Distance. LYY

otter plushie

hendonkey calling...

"Where are you? I'm at your house" I forgot to tell Hendery that I'm at the mall. "Oh, I'm at the mall. See you here?" I asked and he quickly ends the call. Ending the call means he'll be here soon. I look around the mall, thinking which store should I enter.

The mall's packed with human beings since it's the weekend. The mall is nearby the penthouse so I could just walk around whenever I feel like it or when I want to be alone.

A small girl started running with a plushie with her. She suddenly then dropped in front of me and scraped her knee. I helped her stand and realized how cute her plushie on her hand was. It was an otter plushie. Her parents then came rushing towards her to pick her up and thanked me for helping her.

No matter how much the scrap was obvious on her knee, she didn't cry at all. I smiled at her and pat her head while she thanked me before waving goodbye. She's a strong kid. I stood up and tried my best to find the store they came from to find the otter plushie.

I enter a store that caught my eyes. The first thing I went to search for was that particular plushie I had in mind. After a while, I found them. They left with only two of them and without hesitation, I took both of them with me and pay. I don't know why would I need another one but I just bought it anyway.

I walked out of the store with the paper bag of plushie and came across Hendery right away. He was wearing high socks with slippers on that made me started laughing.

"You don't have any pride, don't you," I asked him and he rolled his eyes. He then looked at my paper bags then the store I came from. "You bought plushie? Oh right, for your girl" He rolled his eyes again and I replied while we both started walking.

"It's for me. It's a cute otter and um, great news... I broke up with her" I continued, then smiled. Hendery turned around and patted my shoulder. "That's my mannn. Let's go and eat, it's on me" Hendery said while smiling so brightly.

While eating, something just went through my mind and I can't help but to asked Hendery. "Do you... do you by any chance know-"

"Who is it? A new crush already?" He asked and smirked. "It's not what you think it is you, little freak. I just want to apologize on behalf of Harin. You know Harin won't do that kind of thing" I replied while looking at the paper bag I placed beside my foot.

"You've never cared about your surroundings. Why so sudden?" He continued and got me thinking too. "Not sure. Maturity I guess" He chuckled and asked, "Who's that person?" I tried recalling how she looked like and realized she's the same person from the infirmary incident.

"She's in the volleyball team. Lu-" before I could continue, he cut me off. "Ah. Luna Kim" I was surprised at how he knows her even though she isn't someone any of us would hang out with. "She's pretty. I heard about her a lot from our alumni. She's from class two" I was so into him talking about her just to see how he is actually smiling talking about a girl.

"Their class is literally in the other department but, don't worry, I'll help you" He took a sip of his drink and I just smiled, thanking him.

I got home and took out both the similar plushie I bought earlier today. I caressed it and grinned alone just by seeing how cute and soft this otter plushie is. I wrote a card that has a simple apologetic message and purposely not ending with any name. I kept the card and plushie for her in the same paper bag and threw myself on my bed to cuddle the plushie.

Monday

Hendery patted my shoulder before walking towards the class to give her. I watched him from afar while he talked to a girl about giving the paper bag to her once she reached school. He thanked them then thumbed up at me while walking towards me. "Did it. Wasn't that the plushie you bought yesterday?" He asked and I just nod off. "What a gentleman" He shook his head and slapped my butt.

After school, I was called to the office by my form class teacher to talk about how I might do well for my finals. It's getting worth it, not gonna lie. After a while, he dismissed me and I went to class to grab my bag and leave. Sunset is about to disappear soon.

Since I'm graduating and keeping track with training under the company, I decided to try walking home alone today, without mom knowing. I have to be out from the other side of the building. I walked past the school library and something captured my eyes.

There's no way I can just leave without confirming what I saw was real. It was Hendery who was laughing and smiling with a girl opposite him. The same otter plushie that I bought was caressed by the girl.

She probably loves it. I chuckled at myself and smiled looking at how Hendery is smiling so brightly with someone. That's a relief, that everything went well and she's feeling better. I continued walking away and finally got out of school.

But it's unfair that they're both studying together when I don't have anyone else other than him.

Once I reached home, I slowly arranged my clothes and items in my luggage so, I won't rush things out when it's the day to leave the house. Mom suddenly entered the room, seeing me packing.

She weirdly didn't talk or tried stopping me. Instead, she helped me fold my clothes properly and pull a smile. "You have to do this well by yourself when I'm not around" She started. It's getting too confusing to see how she acted this way.

"Even though my lifetime wish was to see my one and only son grew up to be a pianist... I'll just pray what's best for you and that you'll never regret your decision" she continued but I just stood there, blankly. I really know something is up with her.

"Your dad has to extend his job there... and he wants me to be there and work with him" It's getting clear enough that this was the reason of why she's glad I'll be staying in the company's dorm for trainees. Probably because there's no one who would look after me when I'm still a youth.

Mom continued smiling and grabbed my otter plushie. I quickly snatched it away from her and she asked for it once again. "You really remind me of your dad," she said while touching the plushie while trying to smile.

"He bought me a fox plushie on our first date at the zoo" I couldn't help but laugh when she indicated her first date at the zoo. "That's wholesome. I bought this for myself. It's really cute" I replied and caressed the plushie.

"Mom. When are you leaving?" I asked her and she just kept quiet. "Tomorrow?" I quickly looked at her. She pats my shoulder and continued, "I'm sorry, my dear... but I'll definitely come and visit you soon, okay? Do well in there and never stop believing in yourself. I'll still call and text you" No matter how much I've experienced seeing either mom or dad leaving the country since young, seeing both of them leaving now makes me feel troubled.

"Thank you, mama. I'll be independent, trust me, okay?" I hugged her tightly and she caressed my hair. "I love you, goodnight my little prince" she smiled and leave a peck on my forehead before leaving my room once again.