bedsheets (neighbor's son)

🗒 ❛ prologue ༉‧₊˚✧

"You're turning 20 next month, Yun," coming into the dining area, her mother reminded.

At the age of twenty, a person will be able to know who their soulmate is in their current lifetime. To ensure that everyone ends up with their soulmate, there is a process that every soulmate has to accomplish.

Obtaining the Aphrodite stamp on the body.

It is a process that happens on the 20th birthday of a person, on January 1 of the year, or before their birthday itself. The person who will stamp the celebrant is the head of the family. The stamp ensures that no one will fall in love with you except for your soulmate. It was like a promise to the goddess of love, Aphrodite. The name of the seal was derived from the goddess herself.

"I think the whole soulmate thing is stupid," Yun grumbled as she devoured her breakfast. All she wanted was to finish her meal before her mother lengthened the conversation. "I don't get why you can't attract other people."

"Instead of whining, you should be working hard to impress your soulmate," her mother lectured and sat down at the table with her. She could notice the disinterest her daughter had in the topic. "Look at the neighbor's son. He's handsome, smart, talented, nice, funny, approachable, humble, ener—"

"Mom, are you going to use every single adjective to compliment our neighbor's son?" Yun deadpanned. All she wanted was to enjoy her breakfast in peace, but due to her mother, it was already off the list. It appeared like she wouldn't be able to escape the monthly talk about soulmates. "You seem to be head-over-heels for him."

"If only that guy can be your soulmate," sighing, her mother glanced at her. She was losing hope in her daughter who was against the system. "He would be the perfect son-in-law."

"Mom, just because everyone the same year as me is turning 20 next month, doesn't mean I'll find my soulmate right away," Yun evoked her eager mother. As someone afraid of commitment, the idea of knowing your soulmate before you could even like them scared her. All the discrepancies with the situation made her concerned. "My birthday is still in June. I'll only get the stamp then, Mom."

"I heard the neighbor's son is also born in June. Maybe this is a sign?" Yun's mother consistently raved about the son of their neighbor. Except for knowing his face, she didn't know anything else. He was more on the reserved side to what it seemed like. "Anyway, your dad and I will be out of town starting later today. Don't forget to bring the keys with you since we'll be locking the house."

"Yeah, mom, I know."

"Great, now have a good day at school," Yun's mother wished before taking off. "Don't stay too late at school!"

For a way to earn extra credits, Yun had been partaking in various school activities. From volunteering by helping the librarian to assisting teachers to photocopy handouts for their students, she has done countless activities that boosted her grades on her card.

"I'm probably going to be back late though," Yun lamented and poked her food with her spoon. Already losing interest in the day, she pondered in silence. The earliest time she can arrive back home is by seven. She regularly arrives just on time for dinner with her parents. "It doesn't matter anyway."

Going out of town for her parents meant leaving usually for a month or later. It became a habit and it didn't affect Yun who was now used to the frequent trips. It started ever since she turned 18 and has been going on for roughly two years.

"Let's just study well," Yun encouraged herself like always.

🔑

"You should probably go home, kid," the janitor, who was handling the night shift, vocalized. "It's late. It's almost eight. Your parents must be worried."

"Don't worry, I'm on my way out," Yun responded to the older male. She was often told by the staff to leave early because her parents were worried, but in actuality, she knew that they wanted her to leave so that they could close up the school. "My parents won't be worried anyway."

"Stay safe, kid."

"Will do, thanks," she appreciated.

Taking the bus home, Yun stared out of the window. The dark sky that would pass drew her attention. The stars were asleep as she could see not a single one. Only the lonely moon was in the sky. Similar to her situation, she thought.

Once arriving at the bus stop near her house, she got off. Kicking her feet as she walked, she reached the porch. Her hand reached for her pocket, searching for the keys.

"Fuck," she cursed when she felt that the keys were missing. Rethinking her steps, she realized she forgot to take them in the first place. "I forgot to take the keys."

If every day was already a nightmare to the girl, it seemed like a coma for her today. The boring days of her life increased as there was nothing exhilarating happening. To what she liked to compare it to was an old television that showed black and white shows without any vibrant colors.

"What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

Her eyes then wandered to the neighbor's house.

"It wouldn't hurt to stay a night at the neighbor's house, would it?" Yun was running out of ideas. It was too late to go to a hotel and she didn't have enough money as her wallet was in her house. It was the only option that she had left. With a reluctant heart, she traveled to the neighbor's house. Knocking on the door, she waited patiently. "Are they already asleep?"

Jolting up from the abrupt opening of the door, the neighbor's son that her mother had been raving about was in front of her. Remembering the good things that her mother remarked about him, she felt assured looking at him.

"Why do you keep staring at me? Do you want to make out with me?"

Mom, is this really the same boy that you were adoring?!