TSCEIAB Ch. 28

 

The girl’s words made my heart skipped a beat as if it were about to jump out of my mouth.

To hide my awkward expression, I shoved the bread I had brought for lunch into my mouth.

 

‘Hugo must have been traumatized too……. If he’s refusing to be guided, does that mean he’s only been guided by drugs and machines? No wonder he doesn’t have a good complexion…….’

 

The doctor said back then that even if Hugo woke up, he would not be able to use his abilities for a while because of the problem with his wavelength.

Maybe the problem with the wavelength is what’s causing him to refuse guidance even more.

 

“Haley? What’s with your face?”

 

“…… No, nothing.”

 

“Oh dear. You’ll get indigestion. Drink some cola.”

 

Samuel, who was sitting next to me, pointed to the cola. I swallowed the bread that filled my mouth along with it.

 

“Are you uncomfortable talking about Hugo?”

 

While the other kids were talking, Samuel whispered in my ear.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just sucked on the straw. The cup of cola was making loud noises.

Seeing me like this, Melissa pushed her cola towards me and said to the kids.

 

“Enough with the Hugo story. It’s a repetition of the same old stories.”

 

“Melissa, you’re so harsh.”

 

“That’s my charm.”

 

Melissa casually cleared her throat and recalled her surroundings. Then she looked at me and her eyes lit up.

 

“Haley, what are you doing after class today?”

 

“Uh, me?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Her face was full of anticipation. I paused for a moment and shook my head.

 

“I’m not doing anything, I’m just going to go home and rest. And do some homework.”

 

“Homework? Is it urgent?”

 

“Nope. It’s due next Wednesday, but I’m going to do it in advance.”

 

Someone muttered, “Oh, so you’re a nerd.” Melissa ignored the words and clapped her hands.

 

“That’s great! Then let’s go somewhere together.”

 

“…… Where?”

 

“Party.”

 

Party? Suddenly? Whose party?

 

Unlike me, who was bewildered, the kids immediately recognized the word ‘party’ and started to chatter.

 

“Party? You mean Tyler’s party?”

 

“Melissa, are you going? If you are, why don’t you come with us? We’re going there too.”

 

A tall schoolboy reached out to Melissa. But Melissa turned her head away coyly.

 

“I’m going with Haley.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

“Why? I think it’s more fun to go with Haley. I mean, Haley? You’re going, right? Hmm? Tell me you’re going!”

 

“I don’t even know who Tyler is…….”

 

I mumbled waving my hands, but Samuel interrupted.

 

“Everybody is welcome to Tyler’s party, even the invitation to the water ride is okay.”

 

“Yes! There’s a huge pool in the yard, and a lot of kids will come. I want to go there with you, Haley. Yes? Hm?”

 

Melissa grabbed me by the sleeve and shook it gently. I flinched my shoulders for a moment, then pursed my lips.

 

‘Come to think of it…… I’ve never been to a party.’

 

When I was very young, I used to dream of parties that American teenagers threw any time.

Suddenly, a vague memory flashed through my mind.

 

<Yi-seo, is there anything you want to do when you grow up? >

 

<What I want to do? >

 

<Yes.>

 

< Um…… Well… Going to a party with my friends? >

 

<…… Party?>

 

<There’s no such home party culture in Korea. That’s why I have this little dream. >

 

What he said to me then.

 

<Okay. Then let’s go together. Party. >

 

<Huh? >

 

<I want to go too. A home party with you. >

 

Long fluttering eyelashes. Shadows cast over the eyes. A pale face with unusually red lips.

The corners of his lip curled up slightly…….

 

“…… -ley? Haley?”

 

“Oh.”

 

I was lost in thoughts for a moment. I came to my senses and barely managed to ask a question in a creeping voice.

 

“…… What should I wear? I don’t have clothes.”

 

“Just wear something comfortable! Everybody will probably wear T-shirt and jeans. It’s a casual place where we play board games or swim. Oh, if you want to go swimming…….”

 

“No.”

 

“Okay. Then you don’t need a bathing suit.”

 

Somehow, the fact that I was attending became a foregone conclusion.

I placed my hand over my chest, my heart pounding with anticipation and fear, as I watched Melissa blushing and the kids next to her chattering about the party.

 

‘Party……. If I say I’m going, my dad will like it.’

 

I could picture my dad’s face, who would be overjoyed to hear I finally had a friend. I hate crowded places, but……

 

“I’m so excited! Oh! Shall I pick you up in front of your house? It doesn’t take long to prepare, does it? How about 8 o’clock? Is that okay?”

 

Seeing Melissa so excited, I felt bad if I told her I won’t be going.

