Somewhere in the stars

Childhood Friend

I stood in the park, my hands trembling from crying. Why can't they leave me alone? I wish I just stayed at home. "Ew! Rumi, the weirdo! "They all teased me and chanted at me. Circling around me like I'm a prey. I didn't understand why they were always bullying me. I know I've been keeping to myself, but this is just too much. "Would you please leave me alone?" I yelled. 

They all laughed, and Nick, the little d**k who started it all, came up to me and shoved me to the ground. Geez, we were only 10 years old! Where were his parents to teach him some manners? "Shut up! You weirdo," He had a sly grin on his face. As I was about to retort back to him a yell disrupted it. 

 "Hey! Leave him alone!" When I looked where the voice was coming from, I saw a boy a little older than us approaching, he had curly chestnut hair and the cutest hazelnut eyes I'd ever seen. What was he doing? "What are you gonna do about it?" Nick retorted angrily. The boy didn't seem to back down and smugly looked at him. 

"I'll tell mom that you've been misbehaving again," Nick gulped a little when he heard that. But he didn't want his ego to be shattered in front of our classmates. He attempted to shove his brother, but he was taller and obviously older than us, so he failed. I couldn't help but chuckle quietly. "Okay, kids, the show is over! Go home and leave this kid alone. Now!" He yelled. The other children then fled and went about their business. 

They're probably afraid of getting reprimanded by this older boy. He fixed his gaze on his younger brother, "And as for you little kid, you're coming home with me," he says. He then proceeded to grab Nick by the shirt. I was curious about who this boy was, and I wanted to thank him for his help. I need to find out what his name is. "Um, excuse me!" The boy then came to a halt and turned to face me.

 "What is it?" I then gulped, clearly intimidated by him. "I wanted to know your name," I asked as I scratched the back of my neck. The boy then chuckled and flashed me the most charming smile. "My name is Chase Miller," Chase and I gradually became friends after that fateful day. He was always there for me when I was being teased or bullied.

 I even had a secret crush on him for a while because he was so sweet and protective that I couldn't help but like him. Even Nick began to be nice to me, and we became friends as well. We were friends until Nick and I graduated from high school. Chase, on the other hand, was four years older, which meant he was busier and had less time to hang out. 

But Nick and I were aware of this. Until one day, the Miller family migrated and moved abroad. And I was on my own. We chatted briefly here and there until we finally came to a halt. Perhaps because we three now had our own lives. That was clear to me. But, surprisingly, I'm here right now, walking around campus with Chase. 

Who would have guessed? "So, Rumi, how have you been?" he asked, smiling. I gave him a half-hearted smile. "So much has happened since you've been gone Chase that I don't even know where to begin," I said. He then came to a halt and grabbed my hands. "You know, whatever it is, you can tell me everything and anything, and I've got the entire day to listen, so please don't be shy about sharing everything," I nodded and took a deep breath in response. 

We then sat on a bench. I basically told him everything that had happened, by which I mean everything that had happened to my family. I didn't tell him about the paranormal activity I'd been experiencing. Oops. "Rumi, why didn't you call or tell me what happened? I wish I had come to you sooner," I just gave him a weak smile and a small chuckle.

 "It's fine, chase; I didn't want to bother you, and to be honest, I forgot to tell you because I was too focused on what I needed to do to survive," He then stared at me for a few moments before slowly nodding his head. "Anyway, enough about me; tell me what happened to you. When did you return from abroad? Tell me everything,"

 I honestly didn't want to talk about what had happened to me and my family, but this was Chase, and we were friends. I suppose it’s only right he knows everything that has happened since he left. He then ran his hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. "Well, long story short, I got into culinary arts and after I graduated, I decided I didn't want to stay abroad anymore, so I came back here last year," he scratched the back of his neck to avoid my gaze.

 Wait? Last year? And he didn't tell me or text me about it? "Oh, you returned last year, how come I didn't know?" He then gave me a weak smile. "Actually, only Nick knew I was planning to return here," he said, a look of surprise on my face. "Oh," He then awkwardly chuckled. "Yea," A moment of silence descended upon us. This is getting a little awkward. I'm not sure why this felt awkward. 

Although I am slightly disappointed that he didn't tell me that he was back, even though it was over a year ago. I then hear him swallow and clear his throat. "Anyway, I was here to see a coworker and I ran into you and I really need to tell her something, so I think I should go my way now," We then stood up from the bench and exchanged a quick hug. He then gave me a warm smile after looking at me for a while. "See you around Rumi," I nodded, and he started walking away.

 I sighed and walked to my bike, where I rode it to work. Oh, I'm so stressed out! Chase has returned, Devin has asked me out on a friendly date, I can see ghosts, and my family... f**k! Please give me a break. I dismounted my bike and entered the Family restaurant, where I greeted my coworkers and Manager Roy, and began working for the day.

Why am I bothered that Chase has returned? Is it because I once had a crush on him? Pfft, or maybe it's because he didn't tell me he was back, or maybe it's because I have no idea what to say to Devin when I get home. Ugh, or maybe all of the above. I growled at the thought and forgot I was waiting tables. The woman and her family gave me a strange look. 

Then I realized what I'd done and apologized, quickly leaving my face red with embarrassment.  Damn it! I badly need to unwind and rest. I went straight to the storage room and sat for a while when I heard strange noises.

 Someone was wailing and groaning. 'What the hell?' I muttered to myself. I investigated the source of the noise and was astounded by what I discovered. It was Marj and some guy having s*x. Wait a second... Oh my goodness... Is that? "Chase?!" They both came to a halt and looked at me with surprised expressions on their faces.