Chapter 21
Laurel pov
I stayed on my bed for a moment after the call ended.
The silence in the room felt heavier than before.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my face. hurry up and come down," Eric called.
"I'm coming," i replied as i walked downstairs.
I reached the dining table and looked at the food.
"I hope I don't end up with a stomach ache after this."
Eric stared at me, waiting.
I took a bite.
He leaned forward slightly, watching my reaction.
A pause.
"It's… good," i said, surprised. "How is that even possible?"
Eric smiled.
"Nicholas taught me before he left."
l nodded slowly. "I can see you two are getting close now."
A small smile formed on my lips.
A brief silence followed.
"So… did you call him?" Eric asked.
"Yes," i replied. "Apparently, he wasn't angry. He just wanted us to sort things out."
Eric nodded. "So he'll be coming back, right?"
I looked at him.
"No."
Eric frowned. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean no," i said calmly. "He has work to do. Something with an old friend."
Eric shifted slightly. "Okay… after the job then?"
I held his gaze.
"He made it very clear he's not coming back to Canada. If you're going to see him again… it'll be next year."
Eric's expression changed.
l noticed immediately.
"You good?" I asked.
"Yeah," he replied quickly. "I'm fine."
But he wasn't.
After dinner, they sat outside, watching the snow fall quietly.
The cold air felt calmer than everything else.
"You'll be eighteen soon," l said. "What do you want for your birthday?"
Eric smiled faintly. "Anything… as long as I get to celebrate it with you."
l hummed softly.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Sure." I answered.
"What do you want me to be in the future?"
l didn't hesitate.
" You being happy with your choice and living life with no regrets."
Eric shook his head slightly. "Not that. I mean… like a job. I'll be going to college soon. What do you want me to study?"
" College, i thought you need to be twenty before you go to college?" l asked.
" No, it doesn't work that way anymore, in as much you passed the exam, then you are good to go.
l looked at him.
" Well you can study Whatever you want," i said. "Whatever makes you happy. Whatever makes you want to live."
Eric smiled more this time.
"I'm thinking of studying business. I could help you later on."
l raised a brow slightly.
"Is that what you really want? Does it make you happy?"
"Yes," he said, more certain now.
"Then go ahead," i said, gently patting his head.
"Have you chose the high school i will be going to next year?", Eric asked.
" No, i thought you are the one who will choose, i mean it is not like am the one attending the school or the class ."
" If that is the case, i think i will choose Dulwich or hankuk. There will be a lot of foreign students there, and I won't need to try hard to fit in, and besides there will be speaking English ".
"I thought you said you were already learning Korean". I asked with concerned.
"yea but that online And am still not very good with it". He answered.
" Why don't I get you home teacher, i mean we still have like 5 months before moving, and I will also speak Korean when I get home"
" You know more Korean, less English. It actually works fast. You won't have to worry about a thing ".
" Am sure you will meet up".
"l, won't that be alot, i mean considering college, and high school and including the one you been paying here. I don't think we should hire a Korean teacher".
" Am not complaining, Eric. If i don't spend on you, invest in you. Who will I do it for?"
" But still, what if i didn't do well in am exam or something. Is it not like your investment has failed ".
" All i want is for you to live , i know you won't purposely bring the bad results, you did your best and that alone is okay for me."
" So next week, you get new home teacher, so you go to school, gym early then come back home before 4 pm and during weekends you wait for the lesson before hitting the gym so when you get you could rest. Or what do you think, is that plan good enough?
" Yes big sis,thank you" . And then he hugged me saying " what will I do without you?"
" Nothing ". I replied.
A pause.
Snow falling.
Quiet.
"Won't you miss Nicholas?" Eric asked suddenly.
l glanced at him. "No."
"You two have been friends for a while… and now you're closer. Is there something between you?"
l paused.
"Relationships aren't my thing," she said. "And Nicholas is not my type. He's too kind… too noisy… always getting into trouble."
"So nothing is going on?"
"Yes," i replied flatly.
Eric watched her carefully.
"And you don't have any feelings for him at all?"
I frowned slightly. "Ew. I don't think of Nicholas like that. He's more like a brother to me."
Eric went quiet.
"Why are you asking?" I said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Are you trying to push me away?"
I leaned back.
"I'm sorry to break it to you, but I'll always be around you for a long time."
Eric forced a small smile.
"I just thought… maybe you should date someone. I mean like Seo Hee, she is also dating presently right."
l scoffed lightly. "Seo Hee dating doesn't mean I should date."
"But Laurel"
"No 'but'," she cut in.
"If anyone should be dating, it's you. You're at that age where you will be curious about dating."
I leaned forward slightly, teasing now.
"Or is there a girl you like? Come on, tell me. What's her name? What's she like? Bring her home. Did you meet her at the gym?"
Eric froze.
Then quickly stood up.
"I'm very sleepy laurel," he said. "Good night, big sis."
He rushed inside before I could say anything else.
I watched him go.
A small silence followed.
"He's in love with someone…" i murmured softly.
I looked up at the falling snow.
"I just hope that person treats you well, Eric."