s t a r v i n g || y o o n m i n

三

The years passed.

Jimin and Taehyung were lucky enough to have each other in highschool.

The routine was the same. Jimin's preference of food remained unchanged. He became a little rounder. His cheeks were firmed and his belly was definitely hanging out of his pants.

It didn't occurred to him that he was gaining weight, food is just too good not to refuse.

And how could he say no to his first love?

-

The years go by swiftly and soon it was already the end of freshman year, meaning it was already winter time.

Christmas break was here.

The Park residents began their journey back to Busan, their birthplace, to meet up with relatives for Christmas.

The car ride back was pleasant.

The trip mainly consisting of Mr. Park driving the vecicle, Mrs. Park navigating him (trying her best not to squeeze her husband's throat out of his stupidity of 'A man never needs a map'), Jihyun sounded asleep like a baby, and Jimin FaceTiming Taehyung while his friend was returning to Daegu.

All in all, it went along peachy.

Jimin loved Christmas time. Not only was it a time of gift giving and receiving, it was also the time he got to stuff his face with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce to his heart's content.

And what better way to finish it all off than homemade pumpkin pie?

The thoughts of Christmas dinner were swimming all over his mind that Jimin started to drool, until Taehyung pulled him out by calling him a few times.

"Lemme guess. Roasted turkey?" The two friends laugh on each sides.

-

The family reached the house a hour later, unloading their luggage bags and personal belongings into the said house.

The exterior of the estate was simple yet festive. The roof was laced with bright fairy lights, making the white blanket looked like it was glowing red and green.

Garlands enhanced the frames of each windows with small specks of snow. There was a beautiful wreath hung on the door, matching the garlands fairly well, bringing out the desired theme of the house.

Smoke was coming out of the chimney that floated up slowly indicating the fire was burning to warm up the house.

The family made their way inside the cozy home before they started to freeze in the winters of Korea.

-

That night, everyone of the Park family sat in the living room. They circled each other around the fire place as they sang Christmas carols.

It was a family tradition. The creation of music from their own work of voices were more than the sounds they could listen from a cheap Christmas CD. It was so much better this way.

To his left, Jimin's older cousin, Chanyeol, played his guitar along to the tunes of the holiday melodies.

It was a moment when they relived the memories as a family.

Jimin wished he could play the guitar as well as his cousin did, or any instrument that existed in this world.

He would describe Chanyeol as a giant elf because his ears were slightly pointed like one. He was also tall, handsome, smart, charming and caring. All at the age of sixteen. There was no denying that Chanyeol was a talented and attractive young man.

Sometimes Jimin admitted he was jealous of him. Chanyeol was basically a full package. Though his kind personality was what really stood out to Jimin. He respected him as much as if he had an older brother, and his cousin treated him like one too.

The song finished with Jimin belting beautifully at the end of 'Jingle Bells'.

Everyone clapped, not too loud but enough for the whole family to hear.

"That was great, Jimin-ah." His cousin complimented.

"Really?"

"Totally." Chanyeol gave him a thumbs up before putting his instrument aside.

A rosey blush appeared on his face.

"Alright, everyone. It's time for dinner." Chanyeol's mother announced.

Jimin was already running towards the dining room while everyone was still getting up.

-

The table screamed Christmas.

Decorated in red and green with shiny sliver wear on the table mats. Even the table mats were red and green.

Everyone was served with a piece of roasted turkey. The aroma hit Jimin's nostrils like a bus, the meat just screamed for him to have a bite. Just as he was about to feast, his aunt spoke, "Jiminie, I've seen you gained a few pounds."

That sentence alone made him stop mid way with his fork from entering his mouth.

His eyes slowly shifted towards his aunt who was seated across from him a little to the left.

He blinked a few times, trying to process the words that came out of his aunt.

"Oh, well, yes I know but isn't it normal for me to gain?" He didn't know what else to say.

His aunt returned to slicing her turkey. "Ah. Well, you see, when Chanyeol was your age he never changed." Her eyes kept looking down.

Jimin was again, trying to process her words. What was she implying?

"He was lean and masculine too. Still is now." She boasted, grinning at her son while he gave her a little glare.

"Mom, stop it." Chanyeol whispered, he noticed Jimin had the look that clearly stated confusion.

"What, sweetheart? I was just about to suggest maybe he lose a few pounds. And maybe, took more care of his face. Sis, what have you been feeding him?" Chanyeol's mother said, still unaware of the awkward atmosphere she created. Jimin's mother chewed her food slower.

Chanyeol signed, he told Jimin not to think about his mother's words but it seemed like Jimin was still caught in them.

His cousin could tell that Jimin was feeling a little uncomfortable so he changed the topic by asking his mother what was for dessert.

"Oh, just my simple pumpkin pie. It's chilling in the freezer as we speak."

Chanyeol nodded. He looked at Jimin again and called his name, grabbing his attention when he looked at him.

"Would you like some pumpkin pie?" He asked in hopes that his cousin would take his mind off of the comments said. However it only managed to increase his thoughts instead of turning the other way.

"Um, s-sure." He replied hesitantly. The word he forgotten about for so long was starting to fill his mind.

'Was she trying to say that I'm ugly?'