Warmth Unveiled | Michaeng

Chapter 14 - Reminiscing

The school nurse gave Mina a once over with knowing eyes, but signed the permission slip anyway. She thanked her and quickly left the sick bay, passing the permission of absence slip to the front desk and signing her name out for the day. After what happened in the pool storeroom with Chaeyoung, she wanted to be anywhere but on school grounds right now. Just seeing that brick building made her want to hurl her guts all over the school pavement.

Hefting her backpack onto her shoulders, she soon made her way home. The familiar building comforted her, and she smiled slightly when she saw the ageing silver sedan sitting out the front. As her keys clanged on the metal security screen at the front of the house, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from inside the house, dropping her keys into her pocket as she waited for the person to open the door.

"Minari? What are you doing home so early?" Her mom asked immediately, her tired brow creasing as she pulled Mina inside, pressing her hand against her daughters forehead. "Are you sick? You don't seem to have a fever." She laughed at her worried face, giving her mother a hug before making her way into the kitchen, dumping her bag beside the island counter and moving to sit on one of the stools. Her mom hovered around her, giving concerned glances as she poured Mina a glass of juice, sliding over a packet of store-bought cookies her way.

"I'm fine, really, mom. I just felt a little sick before, but on the way home it cleared up," she lied, casting her eyes away from the older lady, a little guilty for lying to her when she was so obviously concerned. Caroline Son just sighed, pulling the zip-up hoodie around her torso tighter as she walked over to Mina to pat the top of her head, giving her a temple quick kiss. Looking up at her mother again, Mina found her worried expression relieved, even if only slightly.

People often said that they looked alike, and she could see why; before she had dyed her hair blonde, they shared the same black shade that was slightly wavy after a good wash. she had inherited her warm brown eyes and softer facial features, and her lips just as plump. Other wise, their faces were similar, though Caroline had laugh lines around the corners of her eyes and dark eyebags beneath them. She looked tired, though she always had a gentle smile on her face and a little glimmer in her eye.

"Look after yourself, baby," her mom said, giving her cheek a tender pinch as she sipped her juice. "I already have Jeongyeon to worry about, I don't want to have to worry about you as well."

"You don't," Mina said, giving her mom a hug around her middle again, the woman laughing.

"Oh, by the way, Mina," Her mom suddenly said, clapping her hands together before rummaging through her handbag, which was slung on the back of one of the chairs in the kitchen. Clicking her tongue as she sorted through her belongings, she let out a tiny 'aha' as she pulled a folder brochure out, passing it to the younger girl. Mina gave her a questioning look, the older woman just gesturing for her to look at it, an excited smile on her face. Looking down at the small paper in her hands, Mina was confused since it was an advertisement for a small beach resort in Sorrento, a small town about two hours away from the city by car.

"Looks nice?" She offered, raising a brow as her mother just laughed, stepping behind her to hug her shoulders, her chin resting on her daughters shoulder. "And you're showing me this because...?"

"How do you feel about going on a little holiday over the long weekend next week? You, me, dad, and Jeongyeon. Your dad's coming back from London for the weekend," Her mom said, Mina's mouth popping open. The four of them had rarely gone on holidays before, even just local trips out of town. Since her dad was always on business trips, their breaks and his never really matched up so they never travelled anywhere, and just stayed at home to spend time together. Her mom also rarely got time off work at the hospital as well, and usually opted to work over long weekends for extra pay. The thought of being able to spend a few days out of town with her family made her smile, growing excited, she flicked through the brochure, nodding.