Page 36 of Follow My Voice
“No, the other guy, the one Erick was talking to.”
The color leaves Perla’s face. “Kang?” Perla’s expression hardens. “Forget about Kang, Klara.”
“Why? What’s wrong with him?”
“You don’t have to listen to me. You can line up behind everyone else in his fan club if you want, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Fan club?”
Perla sighs. “Of course. He’s good-looking, people love his radio show, and to top it off, he’s the captain of the soccer team. Everyone adores Kang around here.”
That makes sense. “And so I shouldn’t be interested in him? Just because he’s popular? I thought this wasn’t high school? There must be something you’re not telling me.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I’ll tell you the story another time, Klara. I have to get to class.” Perla stands and walks away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
All in all, my first day of college wasn’t too bad. I’m proud of the fact that I was able to sit through an entire class and even eat in the cafeteria. But there’s a couple moments that I know I’ll keep replaying in my mind: Kang’s voice behind me, his back, the dark hair against his black shirt.
I found you, Kang. But I can’t let you find me; not today, not ever.
17Keep Me Out
“SO, WOULD YOUlike to tell us about your first day of college?” I’ve been expecting this question. Kamila has done a good job of keeping herself from interrogating me; we’ve just finished dinner and she managed to make it all the way to dessert without grilling me. Andy shoots her a disapproving look, but she blatantly ignores him. “Did you like your class?”
I bury my spoon in my slice of chocolate cake and smile. “I guess so, it was…” My mind flashes back to every moment: the pretty girls, the redheaded guy, Perla, Kang… I clear my throat. “Yeah. It went well, I think.”
Andy beams. “I’m so glad.”
Kamila takes Andy’s hand and then mine. “We’re so proud of you, Klara.”
“It’s only been one day.” I shrug. “It’s too soon to make a big fuss about it.”
Kamila squeezes my hand, rubbing her thumb against it. “You’re wrong. This is a huge accomplishment. Every little achievement counts. You’re a fighter, Klara. Don’t underestimate any battle, no matter how small, because that’s how you win the war.”
“You’resucha psychiatrist.”
She laughs and her eyes light up. “And you’re soyou.”
We joke, talk, and fight over the last piece of chocolate cake. It’s a normal, happy family dinner, and it feels great. Kamila is right: Every step forward, no matter how small, provides a little more reassurance that I can make it, that I will be okay, that I will be able to overcome my fears.
My cell phone vibrates against the table, announcing a new message.
Kamila raises an eyebrow. “Looks like someone made new friends on the first day.”
I open the message and my heart races, as usual, when I see Kang’s name on the screen.
Kang:You’ve been strangely quiet today. Have you had enough of this intense radio announcer?
I smile. If he only knew I was just a few steps away from him today. My mind travels back to the moment when I heard his name, how close he was when he walked past me. The black shirt that matched his hair, his jeans, his height. But what I remember most is his voice. Without the radio, telephone, or PA system as a filter, his voice sounded so much deeper, more captivating.
“Klara?”
Kamila’s voice pulls me back to reality. She and Andy are watching me with amused expressions.
“What?”
Andy takes a sip of his juice.
“Nothing. It’s just been a while since we’ve seen such a huge smile on your face. It suits you.”
