JiMina Collection

More Than Gold ~ Part 13

     Jimin was up at the crack of dawn. He was never really a late sleeper, but he still rarely ever was up this early. The only reason why he dragged himself out of bed at this hour is because Mina asked him to. Waking up this early did not really fit into his definition of fun. However, he had just made his first friend; Jimin did not want to mess it up. And who knows, maybe it really would be fun. He was supposed to meet her in the kitchens for breakfast, and so without so much as a bat of the eye, Jimin made his way through the cold, dark halls of the castle.

     Last night, they sat in that old library for hours, just talking. It made Jimin realize how amazing having a friend was. He could tell her everything; all his problems, all his worries. She would simply sit and listen with a smile. He did the same for her. He never had that experience before. Although it was so new, Jimin was already saddened by the fact that she would be gone in less than a month. As melodramatic as it seemed, this was his only link to the outside world. After hearing about his ridiculously pampered life, she vowed to show him all sorts of new things; starting with today's breakfast.

     Stepping into the kitchen, Jimin was not at all surprised to see that she was already there waiting for his arrival. She greeted him with a radiant smile, warming him right to the tips of his toes in the otherwise cold, grey and emotionless castle.

"Hey there, slowpoke!" She grinned. This was another new thing for Jimin. He was always spoken to with the utmost respect and care. Not that she wasn't respectful. In fact, she was the nicest person he knew. It was a wonderful change to be spoken to as an equal. As a friend. Once again, that word rang in his head. He had never heard of a word more beautiful. Jimin returned the grin with just as much enthusiasm.

"Are you usually up this early?" Jimin asked.

"Nah, only because I'm here in the castle. If you haven't noticed, I basically live next to those other girls."

Jimin cringed. "Yeah I don't envy you on that one. At least I can escape to my room at night."

"Tell me about it." Mina groaned. 

"So... What's up?" Jimin was anxious to begin.

"Well, yesterday you let slip that a certain someone has never cooked in his life!"

     Jimin almost blushed with embarrassment. "Yeah, I was never allowed to."

    Mina just smiled at him. "Well, we're about to change that!" She grabbed him by the arm and tugged him over to the stove. There were heaps of ingredients already set up and ready to use. "We're making breakfast!" She announced proudly.

     Jimin was excited, but also a little self-conscious. What if he was horrible at it? What if she thought less of him after this? A full grown man who couldn't cook? "Are you sure about this?" He asked, nervously.

"Of course I'm sure!" Mina grinned. As she looked back at him, her eyes softened. She placed a delicate hand on his forearm. "Hey, the only thing that matters is that you have fun. I don't expect you to create some masterful culinary creation. This is your first time trying it. Loosen up. I won't judge. To heck with indigestion!" She giggled. Jimin just stared at her in awe for a couple of seconds. All he had ever known was his father's scrutiny, and yet here was someone who he actually wanted to be comfortable with. She was making it so easy. He grinned; a true smile this time.

"Then what are we waiting for?" 

     They spent the next hour goofing off in the kitchen. Mina told him what to do and how to do it. She was there to correct his mistakes and teach him important techniques if he ever wanted to cook in the future. Jimin knew he did. She teased him and was always playful. Jimin could only think of how warm and inviting she was. It was as if her presence was unlocking something inside him that had been caged off long ago. Before he knew it, he was teasing back and throwing bits of flour back at her. What would everyone else think? A prince in a food fight?