𝙲𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚜 || 𝙹𝚒𝚑𝚊𝚗

You (pt. 13)

Joshua slowly opened the door that led to his living room. After having to experience all that in a matter of seconds, he couldn't help but cry silently as he headed back to the only place he could call home, as lonely as he felt everytime he would spend time in there. However, as soon as he placed his shoes on the floor in a neat manner, he was met with a hug. Joshua flinched.

"Mom..?" He asked and slowly pushed away to properly face the adult. "Why aren't you at work?"

"I.." She hesitated. "Resigned"

At this, Joshua couldn't help but widened his eyes. "What? Why?"

"Let's head to the dining table first, shall we?" She said as she lead the boy to the table and placed some food in front of him. Joshua smiled. It had been a while since he had last ate something his mom made.

"Tell me" He said after taking a bite of the food. "What was the cause for you resignation?"

"You see" She clenched her hands together. "I know you've been having some hard times lately. With me not being at home most of the time, I can't help but ponder, am I spending enough time with my son throughout his childhood?" She gave a sad smile to Joshua. "As a result, I decided to get a job that gives me more free time to know about you, because even tho you are my son, I barely even know what you like and your preferences. So form now on, I want to be with you Joshua" She smiled. "I want to be a better mother to you"

Joshua looked at the ground. "Now you want to be a good mother..?" He mumbled.

"Do you know what I've been going trough?!" He snapped. "Do you know how much I've been suffering because of this?! Everytime I would come home to an empty house right after getting beat up was the worst! Everyone else would be picked up by their parents or would go to eat and spend time with them, but I wouldn't because mine wouldn't want to be with me!" He cried. "I couldn't help but wonder, do you really love me?"

"Of course I do-"

"Then why did you leave me all alone?!" Joshua hugged her. "I know you want to give me the best and I know you care about my needs and my future, but that's not what I want!"

"I just want to spend more time with you"

"Joshua.." His mom said as she hugged him. "I'm sorry..for leaving you alone, for not being there for you when you needed me, I'm sorry" HSE sobbed.

"But I promise you my son" She said as she cleaned her and Joshua's tears. "Form now on, you'll never be alone, you'll never have to suffer like this again, because I'll be here for you, you hear that?"

Joshua snuffed. "Yes.."

"Come here" She said as she gave the younger a hug. And soon enough, Joshua couldn't help but smile.

"Joshua, would you like to go shopping?" His mom said as she walked into the room.

A week had passed ever since he had broken up with Yuki and ever since he had ruined his relationship with Vernon. Of course, his mother had found out about everything, for he had told her about it after their talk as he apologized for the sudden outburst of emotions.

However, a side of him couldn't help but worry. Yuki had swore he would get revenge after punching him in the face. And being an ex boyfriend of the other, Joshua knew he would do something to get rid out of this happiness he had started to feel. And that unsettled him. But what could he do? Joshua was stronger than before and he was willing to face whatever the other would throw at him.

Joshua arched an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

"We need groceries because the fridge is almost empty. Besides, it's not that late yet you know. It's barely even 5"

"Fine I guess" He stood up and stretched. "Will we get ice cream on the way?"

"Sure" She chuckled as she ruffled this hair. "Let's get ice cream"

After going to McDonald's and paying for a small sunday, the Hong family headed to Downtown LA to get some food at the nearest market. And after spending an hour or so in there, they went to a restaurant that was nearby and talked about numerous things as they ate.

As time went by, Joshua couldn't help but feel happy. It had been a long time since him and his mom had spend time together like this. And to be honest, he loved every second of it. Being able to spend time with his only family member, apart from his uncle and grandma, caused this moment to be engraved in his head, making him wish to remember it as long as he lived.

After eating, Joshua's mom decided it was time to go home. It was getting late, so he didn't whine and followed her out the door, into the street. Walking right beside her as they both joked around and talked.

However, before he knew what was going on, he heard his mom yell and push him out of the way, followed by a loud crash. Once he had turned around, Joshua widened his eyes.

His mom was laying in the floor, a car a few inches away from her body. Blood spewed out of her and the grocery bags were all over the place.

Joshua ran over to her, crying uncontrollably as he checked her pulse and clumsily took out his phone to call 911. Soon enough, a loud crowd started forming around them. Some staring at him and doing nothing as they recorded the situation, and others actually wanting to help and providing first aid.

However, as Joshua tried his best to stop the bleeding, he couldn't help but feel a pair of terrified eyes stare intensely at the scene. And as Joshua turned around, he couldn't help but feel his eyes widen once again.

There, at the steering wheel, sat none other than Yuki.

(The next chapter will be the last episode for the flashback arc)