Today, Two Years Ago

How to Embarrass Yourself

"Hyeju, I ask you for the second time. Why didn't you tell us about that?"

I'm sitting on the sofa, like I have for the past twenty minutes. I just came back and this is what I'm facing, questions from my parents who are sitting across from me. "About what?" I actually heard what they were saying but I need more time to think.

My mom exhales a deep breath. "What the hospital—"

"I've booked the flight," my dad interrupts, putting down his phone on the table.

"No!" I stand up as fast as lightning. That'll be the worst nightmare. "There's absolutely no way I'm going there, dad!"

"It's my decision, not yours and you have no right to decide. I'm doing this for your own health," he snaps.

"Hyeju, please, listen to your dad."

"Mom, I don't care. I am not going to America to get treatment." With that, I leave them, heading upstairs to my room. It's hilarious how they decided everything just like that, without realizing my struggles, at all. I can hear them keep calling my name. I step inside my bedroom before slamming the door roughly.

This kind of situation... I hate it. Guess, I'm just gonna finish my assignments all night.

...

My eyes slowly flutter open as the bright sun rays pierce through the transparent curtains in my room, directly hitting onto my face. I groan lowly as my head is in pain, realizing that I was sleeping on the desk, head resting on these hella thick paper works. So, I decide to get up, close the curtains properly and go back to sleep, in my bed.

The next hour, I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. "Hm?" I groggily mumble into the phone.

"You left your medicine in my car," the familiar voice says.

"It's okay. I'll take it after tomorrow at scho—" I stop midway in my sentence, remebering the doctor told me not to skip my medicine, even if it's just for a day. "Fine. So... are you going to meet me...mister?" I talk while rubbing my sleepy eyes as I climb out of my bed.

"I'm on my way to your house."

My eyes widen to the size of saucers. "No! stop!" I shriek.

"...shit, Hyeju," he curses in a low tone. He probably pulled his phone away from his ear and surprised because I suddenly raised my voice. I can't help it, if my parents meet him, I don't know what will happen, Sungjin might expose everything.

"Don't ever come to my—I mean, no, there are so many nice places out there so why should—"

"But, I'm just gonna give your medicine and that's all. What's the matter?"

"You're absolutely right..." I nod. "...but, nope. Mister, you know that new café before the roundabout? Yeah, that seems like a perfect place to meet."

"Why would—"

I interrupt, "there are some questions that I don't understand at all, can you help me?" I ask, full of honesty. Actually, not just 'some' questions but almost everything...

"Hyeju, I only teach math so no. Sorry."

I frown. "Aw, okay. Still gonna meet you there, anyway. I'll reach there at two. Bye, mister." And I end the call, without listening to his reply. I just don't want him to meet my parents.

I walk nonchalantly to the bathroom to wash up. After a couple of minutes inside, I step outside before making my way towards the wardrobe. I decide to just pick anything that's comfortable to wear; a gray jogger pants and my usual black hoodie. Staring at my own reflection, I fix my hair in the mirror and then grab the folder. I know Sungjin said that he won't help me but at least, I want him to know how difficult the questions are.