CHAPTER 19

“Hey, Jeonguk!” Ivory grabbed Jeonguk’s arm and interlocked his with hers. She stopped him from sitting by himself during break again. “Let’s go to the lounge room, like last time.” Cheerily, she took him along. Jeonguk had planned to go in the other direction to go see his boss. But Ivory didn’t want to hear it.

“Oh please, he can wait!”

“But—”

Ivory opens the door once they arrive there and everyone looks at them.

“Yo, Ivy, Jeonguk.” Jordique greets.

“Hey, Jordan!”

“My name is not Jordan.” Jordique frowns.

Ivory sat Jeonguk down next to Aisha, who was quiet the entire time. “And my name isn’t Ivy, but you don’t see me complaining.”

Jordique sighs and sips his drink.

“Jeonguk was about to sit by himself again. Can one of you boys at least learn to hang with him to make him feel welcomed?”

“Well, geez, Ivory,” Marron began. “You expect us to hang with him when we are in a different department? Remember, we aren’t taking the same genre of photos like you girls and he is.”

Ivory went to the fridge and popped open a can of soda. “Whatever, with all those excuses you got.” Gulping it down, she ignored the boy’s grumbling.

Aisha eyed Jeonguk for a little while before looking away when he noticed. Jeonguk began to wonder why this girl’s eyes ways always constantly glued to his face. He was beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable with her around.

Aisha fiddled her thumbs, wondering how Jeonguk even managed to get into modeling. In her eyes, he looked like the type of boy who could have been doing something that would earn him even more money, or be part of something that would make him prominent.

“Why don’t we all just chill and play a game?” Corina suggests. “We’re nearing the end of the year, and it’s time to just take it easy. No need to get hostile with each other.”

“Tell that to that poison ivy,” Jordique jerks his thumb in the direction of the model.

Ivory rolled her eyes.

Everyone began to gather around on the couches. Aisha stood up, glancing at Jeonguk. Jeonguk pretended not to notice her and went ahead to the couch. Once everyone gathered, Corina pulled out some cards. “Let’s play truth or dare.”

“This childish game?” Avlyn frowns.

“Hey, it’s never childish when your pals are around.” Corina smirked. She tossed one card to each person, stacking the rest of the deck in the middle of the low coffee table they surrounded.

“What are these for?” Jeonguk questioned, eyeing the card back and front.

“Whoever has the highest card gets to question whoever they want, whether they ask a truth or a dare.”

“Sounds fun to me.” Marron shrugged.

“We played this before.” Luther sighed.

When Marron gasped, “Oh yeah.”, Luther face-palmed.

“Everyone, show your cards.” Corina instructs.

Looking at each other’s cards, Ivory had the highest card. “Lucky me.” She grins.

“Alright, who do you choose?” Corina asked.

“Hmm…” Ivory holds her chin and scans her choices. Her eyes stopped at Aisha, but she figured she wasn’t ready to be put on the spot yet. “Jeonguk.”

“Yes?” Jeonguk readily answers.

“Say, for truth, why did you become a modeler?”

“We’re starting off with the basics, aye?” Marron nods.

“Just to make sure we don’t make our new friend uncomfortable,” Ivory assures. Turning her attention back to the AI, she asked, “Well?”

“I need to provide for the home that I bought. It costs a lot of money.”

“You live alone?” Ivory adds.

“Hey! One question per turn, you doofus!” Corina jabs Ivory in the elbow.

“Ugh, fine!”

The next round, Luther got his turn. “Marron, I dare you to confess to the person you love.”

“What the hell, dude?” Marron gaped at him. “Why are you coming at me so early like this?!”

“I don’t know.”

Marron scowled and stood up. “I’ll be back.” He muttered as he went out the exit.

“I have got to see this!” Jordique gets up along with Luther and follows behind.

Seeing their silhouette disappear out the door, the rest of the girls—and Jeonguk—returned their attention to the game. “Alright, next!”

