Almost V

스물일곱

I don't make a scene I just clean out my locker, clock out, and leave while everyone gawks at me in silence. When Taehyung calls my name across the parking lot. I refuse to turn around. Helmet on. Kickstand up. Keys in ignition. I'm gone. The Vogue Palace is now a "was." I no longer have a summer job.

I consider not telling appa about getting fired for about 5 minutes, but I'm tired of being a coward. Besides, he'd find out sooner or later. I wonder if IHOP is hiring.

Anna comes over to my house after her shift and I tell her the whole story, every bit of it and more. Before I know what I'm saying, I'm telling her about Joon Hyungjoon and how I got shot. How Taehyung was the first person I really told, and now look - just look! - where that trust got me. And sure, I was talking to some guy online before I moved here, and yes, I had planned to meet him, but we don't talk anymore, and NOTHING HAPPENED, and that's none of Taehyung's business. It's no one business but mine. 

For a brief moment, I'm worried that I've freaked her out.

But she says very seriously. "It's a shame that I'm going to be forced to commit severe testicular trauma upon that boy."

After this, our shared appetite for vengeance quickly spirals out of control. She calls Taehyung a C-word. Then she asks if I want her to talk to him (I don't) or spread horrible rumors at him at work (I sort of do). When she starts getting creative about the rumor spreading, it just makes me sad, and I start crying again. Appa comes home from work in the middle of my crying session, and Anna gives him the lowdown. She should be a TV commentator. By the time she's finished explaining, I'm done with tears.

Appa looks shell-shocked.

"Bet you're sorry you signed up for your teenage daughter to move in with you now, huh?" I say miserably. "Maybe this is why eomma hasn't called all summer. She's probably thinking, Good riddance."

He looks momentarily confused, but quickly disregards that last remark, comes up behind me, wraps his arm around my shoulders, and squeezes. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss any of this for a single second. And if there's one thing I know about, it's how to get over breakups. Or potential ones. Whatever this is. Get your stuff, girls. We're going out for lobsters and laser tag."

☜(⌒▽⌒)☞

Taehyung starts texting me the next day. Nothing substantial, just several short texts.

Text 1: Hey.

Text 2: I'm so sorry about work. I feel awful.

Text 3: We need to talk.

Text 4: Please, Suzy.

Appa advises me to ignore all of those texts and let him simmer. After all, Taehyung did the same thing to me. Time apart is healthy. Appa also quizzes me, asking me if I've realized why Taehyung walked out on game night. "You're a good detective, Giant Maknae. You can figure this out on your own.

Maybe I don't want to anymore. I've pretty much given up trying.

Besides, I have other things to think about, like looking for another job, one that doesn't mind that I've been sacked from my last place of employment. Appa offers to ask around the CPA office. I politely decline.

When I'm looking through the classifieds in the local free paper we picked up during our one-million lobster feast the night before, Appa says, "What did you mean when you said your mother hasn't called all summer?"

"Just that. She hasn't called. All summer. Or texted. Or e-mailed."

A long moment. "Why haven't you said anything?"