 

‘Well, if it’s just for a moment, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go.’

 

“…… Yes. I’ll be ready until then.”

 

“Yay! Great! I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

 

Was the excitement contagious?

The fuss around me made me feel very excited.

It’s a strange feeling, but it’s not unpleasant. I secretly smiled.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Time went slowly that day.

After a boring class, I went to the locker and sorted out the class materials I had in my bag.

 

‘Ah, the homework…….’

 

For a moment, I remembered the homework I was going to do today. But then shook my head and closed the cabinet without taking anything out.

 

Thud!

 

‘I’m going to a party today, so I won’t be able to do my homework.’

 

After all, I had plenty of time until the submission date. I could do it tomorrow.

 

‘Let’s hurry up and go.’

 

I locked the cabinet and headed to the parking lot. I didn’t realize I was running until I got into the car.

 

“…… like a fool.”

 

I was out of breath and panting, and suddenly I felt like an idiot. Like a kid excited for a picnic.

I played a soothing ballad to calm myself down and sat in a daze for about 20 minutes.

However, I couldn’t calm down and eventually sighed and started the car.

Is it really the hormones that made me feel so erratic?

 

‘I think there’s something else wrong with my mind…….’

 

I slowly slipped out of the parking lot, doubting my thoughts as if it were my habit.

The gentle ballad had already turned into a fast-beat Brit pop.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“Dad! Dad?”

 

When I arrived home, I was greeted by a cold silence.

I walked around the first floor, calling my dad a few times before I remembered that he was out for a publisher meeting today.

 

‘Oh, right. …… Will he be coming back after dinner?’

 

Still not putting down my bag, I climbed the stairs making a little noise as I went.

I went to my room, threw off my bag, pulled out my old cell phone, and left a message for my dad.

 

 

[Me: Dad, are you coming home after dinner tonight?]

 

 

I pressed the send button and was about to go to the bathroom to wash my hands, immediately a notification pinged.

 

 

[Dad: I’m on my way now! I’ll be home in 10 minutes  (ง ̇∇ ̇)ว]

 

 

I laughed when I saw the emoji at the end. I sent a short reply saying, “See you later”, and then put down my phone.

 

It was only nine minutes later that Dad came home.

 

“Haley! Daddy’s home!”

 

After washing my hands and picking out clothes, I heard my dad’s voice and went downstairs.

 

“Dad. You’re back?”

 

“Yes. Hold on, let me wash my hands. But what is my daughter doing? Your eyes are sparkling today.”

 

My cheeks flushed at my dad’s words. I felt embarrassed as if I had been caught getting excited and making a fuss by myself.

I mumbled, following my dad as he went to wash his hands.

 

“…… I’m going to a party today.”

 

“…… W-what? What did you just say?”

 

My dad back awkwardly at me as he opened the bathroom door, making a creaking sound with his body.

With a small smile, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and showed Melissa’s message.

 

 

[Melissa Caleb: Haley! You didn’t forget, right? Tyler’s party! I’ll pick you up at 8 o’clock!! XD]

 

 

Dad stretched his head out and read the message, and covered his mouth.

 

“Is this the Melissa you were talking about?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Oh my gosh. She really exists.”

 

“…… What?”

 

I furrowed my eyebrows at my dad’s mumbling. Did he think Melissa was my imaginary friend?

 

‘I’m seventeen.’

 

He hurriedly shook his hands and changed the subject.

 

“Yes. A party. You’re going to a party. My daughter……. Isn’t this your first party? What are you going to wear? You’re not going like that, are you?”

 

“…… I’m just going to wear a T-shirt and jeans. She said it was a casual thing.”

 

“Okay. I see. That’s good but…….”

 

“Why?”

 

Dad twitched his lips to see if he had anything to say. I tilted my head, and he averted my gaze.

 

“It’s good to go to parties, but you have to be careful. You know that right?”

 

“…… Careful about what?”

 

“Well, ahem!  Alcohol and men……. If that happens, use con…….”

 

The moment the word ‘con’ came out of my dad’s mouth, I screamed involuntarily.

 

“Dad! That won’t happen! And I’ve already been educated by my mom for that!”

 

“N-no, I’m worried that…….”

 

“I don’t care! I’m going to change my clothes, so you go wash your hands!”

 

The sound of my footsteps running up the stairs was unusually loud. Behind my back, my dad yelled, “Hey! B-but still contraception is important!”

 

“Argh! Dad! Stop!”

 

Covering my ears, I went up to my room and slammed the door shut. Even after that, I remembered my dad’s words and shuddered in embarrassment.