I sit on my bed, whimpering to myself. I had gotten yelled at again by my parents. For what? Because I didn't get an A on my history test.
I was frustrated with myself. I'm so stupid. Failed to do one thing. I should've studied harder. I shouldn't have let Chan take me on that date. I'm such an idiot.
My phone rings, interrupting my crying session. I didn't want to answer it, so I ignored it. But it didn't stop. It continued ringing, even if I didn't pick it up.
Grabbing it, I gently held it up to my ear, "hello?" I cringed when my voice broke at the end.
"Innie? What's the matter?" Chan questions, making me whine out loud.
"I bombed my history test and my parents are mad at me," I cry, sniffling to myself.
"What did you get on it, baby?"
"An eighty-nine percent."
"You're joking," he deadpans. I never told him how much pressure my parents put on me. He's never met them, either.
When I stay silent, he sighs, "baby, you did so good on that test, I promise. Do you want me to come pick you up? Celebratory cuddles!"
I giggle, "that sounds like a good idea. I'll have to sneak out, but sure."
"Alright, baby boy, I'll be there in ten."
-
I climb out of my window, crawling down the side of the house on a makeshift ladder. Chan was there in case I fell, but I never did. He hugs me immediately, my tense shoulders relaxing at his sudden warmth.
"Let's go," he whispers, grasping my hand and pulling me to his car.
He opens the door for me before heading to the driver's side. We've done this countless times. My parents weren't exactly the nicest, and they never came up to check on me when I went to bed.
"Why did your parents get mad that you got a B on your test, babe?" Chan questions as we pull onto a main road to his house.
I sigh, leaning on the car door and staring out into the night, "they put a lot of pressure on me, Chan. They only want perfect grades so I can be successful in life. I don't know. I'm sick of it. I don't even want to go to school anymore. I just want to say 'fuck it' and be done with it. I'm so tired of it, Chan."
I rub my eyes, feeling both mentally and physically tired from the earlier events. I feel Chan's hand grasp my thigh, patting it gently.
"I mean, I know the pressure is high, but you can't give up. You're allowed to get B's and A's, Innie. You can be successful without all A's. Just take your time and you'll make it. Your parents will just have to deal with it, alright? And you can always stay with me if they get too much for you. I'm always here."
A weak smile reaches my face, "thanks Channie, I appreciate. Let's just get to your house so you can cuddle my stresses away. I don't know what I'd do without you."
•How was this?•
