High Teen Society

Chapter 7: Sunoo's Lonely Birthday

Because of what transpired the night before, I was only able to sleep for a total of two hours. I woke up at 6:20am and realized I had no time to eat breakfast or do my beauty routine. I took a bath and flew down the stairs as soon as I got dressed, my hair still dripping wet and my face completely bare.

"Mom, is there anything I can chew on the way...." I called out as I stepped into the kitchen, but my voice trailed off when I saw that nobody was there. "Mom? Jake? Mr. Sim?"

The kitchen was completely deserted. Nobody even thought to make breakfast before leaving, or write a note about why everyone was out so early in the morning. I went upstairs to check their rooms and make sure they really weren't home. I was completely, utterly and undeniably alone in the house.

Who's going to take me to school? I thought, pulling the front door open. Sure enough, the Tesla was parked in front of our house. Jaejoon's driver, Youngbae hyungnim was waiting inside. A wave of relief washed over me. I locked the front door and eagerly jogged towards the car.

Youngbae was short and stocky, with an undercut. He scuffled out of the driver's seat to open the car door for me once he saw me approach. I made myself comfortable inside, throwing my worn out backpack on the floor and pulling out my cellphone.

"Where is everyone?" I asked Youngbae as he started the car.

"Hospital," Youngbae answered with a thick Busan accent. "Jaeyun collapsed in the living room this morning. Mr. Sim dropped them off in Kangbuk and went to work."

"What??" I began to feel very bad for being annoyed that nobody was home. But still, couldn't they text me about it or something? "What happened with Jake? Why did he collapse?"

"That's what they're trying to figure out," Youngbae replied somberly, turning on the radio.

"Hello and good morning, to all you beautiful listeners! It's a dark and cloudy morning today at Friday, June 24!" said the DJ with enthusiasm. "Make sure to bring your umbrellas and raincoats with you before you go out!"

"Hold on, what did the radio host say?" I asked, doubting my ears.

"Hm? She said to bring umbrellas and—"

"No I mean, before that," I pressed on. "The date today."

"Uh.... June 24?"

"Huh." I slumped back on the car seat. No wonder today felt so ominous.

It was my fucking birthday.

"Did my.... did they tell you anything before they left?" I asked Youngbae. "Or did they tell you to tell me something?"

"Um, no. Not that I remember," said Youngbae. "I don't think they even mentioned you."

"Interesting," I said, trying to keep myself from popping veins. My mother will not be hearing the end of this as soon as she gets home.

Jake literally fainted and all you can think about is how your mom didn't greet you a happy birthday before they left? Knock it off, Sunoo.

I began ringing my mom's phone, but to no avail. I tried to call her three more times but all attempts just went straight into voice mail.

6:44am
You: mom what happened to jake???

Rain started pouring halfway during the drive, making all the cars move a little slower. I tapped on the window impatiently. It rained every year on my birthday. But why did today seem even more gloomy and unlucky in particular?

I didn't have an umbrella with me, so when Youngbae stopped in front of the building entrance and I rushed out of the car to get inside, the excess water dripping from the canopy poured at my head, making my hair even wetter than it already was.