Unexpected. | Kim Jongin

01 - stalkers ♮ siblings

The supermarket parking lot was fairly desolate at 5:23 in the morning.

Eun Mi was completely awake now because she couldn't go back to sleep 2 hours ago. Her cellphone was barely surviving at 3% because her little brother damaged her charger. It was wedged in the back pocket of her black shorts, which were covered in dirt after the unpleasant collision between her 2005 Specialized Hardrock Mountain Bike and an oak tree. She had stepped in a large pile of mud after walking her bike around town, and now she looked like she accidentally pooped in her shorts and her favorite Converse.This wasn't her finest hour, as you could tell. But it was something, she just wasn't the type of person to look at the bright side of things.

In her hand was a wet plastic bag containing a birthday present for her older sister, who arrived at Eun Mi's house several days earlier. Eun Seun, the 25 year old birthday girl, didn't make an effort to acknowledge her younger sister's existence. Eun Mi only desired to know that somebody was thankful that she was breathing. But one thing constantly badgered her and made her rethink her whole life.

What did she do wrong?

Obviously she wasn't perfect. She wished she was, but she really wasn't. She didn't have any friends, so she didn't burden other people. Her family just simultaneously despised Eun Mi, leaving her curious and helpless about her actions. But there was nothing she could do or say to ever find out all the reasons why.

Eun Mi's shoulder crashed into somebody else's. "Hey, watch where you're going." the figure hissed at her. It was a guy. An obnoxious guy, at that. His jacket hood was up and black Ray-Ban shades were propped on his nose to cover his eyes. "Mianhae." she blatantly apologized. "What are you doing here at,"  he paused to glance at his watch, "5:26 in the morning?" She rolled her eyes. "And why would that your business?" she snapped. "You spilled my coffee on my new jacket carelessly, so I deserve to know." he simply replied. Eun Mi stared at his gray fleece jacket and pursed her lips. A large, sticky brown stain was so prominent and contrasting with the color, and she felt somewhat guilty. "I'm sorry that I knocked over your coffee. But I'm just here to get a last minute gift for an ungrateful and narcissistic drama queen." Eun Mi sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Sibling?" he suggested. "Yeah. How'd you know?" she said.

"Same situation. My older sister happens to be ungrateful, narcissistic, and melodramatic." he frowned, awkwardly shoving his hand in the pocket of his jeans. She raised an eyebrow and backed away subtly. "Well, okay...I'm going to go now. I hope that we never have to cross paths again." she sarcastically smiled. "Can I at least get your name? Or a kiss, either could work. Maybe both." he shrugged.

She smirked and stepped close to his face, courageously grabbing his collar and pulling him towards her. He grinned and closed his eyes, expecting her to roughly crash their lips together. Instead, she leaned close to his ear.

"Lee Eun Mi is the name."

She laughed as she pushed him away, letting go of his collar and leaving him confused. As smoothly as possible, she turned around and walked the other way, heading towards the bike rack. As she climbed onto the seat, she could still see the mysterious boy from afar.

He waved to catch her attention, as if he was still interested in talking to a random stranger. "Leave me alone!" she shouted, pedaling down the street. He was a total stalker in her opinion, except Eun Mii couldn't help but attempt to stifle the grin that was creeping onto her face.

∞

Eun Mi's apartment was disheveled and tacky. It was originally owned by a drug dealer who was arrested in 2009, or so the neighbors have said. Eun Mi's clothes were spontaneously scattered and leftover takeout food was piled on the wooden dining table. The only thing different about its appearance from last week is that there were 3 pink suitcases in the middle of the living room and there was another inhabitant now. A temporary inhabitant, she hoped.

"Eun Seun unnie, come here!" Eun Mii called, taking the box out of the plastic bag. There was no response. She curiously walked upstairs and into her own bedroom. "Unnie," she pouted at the sight of her older sister sniffling under the bed covers. "Leave." Eun Seun commanded harshly, sticking her hand out from the blanket to point at the door. "But it's your birthday. You should be happy."

"Don't tell me what I'm supposed to so. I'm older, so I have the authority. With that authority, I'm telling you to get out of my room!"

"This isn't your room, Eun Seun!" Eun Mi yelled, dropping the honorifics in anger. "I paid for this apartment myself, so I am the owner and technically I am your landlady. I am evicting you from my apartment immediately!" Eun Mii shouted, tearing the covers off of her sister. The latter's eyes widened at the jurisdiction in her younger sister's voice. Eun Mi's throat seemed to close and make her gasp for air, because this was the first time she had ever stood up for herself against her siblings."You can't do this, Eun Mi. I am a part of your family, and you are never supposed to abandon family." she said in a low voice. But Eun Mi just laughed because she had lost all of her sanity the minute she blew up in her sister's face.

"You? Telling me that you shouldn't abandon family?" she giggled. "I was only 16 years old, yet I was living on the side of the street! You took my half of the money that appa's will promised us and used it for what? For an unsuccessful tattoo parlor with an idiot of a boyfriend! So don't even lecture me on what's right or wrong in this life, because I am so done with all your trash. Get out."

Eun Seun packed up and left without another word. She didn't tell her sister or brother where she was going, because they both gave up on trying to care. When Eun Mi turned around, her younger brother appeared in the bedroom doorway. "Did you hear any of that?" she asked quietly. "All of it." he whispered, shifting uncomfortably in his spot.

He and Eun Mi rarely conversed this long. It was unusual for a brother and sister to be so awkward with each other, but they have grown terribly distant from each other ever since the traumatic accident that impacted their lives negatively. He had his life, and she had somewhat of a life. No matter how hard they tried, nothing would ever be the same again."Good job." he simply said and walked away, ending their brief discussion. She pouted and sat down on her bed in exasperation.

Her life was falling apart, and all she could do was watch.