Jellyfish | 2MIN FF

ep 1: first chapter✨

"You like jellyfish too?!"

That childish overexcited voice ringed through my ears. I turned around to see a kid standing behind me, waiting for a specific answer. He looked just like me, but a little younger.

"I do."

The kid paused and then continued with his words.

"How come?"

The memory was completely blurred. I remember something like this happen when I was younger and obviously it wasn't a little me looking at an older me. That's oddly strange.

The longer I think of it, it's probably me taking a break from reality. The memory faded away and I started to contemplate what I've always wanted in life. I had this strong need to fit in, it was a struggle for everyone I would assume. "I wish i could blend in with the others" type of feeling. There was something separating me from the other people my age and I don't know what it is.

It's completely easy for a stupid ass jellyfish to blend in with the other blooms (a group of jellyfish) in an aquarium. Why can't I be more like them? They have no problem, they don't get judged by how they act or their interests. There's no one repeating the same question every time. "Why can't you just join us? You'd be cool like us".

They can't get addicted, they can't fall for the tricks I've fallen for and it irritates me. It traumatizes me. I want to be helped out but I know i'll be high as fuck to say I don't need it.

Don't listen to me.

That same memory repeated, but it was more clear. I hate when I start to feel like I'm watching myself as if I were in a movie, but I'm part of the audience as well.

I remember when my school took us on a trip to the Lotte World Aquarium. I was such a nerd for jellyfish back then. To their smooth movements from the different species, I loved them. They were truly fascinating to me I remember how beautiful they were and how happy I was for seeing something I've always hoped to see.

When little me ran off, away from the rest of the class. It was my first time running away back then. I didn't focus to much on the guilt, because I was too busy escaping reality. All my hurts inside my body and mind fluttered away. It was the only time I could be happy there.

I was finally alone with the ones I loved until- "Hey, do you like jellyfish too?!", the little boy next to me had said. "Yes I do", I didn't have another option that wasn't running away, so I answered. "That's cool because I do too! Wanna be friends?"

Friends?

"What's that?" Of course I knew what that meant, but no one's ever said that to me.

"You don't know what a friend is?", he asked in some sort of sincere way. "N-No..", the stuttering in my shy ass voice was definitely noticeable. He'll probably regret what he asked me. "Hm, how about I show you what a friend is?"

What? He doesn't mean it does he?

"Um okay!", I said with the most foolish smile you could ever imagine. Why was I so happy? I really don't know, but I have a feeling that we met for a reason.

"What's your name?"

"My name's Taemin."

"That's a cool name! My name is Minho.", he smiled.

His smile was so mood changing, not in a bad way though. I was in a bad mood and when I saw him, everything negative went away.

All I can remember from that day is actually meaning to smile. Hopefully the memory can come back crystal clear.

Minho moved away while we were in our second semester of middle school. I know his family was having some money issues and his dad was getting a new job in Incheon. I didn't want him to leave me, he was the only friend I had. Not just a friend, he was my best friend.

"Don't worry, Minnie! I'll be back some day to see you. Keep talking to me over the phone and it's going to be fine!", Minho comfort me as I hugged him as tight as I possibly could. I wasn't so strong to do that, but I tried. I didn't want to let him go. "Please don't go, Minho! You're my only friend..", I cried.

"I'll come back, pinky promise!", we locked our pinkies together. He wanted to leave me with a smile instead of a frown.

"Minho, it's time to go!", his mom said, setting down the last box in their car. My heart felt like it was running a whole marathon. I let him go and we both said our goodbyes.

What I didn't notice was that I said goodbye to my happiness as well.

When he left, everything went downhill for me.

I don't blame him for it.