Clueless | DAERIN

16: flower

h a e r i n
—

I glance at my reflection with a look of indifference.

I am wearing a long-sleeved black shirt covered by an oversized navy blue tee. For jeans, I chose a pair of distressed light-washed ones that I cuffed, and for shoes, I opted for a pair of white Nikes.

Everyone else wears fancy dresses and suits to this Christmas party, but I'm not in the mood to wear either.

A knock on my bedroom door startles me, causing me to jump in fright.

Jesus Christ.

I turn around to face the door just as the person enters my bedroom.

I raise an eyebrow at my sister when I notice she's wearing a short, airy white dress.

"Did you take my shoes?" she asks.

I bring my hands up and gather my brunette hair into a high ponytail, using one hand to secure it in place with a hair tie.

"You have to be more specific," I say.

Minji is barely ever here, yet she keeps half of her clothes in her old bedroom.

She's practically asking me to take something.

"My white heels," she adds.

I give her an incredulous look as I pull some strands of my hair out to frame my face.

"I don't wear heels," I state.

She groans dramatically at this answer.

"We're leaving in five minutes, and I have no shoes!" she stresses.

I ignore my hotheaded sister as she stomps out of my bedroom and into her old one.

Ugh.

She's seriously giving me a headache.

—

I roll my eyes and take a sip of my soda.

Ugh.

The adults here are unbearable.

Most of them have either been glaring at me or giving me the side-eye.

I am the only person in this entire house who is wearing normal clothes.

They're acting like they've never seen normal clothes before.

A woman pulled me aside a few minutes ago just to criticize my appearance and give me her opinion, as if I'm supposed to care.

"Do your parents know that you are wearing... that?" the woman asks.

I smirk at this question, bringing my glass down to rest in front of my stomach.

"Why don't you ask them yourself?" I suggest.

I turn around and search for my parents, and begin walking towards them when I spot them near the staircase.

I can physically hear the woman gasp behind me as we approach them.

I internally groan when I realize what I am doing.

I hate being the type of person who uses their parents for their own gain.

I smile as I stop in front of my parents.

"Hey, mother. Hey, mom!" I greet them.

The two of them give me a confused look but smile nonetheless.

"Haerin," my mom greets me.

I turn so that I'm facing the same direction as them.

I give the stunned woman a sour smile.