Rekindle: Jk AU

Chapter 1

When I first met Jung-kook, I was only ten years old then. My parents and I frequented their neighborhood for a reason that I was not really curious about, so I never asked.

I was born here in South Korea, but my parents wanted me to acquire a citizenship in London as well that's why I grew up there. I only came here during the Christmas vacation and other special occasions.

Not a month has passed since I got back from London, and being in a new neighborhood when I was just figuring things out doesn't sit well with me.

I was having a temper tantrum, so while my parents were busy chatting again with the Jeon couple who we visited the other day, I slipped out of the compound and ran through the arc that leads to a wide field.

It was four in the afternoon, the sun is getting ready to set, and the wind was gently blowing my hair. The smell of the grass fills my lungs.

I took a snap of the scene before me and placed my phone back inside my bag.

So blissful.

I spread my arms like I was about to fly but stop when I hear kids laughing. Two of them were sitting on a tree branch. They were speaking in Korean which I was having a trouble to understand with their accent and all. Plus, the wind was whistling in my ears.

They spoke again, the boys who were seated on the branch, this time they were addressing me, I'm certain. Then they all cackled in chorus.

"They say you're cute."

I crane my neck to see who said that and I see a boy, not taller than I was then. But he had this look as if he wasn't intimated of me and 'my English'. Yes, I got bullied for it.

"I not say that. They say that." he says in panic, his eyes wide and his cheeks red.

Ignoring his broken english, I slowly uttered like I was talking to a toddler, "You speak English?"

"A little," he replied, suddenly looking triumphant.

"I know."

"Your name is, um, Dae-Eun?"

"How d'you know my name?" I asked, slightly surprised. No kid talked to me everytime my family and I would visit here, let alone know my name.

"Eomma, appa," he points over his shoulder the compound. "House."

"Oh, you live there?" I said, not realizing he was actually pertaining to the couple who owns the main house in the compound.

"Why you here?" he asks as we trudge near the stream.

"My mom and dad are visiting their friends."

"No," he shook his head. "Here. Outside." he points on the ground.

"Oh, you mean this meadow?"

He nods, showing his buck teeth.

"I went out because it was boring in there."

"You like this place?" he puts his hand over his eyes to shield it from the golden hour sunglow, looking at the wide grassland.

"Very much." I replied and his mouth made an 'o' shape.

"I know a little bit of hangul. I was born here in Korea, you know." I said. I've been practicing this in my head ever since kids started bullying me for not speaking Korean fluently.

"How do you know how to speak English?" I tried my best to muster all the words that I know.

"Cartoon network."