When Park Sohee is forced to leave behind her childhood home, the familiar comforts of family, and all the memories she's spent years building, she's faced with the overwhelming challenge of starting fresh. With her younger brother Jisung by her sid...
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"Sohee, my parents are back in town," Sunwoo said, turning to her with a casual grin, but the words still made her stomach drop.
Sohee blinked, processing the news. She hadn't met his parents yet—not because she didn't want to, but because they'd been away for so long. Now that they were back, her mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario. What if they don't like me?
Sunwoo noticed the shift in her expression and tilted his head, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "You good?" he asked, catching the nervous look on her face.
Sohee tried to mask her unease with a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said quickly. "Just a little nervous, I guess."
He raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off. "Nervous? About what?"
Sohee shrugged, suddenly feeling unsure of how to explain. "I don't know, meeting your parents feels like a big deal. What if I mess up? What if they don't like me?"
Sunwoo chuckled lightly, clearly not seeing the problem. "You think they won't like you?" His voice was teasing but reassuring.
"I don't know," Sohee muttered, the anxiety creeping back. "What if I say the wrong thing? Or do something awkward?"
Sunwoo gave her a look, clearly amused. "Sohee, they'll be fine. Trust me. They just want to see me happy. And if I'm happy with you, they're gonna like you."
Sohee raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced. "You're sure?"
"Yeah," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I mean, I turned out okay, right? They can't be that picky."
Sohee rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small chuckle. "I guess we'll see."
"Exactly," Sunwoo said, grinning. "Besides, if they don't like you, we'll just tell them it's their problem, not yours."
Sohee raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, I'll go with that."
Sunwoo leaned back in his seat, looking relaxed as he kept his eyes on the road. "Trust me, it's gonna be fine. No big deal."
"Yeah, I guess so," Sohee replied, feeling a little more at ease. She wasn't fully sold on it yet, but if Sunwoo wasn't worried, maybe she didn't need to be either.
"Is after school okay for you? I can always pick you up so you don't have to drive" the boy suggested.
Sohee nodded, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts from earlier, but before she could fully settle in, the teacher's voice cut through the room, signaling the end of break.
"Okay, class, for English today we will be doing a 10-page essay," the teacher announced, her words immediately drawing a chorus of groans and protests. "I know, I know. But before you all start complaining, let me finish. You'll get to do it with a partner."
