The Red Tape (Winrina/Ningselle)

You?!?

Eighteen years.

Jimin stood outside her home, admiring the building she grew up in one last time. She might not be going forever, but she still felt emotional leaving the place. She had been in that house for eighteen years and was now moving across the country to live on campus as she got accepted to the college that she wanted to attend. She was new to it and was making her nervous and terrified but at the same time, excited about the new adventure that awaited her. She wanted to take this as a chance to have a fresh start and make new friends.

High school was not something she wanted to remember. The whole hierarchy thing that existed and the stupid conceptions that jocks and cheerleaders were the coolest of them all-who even suggested such a thing? And then... there was that girl in the middle of it all. Jimin was still confused about what had made her hate her so much in their senior year when she hadn't done anything to her. But, there was no point in bothering to think about it now. They'd already graduated and were leaving town-she'd never see her again.

Jimin slammed the boot of her car shut, packing the last of her belongings. It was a long drive to her college, and she was driving there alongside her best friend-who was attending the same place as she was. Just as she got the last of her items in, her mother called her inside, something about a farewell ritual before she left. She simply rolled her eyes, knowing that she was going to bawl her eyes out over their 'baby' leaving them for college. Do all parents overexaggerate when their child leaves to go to college?

As soon as she caught Aeri Uchinaga's teasing look when she walked inside the house, Jimin knew there was more to it than expected. Her parents engulfed her in a hug, cooing over how fast she'd grown up. Her best friend was trying not to laugh, and Jimin shot her a glare, getting her to stop with her antics.

"I'll be fine. I'll come back during break time," Jimin comforted the pair, who left the embrace with much difficulty.

"Aeri dear, let us hug you too."

The teasing smile that was on Aeri's face was long gone as Jimin's parents approached her. It was time for Jimin to laugh behind Aeri, struggling to keep a straight face as  squirmed slightly as she got hugged. "Alright, you two. Have fun and make sure you call. Also, I know it's a new sense of freedom, but please be responsible."

The girls nodded eagerly, waving to the parents before sitting in the car together.

"You're so lucky you're my best friend." Aeri snickered.

"You're lucky too, or else you'd be stuck driving on your own." Jimin retorted, effectively ending arguments.

"Can I at least control the music?" Aeri sighed.

"Nope. You were laughing at my misery inside the house." Jimin shook her head as she reversed out of her driveway.

"Oh come on, you laughed at me too!" Aeri argued.

"No Barbie songs." Jimin deadpanned.

"That was MY'S!" Aeri groaned, slapping Jimin's shoulder.

The two of them continued to bicker, fighting over which songs they should play, before eventually settling for a Spotify playlist. They were both thinking about the change from high school life to college dorm life. Who would be their roommates? Would they find any reasonable people to date? Were the courses enjoyable? Was it the right choice?