? Could I?

My mother passed away two hours ago, and as I, a eleven-year- old, am suffering from uncontrollable depression.

Who's going to cuddle me to sleep? Who's going to scold me to drink my hot chocolate slower, who's going to even make me hot chocolate? Who's going to tell me the world isn't as dark as we see it? Who's going to tell me that I'll have a happy ending?

A boy, with a pink cheeks, came up to me and pulled me into an warm embrace. I didn't know who he was, or what his intentions was but somehow I trusted him.

"Are you okay?" He asked, stroking my messy hair.

I removed my hands from my face and immediately made eye-contact with the male.

I stared.

"W-Why?" I sobbed, and cried into the taller's chest.

I didn't care if I looked stupid or ugly when crying. I didn't care that I was crying into the opposite gender's arms. But I cared that I had a shoulder to cry on.

"What's wrong?"

I pointed my finger in an accusingly manner, and lightly glared at the latter.

"Why! Why do you have the same eyes as my mother?" I cried.

It's true. The stranger had the same genuine pair of eyes as if you were looking at someone you loved. I paused. Who would love me? I'm motherless.

"I-" The boy looked startled at my outburst but softened at the sight of me crying. "Let's become friends"

"...With me?" I questioned.

The latter chuckled. "Who else? The ants?"

I laughed.

"I'm Otter Kim"

I remember waiting for this 'Otter Kim' at the same place the next day, wishing to see his beautiful eyes again, even if it was one glance.

And fortunately he did show up, not only did he show up by he showed up with a bag filled with candy.

Timbo:
"You there?"
"Raymond?"

It's his eyes I loved. It's the way his eyes show that he truly cares.

Me:
"I love Otter Kim"

Timbo:
"*chuckles*..."

There was silence.

Timbo:
"Otter loved you too"

I stared at my phone screen, checking if I read that right.

'Otter loves me?'

Timbo:
"But he's not —er well enough to tell you"

'Not well enough?'

Me:
"Where's Otter? Is he with you?"

Timbo:
"Yeah, he's with me for sure haha..."

My face flustered, wondering if Otter was listening to our conversation.

Me:
"Could I talk to him?"

Timbo:
"No"

Me:
"What why?!"

Timbo:
"You can't"

Me:
"God damnit, let me freaking talk to Otter!!"

I heard sobs on the other side.

Timbo:
"I told you, you can't!"

Me:
"WHY NOT!!"

Timbo:
"He's dead"