The slap was a random memory that I kept brushing off. I never asked my mom why she did it or what she meant that Hae-Won is important. I understood it as I shouldn't have left Hae-Won alone during that party. She was the first guest that showed up on my birthday that day.
I headed home after school still feeling sluggish from the weekend trip. My phone vibrated in my pocket as I got off the bus. It was my mom.
"Shin, are you going out with Hae-won?"
"Ha?"
I tripped and tried to keep my balance. Then I fell and scratched my chin. So is the back of my phone after trying to prop myself with it on the ground.
"No, mom! We're not going out."
"It's your birthday tomorrow, Shin. Your dad and I will be there around noon."
Just out of the blue.
Feels like this birthday thing is a big deal.
