Her Garden

Chapter 18

4:57 pm

I woke up alone, a little bothered that nobody woke me up. I was alone in the house, so I decided to head back down to the river, to get my jacket of course.

I stepped up to the water, grabbing the jacket that was now covered in sand, having washed up out of the river.

I sat down in the sand and sighed, staring at the water again.

"So....I heard somewhere that spirits hide where they lost their bodies.", I bit my lip softly, running my fingers through the shallow water. "And if you're here....I wanted to talk about something."

I felt the wind pick up a little, blowing a leaf into my face. I shoed it away.

"Not about your death but...maybe just something normal that's not sad. Damn, what to mothers and sons talk about....?"

I felt calm, cold water against my fingers with wind blowing through my hair. It was more peaceful than I'd felt in a long time, especially in the area where my mother died.

"I met a weird girl.", I sighed. "I think she made me a lot braver and she understands me more than anyone else can, you know? Well, her sister died and....never mind that doesn't matter. She's the first friend I've ever had that makes an effort to help me get better. I don't have to shut up when I accidentally show emotion around her. I can just be normal and she doesn't care....Oh! I also made up with Aiya. Though, she still blames me. It's kinda sad isn't it? After all the things I've done good for her...failing you is what she remembered me for...."

I sighed deeply.

"I used to think that...you know, if you truly look around, you'll see just how many people the world would be better off without. But now I don't think that at all. I think death is unfair no matter the circumstance."

"Thats not always the case.", a voice came from behind me, making me stand up and turn around, a little worried.

My father stood there with a soft smile on his face.

"How long have you been there?"

He walked over and sat down, pulling me down with him.

"Long enough, Kid."

"Did Aiya tell you what happened last night?"

"Hm? She just got home and said she was staying for break. What happened last night?"

I could still feel the pain in my chest just remembering how cold that water was. How dark it was down there.

It was too real.

Too much like it was in my mind.

"Oh, nothing. We just made up."

"Why's your jacket wet?", he nodded to the sandy, cold, and wet jacket in my hands.

"I uh...."

"Jihyun, considering you're wearing a different coat right now, and since it seems like that ones been here overnight, I'll have to assume you came down here."

"This is where I met with Aiya."

"So why's the jacket wet?"

"I fell in."

"I sure hope that's the case.", he looked out into the water. "Only someone truly suicidal would get into 20ft deep water, knowing they couldn't swim."

"That's what happened okay? I fell."

He sighed and gently grabbed my hand.

"Hyun...I believe you. I'm just worried alright?"

"About what?"

"You fixed your relationship with Aiya but I'd like to know how. I know she wouldn't listen to reason."

I did fix our relationship but next up was my dad's. I felt like the space between us grew deeper every day.

"I just kept bugging her until she finally started listening."

"Yea okay.", he scoffed. "I'll believe that."

"Is everything okay with you? You're acting weird."

"I'm alright.", he looked down. "I'm just making sure you and Aiya won't be fighting."

"We won't."

"Good. Come on, I don't want you down here."

"Why?", I asked as he stood up, grabbing my arm to make me do the same.

"You know why."