One day

Chapter 26

I’m Sen, one day I met an uncanny man.

All things started when I way back home so late. Recently my curriculum is so hard, I need to use all my time to can finish assignments for school.

The town center makes me feel really lost. Soft light everywhere, trace sparse on people rush. They fash walk as they wish themself can teleport to home now, leave this splendid road.

I watch lethargic when I see Sana step out from a supermarket. She walk to near one car, I watched and found who control the car is James.

James controls his car into the alley near, there are almost lights that can’t chase, as quiet as they disappear in the dark. I just watched a little time, then jog on a walk go home.

This town is so small. It’s very sad if have who people can’t go home.

As I passed the cafe, I met the lovely waitress who had helped me last time. I remembered the promise that I would come here again, gently walking into the cafe. This place hasn't changed a bit since I first came here.

It brings a little warmth in winter with colorful neon lights, making passers-by also have to take a look when passing.

Maybe Christmas will come soon.

This year I want to give my loved one a very special gift. It should be a meaningful gift that can last for decades.

It sounds crazy, but I believe that gift exists. Now my job is to think about how to create it.

In this place no one knows me, I'm just an ordinary girl who wants to feel the tranquility of a cafe or just want to rest after a long day. The music in the air made me wonder what the name of the tune was, but most people didn't notice it.

They have their own business to take care of, so what I consider great is just the accompaniment of their lives. But these great things don't work for me either, I'm not the type to spend my time enjoying music.

I just want to do what I said: I'll stop by this cafe next time.

Now that this appointment is done, I should go home.

I looked at my reflection in the glass of a nearby restaurant. I used to tie my hair up this morning so it could be neater, and it looks very serious, now, I've let it loose. It's been a long time since I last cut my hair. Many times my mother said she wanted to help me reduce it, but I really wanted to keep it.

My signature hairstyle is usually very short, almost never past shoulder length. It's just that now I feel that my hairstyle doesn't suit me anymore, so I decided to keep my hair long.

I saw Sana with long hair, she looked so beautiful at that time. I want to be like that too.

In moments like these, nostalgia is inevitable.

My time together with Sana was very short, but each time was special. I feel like I can't forget those times.

“You are the one responsible for these things, you and no one else.”

Lilith's words crossed my mind, making me lose all mood to nostalgia. I've never done anything bad but people seem to like to blame me. But it's strange that the same people appeared in my dreams, they kept blaming me even though they didn't say what crime I had committed.

I took off my overcoat and held it in my hand, revealing a torn hem. On this deserted street, no one noticed it either.

Today is a tiring day for me. I became the subject of bullying when Jimmy moved into my classroom. I don't think this will happen just because I said sorry to her.

She said she sympathizes with me but she won't let me go, I have to pay for what happened to her. It's not fair that I'm the only one who indirectly makes things happen, but I'm the one who takes full responsibility.

Jimmy's bully still attends the same school as me, but Jimmy doesn't do anything to him. Maybe I look too weak for her to bully me.

But that's the truth. I was nothing more than a weak person who couldn't even resist, in stark contrast to my father. He was very strong, able to protect me from twenty thugs, he just couldn't protect me at school.

He cannot solve my problems for me.

I always think the person being bullied should talk to their family and school to get it resolved, but when I'm in this situation I know it's pointless. Moreover, if not done carefully, the consequences are much more terrible.

And yet, everything can affect my family. And a few more reluctant reasons, I have to deal with this myself, I can't ask others for help.

Jimmy just gave me her homework a few days ago. It's been a mountain of homework, she never seems to do her homework so now there's so much to do. They cover a lot of areas like math, essays, and a bunch of other things that drive me crazy, so I finished them off in a flash.

I'm good at doing homework, but that doesn't mean I'll do it for free.

After that important exam, most people didn't do their homework but went out to relax, at that time they all looked at me with disdain. Since I do homework all the time, even after exams, people think I like doing it.

But there are very few people who take it as a pleasure, of course, I am no exception. Only when I had to, would I not refuse Jimmy and do my homework for her.

I had to suffer the consequences of my superficial way of working that day.

Not surprisingly, Jimmy got a bad grade, the teacher criticized her in front of many people. At that time, I also saw the old guy who bullied Jimmy walking past my class, he saw Jimmy losing face, laughed a little and then left.

That must have hit Jimmy's pride.

And she decided to take all her anger out on me. I don't think it's my fault, but I can't help myself to stop Jimmy from bullying me.

That feeling of helplessness, if I hadn't experienced it myself, I wouldn't have been able to understand it. Obviously, I knew it would be better to tell others, but an invisible fear kept me from getting out of this quagmire.

The next few months will be very difficult for me. I hope I can get through it all until I can transfer to another school.

I used to think it was lucky that no one followed Jimmy's stupid actions. The fact that they just watched is already a big favor to me.

The only road leading to my house right now appeared the figure of Sana. Immediately I lowered my face and hid in a corner where I thought they wouldn't see me.

This town is so small, people can run into each other at any time, and I don't welcome these face-to-face encounters.

I am such an unlucky person.

Just as I hid under a closed shop, the door opened. The confused man looked at me but had no intention of sending me away. I ignored his strange gaze and continued to stand there.

Why am I in this situation?

My house right in front of me yet can't go back, I have to stay here under the scrutiny of an outsider. To get out of this awkward situation I had to step inside his shop to buy something.

This man has a rather creepy appearance, a bit fake because I don't think the neighborhood where I live has such bad people.

He was very ugly, with so many pores that people were scared to look at him. And he was very tall, his feet alone reached my chest.

I carefully peeked at him, discovering that his belly was also very large. It's normal for an old man to have a bloated stomach, but his appearance is unusual.

Although I can't remember exactly what he looked like, I can't help but be impressed by his peculiar appearance.

He was standing behind the front desk, staring as if afraid I might steal something. I did not dare to look at him directly, looking down to choose what to buy.

He suddenly asked, "Are those people out there your friends?"

Are those people my friends? No, I just know them.

"Not." I did not think but immediately denied it. He repeated the question again, and I started to get annoyed and knew for sure I would answer no!

I don't like answering this question. So why do people always want to ask me? Can I just have friends in them? I can also make friends with other people…

Somehow I felt the pressure again. The atmosphere is definitely too quiet, I have to say something.

“Ah, erm… How much is this box of cookies?” I pointed to the cake box above.

Then he went over and took it down to see the price. Now that I know why he's so tall, it must have been for easy access.

"Two dollars."

That's a fair price. Honestly, it's been a long time since I bought my own snacks, all the candies at home are bought by my mother.

I did not pay immediately, but extended my time, continuing to choose other items. At that time I wondered if Sana had left. Suddenly I felt my eyes sting, at first I didn't notice but rubbed it, gradually it hurt me.

"Are you okay?" the man asked.

I tried to act like I was fine but tears were streaming down my face, maybe I got something fall in my eye. There's a hand on my shoulder that makes me jump backward, the light from the outside of the store shining into my eyes.

Too bright. I didn't see anything.

I didn't hear any noise, so I thought my ears were also having problems. But when I heard the sound of things falling, I knew that the man was keeping quiet.

Then I dimly saw several other shadows appear at the entrance of the store. I hoped they would help me, but the way they kept quiet made me lose hope for other people's help. All of them are comrades.

My instincts reminded me that I was in danger, this man was not normal at all. I have to get out of here right now before my eyes can't open anymore. I guess I can because my house is close by. Or even if I can't escape, there are so many cameras in this neighborhood, my parents will find me soon enough.