La La Land

It was suppose to be beautiful. A quiet afternoon picnic in the Scottish countryside between two friends. A series of traumatic events and an addiction to substances had lead them to this state.

Nobody did gloomy quite like Scotland. It was an afternoon in the grey sky. Dull hues from mountains and aging grass made nighttime close at hand. It started off as fun, watching cars on the road humming songs from their home countries.

Then Yanyu switched.

"Stop living in La-La Land!" Yanyu tossed the empty vodka in Sook-Jo's direction. The bottle rolled down the hill into the valleys that streamed to the ocean. "You weren't really pregnant that time, anyway..."

Sook-Jo's shoulders trembled as she bit her lip. Her boyfriend said the child she lost was better off dead. Now, the woman she considered her best friend and her beloved sister-in-law triggered her. With locked inhales and deep exhales, she concentrated on the mountain cliffs.

Yanyu danced around the tree and then sneered at the water bottle in Sook-Jo's hand. "Why are drinking the pussy stuff? You should have bought yourself vodka and wine."

Sook-Jo yawned. "I'm saving my money."

"You've got lots of money!"

"No more than you."

Yanyu's tantrum startled the crows passing by. Sook-Jo gulped as she saw the vacant stare in her sister-in-law's face. Even if she had separated with her brother, Yanyu was family to her, and all of Yanyu's blood relatives were dead. "I don't know how to fix you!"

“I need to go,” Sook-Jo said, standing up. “I’m tired.”

"WHAT?" Yanyu screamed louder than ever. The vibrations of her voice pierced through Sook-Jo's heart. "You don't love me!"

Sook-Jo gasped, shaking her head. "No! That's not true." Sook-Jo's body shook as her fingers quivered. Her phone battery was dying. The water bottle was empty and the last bus home was due in ten minutes.

"You're fucking off!"

"I don't want to miss the bus. I need to get home!"

"I'm going to the karaoke bar!" Yanyu screamed, waddling through the grass. It's still early. And you need to come with me."

Sook-Jo burst into tears. Yanyu didn't seem to care. Both women drifted down the hill and went in different directions. Sook-Jo sobbed all the way through the bus. Sook-Jo's phone pinged throughout. Yanyu accusations were so sharp, her words may as well be knives. Sook-Jo's only crime was exhaustion.

You're always too tired for me.

Hey give me some money!

Listen!

You don't love me!

Fine go and fuck off to your other friends.

You always get drunk with other friends but you don't with me.

I am nothing to you.

The tears continued when Sook-Jo reached home. Her wrists shook to the point she couldn't type properly. Her boyfriend snored away in bed; she would tell him in the morning. Everything else blurred with the tears as she cried herself to sleep on the sofa.

The first thing Sook-Jo did was block Yanyu on all social media. At least, she thought she did until she received a message on Instagram.

Hi Sook-Jo. That was not me last night. I can see you're angry with me since you removed me on Facebook. It's okay. I get you're not happy with me right now. Sorry for being a dick and having a tantrum. I love you. I won't stress you out with constant messages and calls. I'm here if you need me. You are my sister no matter what. Love you. Have a blessed weekend.

Sook-Jo lent her money in time of need. Sook-Jo escorted Yanyu to her hospital appointments. Sook-Jo and Yanyu had wonderful memories that she treasured. It was a shame that that the Yanyu she knew was gone. Memories of Yanyu's threats such as taking a crap on her bed if she over got sick from the cannabis. Sook-Jo's throat burned as if she was reliving it.

Then there was last week Yanyu got cranky because Sook-Jo texted her before 10AM on Sunday, then got pissed when Sook-Jo listened to her wishes. Sook-Jo had enough of walking on egg shells. The cycle would only continue.

Sook-Jo returned to the mountains seeking comfort from Mother Earth. Yanyu's words echoed in her mind, but there was only one thing she wanted to say to her.

Sorry Yanyu, I don't live in La La Land anymore...

Thanks for reading my short story based on the amazing picture by Mesh. It was a fun challenge.