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 had spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Just as she finally drifted off, her alarm blared, dragging her back into reality. "Just perfect," she muttered to herself, still with her eyes closed, already feeling the weight of the day. She groaned quietly, barely putting any effort into getting ready. Instead, she quickly grabbed Jisung's things and began packing them into a bag, knowing she had to get him to Jaemin's house as soon as possible.
"Come on, Ji," she said softly, trying not to wake him too harshly. She gently shook his shoulder, her voice full of quiet reassurance. "I already packed your stuff. Let's get you in the car, okay?"
Jisung groaned softly, clearly not wanting to leave the warmth of his bed. His sickly, pale face looked even more fragile in the early morning light, and Sohee's heart ached seeing him struggle. He'd barely slept the night before, his fever still lingering, and now he was fighting to keep his eyes open.
Sohee carefully helped him sit up, steadying him as he wobbled slightly. She grabbed his jacket and guided him into the car, her movements slow but determined.
The drive to Jaemin's house was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt suffocating. Jisung slept most of the way, curled up in his seat, and Sohee couldn't bring herself to turn on the radio. Normally, music would be her escape—her way of pushing through the day when everything felt too heavy—but today it just didn't feel right. The silence settled over her like a fog, and all she could do was focus on the road ahead.
The 45-minute drive seemed longer than usual. It wasn't just the distance; it was the time that stretched between their old life and this new reality. Sohee hadn't gotten used to the space that came with the move. The house felt emptier, the days felt longer, and everything seemed just a little bit farther away. Even Jaemin's house, once so close and comforting, felt like it was on the other side of the world now.
As she passed familiar landmarks, Sohee found herself wondering if anything would ever feel the same again. She had become used to the routine, the rhythm of their old life, but now it was all different. The distance between her and Jisung was growing, not just physically, but emotionally. She had to work harder now, balance everything, and still manage to take care of him. It felt like she was slipping through the cracks, and the weight of it all was starting to wear on her.
With a heavy sigh, Sohee refocused on the road. She couldn't afford to let herself spiral. Not today. Not when Jisung needed her.
As Sohee turned onto Jaemin's street, she glanced over at her brother, still asleep, his face pale and drawn from the fever. Her heart tugged at the sight of him, feeling both protective and helpless all at once. She pulled up to Jaemin's house and parked, taking a moment to gather herself before waking him.
"Ji, we're here," she said softly, shaking his shoulder gently. Jisung stirred but didn't fully wake up, his eyes still heavy with sleep. Sohee sighed and gave him a reassuring smile. "Come on, let's get you inside."