Aisha had the highest card. Flustered she looked around. Jeonguk turned his head the other away. Aisha wanted to question him, but she was too shy.

“Come on, Aisha! Question someone already!” Avlyn groaned. “We don’t have all day!”

“Okay!” She cried. Holding the card to her mouth, she turned to Jeonguk. “…Jeonguk.”

“…yes?” He dragged.

“Are you…” Aisha began to whisper under her breath.

“Say it louder, you chicken!” Corina demanded.

“A-Are you…seeing anyone right now?”

“Seeing anyone???” Jeonguk raised an eyebrow. “I’m seeing you.”

Seeing Aisha’s reaction, the rest of the girls gasped and cooed.

“Is that a hit-on I’m sensing?!” Ivory failed to be discreet with her whispering.

Jeonguk didn’t understand why his response to Aisha was a big deal. He sighed to himself and folded his arms. “You girls are weird.”

Aisha was red as a tomato, but she figured out oddly that Jeonguk was not aware of what he said.

“When you’re seeing someone,” She whispers to him as he leans his ear closer to hear her. “It means that you are dating someone you are interested in.”

“Really?!” Jeonguk says intrigued. “Tell me more!”

Avlyn stared hysterically at the AI. “Is this guy for real…?”

“He’s clearly a virgin, give him a break.” Ivory whispers, jabbing Avlyn.

“An innocent virgin, at that!” Corina cackled, not ashamed of her blatant conduct.

Aisha felt that this was a new beginning on becoming close with Jeonguk. Maybe I can get closer to him like this…

The boys soon returned, Marron busting through the door with a look of shame with Luther and Jordique laughing their behinds off, barely making it past the door. “This guy really confessed!!!” Jordique cries.

“To who?” Avlyn asked, already regretting her question.

“To the boss’s son!” Jordique gagged.

“Dude.” Ivory had a straight face slapped onto her face. “You got a thing for his son?”

“I don’t!” Marron pleaded. “I just love his photos; he makes them look so good! And he’s a great photographer!”

“Right…” Corina slurred, shaking her head.

Marron was embarrassed by Jordique and Luther’s obnoxious behavior and punched them both in the arms.

“You guys are ruining the game…” Avlyn muttered.

“Alright, alright!” Corina clapped twice. “Back to the game!”

The boys gathered on the couches again.

Aisha wanted to inform Jeonguk of something, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him. Jeonguk sat with a pout-face, eyeing each and everyone one of them. He never understood the joy of having friends. But he was beginning to see the bigger picture. His system began to resuscitate this information into his data so that he’d know how to respond to scenarios like this in the near future.

“Pick a card, damn it!” Avlyn snapped. “Stop talking over each other!”

“Okay, damn!”

Once everyone picked another card, they flipped it over to see it.

“Jeonguk got the highest!” Ivory claps excitedly.

Jeonguk looks around, unsure of who to pick. Aisha was hoping that Jeonguk chose her, but he directed his interests to Ivory.

“Sorry, but I’m out of this round.”

“What?” Jordique gawked.

“I’m on break, choose someone else.”

Jeonguk frowned. Looking at Avlyn, Avlyn rolled her eyes. “What?”

“What is a virgin?”

Everyone died out in laughter, leaving Aisha, Avlyn and Jordique speechless.

“My son asked, ‘What is a virgin?’” Marron rolled in tears, mimicking the poor AI.

Jeonguk shrugged his shoulders. “I was just kidding.”

“Please tell me you were.” Jordique grimaced. “I almost wanted to gut myself hearing a guy your age, ask a ridiculous question like that!”

“Jeonguk is hilarious, man!”

Jeonguk rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Aisha laughed a little bit, but was relieved that he was joking. His personality just made Aisha feel a little bit closer to him.

