Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Hye

My first day of work. I've never been more excited in my entire life.

My sisters talk to me all the time during breakfast. Even Jongho seems amused by all the things they're saying.

"Please keep your phone on at all times," In-kyung says.

"And if anyone tries to touch you, scream as loud as you can," In-joo says.

"Or punch them," In-kyung quickly says.

Grandfather lets out a loud laugh. "You girls are so silly."

"Right, Grandfather?" I softly say. "They're always like this. They worry about me too much."

Grandfather nods. "Yes. So I've noticed. You girls have made a brave woman out of this young lady." Grandfather puts a hand on my shoulder and looks at my sisters. "She will do well."

"Grandfather," In-kyung carefully says. "This little woman is one of the people I love the most in this world. She may be the very first person on that list."

"I thought I was the first," Jongho playfully says.

"I'm sorry, Jongho," In-joo says with her teasing eyes. "Her heart is mine."

Jongho clicks his tongue and In-kyung does a shy smile filled with a blush. I smiled at this new part of my sister. I'm glad she's found someone that makes her happy and completes that part of her heart where our old world broke.

For now, I don't need anyone. I can find my own way around these new streets with a new smile. I let my sisters walk with me, but I'd been flying on my own from the moment we arrived.

I bow at the store owner and she returns it with a smile. She's a small lady with many wrinkles that form on her thin eyes when she gives me her toothless smile. "Follow me," she says to me in English. I give my sisters a quick smile before going inside to get my uniform.

In the storage, I bump into the same suspicious boy from the other day. He gives me the same quiet look before quickly looking away. But I ignore him as I take my apron and put it on. The old lady gives me a proud smile and gives me a thumbs up. I give her a thankful bow and chuckle with new happiness from my very first accomplishment in this new world. I step out to show my sisters and they both smile with pride.

"Woah, baby girl," In-joo says with loving eyes. "You look so beautiful."

"Give me a pose, In-hye." In-kyung takes out her phone and I laugh at the way she playfully tries to get the best angle of me in my apron. I give her a few poses and they both laugh saying how cute I am.

The old lady comes out of the storage room with the boy and does a small giggle at the scene of my sisters giving me a proud hug. "She will be done no later than 8 PM."

"Thank you," In-kyung responds back. "What days she works?"

"I will send her the schedule today. Each week is different. Thank you for the help."

"Thank you for choosing me," I say. "My sisters will be picking me up and dropping me off every time."

"Okay. Sounds good, dear. Let's start with a small training with Mister Yoon here." The old lady gestures at the boy that quietly stands behind the cash register. For the first time, his eyes find mine and stay there. The world wants to stop and I quickly look away.

"Thank you," In-joo sweetly says before giving me one last hug. "Do well, In-hye. Be respectful, okay?"

"Yes, unnie."

"Take care, my sweet In-hye," In-kyung now says as she gives me a side hug. "Stay alert, okay? Don't trust anyone. Don't go anywhere with anyone, you hear?"

"Yes, unnie. I have to start working now."

"Thank you, sweetie, for helping out," In-joo says as she takes a hold of my face.

I genuinely give my eldest sister a tight hug and am proud of myself for once. I watch my sisters leave with one last look behind their shoulders. They start down the street and look into a small library across the street. The feeling of them being near helps me go up to the boy and wait for him to awkwardly clear his throat.

"Hey. I'm Cheong-san. What was your name again?"

He takes out a hand for me to shake and I give him a firm shake. "Oh In-hye. A pleasure to meet you, too."

"I see you can speak English well, but I can also speak Korean if you find it easier to speak Korean instead."

I shrug. "Whatever is fine," I say in Korean.

"Korean it is." He gives me a quick grin before clearing his throat again. "Follow me please."

He takes me all around the grocery store. It's not so large. I really didn't need a tour, but I let him talk about each shelf and the items in each section. He tells me about the days and times restocking is necessary, and it is best to check the storage.

"We get breaks after doing a quick cleanup at noon."

"What do we do for a quick cleanup?"

"Organize shelves, clean counters, sweep, and mopping floors."

"Okay."

"I like to sweep outside, too. I'm going to do that right now. Would you like to just shadow me all day today?"

He gives me his first confident smile and it seems to make my heart leap with excitement. When I give him a nod, it feels like I'm following him on an exciting mission. I watch him sweep with care and concentration but when he sweeps the inside floors, he begins to ask me questions about myself. I tell him brief answers about my past. I'd rather have people know the surface of the truth.

"Are you in high school still?"

"Yes. I'm going to start my last year this fall."

"Oh! me, too! What school will you go to?"

"I don't know yet."

"I hope you make friends fast. There's a lot of bullies, but you just have to ignore them."

I smile at his oblivion of my past. If only he knew that I know all too well how bullies work. But I just give him a nod and decide to investigate this interesting boy. "You said your grandparents own a taekwondo center?"

He nods with a hint of pride. "They're really cool. I often miss attending their classes, but I came a little after my mother died."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright. It was a long time ago." He gives me a sad smile and says, "My father wanted a better life for me. My mother's dream was for me to become a doctor and be very popular."

I do a small chuckle. "Is that working?"

"Sadly, no. But I won't give up. I know she would never give up on me."

My heart melts for this glimpse of this new person in my life. I can tell his heart is kind, but naive. It's probably why he's not popular like his mother would have liked. Maybe that's why he mentioned bullies so quickly. He might have his own giants to face and he's too shy to do it alone.

But he's brave to try and I respect that. So I say, "My sisters and I came to America for a new life, too. I understand. I've never been popular but if there's something I've learned from my life back in Seoul is that being alone is better. Maybe your mother didn't know the boy you would be now. She only had an illusion of who you should be, but she's not here anymore. Now you can be who you're meant to be in this new country."

He stops sweeping and his dark eyes burn through me. My words seem to sink into him and I begin to regret what I've said. I have no right to talk to him like this. Especially about his late mother. But before I can apologize for the words my heart let me spill, he scoffs and says, "Wow. That was inspiring. You're awesome, In-hye. Who are you meant to be?"

He must think I live my own words. I will someday but for now, I say, "I'm still trying to figure that out. But at least, I am free to do so."