Pop & Seoul

Chapter Two

Stepping inside the cab, my heart pounds and adrenaline courses through my veins as I hand over my aunt and uncle's address to the driver. He takes it from me and begins driving off. I relax back into my seat in the back of the cab. I'm by the window again, staring out in amazement! I didn't know how thrilling it would be to finally leave Daegu and come to Seoul. However, I feel a slight bit of guilt and embarrassment. My old friends came here to study and lead successful lives. I'm here because my parents died in a car crash when I was sixteen, I'm eighteen now. I was evicted from our home because I could not afford to live in it, even with the condolence money. I had two part-time jobs back then. The only place I could really afford to live in was a very small apartment building near my old house. Since then I've been saving up so that when I finally moved here, I would be able to attend University or College. It makes me sad to think that, what used to be my house, my home, filled with laughter and great memories isn't mine anymore. It isn't ours anymore. A lonely tear streams down my face but I quickly swipe it away and inhale deeply. Be strong for them Aera! I smile a little and continue looking out my window. I'm so thankful that Dohyun suggested to his parents that I move in with them. He's like the older brother I never had! He's always looking out for me. He's been that way ever since we were children.

The drive from the airport to my aunt and uncle's house is quite long. Almost two hours. It's only eleven in the morning yet, I'm so exhausted. I lean my head against the window, allowing the sun to shine down on my pale face. I pull out a soft blanket from my backpack and cover myself. Closing my eyes, I swiftly fall asleep.

"Excuse me... uh, excuse me? Miss? We've arrived at your destination," I hear a small voice say.

I feel a small pat on my shoulder from the driver's seat as the cab pulls into the driveway of my family's house. I look out my window in shock. My mouth drops. It's been so long since I've been here. They've renovated it so much! New paint, new boards, balconies and everything!

"Oh, sorry," I say still in shock at the new improvements to the house. I get up from the backseat of the cab. The driver grabs my suitcase from the trunk and rolls it over to me.

"How much do I owe you?" I ask him, fumbling around in my handbag, trying to retrieve my wallet. I really need to reorganize this thing. I find it and start removing bills.

"70 dollars," he tells me. 70 dollars seems awfully cheap for such a long drive.

"Alright," I reply pausing just a bit. I give him a tip as I hand him the money. He counts it for himself to make sure I gave him the proper amount. He then smiles and bows. I bow in return.

"Thank you young lady," The cab driver says with a weary smile. He seems quite old yet the lines in his face soften his appearance.

"Thank you," I tell him as I skip along to the front door.

"Anytime," he replies, getting in his car and driving off. My heart is skipping like crazy and I can't wait to see my family. I pause at the doorstep before anxiously ringing the doorbell. A huge smile graces my face.

Moments later I hear an excited scream from inside the house before the door swings open violently. My aunt runs out and embraces me tightly.

"Aera!" She cries, squeezing me even tighter. I can see my uncle and Dohyun bolt down the stairs and join the group hug. Tears of joy stream down our faces. It really has been so long.

"We've missed you so much," Dohyun says, pulling me out of my aunt and uncle's embrace. He hugs me tightly and I bury my head into his chest. I can feel his muscles and it makes me a little uncomfortable. He's only a year older than me but it seems like he' grown up so much. I missed you so much Dohyun! He hugs me for what seems like forever before messing with my hair and letting me go.