The beginning

"Is everything okay?" mom said.

"Yeah, Everything is alright."

"Are you sure? Don't lie to me."

"I do not lie," Ben said.

"I understand."

"I will go to my room first," Ben said.

"Clean yourself up and come down to eat." Mom said while shouting a little when she saw Ben had climbed the stairs.

"Okey, mom."

Actually he's not fine, a bully at school took all his money and even tore up his textbooks, that was an accident. He didn't even know what else to do, defending himself in vain he did. They might even make it more battered. His mother didn't know because he hid it well, but if his mother finds out he won't survive today and probably won't be able to eat dinner. Ahh, bad day.

"Are you done?" mom shouted from downstairs.

"I will come in five minutes!"

Ben checks his phone and finds a message from Jully. The content of the message is

'Hey are you okay? I was worried because I saw you being taken away to the narrow alley earlier.'

Ben typed fast reply 'I'm fine no need to worry.'

He put his phone on the table and took a shower, five minutes is a short time.

***

"I hope nothing bad happens to you," mom said.

"I already said I'm fine," said Ben while spooning rice.

"But I can immediately believe you."

"Whatever, i said the truth."

"Say everything when you're ready," said mom suddenly.

Ben just stay silent and nod slowly. He don't know what his mother knows but it makes him nervous if his mother finds out secretly. No matter how hard you hide, you will find out in the end. Right, in the end.

"Is daddy not coming home tonight?" ask Ben.

"No, he's busy and will probably be home tomorrow morning."

"Ah, I see."

"Do you miss daddy?"

"A little, because we rarely meet and eat together like this," said Ben.

"I know how you feel Ben, mom make sure we can eat together with your dad next time."

"Thanks mom."

it is a common thing. Ben's father always works late and comes home in the morning. They rarely get to hang out in threes and chat together. Ben is an only child, he has no siblings, his mother loves him very much. If ben had a brother, he probably wouldn't feel lonely even though his father wasn't around.