Under the lights tonight || Park Jimin

27

My alarm goes off, making me roll over with a yawn. I can't believe I wake up this early every day. I haven't woken up before 9 am in Korea and now here I am, waking up at 6 in the morning. As much as I want to lay in bed, I have to get up, pack the boys' lunches for school and make breakfast. Normally I would roll out of bed last minute to see them off to school. I would make Aunt Mae deal with the morning routine. But this morning it's like a flip has switched, maybe my Aunt was right and I just realized it. Jimin and Aunt Mae's words have been swimming in my head for a few days now. I realized that I've only ever cared about myself. After hearing about what San had to say about me and seeing how much Jimin has done for me. If a near stranger can do that for me, then I am going to be the perfect person for everyone in my life, perfect older sister, perfect niece, perfect friend, and maybe the perfect girlfriend.

I hop out of bed and stretch. I toss my hair into a messy bun. I look into my mirror, seeing that I definitely need to get my roots done soon. I swipe some mascara on before moving to my closet, tossing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I shove my phone into my pocket and in no time I head downstairs, realizing I'm the first person awake. I hum to myself before gathering the ingredients to make tamagoyaki for them. I start to prepare simple eggs and rice for them, my favorite breakfast from when I was young. I get started on making their breakfast, waiting for the pan to heat up. I pull my phone out to pass the time. I already had a text waiting from Jimin. He had texted me an hour ago.

Good morning Ana. I know you probably won't see this for a while but I was thinking of you when I woke up. The sunrise was beautiful like you.

I laughed to myself reading the message. I don't know why Jimin is always so cheesy. Right as I went to respond, another message from Jimin came in. I paused to dump the egg mixture into the pan before returning to my phone.

I can't wait to see you tonight. I can't wait to sweep you off your feet tonight.

I was smiling like a fool at my phone when Aunt Mae startled me, "What are you smiling at?"

"Oh hi," I blushed, dropping my phone and tending to roll the tamagoyaki for them, "I was texting Jimin." I smile at the pan before, picking up my phone to type a quick message to Jimin.

Good morning Jimin. I can't wait to see you tonight either. Any hints on what we're doing?

I set my phone down and Aunt Mae raises an eyebrow, "I've never seen you up so early." She laughs. I make myself busy dumping leftover chicken into another pan to fry it up for some gimbap.

"Well the boys need breakfast and lunches," I shrug, "So I'm making rice and tamagoyaki."

"Well that's nice," She seems shocked by my actions, "I have some work to attend to. What are you doing today?"

"Well," I pause pulling the first omelet out of the pan and slicing it up, "I'm gonna get the boys to school and probably work on cleaning the house today."

Aunt Mae looks impressed, "Well thank you, Ana," She smiles, "Kiya and I will be out tonight to handle some business, so you need to watch your brothers."

Those are the words that make me drop my spatula, "I can't watch them tonight. I'm going out with Jimin."

"Ana," Aunt Mae sighs, "Kiya and I are working tonight, please watch them."

"I'll see if Stella can," I pick up my phone again, "I really hope she can." I type out a quick text.

Stella, can you please watch San and Yeonjun tonight?

"Good morning," Aunt Mae greets the boys as they come in, "Breakfast is up." I finish slicing the second omelet, dumping it in the bowl with rice. Aunt Mae takes it over to the table, setting a plate in front of each boy.