The Cure to My Scar

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I am contemplating how would I say that I need her to sign this book for Hana. I don't wanna be overconfident and just asked her to sign this just like that after all the rude treatment I did to her.

I took the book and slides it on the table while telling her about my sister being her avid fan. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to ask her directly to put her signature on it.

She looked at me and I took away my gaze at her immediately as I hesitate which words should I use to tell her about the autograph. I can't be as confident as I am like usual because I feel so shy to ask such a favor to a stranger.

"The thing is..."

Come on, Jace! Be man enough and say what you have to say. Besides, there's nothing to worry about since she's doing this in return for saving her life twice. You do have to feel shy. Say it!

But before I could finish what I'm about to say, she took the book and pen immediately. She opened the book to a certain page as if she already knew what I'm about to say.

"What's her name again?" She asked while still looking at the book.

"H-ha?" D*mn, Jace. Why are you asking that way even though you hear her question? Such a fool you are!

"Her name, so I could indicate it to the autograph." She repeated.

"Oh? Oh, I see. Hana. Her name is Hana," I answered.

Then she smiles sweetly while signing the book. Maybe I was always ignoring her that it took me this long to realize that she looks so pretty. And given her height and physique, she can be a successful flight attendant or a beauty queen. I wonder why she chose to be a writer who's hiding behind her imaginary characters' fame. If she will just expose herself a little more to the world, there are a lot of opportunities that might knock on her.

"Here." She slides back the book on the table and I can't help but beam as I saw Hana's name written on top of her message. I'm pretty sure Hana will surely love this and might have jumped to ecstasy as soon as she saw this autograph.

"Thank you," I said while looking at her without realizing that I am smiling brightly. I can't help but feel so delighted that I was able to attain what Hana have missed on that day because of her condition. With this, she will never feel sad about missing the book signing event that day.

"Am I being delusional or am I seeing it right?" He rubs his eyes with the back of his hand and looks at me once again.

"Is this true that the snobbish Casanova Jace is smiling?!" Jeff exclaimed as he caught me smiling while looking at the autograph in the book.

Well, I just can't help smiling to see the signed book for Hana. I can't imagine how delightful she will be once she saw this.

"I guess it's all thanks to you... Sissy." He asserted as he whispers this girl's pen name.

She just smiled back at him. She smiled warmly at him as if they knew each other long enough. She must be so into Jeff's good vibe. I mean, no one would not love him when he is so funny.

"You should better hang out always so I could see this friend smiling most of the time. It's been years since the last time I saw him smile this way." Jeff added. And I immediately changed my facial expression as I feel embarrassed at his comment.

"Should I look for more reason so we could meet more often?" She uttered. Then she looked at me, smiling as if she is telling that to me.

Is she sending me some sort of signal? I:m sorry but that will be impossible. I didn't invite you to have a date but to claim what you owe me. Sorry, but we cannot cross that boundary.

"Well, I think you don't need to look for one since Jace might probably gonna ask you to meet up once again one of these days," Jeff added.

I looked at him with a puzzled look, wondering what does he mean by that but he winked at me as if telling me to just trust him for this. Jeff may be kind and have such a good vibe but he can be so annoying when he acts so sly.

She looked at him then looked at me as if she was confused, couldn't follow what he meant about that.

I looked at the book once again as soon as Jeff left our table. I can't stop my lips from arching upwards as I feel excited to show this signed book to Hana. But she caught my attention when I saw her clenching on her left cheat. I wonder what's going on with her this time.

"Are you okay??" I asked.

"H-ha? Y-yeah, I'm okay." She replied but she's still clenching on it. I hope it's true that it was just nothing.

"Thank you for this, once again." I thanked her once more. It may not be a big deal to her but to me, it means a lot. Because my little sister's happiness means the world for me.

She is the reason why I came back to my senses and I will always be grateful for that. And to return the favor, I will do the best I can to make her extra special as much as I can.

"Hana,

Real-world may be hard and too difficult to live with but I hope my story will be your escape when you can't escape from your world. Stay safe and healthy. I hope we could meet someday.

Sissy"

Sissy? But as far as I remember, Ms. Nini called her with some other name. Though I couldn't remember if Joey or Chloe. I wonder where does she get that pen name.

"Can I ask you something?" She looked at me intently as if she looking forward to my question.

" S-sure." She stutters as soon as our gaze is locked.

"Of all pen names, why did you choose Sissy?"

"Is that awful? That it made you curious why does it have to be that way?" She queried and for some reason, I find it cute to see her frowning like a kid.

She is showing a lot of charm today that was unexpected yet pleasing to see.

"This is a secret that I never share with anyone, even to Nini so keep this to you and never expose this to anyone." She asserted and I just nodded in response.

"My name is Chloe Chase, so my initials will be CC. But that looks like a carbon copy to an email so I changed it into Sissy. That's all. There's no deeper meaning to that or some sort of nickname that requires decoding." She giggled as she elaborates.

"Oh, that's interesting," I commented.

"But your face is telling me, otherwise," I smirked at her comment.

"You should always smile that way. Believe me, it suits you." She added.

After a few more chitchats, we became a little comfortable with each other. My intention was just to get this book signed for the sake of my little sister but I feel like it became a way for us to get to know each other. It was unintentionally nice to know her more after saving her life twice.

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I immediately go to the hospital after we separated at the café. I was about to offer her a ride but unfortunately, she brought her car so we just bid goodbye right there.

I was holding onto the book when I saw Hana walking along the alley while wearing her earphones. I wanted to surprise her but I'm afraid that it will affect her heart condition. So for the sake of her safety, I just walk with her side by side while walking until she finally notices me.

"Oh! What are you doing here? Isn't it too late? You must be resting right now." She exclaimed.

Then I showed the book that I was hiding from behind. At first, she just stared at me blankly as she was looking at her book then she realized that it was what I've promised her.

"Don't tell me..." She paused in the middle of her sentence and grabbed away the book from my grip.

She immediately turned the page and she smiles brightly at me as she saw the autograph. She screams quietly as she felt so ecstatic to see what's written on it. It was an autograph featuring her name. An autograph from her most admired teen fiction writer.

"Thank you soooo much." She exclaimed as she hugged me tightly.

This is the reason why I made sure to have that autograph. I've been aiming for this, to bring this kind of happiness to my little sister. She may be missing a lot of exciting things that she may experience in out there but I'll do the best that I can to bring that excitement and happines in my own little way.

Besides, meeting her today makes way for another door to overwrite our unfortunate first meeting. We may bump to each other everytime she is in trouble but meeting up with her today is not a bad idea at all.