Beyond Strangers

Chapter three

Beyond Strangers

Lana • Kurt • others

LANA HUANG DIDN'T had an alarm clock. She was so used to waking up at twenty minutes past seven am and now whether or not she wanted to, she'd wake up at exactly that time. If she didn't have anything to do that early, she'd go right back to sleep.

From what her sleepy mind could recall, today was a Sunday. She didn't need to be anywhere until noon. So why the hell was an annoying bird chirping loudly and trying so hard to piss her off this bright morning? Since when did birds come around here anyway and why did this one sound as if it was right beside her head.

Lana eyes snapped open and she looked around frantically ready to murder a bird. Fortunately, there was none beside her or even in her room. It took her a minute to realize the chirps where coming from the phone charging by her bed side. With a loud groan, she fisted her palms together to keep her from throwing the phone at a wall.

What's wrong with her phone now? What's with the crazy noise? Then she remembered yesterday and how she wasn't in possession of her phone. She angrily picked up the phone swiping it open to read the text, they were fifteen in total.

Dude where did you run off to? The party practically died.

Kurt did you plan on giving Gini a ride to?

I can believe you left without me.

You ok man?

You missed. Hector stripped naked. In front of everyone!

Lana couldn't read anymore. These were meant for Kurt and they made no sense to her. How could people be disturbing another person on a Sunday morning? Then she remembered Beverly. She hadn't texted or called her. Other than that, she needed her phone for other things to. Some customers had her number and usually called her to confirm when their clothes would be ready and sometimes tell her to pick up the dirty laundry.

She quickly typed a message to her phone.

I need my cell phone

When she didn't get a reply, she figured he was still asleep. With a groan she got up, heading to the bathroom to go brush her teeth and wash her face. She packed up her inky hair into a ponytail and then spotted a tiny bruise on the top of her cheek. She hissed stomping her foot in anger and cussing on the driver and his stupid car. When she returned to the home, Kurt had already sent a reply.

Good morning to you too.

Quit it. I'm serious.

I'm serious too. Wishing you a good morning is at the top of my priority list, pink.

My name's not pink. And stop it, you're being annoying.

What's you name then? Let me guess, Kim or Cho?

And being 'annoying' is the new it. How don't you know this?

Neither, it's Lana.

No, it’s not. Your life is a lie.

Lana's a pretty name; suits you.

You've got no right to say that. You don't know me.

Woah, did I say something wrong? I feel like your tone has changed.

It has

Text you later

Hey wait...my phone?

What did I say wrong? It was a joke.

...

It’s rude not to reply a text.

Kurt.

"Ugh." Lana threw the phone back on the bed, "he's toying with me. Does he want to keep my phone now?"

She kept thinking to herself that Kurt must be an asshole for treating her like that but a part of her also thought that she must have offended him by calling his life a joke. Although she didn't see what was offensive about that given their line of conversation but... one thing she's learned from life is to not, never think you know how someone else's shoes fit. Saying that could have been a trigger for him.

After a cold shower and dressing herself up in net leggings, shorts and blue sweater; she sent him another text, ignoring the new ones she has received from his friends.

Sorry if i offended you. I just really want my phone back.

Yours is a nightmare.

Sending the text made her feel a whole lot better and after fixing her face with a little makeup, she left her room, going down the stairs of their little house.

"Mom," she called entering the kitchen. Her mother wasn't anywhere around the kitchen, in fact the house had the silence of a completely empty house.

Lana sighed looking around as she fixed herself a mug of coffee. She opened the drawers, the microwave, nothing. No food left around for her. She opened the fridge but there wasn't a single leftover food for her. The only thing in the fridge was an untouched juice carton, some fruits, vegetables and meat; lots of meat.

"Mom..!" She yelled stomping her foot. She wasn't going to just grill meat and eat, no matter how tempting it was. After finishing up with her coffee, she pocketed a granola bar and left the house.

Instead of opening the front door and stepping on a porch like other house, she opened the door and stepped into the end interior of the laundry shop, detergent and perfume hitting her nostrils immediately. Her family's business; by family, she meant family. Everyone, Mother’s, Father’s and even her business. Together they run the laundry business really well and continue to pay the bills.

"Lana is that you?" Her mother asked appearing out of a stack of clothes.

"Who else could it be?" Lana asked, and then smiled cheekily. "Good morning."

Her petite mother, Suzy Huang sighed regarding her daughter and the sharp mouth of hers. "What took you so long to come down and I've been calling you. Why aren't you picking your calls?"

Lana stuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, ignoring the last question and not actually answering the first. "My duty starts at noon. Why I'm I to come down early?"

"Because, breakfast is down here; you aren't starving are you?" Suzy accessed her daughter and weighed her with her eyes. It pisses her off when Lana doesn't eat. It's no wonder she has a few grey hair at this age, Lana has pissed her off one too many times.

"Oh, I had no idea." Lana replied getting angry at Kurt for no tangible reason.

"What's with your phone?" Suzy asked again still curious.

"Nothing; must have been on silent." She replied

"Lana," her father called from out front, Korean accent thick as he called the name as Lana. "Beverly is here."

Yikes.