Torn in between

"...You should be aware already. We're a family of three. I don't know if I have other relatives, but the three of us had always been living peacefully by ourselves. Mom and Dad bought a small apartment unit. They both worked hard to send me to school. That has continued for several years."

"I know."

"Mom passed away when we're in first year junior high or grade seven, whatever. It was so sudden. I don't really remember how I passed the days after that, but one thing I'm sure of is, I became quieter than before, much timider and withdrawn. I don't even have the confidence to appear in the middle of a crowd. Even now, this trait persisted in me.

"They call me a nerd. I don't have any opinions about that because I totally accept it as the truth. Remember, just last last week I'm still wearing a thick pair of eyeglasses framed with sky blue. Haha."

The laughed came out stiffly. Her listening companion did not comment so she continued. This time