Amaranthine | k.jh ✓

chapter five

i might not have a fancy car, but i fancy you

It's been longer than five minutes.

I have been sitting in my car outside of your house for nearly ten minutes, I would estimate. You texted me that you would only be five. I'm almost determined to come in and drag you out myself, but your mom beats me to it. The front door flies open and she gives you a gentle shove.

"Go on! Don't keep poor Luna waiting any longer!" she flashes her picturesque smile at me, "Hi, Lu! Jonghyun had a late start this morning- alarm didn't go off. Now, shoo."

You stumble down the sidewalk and speed walk to my car, a container of food in tow. That adorable sheepish grin is painted over your sleep-ruffled features.

"Sorry m'late," you mumble, buckling, "My phone said 'alarm wasn't loud enough' or something."

"It's fine," I say, backing out after a quick wave to Mrs. Kim, "You ready for today?"

You lean against your seat, an exhausted sigh shifting through your chest. "As I'll ever be."

"Hey," I reach for your hand, "What's up, hun?"

"Ugh," you cover your face, "Fought with my dad last night. He went to work before we could make up."

"What happened?"

I hear you sniff wetly, tears appearing in your doe eyes. "Just something dumb about laundry and then it spiraled into a yelling match about not doing enough around the house."

I don't respond right away, waiting for your sobs to soften. I give your forearm a little squeeze.

"My Jjong," I say, "Light of my life, I have had similar arguments with people. Almost every time, the fault has not been mine. I know your father can be an almost insensitive man sometimes, but he loves you so, so much. That being said, you work so hard. I know you do. Your mom knows it too. Your dad has to as well- he's just upset about something and he's lashing out."

Bits of your ashen hair stick to your tear-stained cheeks. "Yeah. You're right, I know."

"It's okay to cry about it, though," I add softly, hearing another sniffle.

"I know."

"Okay."

Silence buzzes around us like a swarm of flies. I loathe quiet car rides, so I push my phone toward you.

"Pick some music?"

That luminous smile lights up my periphery. "You bet."

---

The car ride really is only about 45 minutes. My Aunt Leanne is hosting at her house, and when we pull up, there's already about eight cars outside.

"There's my favorite niece!" A smooch on the cheek, "Welcome, welcome! And you too, sweetie." Aunt Leanne pinches your round cheek, causing you to flush.

"Hi, Auntie," I wrap her in a hug, "Missed you."

She ushers us in and toward the backyard, where you hand over your brownies as a peace offering. The small children who I call my cousins swarm us, partially in an attempt to nab the desserts and partially because it's been a while since we last met.

"Hey guys!" I greet, receiving a few too many teeny hugs at once, "What's up, cool cats?"

"Luna, look at my shirt!"

"I burped so loud I scared some birds,"

"Did you see my mommy's big belly? She said I'm gonna be a big sister!"