Chapter 21

Yandy: 12.21.15

I glared out the window, irritated that I’ve been in the car with these people for two hours. It’s 12:15 right now and Sandy nor Hae-In hadn’t shut the fuck up. Sandy’s been going and on about our family, Hae-In kept asking dumb questions and it’s causing me a headache. Plus I wanted to stab my uterus. Yes yes, you guessed it, my period started. That bitch snuck up on me yesterday and it only added more to my pissy mood. I’ve been pissed off since Joon ‘outed’ me in front of Nidia and it worsened when she told Sandy thus making them have an intervention with me. I didn’t speak to him for 3 days and I just started saying 3 words to him on Friday, he’s lucky that I’m even acknowledging him to be honest.

Anyway, he was sitting up front while Hae-In drove with me and Sandy in the back. My eyes snapped to Joon when he made a comment, I slightly glared at him from the outside mirror. He turned his head toward the window and I quickly turned away. But let’s get back to Sandy, she’s been telling them both what and what not to say, who is who and their personalities. Right now she was talking about the kind of foods that will be served.

“And for the love of God, please do not make a comment about the potato salad.” She pleaded, making me smile.

I saw Hae-In frown before glancing in the rearview mirror “Potato salad?” He grimaced “What’s that?”

Sandy sighed in relief “Ok, that’s good. You don’t know what it is so you don’t have to eat it.” She smiled “It’s mostly potatoes, oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, and different vegetables with seasoning.” She explained.

I saw Hae-In glance at Joon with a grimace “What if one of your aunts offered it to us?” Joon question.

She looked at him before side-eyeing “Then don’t eat it.” She said in an obvious tone.

I knew that he gave her a flat look by the way she faked a smile his way “What if I want to try it?” Hae-In asked.

Even this made me sit up a little and look at him like he was crazy, I glanced at Sandy to see she was looking at him in concern.

“Bless your heart and immune system because Aunt Pam is making it this year.” She said sympathetically. I snapped my head to her and held my heart, Aunt Pam hasn’t made potato salad since June of ‘07. Oh I remember the aftermath of her potato salad, it left 3/4 of the family sick and I haven’t eaten potato salad since then. Sandy was one of the lucky ones because she didn’t eat it while I was a survivor. Just like the rest of the family, I was sick for a week. After we found out it was because of her, she didn't show up to the next cookout. She started coming back after three years but she’s been on kitchen ban since then. What the hell mama thinkin?

“Any comments, Yandy?” She asked me, I didn’t feel like talking so I just shook my head “What’s wrong with you?” Sandy asked.

I looked at her, shrugged and looked out of the window again “Nothing.” I sighed as I laid my head on the window.

I knew that my answer caused tension in the car but I didn’t care, all I cared about was ripping my uterus out with my bare hands and choking Mother Nature with it.

“Are you in a pissy mood because of what happened a week ago?” She asked innocently. I froze and slowly turned to her, she looked a little smug and concerned but I knew she was doing this to get a reaction out of either both or one of us.

I faked her a smile “No, it’s something else.” I said.

She nodded in understanding before glancing to the front “Ok, because I know you’ve been celibate for a while now and I know it can cause you distress and acting out but I think you went about this the wrong way.” She said in a tease/taunting tone.

I closed my eyes, she was really trying me.

I opened my eyes “Sandy, it’s not that.” I gritted as I crossed my legs.

She put her hands up in surrender “Ok, fine.” She took a deep breath before glancing at me “I’m just saying that I didn’t blame you, Yand.” She added.

Oh God, when will she shut up???, I whined internally.

I leaned close to her with a fake smile “Sandy?” I chimed.

She leaned in “Yes?” She smiled.

“Shut up.” I deadpan before leaning away and looking out of the window. It was quiet for a while and I was happy, it made me feel at ease. We were another hour in before Hae-In decided to pull into a gas station that had a McDonalds right next to it. He parked right in front of a pump and everyone got out. I stretched my arms over my head until I heard a nice crack from my back, I then started towards McDonalds. There was a group of people standing by the doors talking, I slowly made my way in ignoring their stares. There weren't that many people inside so I stood a few feet away from the counter and stared at the menu. I think I want a Big Mac but that Southern Style Chicken Sandwich lookin good right about now. But I could really go for a milkshake-

I heard a sigh from my left and glanced out of my peripheral, after seeing who it was I couldn’t help but wipe the emotions off my face as he stood next to me.

“Do you want anything?” Joon asked me.

I side eyed him “I’m fine.” I said dryly.

I felt his stare on me “Are you sure you’re ok?” He asked.

I gave him a curt nod, turned away from him and started to make my way to the bathrooms. When I turned the corner I got pushed into a wall, my eyes grew wide at the thought of me being attacked in some dusty ass McDonalds. I grabbed their arm and tried to pry it off, my eyebrows furrowed when I noticed the clothing. It was Joon, my surprise turned to confusion then to anger, What the hell is he doing? I started to shrug his hands off me but it only made his grip tighten.

He leaned closer to me “Are you going to stop acting like a child and tell me what’s wrong?” He asked with a glare. I looked up at him in shock, Who the fuck he think he talking to? My shock turned into a glare.

I gave him my most sarcastic smile “Well, Joon, if you must know I’m bleeding out of my vagina” His hand dropped away from me “and it’s a heavy flow meaning that my tampon and pad can only hold off for so long. Plus these cramps are making me want to throw up every time it comes.” He froze “Now if you could move out of my way, that’ll be great.” I side stepped him only to be pulled back by him, I frowned at him and he just stared at me “What?” I didn’t mean for it to come out so harshly but it did.

He looked shocked for a second “Do you-um-need something?” He asked as he shifted on his feet.

I could sense his discomfort but I couldn’t care “A knife to carve my uterus out.” I deadpan before I snatched my arm back and walked into the bathroom.

I used the bathroom then replaced my tampon and pad, I flushed the toilet then went to the sink and checked my appearance. After I fixed myself, I washed my hands but stopped when I felt a gag come through. I really need to get on birth control, I pouted as another cramp came making me hold onto the counter as I gagged. I let it pass through and rewash my hands, I dried them and walked out of the bathroom only to see Joon hop up from his seat and walk my way.

“What now?” I groaned as he stood in front of me.

“Uh,” he cleared his throat, “I bought you some pain killers.” He handed me the bottle of ibuprofen.

I stared at the bottle, then at him, then back at the bottle. That's really sweet of him.

I smiled at him “Thanks Joon.”

He waved me off “No problem.”

I opened the bottle and took two out “I would have been happier with a knife but this’ll do.” I mused then swallowed them.

He stared at me before putting his hands in his pockets, “I didn’t think you would take the medicine from me.” He said, I raised an eyebrow at him so he continued “I thought you were still mad at me.” He mused.