That Summer

Chapter 12

I woke up to the smell of coffee seeping into an unfamiliar room. I didn't hear any chimes but I heard the wind brushing through the trees. The bed didn't feel as fluffy as before and the ceiling looked different. I was also wearing pajamas that I don't remember owning or putting on last night. I moved my hand around there wasn't a white chrysanthemum waiting for me. I slowly started to realize that I wasn't in my apartment. I felt something heavy on my chest. I touched it and it was someone's arm. I looked to my side and Hiro was sleeping peacefully next to me and holding me like a teddy bear. My first instinct was to hit him on the head.

"Five more minutes, mom." Hiro held me tighter.

"I'm not your mom, Hiro." I struggled to free myself.

"Okay. I'll wake up." He said in a groggy voice and rubbed his eyes open.

"Please let go of me." He was strong.

"What are you doing here?" His eyes widened as he let go of me and fell off the bed.

"I should be asking you that." We both yelled at each other in panic.

"It seems like you two woke up." Kai threw the door open.

"Kai?" Hiro asked.

"How did this happen?" I asked.

"It seems like you two were so drunk you can't remember anything. Alcohol is dangerous, kids." Kai was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.

Hiro didn't remember anything from last night including the fact that his brother brought us to his parents' house. Apparently, we both fell asleep in the car and when we arrived at the house we dragged our feet in. Luckily, his parents were sleeping and didn't hear us come in. Kai led me to the guest room and tried to walk Hiro to his room. But, Hiro didn't let go of my hand and started throwing a tantrum because he didn't want to be separated. To keep Hiro quiet, Kai just made us sleep together. But, Kai failed to explain how both of us changed clothes.

"Kai, are they up yet?" An older lady walked into the room while Kai was still giggling.

"Mom?" Hiro tried to fight his hangover.

"You must be Mirai." She ran over and grabbed my hand totally ignoring Hiro.

"Um, yes. This isn't what it looks like." She was getting the wrong idea and the hangover wasn't helping.

"It's okay, don't be shy. Come with me. I have a bunch of clothes you can borrow." She dragged me to a different room.

Hiro's parents' house was a large two-story house that a college student could only dream of owning one day. It had traditional decor with couches and curtains that belonged in a palace. The beds were all queen size, the bathrooms had a separate shower and bathtub, and the house was painted with warm colors. The hallways were endlessly decorating with pictures and I passed under at least two crystal chandeliers glittering against the morning sun. I was right to think that Hiro came from a well off family. 

It felt like someone dropped me into a magical fairytale. Hiro's world was too different from mine. His mom took me into another guest room filled with pink and white curtains, bedding, and drawers. It seemed like they had enough money to have several guest rooms dedicated to different guests. She opened a large white armoire and started pulling out different outfits for young women. She threw each one on the bed and after careful consideration, she picked up a blue floral dress and insisted that I try it on.

"Um, I don't really feel comfortable wearing other people's clothes." I felt embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it. Put the dress on and show me." Hiro's mom sounded so happy.