Direct And Linear Relationships

Chapter 35: Graduation

“So you never answered my question.” Jungkook said, jogging to catch pace with me as I walked out of the locker room.

“I mean, I’m not opposed to it. It would be nice to have my own place.”

“Our place.” He corrected. “We could have videogame marathons, slasher movie marathons. I could cook for you, fold your clothes so they aren’t all over the place, or I could just bug you incessantly-”

“Okay fine, you win. Let’s look into getting a place together.” When I looked at him there seemed to be an explosion in his brain, the good kind. The type that carries more possibilities than he could be conscious of. Maybe it was the calling card of adventure, of paths awaiting our feet. “You know what?” I continued, “Do you want to come with me to Greece?”

“Really?” he asked, almost shocked-eyes and mouth frozen open. And although he was staring straight at me it was as if he didn’t notice me at all.

“Yeah, if we might be living together it would be a good test run.”

“So, your parents gave you the okay?”

“Yup last night.” I think they have ulterior motives though, because if I’m not here, that means I can’t run into her.

“Dahyun what have I told you, lead with the good stuff-” he joked, then continued to ramble on about all the things we could do out there, while I zoned out because we’re on the way to the last class of the day.

Sana's.

Maybe we should have been friends first, had time to discover the souls of one another without putting pressure on the restraints that held us. Perhaps then we would have seen how our passions and purpose will always take us in opposite directions. Unless one of us sacrifices who we really are. But then what? How can there be a relationship if one of us became a shadow of our former self. My nails are aching from digging in an attempt to give myself a better grasp onto corroded strings, to give myself one more hope that we would succeed. I had to tell myself to stay focused, but after having the chance to sit and really think about it I realized that I might be holding on for a long time. And would it really be fair to myself to waste all those precious minutes waiting for someone else?

“So did the Big Kim find out you ditched yesterday?”

“Boy did they.” I replied with a small eye roll.

Apparently the school called my parents yesterday to see if I was staying home, obviously that wasn’t the case. Dad was pissed. Mom didn’t seem to care that much. Both were still on opposing sides of the playing field when it came to ‘the situation’. The palpable tension was suffocating and I was almost disappointed that the only requirement today was grad rehearsal. Until the Kim Residence got an email this morning saying: ‘due to the high number of absentees today we require that ALL students attend school the day of the 14th.’

I was relieved.

You know it’s a bad day in my house when I would rather go to school than wrap up like a burrito in the comfort of my bed.

“Oooo, then we can go to IKEA or wait, even better, Bed Bath and Beyond.”

“Wow, you’re just all over the place today.” I joked, feeling Jungkook wrap his arm around the small of my back helping me weave through the bodies. The wind howled as the students walked in and out of the halls, hustling and bustling. Playful punches were thrown and hugs were exchanged when friends greeted each other.

“I am, don’t judge. I want to know what’s going on at home but I’m also excited about us being roomies. And we can talk about all of this at IKEA.”