I Refuse this Late Chapter 07
Whenever the food delivery man came, I waited until the sound of his footsteps faded into his distance, before breathing a long sigh and going outside to collect it.
However, as I arched my back, my knees buckled from a pang of pain, and I dropped on the ground, sweating in agony.
Even as I tried to push myself up, I found myself staring at a fair, dainty palm—obviously a girl’s hand.
I hesitated, but didn’t take it, instead waiting for the pain to fade before pushing up.
“Thanks,” I said quietly, but still wouldn’t look up at the other person even as she withdrew her hand.
All I wanted was to return inside…
That was when the woman called out with a melodious voice. “John Simpson?” That was my former name.
I looked up at her before I knew it.
Caught off guard by the sudden eye contact, I didn’t feel any nostalgia. Instead, I flinched like a startled bird.
–
When the loan sharks tied me to a wall, they would snap if I so much as looked at them, and start to whack me with a baseball bat.
When I tried to dodge, the rest would watch and laugh like I was a circus monkey.
At first, it was degrading.
But eventually, I stopped thinking.
Would dignity spare me from one extra bludgeon? Would it help me escape?
No, it wouldn’t—and so I gave up on dignity.
The girl could see that I was freaking out, and so told me quietly and mildly, “It’s alright. Just calm down—deep breaths.”
She demonstrated a rhythm, and I followed it, until I eventually calmed down, aside from some slight shivers.
“Don’t you remember me?” She asked.
I had to rack my brains, but couldn’t remember even after a while.
She beamed despite that, her smile as bright as the sun, dispelling the gloom clouding my heart.
“It’s me, Jolene Adams—we went to the same middle school and high school, even shared a desk once.”
I nodded.
While I was still living with Grandpa, she was the only one who never ostracized me, even helping me with remedial lessons, letting me copy her homework, bringing me breakfast… and the only classmate who came to my house for dinner.
She smiled. Seeing the recognition in my eyes, she reached out to pinch my cheek—just like she had always done back in high school.
But I flinched and withdrew from her touch again, and she realized that I was still having a panic attack.
However, she didn’t pull away and asked in concern, “Is it really that bad?”
I forced a smile. “I guess.”
Realizing that it was a dumb question, she changed the subject, “So, how’s Grandpa? I’d like to visit your place again if I can.”
At the mention of Grandpa, my eyes welled up with tears before I knew it.
Reading my reaction instantly, she breathed quietly, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pry.”
It took me another moment to regain my composure. I shook my head. “No, it’s alright… Grandpa is gone now.”
Jolene was at once apologetic. “I’m really sorry—I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s alright,” I shook my head again, forcing a smile.
She quickly changed the subject, smiling as she asked, “So, are you just going to stand out here? Not going to invite me in?”
“Oh, right.”
She glanced around. The place was big, sure—but completely empty. Not a single piece of furniture in sight. She teased, “Wow… living the minimalist dream?”
I looked around like she did, only noticing then that I really hadn’t bought any furniture, and couldn’t even make tea for guests.
Smiling awkwardly, I answered quietly, “Just moved in, so I didn’t have time for any of that…”
