Red Lights

All in a Days Work

"The Future lies before you, like a field of fresh winter snow. Be careful how you treat it, for every step will show."

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(MinSun Perspective)

I never much minded the winter months, but this season seemed especially cold and decollated. The ice in the air makes for brutal transit that we each must endure daily. For most, it seems that the frigid temperatures won't come to an end soon enough, despite whatever prayers are put out. But I find peace in the silence of snowfall, each flake its own individual.

Morning. The sunlight blares through my windows, made especially bright by the fresh layer of snow that had fallen in the dark of night. It illuminates my small room, complete with a bed, my small writing desk tucked away in the corner, and my dresser. The warmth of my bed attempts to keep me in place, but my responsibilities and frankly my desperate need for money eagerly call me away from rest. Begrudgingly, I toss away my covers and swing my legs off of my bed, preparing myself to stand. The constant aching in my knees always makes mornings difficult. Pushing my body up from its seated position, I make my way to the bathroom which is the size of a glorified closet. My apartment is small, but considering its location in the middle of Seoul, and my lack of funds, it's not something I can complain about. I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror for a few moments, allowing my eyes to adjust, before letting out a soft sigh and pulling the top layer of my grown-out wolf cut into a ponytail. I grab my crunched tube of toothpaste and squeeze out the last bit of life onto my toothbrush.

"I'll have to go grocery shopping after work today," I remark, breaking the silence that had become a constant roommate.

After completing my daily morning routine; brush teeth, wash face, skincare, I make my way back to my room and search through what few clean clothes I have and attempt to create a half-decent outfit. I settle on a pair of fleece-lined baggy black jeans, a white cropped mock-neck t-shirt that clung to my skin, and a cropped light blue button-up sweater. It truly is an art form being able to look presentable in the dead of winter. I pick up my phone off my desk where it had been charging all night. The screen lights up and informs me of the time.

"Shit!" I say as the device makes me aware that I'm running late. I quickly grab my keys and purse and hurry through the kitchenette and out the door, not stopping to grab breakfast. Booking it down four flights of stairs and into the apartment lobby I run past Yeosin, the friendly girl who lives in the apartment next to mine on the fourth floor. She always waves when I pass her and today was no different. I return a quick wave as I zoom past her, paying little mind. As I open the doors to the outside world, I'm hit by the biting cold air, stinging my skin as I plow through it. The air is thick with a freezing mist that quickly coats everything it touches. Within seconds of being outside, the cold made its way through my clothes. A jacket would have been smart. I pause in the middle of the sidewalk, contemplating whether to go back up the four flights of stairs to grab a jacket or to try to brave the cold. After a moment I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn around to see Yeosin standing behind me.

"Here, you should take this," she says with a smile as she removes her own coat and hands it to me.

"Oh no, I can't take this." I refuse her gesture, despite my obvious need.

"No really, it's okay!" she beams "You seem like you're in more of a hurry than I am, I'll just go back upstairs and grab a different one." She explains, her smile never dimming. Hesitantly I accept the jacket and bow.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." I repeat "I really owe you one!"

"Don't worry about it! Stay warm today." She answers, and with that, she turns on her heels and heads back into the building. I quickly turn back around, slip on the jacket, and continue on my mission of getting to work on time. I make the bus in seconds flat and find an open seat. I open my phone to check the time, it seems like I'll be able to make it with mere seconds to spare.