Later that evening, Aurora found herself scouting the house for food. She wanted to cook something to prove to Jeonguk that she didn’t need him to cook or buy her anything—but there wasn’t anything to make! Or most likely—Aurora just didn't know how to cook.

Smacking the wooden spoon off the counter, Aurora cursed under her breath. “S.o.B.!!!” Banging her elbows on the counter, she tapped her foot aggressively. “I’m hungry AF, and there’s NOTHING to eat!” Aurora’s stomach moaned with agony which made her feel lightheaded. Holding her stomach and her forehead, she dragged herself to the fridge to peep one last time. All there were, was orange juice, milk, a carton of eggs, a few slabs of bacon and cheese. Aurora’s nose flared with rage. She slammed the door shut like a toddler having a temper tantrum for its milk. She sprinted to the couch and flung herself onto it, sinking her face straight into the soft cushion. She groaned and moaned with aggravation.

Maybe Jeonguk was right… She whimpered in her mind. I wish I’ve learned how to cook in foster care…

Aurora huddled her face into her arms and exhaled. Her mind was just filled excessively with dark thoughts about where her life may head if she didn’t learn how to cook for herself.

What if Jeonguk decided to leave her one day to pursue something different? Or, what if Aurora had no choice but to live on her own, and she had no other means of eating. But who would buy the food? And who would pay the bills? Was she really better off at Mother Nan’s Foster Home? Was Jeonguk slowly easing his way out of Aurora’s life? And does Logan really want to truly be her friend when he barely knows a thing about her?

All of these questions concerned Aurora deeply.

For an hour, she laid there motionless, watching the television. Aurora tortured herself with the Food Network, envying the women and men who were fancying up their tables and counters with scrumptious food they whipped up. Aurora sniffled, wishing that her mood can make food magically appear—which of course, would never happen.

Aurora’s ears perked up when she heard someone knocking. “Must be Logan…” She sits up and heads to the door.

When she opened the door, it was Logan for a fact. He was carrying a bag of goods with him, but it looked as though he wasn’t coming in this time around.

“Hey, Aurora.”

“Logan,” Aurora smiled. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I just came back home…again.”

“Again?”

Logan slipped his hand smoothly into his jacket pocket. “Yeah, I couldn’t help but overhear your cry of frustration about not having any food in your house?”

Aurora had a flashback of the moment that occurred an hour ago. He must have heard me cursing up a storm, oh damn! Aurora covered her face in embarrassment. “Oh god…I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. It must be tough not having that AI around, huh?”

Aurora didn’t know how exactly to respond. “…I guess?”

“You poor, poor, girl,” Logan gave her one of the bags. “Here, there’s food inside.”

Reluctant, Aurora looked up at Logan. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, that’s really the only reason why I stepped back out again,” He shrugs. “Just accept it.”

Aurora slowly reached out for the bag and took it. She peeped inside to see its contents. She clearly didn’t know what it was, but thanked Logan for it anyways. Nodding his head, he smiled, telling her that he’d see her later. Confused on why he was leaving again, Aurora questioned him as he entered his apartment.

“I gotta edit some photos,” He explained. “I promise I’ll come check on you in about two hours.” He winks, shutting the door.

Aurora looked down at her bag one last time before shutting her door. Taking it to the kitchen, she pulled out the food inside, and stared with awe. “What…is this?” Aurora had never seen food like this before. She was so used to the commoner’s food that seeing something like this was too indescribable to explain.

Lifting the box from the bag, there were chopsticks inside. She pulled them out and ripped the paper off. Seeing the sticks glued together, she couldn’t tell what they were used for. Aurora shrugged, settling them aside and opened the box. Inside were so many colorful portions of food. There was fish and rice and chicken inside, along with steamed vegetables. Amazed, she popped one into her mouth. No doubt did the food give her a questioning thought. “It’s tangy yet…fishy?” She mumbled as she popped another one in her mouth. “These are actually pretty good.”

Taking them to the couch, she kicked her feet up on the couch and munched away.