Bad Blood || K. Jongin

01| The Begining

The day it all began.
∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘
(Lyra)

"Yes mom, I just entered my room." I sigh into the phone, smiling as I gaze out the window of my hotel bedroom, The room I will be staying in for the next two weeks.

"Do you like it? Is Seoul as beautiful as Mark said it would be?" My mom asks, I can almost feel her excitement through the receiver.

"Yes mom, it's really beautiful here." I chuckle, opening the blinds all the way to catch a glimpse of the flourishing city. "Do you want me to send you some pictures?"

"Please do!" She laughs. "Mark says to have fun and make sure to call us every morning... and every night so we know you're doing okay."

"I will guys, that was the deal wasn't it?"

"Yes honey. Have fun okay?"

"Of course." I smile, resting the cell phone between my shoulder and my cheek. "I'll visit grandma in the morning."

"I'll let her know. We love you Lyra. Be safe!"

"Love you too." I say just as the line goes dead. I'm still for a moment, feet hanging off the edge of the bed. The tv admits white noise in the normally quiet room, but it doesn't seem to comfort me at all. I really am by myself, for the first time in my life.

It seems so unreal that im finally here.

I have been planning this trip for years, to come see the city, the people, and the culture that I've been dreaming of ever since Mark came into my life.

Mark is my step father, and Grandma Choi is his mother who has been dying to see me ever since their marriage 5 years ago.

Thanks to him and his stories, I've fallen in love with a city I could never visit Until today.

I'm still trying to process everything as I sprawl across the freshly made bed.

The room is well made, the furniture is modern, and I'm right smack in the middle of Seoul. All for an incredibly cheep price with the consideration of Marks best friend since childhood, who happens to own this hotel and many others.

I have so much excitement with the taste of freedom, but for some reason I still feel afraid.

After all, I'm only 19, alone in a foreign city that I only have a short concept of.

I owe it all to Mark. He helped me plan for this trip. He helped me save money, and he helped me learn the language. I'm almost fluent in Korean because of him.

I glance at the clock, after about a minute of rolling around in the sheets. I'm so happy, but also completely jet legged.

Before I can enjoy the city's full potential. I need to get a good night's rest.

I stare back out the window. I've never seen the sun set in such a gigantic city. The sun paints a majestic mixture of pink and orange across the sky, highlighting the glass windows of the thousands of buildings that occupy this bustling city. It calms me to see the unusual sight. Something I will probably never get used to, being born in such a small and rural American town. I smile and peel off my clothing, knowing I might as well start catching up on my sleep.

Tomorrow is going to be amazing, I can just feel it.