“Aki!” Mom called from downstairs. “Are you up? Nick’s here to see you!”

“I’m up.” I answered from my bed where I was finishing off my homework.

Nick’s smiling face appeared at my doorway and before long, I was engulfed in a bear hug. “Aki! How are you today? Does your head still hurt?” He gushed all at once.

“Nick, calm down! I’m fine.” I moved out of his embrace. “I’m fine, okay. Don’t worry.”

“You know I care about you, Aki. You matter to me.”

Because ...