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

四

The rest of the dinner went well. Silent was added to the adjective around the table.

Jimin was poking at his pie repeatedly. His action caught the attention of his mother. "Go ahead, Jiminie. I know you love pumpkin pie." She smiled softly at him.

That was all it took for him to give a reaction. Whenever he was sad, frustrated and even overthought something, his mother would always give him that one of a kind smile that no one else has. It was like an assurance for him that it was okay to have the thoughts in his mind.

He smiled back at her that looked identical to hers. They were exactly alike. The way the corners of their lips curved up, it was like looking into the mirror.

Chanyeol was right. There was no need to think about what his aunt told him. So, he held the big piece of pie and shamelessly stuffed it in his mouth.

Damn. For a nosy aunt, she was sure a damn good cook.

-

The next day was officially December 25th. The children and teenagers ran down under the tree to find a ton of presents sent to them from Santa on Christmas morning.

"Oh, which one is mine?" Jihyun said, too excited finding his present.

Jimin smiled.

Since the only ones in their teens were Chanyeol, his older sister and Jimin, they always gave the younger kids first to rave under the tree. It was like a pack they made.

Younger siblings before older ones.

Jihyun found his present. He ripped the wrapping paper off to find a Chemistry set hiding underneath.

"Oh my God!" He gasped, he raised his free fist in the air as the other was occupied with his present.

"My mini lab. How did you guys know I wanted this?" Jihyun looked at his parents with a surprised expression.

"It was Jimin who told us. He saw how you got so interested in one of his Chemistry textbooks and thought you can start experimenting." His father said, wrapping his arm around his wife.

"Really, hyung?"

Jimin squatted meeting his brother's height, giving him a pat on his back.

"I saw the look you get every time you see test tubes. I believe you found what makes you happy. And it makes you, you. Besides, don't you think I would've noticed you stealing my science books away?" Jimin poured his words out like he was waiting to say them, he truly meant every syllable he said to his brother. He looked into Jihyun's eyes genuine with passion.

Jihyun sniffed, thanking his hyung and bounced up to hug him tightly, like he didn't want to loose him.

They broke away from it when they heard their aunt calling for Jimin.

He walked to the woman who was holding out a present, his present to be exact.

She was extending it forward with a wide smile, waiting for Jimin to take ahold of it.

"Thank you."

"Go on, open it." She beckoned him.

Jimin did as told, the feeling of excitement running all over his body.

But soon disappeared when the wrapping paper was completely gone.

"Well, do you like?" His aunt smiled at him.

Jimin looked at her, then back to his present again confused.

"It's-"

"A scale." She finished his sentence for him as if he wasn't going to finish it himself. She clasped her hands together with a delighted expression as if she gave him the best gift ever.

Well...

At that moment, his face yelled confusion all over again. His parents both frown, thinking it was unlikely of his aunt to give him such a 'gift'. Was this what teens his age were supposed to have?

Chanyeol's mother was blinded by proudness to notice the atmosphere, unaffected by what she had done specifically - what she had gave her chubby nephew.

With a small voice, Jimin asked, "Why did you give me a scale for Christmas, Aunt Park?"

"Of course to motivate you to lose weight. It'll help you keep track off it, right honey?" She nudged her husband. He was frowning, but knowing him, he could never disagree with his wife. She would have him fed to the wolves if he did.

He simply agreed with her not knowing how to act, nodding his head out of nervousness and slight fear.

"Besides, don't you think exercise and healthy eating is better than I don't know, sitting in front of the television munching on fast food all day?"

Jimin gulped, because that was exactly what he liked to do when he had time for himself.

'Are you saying I'm... useless?'

Another U-word had entered his thoughts.

The living room fell silent, until one of the younger children started screaming about how their presents were as good as the other ones thus causing the adults to run to their aid.

Jimin kept staring at his present. It didn't even considered to be a present because presents were supposed to bring happiness and joy. All his 'present' brought him was... sadness.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up to realize it belonged to his father. Jimin stared at him with hopeful eyes.

"You alright, my boy?"

He thought for a second before answering with a yes, although he wasn't so sure himself.

'Do they really see me as a chubby kid?'