Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. There is no relation to any real persons, groups, events etc. They are all fictional.

Chapter 4

School Life -The Dinner

My Mom came running out in formal attire. 

“Sorry mom, just we had some side stuff to do at school”

It was hard to make her believe the lie but we decided to keep quiet about it. In the end Yumi went to her house silent as usual. Reid asked me if he did something because of how silent she was. 

“I don’t know, she has been like that the moment we met”

Me and Reid entered my room, as Neco jumped up to my bed. Reid settled his bag near the door and watered the small plants on top of the shelf. 

“Reid, are you having dinner here?”

“Why can't I stay in for dinner?” 

“I mean, we are going to Yumi’s house for today.”

Reid’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned back to me and placed the watering can on top of the shelf. 

“Aren't you going too fast? You just met her like yesterday and now you're having dinner with her.” Reid commented as his eyes locked onto me.

“Well her Mom invited us for dinner to thank me for yesterday.”

“Can I come too?” He asked after a while. 

“Ask mom for that” 

“Also,” his face hardened. “I wanted to ask you, what happened to your fist?” He questioned me, as he carefully looked at my injured fist. 

“I don’t know, Yesterday I felt a pain in my head like my head was going to explode. Then I was in police station with this injury"

“You don’t remember anything that happened yesterday?” 

His eyebrows raised in confusion. 

“Yes, even what happened with me and Jake.” 

“Was he stronger than you by far you can remember?” 

He asked IF I can beat anyone, Haha I chuckled at this question before answering.

“I am sure he is heavier than me and he is tall as you” 

He went silent after my answer, maybe he was thinking about the possibilities of what might happen. 

“Intersting” He paused before saying his final decision “I have to meet him”

As we stepped into the main hall to wait for Mom, I saw dad sitting there, tired. He had his black upper inner wear and brown oversized pants.

“Dad, did you find anything?” I asked him.

“We searched through about a quarter of the forest only to see the lifeless bodies of animals.” His angry voice filled the room with tension. His voice carried a wave of worry and determination.

“Well what if it was accidental? There is a chance of it being accidental.” Added Reid. 

Dad, without even thinking for a second, answered. “If it was accidental, they should have admitted it and should have reported it early to avoid the fire spreading this much.” 

He is right in some way. If I did something accidentally which might harm anyone, my first motive is to solve it instead of hiding it.

The environment changed as my Mom broke into the room. “Honey go change, we're going to Yumi’s house for dinner,” she said. 

Dad got up and hurried to his room. We waited for him in the hall.

“Reid, How’s the new school?” 

“It’s great actually, it’s better than I expected after seeing the stadium and the training facilities” 

He joined a school known for its growth in sports and fitness as the school had won most medals in the latest sports meet.It's way better than him joining my school which was known for its arts and literature. 

We talked for a while till dad came out of the room. He wore a light chocolate colored shirt and a white pants with his usual silver watch. Mom also wore a casual dress with chocolate color that is a little bit darker than dad’s shirt and a pearl necklace which has a good story behind it. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun with some hairs flowing through her face.  

I wore a simple oversized white T-shirt with a black with some silver ornaments design jacket and a black pants with a silver grey in black strips belt. I wore a silver luxurious watch. While Reid was still in his uniform, Quite simple I say 

Haha

We walked out of the house with Neco’s food in the hands of Mom. She carefully placed it near the gates as Neco jumped out of the bush to eat it. 

Ding-Dong!

We pressed the doorbell on Yumi’s house, The door slowly slid open to reveal Yumi’s mom in light brown dress with stems and flowers made with lines was printed randomly around her gown which matched well with her skin, she tied her hair in long single braid but there was a small bun in back of her head. 

“Thanks for coming, table is waiting for you guys”

She smiled cheerfully, as we walked into the house I had a familiar feeling with the house. Somehow it had a similar structure to our house, just some furniture and colour difference.   

Though I was expecting Yumi in the living room, it was her dad who stood up from the sofa after seeing us. 

“Nice to meet you”

He gave a handshake to my dad, but I saw his expression of huge surprise. Well that was a usual thing whoever saw my family. Me and my mom were the shortest with height of 175cm while dad is over 180 cm but he does have muscles due to his rare genetics his muscles mass is greater than normal people.  They are the reason why Reid is compelling me to do training with, He thinks I might have the rare gene as my dad.

Yumi’s parents were shorter than us by a few centimeters, he has a similar physique like me, simple but healthy but I still have a doubt how Yumi is nearing my height. 

But where is she?   

“Hmm, Can I ask who this is?”

Yumi’s mom asked while pointing to Reid, I forgot it was their first time meeting. 

“Its my friend, sorry to disturb you by bringing him here”

Reid gave me an eerie stare after I made that statement. 

