Skin Deep

16 - Graduation

Momo smiled and hugged her mother tightly after she had found her in the crowd. She was finally finished with school, and was already offered a job. She couldn't wait to really start her life now. Everything she had wanted in life and she was finally going to have it. 

"Momo, hand me the cucumbers." Her mother pointed. Momo handed them over, going back to chopping up mushrooms. Her love for cooking never stopped, it was the only thing that really kept her sane during school, and kept her and Mina fit. Other kids in her classes were eating a bunch of take out, having to work out extra to burn off the extra calories while the two were eating balanced foods with the occasional sweets. 

"When do you start your new job again?" Hana asked while setting the table. 

"Next Monday. They're allowing me a week to get settled." Momo answered. 

"I can't believe it. Both of my daughters... Working in Osaka together." Their mother smiled. 

"Mom... I'm just going to be teaching at a dance school. Hana is too." Momo shrugged. 

"Yeah but it is still an accomplishment."  Her mother smiled at them, not allowing them to think little of anything they did. "Now, dinner is almost done, are you finished setting up?" She asked Hana. 

"Yes mom." She smiled. 

Sana sat in a fancy restaurant with her parents, her father talking nonstop about how proud he was of her. Her mother smiled at her from across the table as she cut into her steak. 

"And to think, I have an open spot in the company." Her father nudged her elbow, raising his eyebrows at her. 

"Um... Hate to break it to you dad... But... I got three job offers already..." Sana chuckled nervously. 

"What?!" Her mother gasped. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" She asked. 

"I haven't made a decision yet... I wanted to make my decision before telling anyone.. The only one who knows is Sooyoung, but because she lives with me." Sana shrugged. 

"Well?? What are they??" Her father asked, clearly upset that she wasn't going to work for him. 

"Um... Two are airlines, and one is a multi-million dollar finance franchise.." Sana answered. "I'm thinking of... Maybe going to the airlines..." Sana mumbled. 

"Airlines? Sana... Why?" Her father frowned. 

"Because I can find a great routine with that! I know their starting pay is lower than the finance company, but I won't be as stressed, and it's closer.." Sana explained. "If my job is closer, I spend less money on gas, less money on transportation-" Her rant was cut off by her father snorting in response. "What? Don't you think it's a good idea?" She asked her mother. 

"What exactly would you do?" Her mother asked. Sana quickly explained the position, her mother nodding and understanding every word coming out of her mouth. "I say take it. If they're offering that, with a low salary, take it." 

"Are you crazy?!" Her father hissed. "No. Take the finance job." He growled. "If you aren't going to work for me, then pick a job that'll allow you to live comfortably." He threatened. 

"Dad, no. I want to have better benefits over a higher salary." Sana snapped. Her mother nodded, knowing exactly what her daughter needed. "Especially with my terrible immune system." She frowned. 

"If you have more money it doesn't matter. You'll have enough to pay for all of the fancy medications you need." He grumbled. Sana shook her head, unable to process his ignorance. So she stood up and left. She walked out of the restaurant, walking down the road away from them. Her mother knew what she needed, but not her father. All because she didn't want to work at his stupid company. 

She looked up at her surroundings, recognizing she was closer Momo's house rather than her own. She sent a quick text, asking if she was home before jumping on the bus and showing up. 

Momo: Yes, why? 

Sana: Extremely long story... Can I stay the night? 

Momo: Mom says yes! 

Sana: You're an adult.... But I get it lol. 

It was a twenty minute bus ride to her house. Sana smiled when she saw the small house, a warm feeling entering her chest as she approached the door. Even though she didn't get to know Momo's family for long, she always felt welcomed and felt more at home with them. 

The two sat in Momo's childhood room, Sana venting to her about how her father reacted at dinner with Momo listening and watching her pace back and forth. 

"Well... Take the job you want." Momo shrugged. 

"I can't just take the job I want." Sana frowned. "If I do my dad will hate me." She sighed while sitting on the bed next to her. She felt the usual burning feeling in her chest from being so close to her, but she ignored it. 

"I'm sure as long as your happy, he'll understand. You're already going to get paid more than me that's for sure." Momo chuckled. 

"Don't compare.. It's not right." Sana whispered. "We both worked our asses off for our degrees. Just because one pays more than the other doesn't mean anything." Sana sighed. She felt Momo's hand on her knee, her hand subconsciously reaching out and holding it tightly. "I just.. I want to be happy..." Sana frowned. "And I can't have that..." 

"You can..." Momo frowned. "Where is your new job located?" She asked. 

"Tokyo if I take the finance job... Osaka if I take one airline, and Tokyo for the other airline." She explained. "I've never lived anywhere else.. So I'd rather live here and be happy." She whispered. 

"Alone?" Momo asked quietly. Sana let out a small sigh, afraid of her own answer. "I'm not going to be upset with yes.." She added before pressing her lips on Sana's temple. "I just.. I don't like seeing you upset." She frowned. 

"I know.." Sana leaned into Momo's side, resting her head on her shoulder. "Do you think... We would be able to live together?" Sana whispered. "If I took the Osaka job?" She asked. 

"Uh... What about your roommate now?" Momo frowned. 

"Don't think about that. I'm asking you. Right now." Sana spoke calmly, staring into Momo's eyes, hoping she would say yes. Momo shook her head, causing a new kind of pain in Sana's chest. 

"I.. I know you're still hurting with me... I can't risk hurting you more..." Momo frowned. Sana shook her head, not wanting to accept her answer. "Sana it's the truth. Last time we spent the night together, you were in tears." She sighed. "I can't bare to see you in that much pain. Which means we can't live together.."