Chapter 7.
I am beyond sorry this is so late. I had a lot of exams, and then there was writer's block and the lack of attention from you guys… if you've still like this story enough to even read this chapter and haven't given up on me. On that note- here it is.
Alfred had packed. He had made up his mind. Two days, two badly jetlagged days for this- he had offended Lien somehow. Again. He had infringed upon this Asian family for too long, and, though he appreciated it, he also missed home. These cultures were foreign, obviously, but they were a step farther than just plain old foreign, they were strange. No family had tried to so openly set him up before.
Strange. What an odd word. It meant unexpected, different. Like turbulence. Like Lien, in her own way. She was strong, she was pretty, her long brown hair always had a hypnotic swish. Her anger came frequently the last two days he'd been here, and the last thing he wanted was to damage her.
So lost in his thoughts, he hadn't realized someone was standing outside his sliding wood-paper door.
"Alfred?" The door slid open.
"Lien!" He tossed his more intimate garments first then crammed in his last shirt into his suitcase and slammed the top down. "What are you doing here?" His face wasn't red, was it? God, don't let it be red, don't let it be red.
"Are you leaving?" she asked, looking over strewn clothing, once (neatly?) folded that still lay above the fluffy white bed Yao had been so kind to provide him with.
"Oh- oh yeah. I have to get back to my job and all that back home. And my brothers, you know. Besides, you guys have been really good to me, so I should just get out of your way." He looked up, meeting Lien's eyes for the first time since she walked in. She looked hesitant, leaning forward slightly, biting her lip.
"You dropped this," she said finally, picking up a white business shirt. She handed it to him, refusing to acknowledge his stare. He quickly averted his eyes, looking at the shirt instead of her lovely bangs. He took it gingerly, making sure not to brush her fingertips. She looked uncomfortable enough, anyway, and human contact didn't really seem like her style.
"Thanks," he said breezily, determined to keep his face a neutral, definitely-not-blushing color. "I would've forgotten it without ya," he swung the suitcase onto the floor and hoisted his backpack over his shoulder. "Well, I'd probably better get going. The flight leaves in, like, three hours, and this airport is painfully slow."
He forced a smile onto his face and picked up his suitcase from the floor with one hand. He'd always been strong. The stories he'd heard from Arthur when he was little…
"I trust you will have a good flight," said Lien blandly. "Will you be taking a cab?"
Alfred, who'd been staring into space somewhere beyond her left ear, was brought back into reality with a sharp snap. "Oh. Oh, yeah, yeah, I already called one. Thanks for everything, by the way, Lien."
"It's not me you should be thanking. Yao did all the-"
He cut her off with a hug. Lien stood stiff under his warm arms. He could feel her shaking slightly, but he couldn't pick out what emotion would be doing that to her. He had acted on an impulse, maybe she did like human contact and he just had to do something else right. Maybe he screwed up. After an eternity, he let go. Her hair was slightly mussed and her face was red.
"I'm sorry," He screwed up he screwed up oh Jesus he definitely screwed up "Do… do you not like-uh- hugs much?"
"No, no, no, no," Lien waved her hands frantically, trying to swat away the tension in the air. It didn't work. "That's not- I mean… you were leaving?" Lien gestured stiffly to the door, her other hand brushing back a stray strand of her brown hair, whirling it away and tucking it behind her ear in a single, flowing motion.
"Oh yeah," said Alfred. He slipped on his jacket, and hauled his suitcase to the door. Lien accompanied him downstairs. The rest of the family was relaxing in the backyard, laughing and chatting and admiring the garden, Lien's child, unaware of Alfred's sudden departure. Lien didn't seem to keen to bring it to their attention, so Alfred decided not to either.
Lien opened the door quietly. "Fair travels," she said softly.
"Thanks, Lien. I'll see you!" Alfred rushed out the door to his waiting cab before his head or whatever what else was telling him that he should've stayed could stop him. He stuck his suitcase in the trunk and sat in the passenger seat. As the driver veered towards the airport, Alfred caught a last glimpse of Lien standing in the doorway of their chic white house. Then the car rounded a corner and she disappeared.
…
Lien closed the door hesitantly. She should've been relieved that the poking, prodding, teasing, and plans would be over. Yao wouldn't be happy, but she could recollect herself and maybe try to deter the monthly meetings.
So why did she feel… hollow?
Whenever Alfred was around, she was either filled with annoyance, compassion, or respect. Occasionally a trace of pity or endearment. She sighed, pressed her face into her cool hands. This didn't go as planned, damn Yao for ever springing this onto their family. She needed to get to the tree.
Yes I know- it's awful. But I had to get it out there. Also, I need suggestions for a love interest. Reviews are nice. All my love.
