Mochi

CHAPTER ONE

"Jimin stop!" I huff in annoyance.

Continuing to ignore my angry protests he drapes himself over me, tucking his chin into my shoulder so that his warm breath hits my face and makes me shiver.

Passerbys, many of them heading to school just like us, stare as we pass.

"But I'm cold, " he whines pitifully.

Though I can't see his face I am certain he is probably unleashing those damned puppy dog eyes right about now.

"That sounds like a you problem, " I groan, swearing beneath my breath when I realize no matter how much I struggle I can't shake him off of me. "Seriously! Stop trying to steal what little warmth I have!"

He whines for a moment, hoping that I'll give in no doubt. Unfortunately for Jimin I am really not in the mood.

"Fine, " he pouts, grumbling as he finally releases me. "But you owe me later!"

I roll my eyes at his childishness, and yet I can't deny that he is adorable. I sigh, softening just a little as I take in his dejected demeanor. I could never admit it aloud, but the truth is that no matter how much he annoys me I can't remain angry for long.

Jimin has this way of setting me at ease, more than that, he brightens my world so easily. I'm sure he knows just how susceptible I truly am to his boyish antics, and that's why he does it.

Things have been a little tense lately. It's our final year at University, and I am scared and uncertain about my future. Even more so after the conversation that father and I had last night.

"So your dad is really getting remarried, " he says as he attempts to bury his arms within the warm confines of his peach-colored hoodie. "Good for him, right? What's got you so gloomy about it?"

I sigh, pushing my wheat colored braid off of my shoulder so that it swings freely behind me once more.

"I don't know, " I admit. "I want him to be happy, I do. I'm just... Worried is all. And slightly hurt. Why hasn't he mentioned that he was seeing anyone to me before this? Doesn't it just seem way too soon?"

Jimin shrugs, utterly uninterested in my father's newly revealed relationship status.

"I think that he probably just didn't want to scare you or stress you out."

I glare at him, annoyed that he doesn't seem to get it. My father is a powerful and influential man. What if this woman is just after my Appa's wealth, or status? And then, what really scares me, what if Appa and my new step-mother have a baby? Will he still love me?

I can't claim that Appa has ever been anything but loving and doting. But...

If he remarried, I'm certain that his new wife will consider me foreign trash, just like many of my schoolmates parents. I try not to take the other kids words to heart. After all, they're only regurgitating things that their jealous parents have told them. My father is richer than Midas, it isn't hard to see that other's would be upset considering that I am, to them, an outsider.

The fact that I am neither biologically my fathers child, nor even the tiniest bit Asian, lends credence to their dissatisfaction. What if Appa too begins to think that way after he remarried? And if his new wife and I don't get along, will I be cast out?

Jimin, as perceptive as ever, notices my withdrawal back into myself. He launches himself at me once more, nearly tripping me in his enthusiasm to wrap himself around me completely.

"You're overthinking things again!" He shouts playfully.

I wince at the volume. He is right beside my ear, after all. Brushing him off once more, I nod in agreement.

"You're probably right, " I sigh.

"By the way, " Jimin begins "are you ready to put your nose to the grind for our last semester?"

I groan. Of all the topics he could have chosen to change the subject, it had to be this one.

Of course I'm not ready. Spring break hadn't been nearly long enough to truly rid myself of the accumulated stress of the last five years. My grades have been impeccable on average, but the stress of it all has become nearly more than I can take. And I don't think I can top my current scores, nor can I decide just what to write my thesis on.

"Ahh! Don't worry too much!" He shouts suddenly. "You'll do fine! I know you will!"

He smiles at me, and I find myself unable to resist smiling back.

In the distance I can make out the university gates, and I sigh in relief. Though it had been undeniably my idea to walk to school every day, I have never adjusted to the walk. It's an uphill climb, both figuratively and literally.

Even so, I don't regret it a bit.

Especially now, in our last year, when it's become harder to see Jimin at school anymore. The difference in our majors is also something that I'd insisted upon. If I hadn't, Jimin would have followed my path ,just to stick near me, rather than forging a path of his own.

At the very least, it's a scenic route. Though, that's to be expected considering just what kind of university it is that I attend. Only the very rich, or the very smart can get in, and as a result, no expense was spared for the landscaping. And my favorite part of the walk is just ahead.

Right in front of the school gates there are plum blossom trees planted an equal distance from each other and forming a line on either side of the exquisite, wrought iron gate. Various flowers, some exotic, and some classic, reside in flower beds beneath the trees' canopies, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

"Hey!" Jimin shouts, distracting me and gaining my attention immediately. "Is that Kim Seokjin by the gates?"