Sorry dude, but you were literally not invited.

“No No we don’t mind him as Disturbing, It going to fun if we have more people”

Again she smiled cheerfully. My mind started to desire that smile in Yumi, Though we are only here because she invited us, I also have to thank that bastard Jake and his gang. 

 “Yumi!”

She called out, Yumi’s room seemed to be on the 2nd floor like mine. 

“Coming!”

Yumi replied loudly, Footsteps sounded through the stairs. Then she came along with the light of the bulbs. 

The artificial lights reflected the yellow colour from the wall, she wore a gown covering all her body, the gown looked like blue paint was thrown into a white canvas. The hair was styled straightly 

My heart again started to beat harder, I felt the adrenaline rush passing through my veins. The stare was fixed, like my eyes were glued to her . 

“ADY!”

“What?”

His expression was a mix of confusion and excitement. 

“Ady are….” He took a long pause as he was thinking twice. 

“Ady Have you fallen in love with her?” He whispered.  

“Hell no..” 

I nearly yelled it out but paused to think for a moment. I recalled all the times where I felt something from eyeing Yumi. 

Was it really … love?

“Haha finally you found one, I was waiting for days you know. In the old days we were all alone.”

Haha… 

I laughed nervously as I stared at the wooden floor. 

After a while Yumi's Mom stood up and announced.“Let's go eat before the food cools down.”

As we gathered, me, Reid, and Yumi sat on one side of the table, while her parents and mine were on the other side.

They talked a lot, and I came to know that Yumi’s father was a Health Inspector. Though he looks like an office worker, but after talking to him, he has the presence of a brave and confident man. 

“Ady, Why don’t you talk to her? She been silent for a while” 

Reid whispered to me when Yumi was quietly eating the food. But I just stayed there thinking about what to talk. 

“Hey, How’s the new school?” 

Reid asked her after giving me a disappointed look. 

Bro, You're the playboy here.

I thought to myself. Reid was quite popular in our last school, so he was more comfortable talking with girls than I am..

“Good,”

She chuckled lightly, as she answered Reid. 

 “Ady why is she playing hard to get along? Did you do something at school?”

“As I already told you She have been like this when I met her first”

It was a feast, and there was beef, chicken and some vegetarian options. Everyone enjoyed the food as the plates were licked clean and there were no crumbs left.

Well I can say Reid really enjoyed it as he is on a protein–only diet. He ate like a monster who was hungry for years. Free food is free food I guess.

It was a great night. Our parents became friends. I wanted the night to last forever but it will be ending soon. Every start has an end, like a book, a story or even Life has an end where everything changes to memory.

Suddenly the table felt a vibration, and music started to play out. It was my dads phone ringing.  

I didn’t mind it and continued to eat but my heart jumped when I heard a slamming noise.

Thud!

The plates and spoons were in the air for a few seconds, Everyone's face frozen in surprise and confusion. 

He stood there shocked like thunder struck him. It seems like the news from the other side of the phone was unbearable for him. The whole environment changed in the room when he yelled “WHAT?!” His eyes filled with anger.

“Sorry, I have to go now” Dad said while running up towards the door. 

“What happened?” 

Asked mom as she ran behind him. 

“Work emergency.” Dad replied. 

He didn't say anything about the emergency and what happened. But I am worried that he will find out about Jake. 

Mom apologised to Yumi and her parents for my Dad’s sudden actions, and we left their house in confusion. 

“Mom, what happened for dad to act like this?” I asked. 

“I don’t know… Just when we were having fun” 

Her face was dale, as she can’t handle the sudden change in the environment. 

Reid looked at me and whispered “did he find out about the Forest Fire?”

“I don't know," I replied. 

We didn’t talk, Mom was mad that Dad left the dinner mid way without a clear explanation. 

“It's late Reid, won't your mom be worried?” I asked. 

“I already told her about the dinner, it seems like she trusts you more than me. But the correct question to be asked is what about you ady?”

“Well, I don't know what is going to happen between my parents.” I complained.

“Should I stay here for the night?” 

Reid asked in worry, but I don’t want his mom to be alone. 

“Don’t worry, you should go now. Your mom will be alone and you have school tomorrow”

“You sure?”

We gave goodbyes and separated.

I was left alone on the silent roadside, staring towards the sky, at the myriad of stars that scattered across, surrounding the glowing moon.

I expected a great dinner. But it ended in the worst way possible. 

It would be alright if Dad left during family dinner. But in front of Yumi? I chuckled. 

“Hey…” I heard a voice calling me. I turned to the side where the voice came from, only to see Yumi. 

“Are you ok?” 

Author = Ryujin (@gol_d_ryujin) 

Editor/Proofreader= Tricky (@tiky_tricky)  

Art = Sara

Instagram = ryujin._.200