We migrated to the living room, and they continued their chatter, and Hannah would talk to me. I felt awkward so I was grateful that she talked to me, and I liked her presence, she didn’t make me feel bad.
“So, what are you wearing to the ceremony?” she asked me as Derek and Garret had their conversation.
“Oh, I, um, I haven’t really thought of i-it…” I mumbled shrugging.
Her eyes widened, “Oh! We have to go plan!” she eagerly told me, “let’s go to your room, yeah?” she asked.
I nodded and she smiled and got up. “Garry, Vi and I are gonna go up to her room, call m-”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” he smiled at her, “don’t traumatize her too much,” he joked and Hannah scoffed.
“Please, I’m fabulous,” she said and grabbed my hand to walk away.
“Hannah, you kicked Garret and me out of your house when we ate a Rangoon,” Derek chimed in.
“After you hit us with the pot-stirrer, we literally had one!” Garret said.
“Hyeongsa,” Hannah spoke, something I didn’t understand, rolled her eyes, and walked away from them with me, ascending the stairs.
She stopped at the top and thought for a moment.
“I don’t remember where your room is,” she told me, sheepishly looking over at me.
“Remember?” I asked and led her to my room.
“Yeah, Derek had Garret and I come over and get some clothes for you because he didn’t want to leave you,” she shrugged it off.
“Oh,” I mumbled and opened the door to my room. We walked in and I sat on the bed.
“Which one is the closet again?” she asked me.
I pointed to my closet door and she nodded and opened it.
“What did you s-say to Garret?” I couldn’t help my curiosity, despite always being beaten for it.
“Huh?” she asked as she turned to look at me, “oh, it was Korean, It means ‘dick’,” she informed me.
“You k-know Korean?” I asked, eyes wide.
She nodded and went back to looking in the closet, “Yeah, my Dad taught me it- he’s Korean. My mother is Chinese, she taught me to cook.”
“Wow,” I whispered and I heard her chuckle.
“Vi,” she whined and my heart rate picked up.
“Yes?” I whispered slightly alarmed.
She turned around and looked at me, “oh, don’t panic, I’m just complaining because you have no dresses!” she assured, huffing.
“Oh,” I nodded, “I- I’ll probably just wear s-something like this,” I told her.
She gasped, “Vi! No! You’re so beautiful, you need to wear a dress, it’d be adorable- in fact, I have one in mind!” she gushed as she came to the bed and sat by me.
“It never fit me, I don’t know why I still keep it. Garry’s grandma gave it to me as a gift for meeting each other- but she had sight problems so she got the sizes wrong,” she explained.
“Oh,” I nodded along, “but I-I don’t want to take-”
“No, no, no, you won’t be taking, you’ll be doing me a favor! I don’t need it, really. I would love it if you have- you will look amazing in it! I can already see it!” she beamed and clapped her hands in excitement.
The sudden sound made me flinch, but I tried to play it off. It didn’t go so well.
“I’m sorry Vi, I just got excited, I’m sorry,” she said.
I dismissively shook my head, “it’s fine,” I whispered, my face heating up.
“Well, anyway, you should come over tomorrow, I’ll tell Garry or Derek, I’m sure he’ll take you over!” she told me, “and I’ll be home all day, so come over whenever!” she nodded eagerly.
I chuckled lightly and agreed. “If that wants whats-” I paused, focusing on my sentence, “If that’s what you want,” I spoke carefully.
She smiled, “Aw, thank you so much, Vi! I can’t wait! So, I’ll show you what I’m wearing tomorrow when you come over, and- oh! We could have a totally ‘girls day’- if you’re comfortable with that of course!” she gushed.
I couldn’t help but smile at her. She was so genuine. How? How could she be so nice to someone like me? I didn’t understand it.
She smiled at me and made me smile back. She laughed and made me laugh. She invited me to her house when she didn’t even know me. Would I still be welcomed if she knew everything? Part of me thought- yes, she was authentic.
I was about to ask her something when a deep voice shouted for her. The unexpected volume made me wince and Hannah reached out and put her hand over mine, giving a comforting smile.
“It’s just Garry, come on,” she explains and stands up, taking me with her. “Could’ve mindlinked me, but,” she shrugged.
We walked down together, as she told me she couldn’t wait for tomorrow. We met Garret and Derek in the living room by the door, talking amongst themselves. Garret looked over to Hannah and automatically smiled. He reached out for her hand and she gave it immediately, kissing his cheek.
“Hey, so Derek, is it okay if Vi can come over tomorrow?” Hannah asked, smiling at Derek.
I felt him look over at me and I looked down at my hands.
“Yeah, sure, about what time?” Derek asked, moving his eyes back to Hannah and Garret.
“Um,” Hannah looked over to me and shrugged, “whenever? I know Garret and you’ll be working on that so I’ll just be home.”
“Okay, that’s fine by me,” Derek nodded and they said their goodbyes for the night and left.
Derek turned to me, “nice aren’t they?”
I nodded and stayed silent, not looking at him.
“And, you don’t need my permission to go somewhere, just tell me before so I’ll know where you are,” I nodded in silence again, he sighed and turned, leaving me. I let out a breath and walked upstairs, going straight to my room. I took a shower and got dressed for bed, brushing my hair and teeth, and washing my face as best as I could without my reflection to go off.