Page 3 of Don’t Be A Stranger

“I’m fine.” I’m reminding myself more than telling him. “I told Dad and Papi that I’d make it up to them by taking the trip out for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

River sits down on the edge of the bleachers, leaning back on his palms. I try not to notice how comfortable his lap looks right now.

“Let me guess.” River taps his finger against his chin. “I’m going to be the chauffeur for both of these trips.”

I scoff. “Yeah, duh. Why else do you think Lily and I helped you get that car?”

Lola. That’s what River likes to call his blue 2007 Toyota Camry.

I try not to tease him too much for it, only because Lily, he, and I spent the summer after freshman year of high school working just to save enough money for a car. River was the only one willing to get his license at the time, so Lily and I agreed to help save up.

With the understanding that River was aware that he would become our personal chauffeur.

We spent that summer mowing lawns, serving ice cream, and selling autographs of hockey star Frederick “Mastermind” Hollis—Lily’s grandfather.

The hustle was going great until Freddie found out why Lily was having him sign random things for weeks. That and our eBay account got banned because people thought that we were selling frauds.

River rolls his eyes. “Fine, I guess I can do that. But just so you know, you and Lils are going to have to share custody because I’m taking turns hiding out at both of your houses.”

I tie my towel around my waist. “That’s not going to happen, dude. Then I’m going to have to deal with your parents coming over and asking where you are.”

“Just tell them I died.”

“No. Then they might try to resurrect you from the dead just to give you an earful for not telling them first.”

River throws his head back in laughter and the sound engulfs me. “Well, obviously. How else are they going to tell me I did it wrong if they don’t know about it.”

Mr. and Mrs. Choi have never had a problem telling a single soul what they think about them. Or what you’re doing wrong and how you should be doing it.

It’s a hit or miss with them.

One moment they’re inviting you in and stuffing your face full of homemade kimchi and kimbap. Then the next thing you know, you’re having a sit-down with Mrs. Choi about how to properly dress as a woman.

That, or you simply just have to be River and they’ll start scolding you about needing to take your life seriously.

Ask me how I know.

River taps a random melody against the denim of his jeans. “I’m just hoping that by not coming around anymore, they’ll open their eyes. Have an awakening of some sorts.”

“Yeah.” I sit down next to him. “And what kind of awakening is that?”

“That I don’t play by any man’s rules.”

And here comes the theatrics.

River puts a hand over his chest and drops his voice, as if he’s giving a speech. “I march to the beat of my own drum. And I strive to remain in the greatness of my own confinements.”

I look at him, blinking.

Then I decide to play the role of his parents, because the death glare he gives me when I do so is amusing.

“Jaejoon,” I sigh, resting my hand on his shoulder and pulling out the birth name. “You have so much potential. I don’t understand why you feel the need to waste it.”

He swats my hand away. “You’re too good at that,” he groans and I laugh.

“I’m just messing with you.” I feel the need to admit because even though he’s learned to laugh about it, I know the pressure his parents put on him can be too much sometimes. “I’m glad you’re staying. I think I’d start to go stir crazy if I was left to my own accord.”

“And I’m sure you’d die of complete boredom without me,” he retorts.