august || Taejin ✔✔

1. Forgetful

It was another ordinary day at Daegu Middle School. I love the cold breeze of spring touching my face. How it left goosebumps on my arms and legs. Spring, for me, was the best weather. But most of all, I love the scent of the flowers blooming everywhere. It gave me hopes that one day, the snow will melt and the greens will say hello again. Just like the problems we have in real life. Eventually, they will end and a happy life will follow.

With a sharp stone in my hand, I was trying to carve something on a tree. There's a small tree just above a hill overlooking the town below Daegu Middle School. Our school was located on a hilly part of town. And this place was my safest place.

I was a loner. Not because I wanted it, but because I hate people.

Big round eye glass, braces full of elastics, my bowl haircut, they were the cause of so many teasing in school. My classmates only like me because of my lunch box. My mom and dad have a small restaurant. I always have delicious meals. But every day, I didn't get to taste it. A group of students thought my meal was reserved for them. It was horrible. I would gladly give it to them so they would go away.

Another reason why they like me was my grades. Top one at school was my only asset. I was ugly. Well, they said I was. And that was stuck in my head. I really thought I was ugly. Perhaps, only my parents, and my best friend and cousin thought I was handsome.

"I knew you're here,"

I stopped carving on the tree as Jimin, my best friend and cousin, arrived. He sat down beside me and handed me the half of his sandwich.

"Those mother fuckers stole your lunch again. I wonder if they have anything productive to do than fucking some one else's life," Jimin was such a breather. He's a strong headed human. He's the only person fighting my bullies. I love him. "Continue carving his name."

I was surprised with the words he uttered. I never told anyone, "Y-you knew?"

Jimin giggled. He shifted his sit to face me. "Of course. I cannot blame you. He is smart and handsome. But I don't like him for you. There's something about him that I don't like. I like the new student more. I think he's nice. He even snapped at the student who stole your artwork. But he is always distant and absent."

"He's very quiet."

"Well, at least, his cold aura and silent personality will not hurt you. Unlike those nasty boys who keep on looking down on you. I wish they will use that energy on studying so they won't have to rely on cheating during exams."

I sighed as I took a bite of the sandwich. Jimin and I promised to each other that we will stay together after high school and college. His mom and my dad were cousins. We were second degree cousins but we treat each other as brothers.

He didn't want to go to college. While I wanted to be a pediatrician. I had a very nice childhood. My parents were very kind and loving. My cousin Jimin was my rock. My school memories weren't nice at all, but at least, I finished it as a valedictorian. And all that bullying inspired me to work hard.

And to be who and what I wanted to be in the future.

***

10 Years Later

"It's $15," the cashier of the coffee shop said as I pulled out my wallet. I stood frozen as I realized, my card wasn't there.

Jimin nudged my arm as I stared blankly on my wallet. He handed his cash card to the cashier before we settled on the table at the corner of the cafe.

"I noticed you've been very forgetful lately. That's the third card you lost. Are you stressed at work?"

I didn't know how to answer Jimin. It was true, that was the third card I lost. "It's always stressful in emergency room. I guess, yes, I'm stressed."

Jimin chuckled. I felt like I was floating and I knew it shows on my face. "I sometimes think if being a doctor is the right job for you. I thought you're going to enjoy your work like what you said when you're still in college."

"I love my job. This is my dream. You know that. It's just a bit odd at work. The chairman is shuffling the heads of the hospital. The leeches are coming out and everyone wants to be on top. So I always here everyone shouting because they want their departments to be the best. My ears are ringing already. Maybe that's why."

Jimin raised his eyebrow at me. I knew he wouldn't believe what I said. "What you've experienced during your residency was much worse than that. Tell me, do you have problems with Namjoon?"

"Oh my gosh. And what Namjoon has to do with this? You know him well. He's the kindest human being I've ever met."

Jimin laughed as if insulting me. It's not that he didn't like Namjoon, but he's not so fond of him. "Okay, fine. That's why you carved his name on the tree."

"That was so long ago. I was young then."

"So you regret it?"

"I don't mean that! But you keep on bringing that back. That's part of me growing up. Besides, he's my boyfriend now. I don't see the connection about what I carved there and my stress right now."

Jimin shrugged and my phone rang. It was my superior. I knew right then that I needed to be in the emergency room as soon as possible. "Jimin, I guess I have to go. I'll see you at home tonight."

Jimin did not have time to answer as I ran out of the coffee shop even forgetting the cup of coffee I ordered. As I reached the hospital, one of the nurses came to me looking stressed out. "Dr. Kim, we have a problem. We have a sepsis patient and a child who got sprained."

"I need the xray of the child with sprain but the sepsis patient needs to be treated first."

I felt the hand of the nurse grabbed my arm and she looked even more stressed. "But Dr. Kim..."

I stared at her for a while, not knowing what was causing her stress. She looked as if she's going to cry.

"The sprained patient is the Chairman's great grandson."

I furrowed my brows. I could not comprehend what was wrong. The chairman was a doctor. I knew that he knew which situation was more important. "So? Look, sepsis is life-threatening and they want me to treat the patient who got sprain and no xray results? Just because he is the great grandson of the chairman? Send him to xray first. No more buts, I will go to the other patient."

I did what I know was right. Besides, there were other doctors there. They just wanted me to handle complicated things which was not complicated at all. I didn't have plans to get a higher position. I just want to treat children. That was my dream. Why would make things complicated just to get a higher rank?

The parents of the child was so thankful after I treated their child. The mother even cried, feeling grateful. That was the best feeling in the world. Saving lives and making their family happy.

As I go back to the emergency, I saw my superior waiting for me, looking worried. "Jin, the chairman wanted to talk to you."

I knew right then, I was in trouble.