A Soft Place To Land

Chapter 1

get over it

The night was young and lively. Laughter and chatting of people can be heard in the four corners. The party lights of blue and purple were dancing along with the tipsy eyes of people having fun, as it had been forever.

A variety of dishes were served at the long table, and a cake shaped like a building stood tall in the middle. The clanging noise of the glasses shows the brief moment of audible celebration.

Despite the lively atmosphere, in one corner, a sullen little cub was sitting on the cozy sofa. His face furrowed, and his lips pouted. He was wearing a milk latte hoodie, his dark hair slightly tousled with a few hairs hiding his expressive large eyes. But at this moment, his eyes were keen and fierce like a wild snow leopard cub. The air around him was cold and dark that people wouldn't dare to easily approach. His reserved and aloof visual was striking, possessing a captivating beauty that's very pleasing to the eyes.

Abbi, the little cub, was supposed to be in his room, playing video games but was forced to watch the three little ducklings, cousins of his.

Today's June 16, birthday of Dylan Sheng, Abbi's Papa.

Years had passed since his Papa last celebrated his birthday. And to not make him sad, Abbi reluctantly stayed downstairs to help a little with their visitors.

Sitting on a cozy sofa, Abbi watched his cousins playing together with boring eyes. They have smiles on their faces but Abbi can smell the enmity hidden inside their heart.

The three ducklings, with an older boy probably aged around 7-6 years old, and two younger girls a year older than the other.

Abbi did not mind their ages and their names that was said earlier, in their introduction. It was the first for Abbi to meet them, or was it not?

His Mom asked him to play with them, if not just look after them while they're having fun. And to be certain, Amethyst, Abbi's Mom took away his phone.

"I will take this for now. You can get it later." She said with her soft voice.

Abbi, with a sour face, gave his phone to her.

He looked at the 'happily' playing children and rolled his eyes.

Abbi doesn't hate children and he doesn't mind watching them but after watching for a couple of hours, he couldn't bear the boredom. What annoys Abbi more was the hidden feud between them. He couldn't scold them or stop them because they looked like they were fighting but not really fighting. They probably bad mouth each other in their heart. Their smiling faces were so fake that your teeth will hurt watching them.

The three little ducklings must be used to playing together and the enmity between them grows after several times of meetings. Stuck with their inseparable parents, the children had to entertain each other.

Abbi, with large expressive eyes, was amused to watch them. These three ducklings were geniuses, acting like they get along together even with sour feelings with each other, so that their parents won't scold them and immediately take them home.

With tons of expensive toys in Abbi's house that his parents bought for him, was piled up in a cabinet that it couldn't even be closed anymore.

Most of it was brand new that Abbi had not even touched. Before, whenever his parents get home with a new toy, Abbi's delight would instantly vanish after learning that both his parents will leave for work again.

Having much awareness was troublesome but helpful for Abbi.

He was too mature for his age, his parents regretted that they neglected him so much and wanted to pay back the lost time with Abbi. After growing up with his Grandpa, Abbi was used to his parents' absence. After time had passed, their hearts grew far apart.

Abbi doesn't hate seeing his cousins play with his toys nor them bringing to mind his parents leaving him often, Abbi doesn't care for any of it. His heart already hardened a long time ago.

Abbi dislikes noisy and nosy people the most.

Getting used to being alone, Abbi valued his peace the most. He likes living his own world and doesn't like other people bothering him. He disliked noisy children, especially their cries. Abbi already avoided playing with them but watching them, Abbi felt vexed.

His forehead furrowed and looked away.

The analog clock hand's was pointed at past 10. His feet were shaking from boredom. His hand pinching the hem of his hoodie. He was dying from boredom. When will this party end?

Abbi sighed.

If only I had my phone with me, watching them would be bearable.

He went back to watch the ducklings.

The boy was in his own world, a toy car clutched in his hand. He revved the engine, miming its accelerating speed and making loud "broom broom" sounds. Meanwhile, one of the girls had a sour look on her face. She snatched the figurine the other girl was playing. Her hand moved through the air smoothly, like a whisper of wind. The other girl felt it but pretended nothing had happened. They continued their joint play, avoiding any feud.

On the other side, on the table, the older ones were having fun drinking. Seems like the celebration won't end anytime soon even with their spinning tipsy heads.

Abbi looked down. He was disheartened. He had been waiting for hours already.

The party continued like that. Abbi, snacking on fruits, looked at the analog clock on the wall. It has been 4 hours since the celebration started and one child wore out. The boy was the first to fall asleep, while the younger girls, still full of energy, continued playing. The older girl, clutching a figurine in her hands, was obviously reluctant to let go. She intended to take the toy home with her.

Abbi did not mind them.

Uncertain how long more he had to endure, his legs continued to shake. Weariness heavy in his heart, Abbi looked around at the table to find where his Mom was sitting.

He found her sitting in the middle of the table and was busy chatting with their friends.

