Help (Moonbae)

10: The Start Of A Friendship

Jacob noticed that Kevin didn't have the same upbeat happiness that he had a few days ago. Usually, the boy would have a smile on his face, even if it was an extremely small one. But today, he didn't even have a hint of a smile on his pale skin.

Jacob couldn't help but wonder why. Why was the boy who was always so energetic upset? Who could have possibly made him upset? He didn't seem like the kind of person who let people get to him. So what was wrong?"

"Hey."

"Hi. Ran out of ramen?"

"No, actually. I wasn't feeling too great and I wanted to come and talk to you."

"That's very sweet. I was wondering what happened because you didn't come in with a smile."

"Some stuff with family. They got into a car accident and they're all the way in Canada so there isn't much I can do."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Did you say they were in Canada? Are you from there."

"Yeah, actually. Ontario, Canada."

"I'm from Toronto."

"Thats so cool! I have never met another Canadian in Korea."

"Well now you have."

"Its official. You are now my new best friend."

"We barely know each other."

"We can get to know each other. I'll go first. I'm Kevin Moon, from Ontario, Canada, my family consists of me, my older sister, my mom, and my dad, I'm 20 years old, I work part time at a bank, I go to college on the weekdays but not Monday's cus those suck, and my favorite color is olive."

"Well Kevin Moon, my name is Jacob Bae, I don't have any family, I'm from Toronto, Canada, I'm 21 years old, I work full time night shifts at this grocery store and full time shifts at the florist, I don't go to college and my favorite color is also olive, but I also really like burgundy."

"See, we have so much in common! I can already tell we're gonna be best friends"

"I guess so."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Only if I can ask you one in return."

"Deal. My question is how come you aren't going to college?"

"I can't afford it. And my question is how come you only step on every other tile?"

"Its all over the place honestly. It has a little to do with my ADHD, but it mostly is my OCD."

"You have those?"

"Yeah, I also have anxiety."

"Why are you out so late? What if something happens?"

"Well I have you with me for that."

"I guess."

"Are you okay? You look pale."

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Are you sure? Do you need water?"

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine. It might be since the weather is getting colder."

"True. Oh shit, it's getting late. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Same place."

He quickly ran out of the store and I noticed that a small smile had appeared on his face. When he had finally made it out, Hyunjae came over to my register.

"He's right, you do look pale. Have you eaten?"

"No, I haven't had enough money with the rent and everything."

"I just bought a pack of almonds, you can share them with me."

"No, you need to eat."

"Its fine, I'm not very hungry. You look like you're gonna pass out any second. Just eat some."

So the night went on with the two abnormally skinny boys sitting on the conveyor belt eating almonds.