Tattooed Boy. || ENG

|08|

The sound of the doorbell makes me cringe. I can't believe this is happening. I should've made more of an effort to stop this, but look at me now. I sigh once again. This can't be reality.

A knock on my door interrupts me staring at myself in the mirror in reluctance. Kelsey sticks her head through the door frame.

"You ready?" she asks.

"Is this really necessary?" I answer with another question.

She rolls her eyes and replies: "show some gratitude, dear."

I groan. "That's one thing but is this also necessary?" I make a gesture which includes my outfit. My sister actually put me into a damn dress. It's just a simple dinner. Jisung was invited but does that mean I need to dress up this way? After our last interaction the previous week I'm probably supposed to be even more thankful – and I am in fact – but I don't see the sense in "showing my gratitude" with this ridiculously overdressed outfit.

I don't understand either, since when my parents are so devoted towards one of Kelsey's friends. Her friends usually come and go, so why can't that happen this time as well. And why has it to be him? I'd even favor that girl who thought she was able to talk to ghost. I risk to sound superficial here and say that several others of my sister's companions fitted better for a dinner invitation. They were more friendly as well.

Kelsey's impatience grows. She traverses the room with two large steps and pulls me along, down the stairs where she finally lets off of me to greet Jisung with a hug.

"How's it goin'?" She sounds really happy to see him.

I observe him wrapping his arm around her waist for two seconds. With his head above her shoulder he glances into my direction. Then he lets go of her and responds with a smirk: "many unexpected guests."

I could swear he's referring to my visit at the tattoo studio. What a dick. I wanted my phone back as quick as possible, isn't that understandable?

My mother behind Jisung and Kelsey raises her hands in delight, a wide grin spread across her face. Oh god.

Dads voice chimes out of the kitchen. "Darling? The food!" He sounds a bit alarmed and his expression says something similar as he sticks his head through the door. Mom clumsily rushes past him. "Kelsey, can you bring the wine? Oh no, no, no, no, is it burnt?" we hear her voice quiet down.

No one bothers answering her since the kitchen is her territory anyway and she'd never let something burn. My father is the worst at cooking so probably he got alarmed due to some haze just now. Nothing spectacular. Mom's voice is still to be heard. I don't know whether she's talking to herself or to the food.

"Gonna get the wine" Kelsey chuckles and winks at me before disappearing into the basement.

Dad steps in front of our guest. "Nice to see you."

"Thanks for the invitation" Jisung says with a classy smile and shakes my father's hand.

"It's our pleasure. We owe you." Both glance over to me. I'm still frozen on the stairs. Jisung makes a step towards me. My head mechanically turns to dad, my lips pressed together and a piercing look in my eyes. He winks and enters the kitchen. What the-? How can he leave me alone with that guy?

"You look very ..."

"Shut up" I mumble, overcome the last few stairs and rush past him.

He follows me into the living room where I grimace at the sight of the table being overloaded with food we won't eat. What is Mom making in the kitchen on top of that? This is more than enough already.

"Where did your manners go, Zoe? Are you trying to prove you're not an innocent little lady?"

Didn't I tell him to shut up?

"No need to. I never was one."

"Oh, I'm sure you were a cute little innocent girl once. Like when you were three years old and sleeping."

I turn towards him. "And since I'm fifteen years older now, stop thinking I'm innocent and cute. 'Cause I'm not."

"What are you not?" Kelsey interrupts our conversation. Thank god. She rushes to the table, puts down a bottle of wine and turns towards us.

"Cute and innocent" Jisung replies in my stead.

Kelsey laughs. "Nope she's not. I mean, look at her!" She winks at him while pulling me closer and letting me make an awkward pirouette. "Doesn't she look hot in that dress? It's yours now, dear, you look better in it than I do."

"I don't want it" I reply and shake her hand of.

Jisung laughs silently. I look at him. His expression looks amused but I don't like that smirk on his face. "You should keep it. It really suits you."

I raise my eyebrows, but stay silent. I can't help but feel disturbed by his presence. How am I supposed to survive the dinner?

Mom enters with a wide smile. "Sit down, darling" she says to Jisung and I suppress a frown. Darling? This is too much. I take my seat on my usual chair while Kelsey pulls Jisung over to Dad's usual place next to her. And directly in front of me. This is getting worse with every minute.

The door opens again with Dad in its frame, loaded with a plate full of food. "Where should I put it, dear?" he asks Mom who's trying to fill our glasses with wine without spilling.

"Just put it here for now. Jisung, would you like some wine, too? It's a great generation."

"No, thanks. I need to drive" he replies and somehow manages to let it sound polite. I get that feeling that if he would have been talking to me, it wouldn't have been like that.

"Oh so responsible. I like that" Mom giggles. Now even Kelsey slaps herself on her forehead and groans. Bless, I'm not the only one noticing that weird behavior. Well she isn't much better either.

After Dad sat down at the head of the table and Mom finished arranging the table, Kelsey raises her glass for a toast. What the heck is wrong with this family today?

"To Jisung. For keeping an eye onto my baby sister." The addressed raises his glass of water with a smirk and meets my glance. I quickly look away. My parents cheer and the feeling of being in between some drunk teenagers in puberty increases.

I take a sip of the wine. Not bad. And I'll need it tonight.