Tinkle

Chapter Two

"Kurt!", one of them greeted as Kurt smiled brightly.

"Steve.", he greeted and fist bumped with the Steve guy and looked behind him and smiled at them, "Guys!"

"Albert, Evan, Ruben.", it was Ben who greeted the others as they were a bit chatty about the small reunion.

"It's been a year and we decided to finally visit your father's convenience store.", it was the smallest of them who said as he smiled, the younger boys just laughed.

"Why did you visit all of a sudden?", Ben asked.

"They just dragged me here. they said they want to check you.", Evan said as he glanced at me and looked away when our eyes met.

While I was arranging the items Ben brought out from storage room, I'd still glance at him once in a while, which I wish he doesn't find weird or something.

The tinkling already stopped, but it's still ringing on my mind. It's bothering me.

"Never thought you have been working here with a pretty lady.", it was the Steve guy.

I grimaced.

"Probably a playboy.", I murmured and slightly scoffed. I pretended I did not hear whatever I heard and stacked the last can of sodas on the display refrigerator.

"Steve, don't ever mess with Seoji.", Kurt threatened him protectively that made me grin a bit.

"Why don't you introduce her to me? I mean, to us?", the blond-headed grinned, not paying attention to what the youngest said. Kurt just rolled his eyes.

I shook my head as I took the empty box and folded it.

"I never thought Kurt have this kind of friends.", I commented as I threw the folded box inside the storage room.

"My apologies for my friends' behavior.", it was the smallest one of them. Wow, he has a really flawless skin. "I'm Ruben, by the way.", he said and offered his hand when I walked towards them.

I smiled awkwardly as I was about to shake his hand, thinking he was just a gentleman. But he took my hand and kissed the back of it then winked.

I snatched my hand while shaking my head then went for another box of items to stack on one of the aisle.

Ben came to help me.

They are catching up to their sudden reunion, as Kurt was busy on the cashier when unexpectedly, a lot of customers—mostly girls—came.

Kurt and Ben’s friends decided to get ramen on their own and ate while they wait.

I glanced again at the quiet friend they had which probably named Evan because Ben kept calling him that. He was quite a shy boy, I think.

The thought that the bell rang because of him was still bothering me.

It was 7pm when we needed to close the store because Mr. Jun was gone for some matters, and he obliged us to close it early for now since no one will watch over the store overnight.

The boys went with a van, since they were planning to go on to their hide out. That's at least how they call it as. I overheard it.

They insisted to drop me by my house because they said they shouldn't let a "pretty" lady like me to walk alone.

I was sitting by the window beside Kurt and Ben, as Albert and Evan was sitting in front of us. Steve was the one driving and Ruben was sitting beside him.

I thought it would be quiet and awkward ride, but I found myself talking with them about the songs that played on the car.

When it became quiet, I called Kurt, "Kiddo.", which he turned and blinked his eyes.

"Remember this?", I showed him the gold bell necklace I have, "It rang.", I said as his eyes widen which he soon gasped.

"What's wrong?", Albert asked. Kurt shook his head to his friend.

"When?", he asked.

"Just today when I was on the way to the post office, then at the convenience store.", I said as his eyebrows furrowed.

"It can be the same person or different person.", I said and was really worried.

Aside from my mother and I, Kurt also knew about the bell—well, at least he's the pure human who knew about this aside from my mom—because it rang once when I met his father.

"I am worried.", I said as I looked at him.

"Handling one is risky, handling two is dangerous.", I said and sighed. I have to think well what I should do.

My house came to my view which then I said, "Ah, Steve, you can stop at that house.", I said before I prepared to leave.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow.", I whispered at Kurt.

"Thanks for dropping me by, guys.", I said when they rolled the window down and smiled at me. "Steve, drive safely.", I remind him as he just smiled, nodding while saluting at me.

I looked at Evan who was looking at me. I smiled at him.

"Don't be late tomorrow, Ben. Mr. Jun might be there.", I warned Ben which he just nodded and laughed a bit.

"Take care, you guys. Kurt, message me when you get home.", I said before waving my hand and walked on my doorstep before they left.

I sighed once I stepped inside the house, walked further inside to greet my mother, "I'm home, mom.".

"Oh, I prepared our dinner.", she said as she sat on a chair on the dining table. I sat across her.

"Mom, the bell rang again.", I said as she stared at me.

"Did you see the person?", she asked. I nodded.

"But the thing is, it rang two times today.", I said as I brought a spoonful of rice.

"I didn't see the other one.", I said. She nodded.

"Finish your meal and go sleep early.", she said. I nodded.

She's looking at me from time to time as if she has something to say.

"What's the matter, mom?", I asked her.

She just looked at me as she hesitated. But she just sighed.

"Your dad came here earlier.".

I placed my spoon on my plate and looked at her.

"What did he say?", I asked.

"He didn't say anything, he just visited.", she said. I nodded.

"But he warned you about something.", she said and continued, "He said you've been on the top list as their enemy.", she said.

"He also pleaded to stop you. If you did something again like the last years you've done, he can't do anything but to stop you.", she said before holding my hand.

"Seoji, I think you should stop it here.", she said.

"I don't want them to take you away from me, nor do something both of us will regret.", her eyes were watery but I just smiled and held her hand.

"Don't worry mom, they won't be able to get me.", I smiled, "Never."

to be continued...