After (Jikook version)

Chapter 1

"Jimin!" I hear my mother's voice call from downstairs. Groaning to myself, I roll out of my tiny bed. I take my time tucking the corners of my bed sheet against the headboard, because this is the last morning that this will be a part of my regular routine.

"Jimin!" she calls again.

"I'm up!" I yell back. The noise of the cabinets opening and slamming closed downstairs makes it known that she is feeling just as panicked as I am.My stomach is tied in a tight knot, and as I start my shower I pray that the anxiety I feel will lessen as the day goes on. All of my life has been a series of tasks in preparation for this day, my first day of college.I spent the last few years nervously anticipating this. I spent my weekends studying and preparing for this as my peers were hanging out, drinking, and doing whatever else it is teenagers do to get themselves in trouble.

That wasn't me.

I was the boy who spent his nights studying cross-legged on the living room floor with my mother while she gossiped and watched hours of QVC to find new ways to improve her appearance.The day my acceptance letter to Washington State University came I couldn't have been more thrilled—and my mother cried for what felt like hours. I can't deny that I was proud that all my hard work had finally paid off. I got into the only college I applied for and, because of our low income, I have enough grants to keep my student loans to a minimum. I had once, for just a moment, considered leaving Washington for college. But seeing all the color drain from my mother's face at the suggestion, and the way she paced around the living room for nearly an hour, I told her I really hadn't been serious about that.

The moment I step into the spray of shower water some of the tension leaves my strained muscles. I'm standing here, under the hot water,trying to calm my mind, but really doing the opposite, and I get so distracted that by the time I finally wash my hair and body, I barely have enough hot water to run a razor over my legs from the knees down.

As I wrap the towel around my wet body, my mother calls my name yet again. I ignore her, knowing that it's her nerves getting the best of her, I give her some leeway but take the time to blow-dry my hair. I know that she's anxious for my arrival day at college, but I have had this day planned down to the hour for months. Only one of us can be a nervous wreck, and I need to do what I can to make sure it's not me by following my plan.

As soon as I'm dressed, I feel slightly less nervous, until I notice a small tear on the sleeve of my sweater. I toss it back on to my bed and slip my shoes onto my feet, knowing that my mother is growing more impatient with every second that passes.

My girlfriend, Seulgi, will be here soon to ride up with us. She's a year younger than me but will turn eighteen soon. She's brilliant and has straight A's just like I did, and—I'm so excited— she's planning on joining me at WSU next year. I do wish she was coming now, especially considering that I won't know a single person at college, but I'm thankful that she's promised to visit as often as possible. I just need a decent roommate; that's the only thing I'm asking for and the only thing I can't control with my planning.

"Park Jimin!"

"Mother, I am coming down now.Please do not call my name again!" I yell as I walk down the stairs.

Seulgi is sitting at the table across from my mother, staring down at the watch on her wrist. The blue of her shirt matches the light blue of her eyes, and her blond hair is combed and lightly gelled to perfection.

"Hey, college boy." She smiles a bright, perfectly lined smile while stabding to pull me into a tight hug.

"Hey." I give her an equally bright smile, trying to hide my nerves, and running my hand through my hair.

"Honey, we can wait a couple of minutes while you fix your hair," my mother says quietly, running disapproving eyes over me.I frown. I thought my hair seemed fine.

I make my way to the mirror in the hallway and nod; she's right. My hair needs to be presentable for today, and of course she didn't hesitate to remind me. She never does.

"I'll start putting your bags in the car," Seulgi offers, and picks up the keys from off the table. With a quick kiss on my cheek she disappears from the room, bags in hand, and my mother follows her.

The butterflies in my stomach dance around as I walk to the car to finish loading it up, at least I have 2 hours to make them disappear. I have no idea what college will be like, and, unexpectedly, the question that keeps dominating my thoughts is: Will I make any friends?

Thank you for reading this!