십팔---18
June 19, 2016
18:20
Seoul, South Korea
Tonight, Elise and Dae were having dinner together on their new dining room table. They had even went to the store and picked out four chairs so they could sit.
“You look like your cat just died,” Dae joked, setting a warm bowl in front of Elise. She set her own down across from the girl, sitting down.
“Ginger and Mingyu want to come and visit us,” Elise blurted out. There, she had gotten it over with.
“They want to?”
“They are,” Elise corrected. “They’re coming to visit us.”
“What do you think about that?” she inquired.
“You know I hate that two-faced bitch as much as you do.”
“Well, yes,” said Dae,” I know that. I meant, what do you think about Mingyu coming?”
“I’m glad to see him, but if you’re thinking that we are going to get back together, then I’m telling you now not to get your hopes up.”
“I wasn’t,” Dae insisted. More quietly, she repeated,” I wasn’t.”
“Good.”
“Elise, can I tell you something.”
“Of course.”
“Do you remember Du ZiFeng?” Dae asked. “He went to school with us junior year, and he went back to Taiwan -- he’s from Taiwan -- to serve in the military. He--”
“I remember ZiFeng.” Elise was not sure where this was going, especially considering their previous topic of conversation. Perhaps this was about Ginger, and her being in love with him?
“What if I told you that he and I were dating?”
“I would have a lot of questions.”
Dae eyed her best friend. “Ask them.”
“First of all, where is he?”
“He’s still living in Taiwan, for now,” Dae explained,” but he’s moving to Seoul in August.”
“He finished his military service?”
“He only has to serve four months.”
“How long have you been dating him?”
“Two months.”
“Were you already dating him before we moved here?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was scared of what you were going to think.”
Elise made a small noise. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice was calm in such a way that it made Dae a little unnerved. “Were you planning on telling me, if he had not decided to move here?”
“Yeah.”
“When?” The word came out of her mouth so quickly and with a sharpness that made Dae nearly jump.
“Eventually, I guess.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Dae repeated.
“Those are all of my questions.”
“Oh.” Dae looked at the ground. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you.”
“No, you’re not,” Elise stated, mater-of-factly,” but that’s fine -- just don’t lie to me about it.” She stood up. “Thank you for making me dinner.”
Dae watched as Elise slipped on her shoes, grabbing her backpack.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I have to go quit my job,” was all Elise said before she left.
Dae glanced over at Elise’s bowl. It was completely untouched.
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