Emergence

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         Have you ever wanted luck just for luck to moderately laugh in your face? That's what happened today. Start to finish, this day has been testing me. With less than an hour left of school, I received nearly fifty messages from the quartet whose numbers had been installed into my phone's memory midway through lunch. Had my phone not been on vibrate, I certainly would have gotten in trouble for disturbing the class. I couldn't help but peek at the messages any time the teacher turned their back to the class.

          Food, lots and lots of food. All of the messages were corrections and additions to their ever-growing list of snacks that they required me to get for them tonight. Why? I have no idea; I'm just the errand girl. What do good errand girls do to keep their secrets safe? They write down the official list on paper.

          With the loud ringing of the bell signaling the end of the day, I quickly shoved my belongings into my bag. Unlike my usual day, I had a scattered mess about my desk due to my distraction with writing the shopping list which now rests folded into a small square stashed in my pocket alongside my phone. Feeling the thin rectangular device buzz seemingly without end, papers got crumpled as I shoved them in the bag. I knew they wanted me out by the bleachers, I just didn't realize they expected me to be there so soon. At least, I'm pretty sure it's them messaging. The only other people who would are within speaking range.

          "Are you going to stay at my place again tonight or go home to the supreme overbitch?" I laughed at Minseok's oh-so adorable nickname for my mother. Sometimes I think he dislikes her more than I do, or maybe it's the fact that I'm too afraid of her to vocalize my distaste for her.

          "I uh.. I was go-oing to check home first." Yeah, that stutter won't go unnoticed."

          "Uh huh," I watched as he eyed me curiously. Maybe his knowledge of the fact that I'm afraid of the monster of a woman would be an acceptable way to play off the stutter, "Okay."

          Okay? No pressing? It's my turn to eye him curiously, "Not questioning me?"

          "Nope. If your scared booty wants to go check to see if the monstress is still around be my guest." He slung his bag over his shoulder and turned with a gentle smile, placing his hand on my shoulder, "Just remember, my door is open to you if you need a place to hide out from her."

          With a smile and a nod, he removed his hand and threw flying hearts my way as he skipped out the door, quickly catching up with Iseul to begin gossiping. I don't understand how they can gossip about the same things near daily and not be bored of it. Stalling, I drag my feet as I make my way back out to the bleachers, quickly finishing jotting down the items requested by the girls during class. The biggest reason for my slothly trudging is one of the items requested by Sun-mi.

          Plastering what I could only imagine as a nervous, awkward smile on my face, I approached the girls that stood beneath the bleachers. Clouds of smoke rolled from their lips in large puffs aimed directly at my face as I stopped in front of them. Drag after drag, I silently waited for them to finish. I truly did want to see if my mother left home yet, as I needed to fix my bedroom that she had destroyed last night. If she was there, I would have to find a way to get a change of clothes before heading back to Minseok's.

         "You know what we want, right?" Sun-Mi pulled me from my thoughts as she tossed her cigarette to the ground, crushing the filter with toe of her shoe. She tried to hold a bored look on her face, or at least that's what I think she was going for as she stared at me, waiting for a response.

          "Y-yeah," holding out the list to her, she grabbed it and studied it. The three behind her hovered as well, making sure everything was there, "D-did I m-miss anyth-thing?"

          Without a word she shoved the list back in my hands. Pulling her tiny purse up by the thin strap, she fished through what looks like a sea of makeup containers looking for something. I sniffled as I watched the containers pop out, falling to the ground. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that her purse was enchanted to fit an unrealistic amount of junk within it. After a good minute of rummaging, she pulled out a clip with money. I couldn't help but grimace at it as I cautiously took it from her.

          "That should be enough to cover everything," she slapped away the hands of the girls around her as she grabbed her numerous containers they had darted to pick up for her, "And I do mean everything. Don't forget the non-food items. Don't worry, they won't think it's for you."

          Ouch. I may not be the thinnest or prettiest but really, ouch. I listened to her ramble on as the girls behind her zoned out as they scrolled through their phones. Apparently they were planning a party this weekend and wanted to be fully prepared ahead of time. Honestly, I could care less what they're planning, though I've somewhat wondered what it was like to go to a party. It's not my place, so I should toss the curiosity aside.

          "I want everything brought to my house before midnight, got it?" I nodded in response, not wanting to stutter yet again. I'm used to it, but sometimes I do get embarrassed by it. I shouldn't, I've always been this way, but I can't help it. I'm uncomfortable and nervous, and I don't think that's going to change any time soon.

          Parting ways with the four, I decided it would be better to head home before going on a shopping spree. Plucking my phone case from the phone, I carefully stashed the money within to keep it safe. You know, just in case. My mother likes to take any and all funds away from me, so it would be best if she didn't know about this. The walk felt shorter than usual as my mind looped the plan of attack. If only it was attack.

          I stared at the front door of my family home for a moment before taking the knob and twisting. Seeing as it is unlocked, I hold my breath, gently opening it. The gentle squeak of the hinges filled me with dread as I imagined being bombarded by my mother, her precious babies on her heels as backup attack dogs. To my surprise, no one greeted me. As gently as I had opened the door, I closed it, sure to keep it unlocked just in case I needed a quick escape.

          Peering around corners I made sure the coast was clear as I headed toward the staircase, nervous as I saw no one on the ground floor. Cautiously, I scampered up and into my room. Looking it over, nothing had changed from this morning. Nothing except one thing. Twisting my torso, I looked at the door frame, noting the entire missing door. I guess she was pretty mad, and that she would be sticking around for my return.

          Wasting no time, I fished out an empty bag and started shoving clothing in. Anything from undergarments to pants and shirts. In the midst of carefully packing my clothes, a throat cleared behind me, startling me into a panic as I jumped up, turning sharply to the person behind me. Relief flooded over me as quickly as the panic had jumped my skin, seeing my dad standing there with a morose expression firmly on his features.

          "She's very angry, you know." His voice was raspier than usual. I could only assume they had been fighting, not that it was unusual, "If you're going for a while, you'd best be quick. She will be back soon."

          "Dad.." I watched as he gave a light smile and shook his head. There were no words to express any of the feeling that I felt, both at this time and that had accumulated over the years. He looked sickly, more so than he had been looking.

          "Don't worry Sweet Pea, things will be fine here. I'll message you when she leaves again." Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I teetered with the additional weight along with my school bag. Before I could walk up to him, I watched as my dad pulled his wallet from his back pocket and plucked out the remaining cash he had on hand, holding it out to me, "Let me know if you need more."

          The sting of tears welling in my eyes left me blinking furiously as I hugged my dad, sniffling and trying my hardest not to let the tears fall, "Thank you daddy. I'll be at Minnie's if you need me."

          After a moment, we parted and I quickly headed toward the bathroom to grab my toiletries and a few other personal belongings I kept stashed in a hidden compartment of the counter beneath the sink. Juggling the bag and my belongings, I shoved them in as quickly as I could and made my way down the stairs toward the door where my dad stood waiting, a small, sad smile plastered to his face. Wordlessly, we hugged once again, this time a bit longer before letting go. Opening the door for me, I ventured out and headed toward Minseok's where I would stay for an undetermined length of time.