#unu

She had a cup of tea and a blanket in her lap.

"Zoey, sweetie, I thought you would be ready to go out and get a little of the weather on us."

You said, leaving your work things in the nearest chair.

She turned back to you, smiling slightly, not so excited. She patted the space next to her. You sat and she began to talk.

She shared her blanket, covering you too. You got closer, her knees touching yours.

"Today I feel nostalgic. I remember things."

"Good things?"

"Things from when I was in Burbank."

That said it all. Not good things, not entirely. Your view, her eyes sparkling with the reflection of the city lights.

"Do you want to talk about it, dear...?"

She nodded. Her tea was getting cold in her hands. She sipped a little.

"You know, before being this awesome and cool girlfriend you have, I was kinda..."

"Yeah?"

"…Bullied."

The way she said it. It was a long, long pain from the past. Memories that were part of what she was.

Your heart sank. You moved your hand instinctively to hers, the one that was free.

She let them meet and be covered by yours. You didn’t say anything, not yet. You nodded to her to continue.

"I was different, from Korea in California? That was a thing. But expressing my hobbies and passions? Kids can be really, really cruel sometimes, when someone is slightly unique."

You held her hand more tightly.

"So, there I was, little Zoey, with her magazines of K-pop idols and brackets. Dreaming of being on huge stages, selling out stadiums just to share my truth. My lyrics, my dreams, my day-to-day life."

Her smile grew. Her emotion expressed with those words. You smiled at her too.

"They saw an easy target. They treated me badly. Making fun of me, giving me nicknames and letting me spend time locked in lockers. I was so..."

And the feeling faded, her smile turned into a sad one.

"But the rain... it was my friend. It helped me when I needed to stop thinking. I could just lose myself and let it wash my tears away. To continue smiling. They would never know that I was sad. I didn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me in that state.

That’s when I promised myself to never let that dream die. So every time I see the rain, I get happy. Because I let myself be free and reach what once seemed so far away."

You couldn’t hold it anymore. You took her cup of tea and put it aside, hugging her from the side and resting your head on her shoulder. She giggled and caressed your hair.

"You’re so strong, Zoey... So many times, on your own. I wish so much to give the little you a hug."

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"You are. She’s going to be okay. I am where I deserve to be. With my family, with Mira, with Rumi and with you... In the end, it was all worth it."

"Thank you for fighting so much and getting this far. I love you, Zoey..."

You whispered to her, your hand moving to her cheek. Your eyes meeting. She melted instantly, leaning her weight into your warmth.

She started to slowly cry, not because of sadness, but because of happiness. Of what she had accomplished. Of what she had become.

"I am home, my turtle..."

"Yes... yes, you are, my little koala..."

You leaned in and kissed her carefully. She tasted like salty tea.

Both of you got close to each other, warming up with the blanket and continuing to share the night

view. The rain coming down. A reminder of more than just memories. A reminder of life.

And here I write another one, kinda short, but it breaks my heart too. ;-;

Don't be a bully, please. This world need more kind people. Where are all together in this.