Blue [Chaelisa]

thirteen

Chaeyoung was awoken when a weight was suddenly lifted from the bed. Before she could figure out what was going on, she heard rushed footsteps disappear out of the room.

"Wha...?" Chaeyoung sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. Lisa wasn't there. Inhaling sharply, Chaeyoung quickly wiped her eyes and pulled the blankets off of her legs. She glanced at the clock. 12:15. They had barely been asleep for an hour.

"Lisa?" Chaeyoung raised her voice, trying to shake off her exhaustion and walking over to the door. "Lisa?!" she called louder when there wasn't an answer. Just as she was about to exit the bedroom, she heard quick footsteps coming up the stairs.

Lisa appeared at the top of the stairs, holding the medium sized canvas and hurrying towards Chaeyoung. As the Thai girl got closer, Chaeyoung realized there were tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" Chaeyoung asked quickly, stepping forwards just as Lisa shoved the painting into Chaeyoung's hands.

"I forgot," Lisa shook her head and took a step back. "I am stupid. I am sorry," she looked down at the ground, frantically wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

"You what?" Chaeyoung asked, looking down at the painting she had found a few days ago. It still gave her goosebumps.

"It was a present," Lisa stepped forwards and pointed to the painting. "For you. But it is too late," she sighed and buried her face in her hands. She didn't want Chaeyoung to see that she was crying.

"Why is it too late?" Chaeyoung grew confused, using her free hand to reach out and pull Lisa's hands away from her face. "Why are you crying? This is beautiful, Lisa," she looked down at the canvas in her hands.

"It was for Valentine's Day," Lisa bit her lip and allowed Chaeyoung to reach up and wipe her eyes. "But I... It is too late."

"Oh, babe," Chaeyoung shook her head and led Lisa into the bedroom. "No it isn't..." she sighed and propped the painting up on her desk so it could be seen from the bed. "I didn't..."

Lisa followed Chaeyoung over to the bed and sat down slowly. The blonde girl thought for a moment before speaking once more.

"I didn't give you anything either..." Chaeyoung shook her head. "I mean, I obviously got you something... but when you didn't talk to me I... I just didn't think you really cared."

"I do care," Lisa scooted closer to Chaeyoung and grabbed her hand. "I do, Rosie. I do. I was scared."

"I know," Chaeyoung cupped Lisa's hand between her own. "But Valentine's Day is just a day, right? I mean, who says we can't have out own day right now?"

"Right now?" Lisa tilted her head to the side.

"Yeah," Chaeyoung nodded and stood up, moving over to her desk and rummaging around in the drawer for a moment. "Right now," she sat back down on the bed and set a small box in Lisa's lap. "Happy... Happy Us Day," she smiled softly, kissing Lisa's cheek.

"For me?" Lisa whispered softly, holding up the box and turning it around in her hands.

"Only for you," Chaeyoung laughed softly and crossed her legs underneath her. "Open it."

Lisa's small fingers gently tore at the wrapping paper, revealing a small cardboard box. She lifted the lid, furrowing her eyebrows at what was inside.

"A string?" the younger girl looked over at Chaeyoung in confusion.

Laughing, the blonde girl gently lifted the material out of the box and unrolled it. "Close," she smiled. "It's shoelaces. For your shoes," she motioned to the tattered white converse in by the door.