Secrets & Prejudice = Keep it secret, you will hurt
Hidden story. chapter thirteen POV

That day was the beginning of everything getting worse. When I got home, the woman wasn't there. Either he's rampaging where else. I treated father's wounds as best I could. Seeing the situation becoming more and more so, I know that father is no longer as reliable as he used to be. Even in financial terms. I think I should try to support myself.

...****************...

The next day I walked without direction. Rethinking many times, and all the conclusions are the same. Looks like I have to work. I know myself enough not to trouble Alana's family once again.

Stop in front of a bar. Kids my age shouldn't be there, but it feels like the pay sounds fair enough at the risk.

"if you work here, maybe it will be enough" I thought. his shift must also be night, so it does not interfere with school activities. But I can't even get in there, let alone work. The bar is quite open to the public actually but for minors usually have to be accompanied by an adult.

Never mind, I can't sign up for work either.

"hey.. wanna come in?" someone said it surprised me. I was about to turn around when that familiar-sounding voice called out to me.

"shinta?" my many. Why is he here instead of a minor not being able to get in there? why does he even look out of there?.

I ended up going inside too. The bar belonged to one of Shinta's brothers, an uncle on her mother's side. He told me a long story before asking me where I was in front of his bar.

"so... Why stray here? know this place is not for children" he said lightly. He was my age but he spoke as if he were much older.

"we're the same age that you forget."

"answer first, or I'll think it's bad that you're here for drinks" he said. It is natural because however this place is impressed as a gathering place for naughty children. But how I say it.

"No. Take it easy" after that I was quiet for a long time.

"if I said I wanted to find a job, believe me?" I said a little doubtful.

"people with a big prestige are how willing to work" he said as deliberately mocking me. I'm speechless. I'm not a prestige, I just kind of haven't accepted the situation. Shouldn't children our age just focus on learning.

"it's not just you. There are a lot of kids working here too. My om it's a little too good, so this bar is already like a social service. If you want, just register" he said lightly.

With that sentence I finally got a job. And straight away my days were busy from morning till night. It felt like my time and energy were drained to support myself.

...****************...

A few months passed and the situation was still the same. Something seemed empty in my days filled with the same routine, education and making money. By working at the bar I got enough money to pay for the tuition, it's just that my lifestyle and food had to be a little more economical.

If things were still the way they used to be, maybe I would hitchhike a meal at Alana's house every day to save money.

Well, I guess I miss him a little. Instant noodles with shrimp flavor alone managed to make me remember alana. Does he still hate me now?

After time passed, the prestige of not disturbing alana was further inferior to my miss on that ignorant smile. Without her my empty life becomes more and more meaningless.

It is true, we will appreciate the presence of someone more when they are not present anymore. And now, his rather silly behavior became the memory I most wanted to repeat. And again that last impression, it looks like I haven't apologized properly before disappearing all along.

I finally opened the chat room as well. The first time after months of never talking to each other. I don't know what to start with. The thing that made us meet was usually food.

Meals.

I stared at my instant noodles once again.

“Later tonight I stopped by your house yeah, I'm hungry.” put it this way. It might sound bad because I'm acting like nothing happened. But how else. Say miss is a little embarrassing. And suddenly apologizing was too strange to say.

I looked at the chat room anxiously. The notification sign indicates he has read it, but he simply leaves it legible and does not reply for a long time.

Only after an hour did he reply with his short answer.

"yes" I smiled like a fool.