Chapter 6

September 12, 2015. Early Morning.

Bomi POV

I jerk awake suddenly. I find myself sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall in the hallway. Cold tears are covering my face. I slowly wipe my eyes and take a deep breath.

Was it just a bad dream ?

Did the World Trade Center towers really crumble ?

Did Chorong, Eunji and Hayoung really perish inside the North Tower when it collapsed ?

I am again overcome with grief as I play back her phone message in my mind. I’m numb all over and my heart is being tightly squeezed. I take in another slow, deep breath and exhale.

What’s that noise ?

The noise drifting into my apartment ?

From under the door ?

I slowly tiptoe to the door leading out of my apartment and place my left ear next to it. I recognize it. The sound. It is the sound of crying and weeping. I slowly open the door and stick my head out. My eyes are blinded by the light in the hallway. As I slowly readjust to the light, I find the hallway filled with these sounds of anguish. I listen more closely and realize the sound is emanating from a few apartments. The old man next door and a young couple in the apartment right bellow mine. Maybe a few more elsewhere. With a heavy heart, I head back inside and close the door gently. I’m not the only one to suffer the loss of a loved one tonight. I climb into bed and I slowly fall asleep, once more haunted by old memories of Chorong.

*******

June 27, 2004.

The weeks and months went by so fast. Chorong has assimilated into class 6-C. She is really a walking contradiction. Chorong apparently comes from a wealthy family. Her dad is a corporate lawyer and always working late. She could afford nice clothes. Yet she prefers to wear ripped jeans and act all ghetto and tomboyish. I’m surprised she hasn’t gotten a tattoo or two to complete the outfit. Maybe she doesn’t like needles ? She acts tough but is a real scaredy cat. Especially when it comes to bugs.

Heheh.

Hahahaha.

Muahahahahha! I LOVE sneaking bugs into her stuff.

A dead fly squashed in her notebook. A live roach popping out of her bag. Chorong squeals like a girl when she finds them. Hayoung and Namjoo know what I’ve been doing and they’ve been warning kids in class to keep quiet. But you know what ? We’re graduating from school this week and it’s time I grew up. I hope Chorong never finds out or I’m dead meat.

‘…’

*RRRIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!*

Last day of elementary school. When I walk out of this classroom, the kids in 6-C will go their separate ways. I already know Hayoung and Namjoo will attend my intermediate school. So I’m stuck with them for at least 2 more years. *SIGH* I leave the school ground. Hmmm… Is that Chorong up ahead ? I walk quickly and catch up to her.

‘Hey Chorong! Not even a goodbye ?’

‘Don’t you mean good riddance ?’

‘???’ I’m confused by Chorong question.

‘I know you’re the one who put bugs in my stuff.’

‘How did you know ?’

‘It’s kinda obvious. Who would know that I’m afraid of bugs ? Just you. Remember once when a spider landed on my shirt in May ? You saw how I reacted and no one else was around. So only you knew about my fear of bugs.