"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own, sweetheart?"
I breathe out a sigh at my reflection before I turn to face my mom. She appears much younger in her professional yet casual outfit. She is stunning, and many people say that I inherited my looks from her.
"Mom, I'm 19, and I won't be alone," I assure her. "I'll be staying with Jimin."
"I know," she says, adjusting my shirt collar. "It's just that you've never been away from home before."
"Mom!" I exclaim, resisting the urge to stomp my feet. "It's only a 10-minute distance."
"And that's exactly why you don't need to move somewhere else," she states, attempting to revisit our repetitive conversation from the past few days. She's been trying, but so far failing, to change my mind about moving out. "Commuting to school is perfectly fine, you know? I did it when I was your age."
"Well, it's not your time," I remind her. "It's mine, and I want to experience it like other people my age. Plus, your money will go to waste if I stay here and commute."
She sighs. "Remind me why I let you convince me to buy that apartment again."
"Mom," I cup her face in my hands, "I'll be fine, and I promise to visit as often as possible."
She reluctantly nods, her eyes struggling with mixed emotions. I understand her hesitance to let me go, but moving out is an inevitable step. There will come a time when it won't be just a short relocation. I'll be pursuing my studies in architecture at Yonsei University, and if all goes well after graduation, it will likely involve a significant amount of travel.
"So, there's really nothing I can do to change your mind?" she asks, her voice wavering.
"No," I reply with a smile, shaking my head.
"Then will you let me drop you off?" she offers, brushing imaginary specks of dust off my sweater. "I have a business dinner with Mr. Kiyosaki in about an hour. I might as well leave now."
"That won't be necessary," I decline as a car honks outside. "Jimin and Jungkook are picking me up."
She pauses, her tone vulnerable. "Why do I feel like you're doing everything to get away from me?"
I scoff, "I'm not. If anything, I just want to make things easier for you."
Deep down, I know that if we prolong our farewell, she'll likely resort to tears, and I might hesitate. The truth is, I don't truly want to leave her. I yearn to remain under the safety of her care indefinitely, where I know I'll be shielded from the harsh realities of the outside world.
"Okay," she murmurs, gesturing for a hug. I embrace her warmth. "Promise me you'll call as soon as you reach the apartment."
I release a tired sigh. "I promise."
"Please remember to have your meals on time, alright?" Her voice quivers with emotion.
"Don't cry. Your makeup will smudge," I gently push her away, stealing a brief moment to study her face. "I'll visit on Saturday."
Silently, she nods, and I press a tender kiss on her forehead before grabbing my suitcase.
"I'm leaving now," I whisper softly. "No need to see me off."
With those words, I step out of the house, where Jimin awaits outside Jungkook's car, a wide smile etched across his face.
"Finally!" he exclaimed, slipping his arm through mine. "I was starting to worry she had convinced you to commute instead."
"I went through so much to secure that apartment," I chuckled. "Giving it up without a fight was never an option."
"I'm thrilled!" Jimin beamed. "We're going to have a blast. Living on our own, attending the university of our dreams..."
Actually, Yonsei and architecture are Jimin's dreams. He loves architecture and wants to attend the same university as Jungkook. I simply applied to be near them.
I returned his smile as we approached Jungkook's car. He approached us, offering me a quick nod.
"Hey, Seokjin," he greeted, reaching for my suitcase. "All set to go?"
I nod. "Hi, Jungkook. Thanks for agreeing to pick me up. I'm sure you've been busy," I acknowledge, grateful that he went out of his way for me.
He is a second year student with so much to do at this point.
"It's nothing," he shrugs, wheeling my suitcase towards the trunk of his car, while Jimin and I get into the back.
-
The drive to the apartment is mostly quiet, with Jimin suddenly falling asleep on my shoulder. I shake my head in disbelief, wondering how he could doze off so quickly considering the distance from my mom's house to the apartment.
Once we arrive, Jungkook kindly helps us carry our bags inside. The apartment is already fully furnished, as I had arranged for most of the heavy items to be delivered beforehand. Jimin and I had spent the previous week shopping for the little things we needed.
After settling in, Jungkook utters a goodbye, and Jimin walks him out. It takes a bit longer for him to return, so I glance out of the window to see what's taking them so long. From the distance, I see them talking in front of Jungkook's car, unable to hear their conversation. But Jimin's smile tells me they are having a pleasant chat.
Then, they start kissing. I quickly close the curtain, not wanting to intrude on their privacy. As I press a hand against my chest, I try to calm my racing heart.
I can't help but feel a hint of curiosity about what it feels like to be kissed like that. Unlike Jimin, I lack experience when it comes to dating.
I hear the car door shut and the engine revving before it drives off. Jimin returns into the house, still smiling.
"What do you want to eat?" he asks, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Should we just order pizza?"
"I'm sorry, Jimin," I say, causing him to frown.
"Why all of a sudden?" he questions.
I take both of his hands in mine before speaking, "I know you wanted to move in with Jungkook, but ended up stuck with me instead."
Jimin scoffs, "What's gotten into you? Have you been drinking or something?"
I shake my head. The truth is, I convinced Jimin to move in with me because it was the only way my mom agreed to buy the apartment and let me move out of the house.
He pulls his hands away, his expression showing confusion. "Stop being weird and just decide what you want for dinner."
