I woke up, and went downstairs as the morning sun was just starting to come up. Mother was already up, and in her scrubs for the day.

"Good morning." I said and poured some coffee into a cup that could pass for a bowl.

"Good morning, sweetie." She said and handed me some starfruit on a plate with a banana with some strawberries.

"When did we get these?" I said as I took a bite of starfruit. Starfruit is my favorite fruit in the world. I first had it, when we took a family vacation to the beach in Taiwan.

"I found some at the Publix down the street a couple of days ago. " She said, as she tried to straighten out my hair. "I know that they are your favorite. "

I smiled, and ate more starfruit, savoring each bite. "It reminds me of Taiwan, and the beach. I think I could live on the beach there, and eat nothing but Starfruit. "

She smiled with that loving smile that mothers have, and sipped some of her  coffee.

I sat on the counter, and ate my fruit, and sipped my coffee. Tobey came in and got some cereal. He grabbed a bowl from the cabinet, and grabbed the milk from the fridge.

He looked over as he poured his cereal. "Starfruit was one of Dad’s favorites. " He poured his milk. "He would always buy them. "

" You want some? " I picked up my plate and offered him some.

He smiled, and grabbed the middle cut of fruit, and smiled. "Thanks. " He took a bite, and smiled, and went to the kitchen table, and sat down to eat.

I smiled, and looked at him. I finished my starfruit, and banana, and ate my last strawberry. I sipped my coffee, and poured some more for a warm up. I did not know that Dad and I had something in common. I felt a slight connection to him. I smiled, and stared in a daydream like state at the floor, and holding my coffee with both hands.

It was like I was running towards my father who was standing on the beach, and I was trying to reach him, but I could not. I was swallowed whole by the sea, before I could get to him.

My smile disappeared. My chest tightened, and I sat my coffee down, and went to go get ready for school. I took a long shower in hopes I my chest would loosen up. It did not. I got dressed, and put my shoes.

"Mom. My chest hurts. " I said clutching my chest, and making a scrunched-up face.

"Really? That’s not good. " She looked at me worried. "Is just in your chest, or do you have pain anywhere else? "

"Just here. " I touched the left of chest, and looked at her with wide eyes, that quivered with fright.

"Hmmm.. Well, take some aspirin. " She handed me some aspirin, and some water. I swallowed the aspiring dry, then chugged the water.

"Don’t drink anymore coffee, and if still hurts or gets any worse, I will take you to the doctors. I will check on you later tonight. " She said, cupped my cheek. I nodded. "Okay."

I got into the back seat like yesterday, and looked out the window at the clouds with an hue because of the sun on the light blue backdrop of the sky.

I got to school, and who was standing by locker. It was Zach. He was with an older girl. I think she was a junior. I walked up to my locker. "What’s up, Zach."

"Hey, Jeong. " We bumped fist. "This is Emily. She’s a Senior. "

I nodded and smiled at her." Hi." I said.

"what’s up" She said. She had dyed red hair that looked like she did it herself. Her hair was down a little past her jawline. She wore thick eyeliner, and light makeup. She was thin. She dressed in leather, and had a Jack skellington purse.

"She’s going to go to beauty school, but I keep telling her she should stay and get her high school diploma first. " I nodded, and looked at her.

She stomped her foot, and said." School sucks though. All these fake bitches. " I nodded again. Originality is not something you see here, or possibly anywhere.  Emily herself was not very original, but I could not say it out of politeness. She looked like she part emo, and part stoner all rolled up into one. Zach kissed her lightly.

"Just trust me. It will be better in the long run. "

Emily rolled her eyes. "Fine. I’ll stay because I can’t resist you. " She said and wrapped her arms around Zach’s neck, and started making out by my locker. I stood there awkwardly watching. I quickly grabbed my things, while being nudged not so gently from the make out session next to me, and shut my locker, and went to History. I sat down in the middle row, and the in the middle of that row.

I texted my brother. -Did you know dad liked starfruit? I should have remembered that but I don’t. Also. I have a pain in my chest still from this morning. -

My brother texted me pretty quickly. - first off, did you take something for your chest. I’m sorry little brother it hurts. Secondly, yes, I did know that. It is one of my favorite fruits as well. -

I scoffed laughed. Something new I did not know about my brother. Am I sure I even hung out with him? I texted him back. -Yes, mother gave me some aspirin. and I did not know we all three loved starfruit so much. -

He texted back again rather quickly, making me think he was skipping class.’

 -Yep I knew you loved starfruit. I was the one who told mother to pick you up some on the way home one day.

So that is how mother found out I liked starfruit. My brother was her intel. How did he remember I liked starfruit, and I did not remember he like it? I am a bad brother.

He texted me. -We had starfruit for the first time when you were 10 in Taiwan, and we played Pokemon on the beach with our cousins. You said you wanted to live on the beach, and eat nothing but fruit, and be a surfer because of Misty, and water Pokemon. -

I did not reply. He knew so much about me, and I was left figuring him out, like I was struck with amnesia.  What was wrong with me? I need to be better a being a brother, and friend. Why is brain wired so differently that I cannot remember important things? I rested my head in my hands on my desk, and waited for class to start, as people were starting to come into the classroom. I just stared, and started to rack my brain, and feel guilty for things I should have known. Danielle sat in front of me today, and she was wearing low rise jeans that showed off her thong. That made me go red, and turn my head. I think she flaunting herself on purpose in front of me, even though she was with Edward. I should tell Edward, but I do not if he would believe me. So, I just kept quiet, and then let that feeling turn into guilt because I should be a good friend, and tell him, but I do not want to start anything. I am not one for conflict. I just want everyone to get along with everyone, and be happy and peaceful.Cha

Next Chapter: Chapter 19