Abbi was readying himself. He planned to plead to go back to his room since it was late already. If his plan failed, he would sneak back into his room.

He really couldn't take the boredom anymore. He needed to get back his phone.

After being patient for what felt like hours, Abbi was certain that his Papa wouldn't be sad to find him the next morning since he had done whatever he could.

He wasn't that close to his Papa but the thought of his father becoming sad because of him not waiting until his birthday celebration was done was troubling for him. So, he abandoned the idea and decided to simply ask for his phone.

Abbi inhaled some courage. He stood up and walked to the dining hall, where people eat and drink together. Abbi walked to his Mom's side who had just sat down from getting snacks in the kitchen. She was chatting and laughing with someone Abbi doesn't know.

"Ma, can I have my phone back?" Abbi asked softly, tugging the hem of Amethyst's jacket to demand her attention. His large eyes look more circular as Abbi intentionally tries to look cute in front of his Mom to soften her heart.

Amethyst, faced him with a bright smile. "Right, your phone." Amethyst said.

Abbi's face brightened. His eyes were shining with anticipation.

His mother groped Abbi's phone in her jacket's pockets, after not feeling something there, she moved to the front right pocket of her pants, then on the left front, and both at the back pocket. Her search failed which made Abbi knitted his brows.

Amethyst furrowed her forehead. The next second, both her eyebrows raised like she just remembered something.

"Ah right, I gave it to lady Mmthgj–." Amethyst said.

Abbi couldn't comprehend what his Mom just said. The sound of a wine bottle popping rang out, swallowing the rest of her sentence before she could finish it.

"Who?" Abbi asked

"You see the girl beside your Papa. It's with her." Amethyst said, leaning in to Abbi's ear and pointed at where his Papa was.

His Papa was sitting opposite them, two seats away on the right. Beside his Papa was a young woman, the air around her was alluring. The soft white thin blouse she wore contrasted the dark air surrounding her. Fix your eyes on her, and you'll be instantly captivated by the intersection of light and shadow. Abbi saw that she wasn't smiling and rarely opened her mouth, but her ears peaked to the chatter around her.

She's like a white panther sitting in the dark. The party lights reflected in her white clothes. She looks luminous like the moonlight.

Abbi couldn't take his eyes off her.

The young woman was chatting with his Papa and others, when her eyes met Abbi's, although it was just a fleeting seconds, like a passing wind and yet Abbi felt like drowning into it.

Abbi swallowed. The tiny hairs on his body rose up from his back up to his neck and scalp.

Abbi shook his head to braise off the feeling.

'How odd.' Abbi's brow furrowed.

He strode to his Papa, while his Mom went back chatting with her friends, leaving Abbi on his own about his phone.

Abbi stood between his Papa and the young woman.

"Pa, Can I get my phone back?" Abbi asked, facing his father.

Seeing his son, Dylan faced light up. He thought that he had already gone back to his room. But seeing him still here, he was so happy.

"Huh? Phone? where's your phone?" Dylan, Abbi's father asked with a confused eyes.

He was supposed to talk to the young woman beside his Papa but she snobbed and didn't look at him. How rude

Abbi slowly pointed at the young woman beside him.

The young woman finally looked at him. She looked at Abbi from head to toe, her eyes were so deep brown that it looked black. It was mesmerising, Abbi couldn't take his eyes on it..

He realizes that he was holding his breath, staring at her. He coughed, looking away to shake off the awkwardness.

After recovering, he asked, "Can I have it back?"

Their eyes met again. The cold aura she projected made Abbi swallowed. Abbi immediately looked away. He could feel the intently eyes of the other still fixed on him.

After carefully watching him, a faint smile slowly formed in her face.

"No," she stated plainly.

Abbi's large eyes contracted as he heard her voice. Her tone wasn't masculine, it possessed a low, unique resonant tone uncommon among women.

Abbi was distracted, and remembered her answer.

"W-why not?" Abbi was stunned.

"Your mother said not to give it to anyone who asked for it." She said, her deep voice standout in the noise surrounding them.

Abbi saw the faint smile in her face vanished and was replaced by a tiny knit in her brows.

His father laughed, drawing their attention. Abbi paused, about to speak again, when a cheer interrupted him, summoning his Papa for a toast

Dylan got up and went to someone who had called him.

The young woman also looked away, showing that their conversation needed no further discussions. Abbi was left with no choice, he walked back off. But after a few steps, he halted and looked back at her.

The young woman felt his movements and stared at him.

"When can I get it back?" Abbi spoke.

The girl looked at him. She tilted her head to the left. A second pause passed before answering, "Not sure."

She stood up and ran off, not waiting for Abbi's response.

Abbi was left on his own. His brows furrowed and lips pouted, "How annoying."

He walked off and reached the cozy sofa where he was sitting. He looked back to the young woman, annoyed by her coldness.

He crossed his arms like a child and his cheeks puffed from his pouting lips. His brow furrowed deeper.

"I want my phone now." He grumbled, stomping his feet.