Bubble Gum Kisses

I Still Want You

6 YEARS LATER

If someone were to tell 17-year old Kim Seok Jin that in eight years his hands would earn callouses not from tying sutures but from clipping stems, that he would prick his fingers from thorns and not needles, that he would sell flowers for a living as opposed to being the doctor that everyone expected him to be, he would have laughed at them.

The idea was so incredulous and outlandish—never mind that it seemed more peaceful—that it didn't deserve to be given any thought.

Him?

In a flower shop?

What would people say about him then if that happened?

But alas, life had a funny way of playing itself out.

The small quaint shop 'For Moon' stood proudly in the middle of the bustling city of Seoul, its blue-purple logo plastered all across its glass windows and the giant sign in the middle of its roof.

Jin gingerly placed the bin of red roses on the ground, lining it perfectly along with the other baskets of flowers displayed outside his small store. He was dusting his hand against his apron when Wheein, whose face remained hidden behind the tall stalks of sunflowers she held, stumbled outside the glass door.

"Where should I put this sajangnim?" she asked, tilting her head sideways so that it was visible against the vibrant yellow petals in front of her.

Jin pointed to the spot next to where he just placed the roses. Seeing her waddle awkwardly, he lent her a hand in putting the flowers down. Just as the two wiped their hands on their aprons, the bell on the entrance rang and out came Jimin.

"Sajangnim, we're out of baby's breath and ferns," he said, holding two empty bins of—what was supposed to be—filler flowers.

Wheein tilted her head. "I thought Jungkook placed the order yesterday?"

Jin frowned as he placed his hands on his hips. "I thought so too."

A smile tugged on Jimin's lips upon the change in Jin's expression. He dropped the bins, opened the door, and shouted, "Kook-ah! Sajangnim's gonna kill you!"

Jungkook materialized out of nowhere outside the door in what seemed like half a second. "What did I do?" he asked, eyes wide and frantically switching back and forth between Jimin and Jin.

The older boy, one that notably had a cheeky expression plastered across his face, held out the empty bins. "We're out of fillers. And you were supposed to place the order yesterday," he replied in a sing-song voice.

Jungkook furrowed his brows, his lips pursing together in confusion. He pointed at the bins. "But Hyejin noona said we've received them earlier."

"And we did," Hyejin maintained, stepping out from behind the glass door. Her face was tight and challenging as she raised her brow at the other two part-timers.

The door crinkled again.

"Oooh what is this? A surprise meeting?" Hoseok, one of the shop's main designers, stepped outside the door with a wide smile and joined the growing crowd outside the quaint flower shop.

Jimin pointed to the youngest with his thumb. "No. Jungkook fucked up the orders."

Jungkook stomped his foot. "I did not. Hyejin noona did."

Aghast, Hyejin placed a well-manicured hand across her chest. "Excuse me? I did not!"

"Yeah! Hyejinnie didn't!" Wheein chimed in.