Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Hye

I watch my sisters panic because of a call. I wouldn't be so worried. What can our parents do? Will they come and hit us? No. They can't. They pretend like they care because we are in this land capable to thrive. They don't want us to be better than them. My sisters don't see this.

"Unnie! Why didn't you just tell them the day we left? Now they're gonna try to find us!"

"Goddammit. That stupid landlord. The first thing I told him!"

"Whatever we do, we will not give them money. We will not let them win!"

I furrow my brows as they begin to argue again and I say, "Will you two stop?" They both look at me with wide eyes filled with surprise. "Why are you so afraid of them? It's not like they will come here and we're not going back."

"In-hye," In-kyung says with a sigh. "Knowing our mother, she will make a fuss about it. She will keep calling and find a way to make us send her money."

"Then just block her."

They both grow even more surprised at my blunt words. I have no emotion toward these words. I have no sympathy towards my parents because they didn't think twice to leave me. So I never think twice when I say that I'm not the biggest fan of my parents.

My sisters can see how serious I am and they both relax their muscles. They've been on edge for some reason. I understand. They're both so used to caring for each other. It's weird to go along the day without having to worry about starving.

In-joo comes to take my arms and warmly leans down so I can look into her shining eyes. She gives me her warm smile and says, "Don't worry about our parents. You're right. They can't do anything to us. And even if they do try to hurt us, I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know," I say with a smile. "But you don't have to worry about us anymore." I look at In-kyung and say, "We'll be okay. Now look for your happiness."

"I am happy when you are happy," she says as she sweetly runs a finger under my chin.

I chuckle and take her hand. "Unnie. I found something you might like."

"Wait," In-kyung now says. "What about me? I don't get a present?"

"Unnie needs it more," I say as I take out a business card from my pocket. "I was walking the other day with Grandfather and we came across a small building. It's a few blocks away towards downtown."

"You went downtown?" In-kyung says. "I told you not to go there with Grandfather. It's dangerous."

"But I found this." I give In-kyung the card and In-joo carries a curious expression.

"What is it?" In-joo asks.

"It's an English school. They offer night classes. Is it the only one you found?"

"For now," I say. "I think at night will do if you guys want to work."

"If we want to work?" In-kyung says with raised brows. "You will work, too."

"What about school?"

"Find a summer job."

"Hold on," In-joo now says. "I don't want her to be alone out of this house. Maybe give her a year until she can get a job."

"Unnie--"

"Don't worry," I say with a roll of my eyes. "I found a place that is hiring for the summer, too." I laugh at my sisters' surprised looks. "Yes. I've been productive this week. Unlike you guys."

"Hey! You brat!" In-kyung comes for me and I'm quick to dodge her hit with a giggle.

"Well," In-joo says with a sigh as she looks at the business card again. "We can't let all that productivity go to waste. I'll check out these classes soon and I want to visit the place you could possibly work at."

"I'll accompany you when you go to both things."

I smile at their determined nods. "See? There's nothing to worry about. No one can stop us from living our lives here."

In-joo chuckles at my words. "Since when have you become so wise?"

"I've been hanging out a lot with Grandfather."

"By the way..." In-kyung takes me to one of the couches in the living room so I can sit next to her. She looks around to see if anyone is listening. No one probably is since Grandfather is either in the hospital or in bed, and Jongho is usually always at work. "How is Grandfather? I heard that his hip wasn't doing so well."

"He struggles to walk, but I think my company helps him forget the pain. He said I should look into my health situation here, too. He said I should have a provider."

"That's a good idea," In-joo says. "I'll ask Jongho to help me make an appointment tomorrow."

"Grandfather must know good doctors, too," In-kyung says. "How much left do you have of your medicine, In-hye?"

"Enough for a week or two. But I feel fine."

In-kyung runs a sweet hand down my cheek. "Because I want you to feel fine, let's make sure to get you checked up."

My heart begins to fall and I say, "We don't have enough money to pay for medical expenses here. I was also researching that. It'll be difficult for people that don't have insurance. In fact, the medical expenses are worse here than it is in Korea, unnie."

"I don't want you to worry about that," In-joo now says. "We'll figure it out. We always do, remember?"

I nod with a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. I hate that even if we have cleared our names here and can start anew, there are some things we will eventually drag with us like chains. Because of me, we could go back to how we were...

But I hide my concern for now as I visit the small convenience store I found for a summer hiring spot. The boy at the cash register finds my eyes and immediately recognizes me. He had a long talk with Grandfather and he seemed to have frozen when I approached the cash register with a piece of candy. His eyes quickly look away from my gaze and find unnie. He starts to speak in Korean and my sisters seem to relax.

"Yes. We're offering a spot. It's mostly for storage and putting things on the counters. Would you like an application?"

"Thank you," In-joo says as she takes it with a bow. The boy's eyes land on me for a brief second before saying, "Will any of you apply?"

"It's for my little sister," In-kyung says as she gestures at me. I give him a small smile and a slight bow.

He returns it and says, "Are you three new to the neighborhood?"

"Yes," In-joo says with shining eyes. "We arrived a few weeks ago. We come from South Korea."

"Oh wow. I've been there only once to visit family. What city?"

"Seoul."

"Oh cool. My grandparents live in Busan. They own a taekwondo business."

"Oh that's nice," In-joo says.

"Do you know how to fight, too?" In-kyung says with a hint of tease.

The boy laughs and nods. "Don't doubt it. I'm practically security here."

"Good. So my sister is in good hands here?"

The boy looks at me and for a moment, the world stops and I just hear my heart slowly thump in my ears. But it's gone too quickly when he looks away with a small smile and nods.

I scoff quietly enough so my sisters can't hear me when we step out of the store. I look back and find the boy watching us leave. I don't trust him.