| |
Elleanor
My eyes feel itchy, and I hear a voice close by calling out to me. The figure in front of me is blurry, and I wonder if it's the injured boy I've seen before. I blink rapidly, pulling myself to my feet, ready to run. But then I open my eyes wide and see clearly – it's the boy from the blue house, his black straight hair almost covering his slanted eyes. He's looking at me curiously; maybe he's noticing my dirty dress?
"Are you hungry?" he asks, and suddenly I realize how empty my stomach feels. My gaze follows his hand to what looks like a black cookie.
"Kimbap."
So it's not a cookie. What is it then?
"You can eat it; it's really good."
Tentatively, I bite off a piece. The taste is unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. I continue eating in small bites, and gradually, the gnawing in my stomach lessens. I close my eyes, my shoulders rising and falling as I enjoy the unique flavors, neither sweet nor salty.
"It seems like it's made with rice and egg, and something else I can't quite place."
He sits down beside me, glancing over at me. "It's made of rice, boiled vegetables, and egg. The black part is seaweed," he explains, touching the kimbap gently.
"Seaweed? Like the plants in cartoons?" I laugh, surprised. "I thought those were just made-up."
"Yeah. You're a funny little girl with beautiful eyes," he says, looking right at me. "Why are you here alone?"
"I'm not alone; I'm with you," I reply, pleased with my quick thinking. I can't tell him about running away from the invisible boy. He shakes his head, and I think I see a small smile curve his lips.
Could it be that he hasn't learned how to laugh? Or maybe he's just feeling sad?
"I was wondering what you were doing before I arrived. Were you playing hide and seek?" I shake my head. "Did someone upset you?"
"No." I turn my face toward the wall, but he gently grasps my shoulders, guiding me back to face him.
"It's not safe to be here alone." He looks concerned, almost like my father when he's worried. He then lowers his gaze. "What's going on?"
"If I tell you, you probably won't believe me. No one ever does."
He crouches down so we're eye to eye. I frown, pressing my lips together, which causes them to curl up slightly.
"Are you going to tell me something that's not true?"
I blink, my mouth twisting slightly, and my brow furrows deeper.
"I don't lie!" I straighten up, crossing my arms defiantly.
"Then why would I doubt your story?"
His eyes widen, conveying earnest attention. He looks serious yet speaks gently, like a child with an old soul. Maybe he's like an angel from the stories Mom used to tell, or like Gael.
"Tell me. I'll believe you."
"How can you say that when I haven’t even told you yet?"
He reaches into his pocket and hands me another piece of kimbap. As I munch on it, he observes me thoughtfully.
"Do you want some?" I ask, offering him the last bite, but he leans away from it.
"You eat. I'm not hungry." I finish the piece under his watchful gaze. As soon as I swallow, he cracks a smile.
"Now, tell me what made you hide out here."How does he know I'm hiding here? I look down as he bends over to bring his eyes level with mine. I can't figure out why he keeps doing that. Oh! Maybe he has trouble seeing clearly?
"You'll never want to be my friend if I tell you. You'll run away like the other kids."
"I already told you I believe you. And the only way I wouldn't be your friend is if you don't want me to."
"Really?" My head snaps up, and I can't help but smile. It's the first time anyone has said that to me.
"Yes, really."
"I just wanted to hide from the boy who was hurt."
"Hurt boy?"
"Yeah." He looks at me, cocking his head to one side. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I let out a sigh. "He appeared in my room... They always come to me. I'm the only one who can see them."
"Oh... Ghosts?!"
"What's a ghost?"
"They're people who aren't in this world anymore. Like my mother."
"Do you see them too?"
"No, but I believe you... I don't think they want to harm you."
"I don't want to see them or talk to them. Do you know how to make them go away?" He taps my head lightly.
"I'm not sure. But if one shows up again, you can call me. I'll stay with you."
My smile widens, and I can feel my cheeks getting warm.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
He takes my hand, curling our fingers so that only our pinkies and thumbs remain extended. He does the same with his own hand. I'm curious, watching intently as he hooks his pinkie around mine, then tilts his hand so our thumbs touch too.
"Now, I have to keep the promise I made to you."
"What does that mean?" I ask.
He releases my hand. "It's a promise or an oath, kind of like when people cross their index fingers like this." He demonstrates, crossing his fingers, then gives them a kiss. "Do you get it?"
"Yeah," I reply. He tousles my hair, a gesture that feels friendly, even if it means I'll have a bit of combing to do later. "Ouch! You didn't tell me your name."
I place my hands in front of me, lightly touching my dress, and shift my weight a bit, scuffing my foot on the ground.
"You haven’t told me yours either."
"My name is Elleanor." I feel my cheeks warm up as if they're on fire.
"Park Jae Young."
"Park?" I lift my head, looking at him in surprise. "I've never heard that name before. I thought a park was just a place with playgrounds."
"Where I'm from, it's a common family name. And it's not like that kind of park. But you can call me Alex. That’s the Brazilian name my friends gave me."
"I like Jae better; it's unique. Alex is pretty common."
"So, does that make me special?" he asks.
"Exactly. You’re my first friend," I say, smiling.
He grins broadly, his teeth on display, with his lips nearly reaching his ears. On his cheeks, two rosy patches emerge, one on each side. His eyes narrow and seem to smile along with him. He's genuinely kind and quite handsome! I mirror his smile, both to him and inwardly to myself.
"We should head back. It's getting dark, and your parents are probably worried about you."
I nod in agreement.
Jae Young slips his hands into his pockets and starts walking. I almost have to run to keep up with his stride. For every step he takes, I need to take three with my shorter legs.
Even though he appears more like an adult than a child, I find myself warming to him easily. For the first time, I don't feel the urge to hide or run away, and my heart beats happily, like the rhythm of an upbeat song.
We don't speak again on our way, but his company is more than enough.
When we reach the gate of my house, I can hear my parents calling for me. Mom murmurs something about grounding me for a week.
"You'd better go inside." He gently pats the top of my head.
"I'm going." Jae helps me with the gate. I take a few steps, then pause and turn back to him. "Thanks for today."
"I'm glad to help. And if you get any unwanted visitors, just give me a call."
"What if it's at night?" I tilt my head, almost resting it on my shoulder, my fingers playing with the hem of my dress. My lips part slightly, and I feel a warm flutter in my chest.
"I'll come over the same way," he replies with a reassuring tone.I let out a sigh of relief, feeling an inexplicable urge that compels me to run towards him. As I get closer, I push off the ground and awkwardly plant a kiss on his cheek, right near his chin – the highest point I can reach.
Back on my feet, I see Jae Young’s eyes wide in surprise, his left hand instinctively touching the spot where my lips met his cheek.
Before he has a chance to react, I dart into the house, bouncing with an uncontrollable smile, only to be met by my mom's furious expression – she looks like a dragon about to breathe fire.
“May I know where you were this whole time? Do you realize how much we've been searching for you?” I lower my head, exhaling. I'm definitely in big trouble! I bite my lip. “You're grounded for life, Elle!”
Her voice rises, and her hands gesture emphatically. Seizing the moment, I rush up the stairs to my bedroom and lock the door behind me.