20 cm || Choi Yeonjun

02

"Is this all? Have you gotten all of your jackets? It's gonna be pretty cold now that winter is coming. How about the vitamins I gave you? Did you forget?" My mom rattled on as we were putting all of my luggage in the car. I laughed at this. My mom was so cute. No wonder my brother was over protective. We had it in the genes.

I was moving out today and will start to live in the dormitories. It was a 45 minute drive and a little far from home but I think it was more than okay compared to the other trainees who had to travel a couple more hours just to get there.

"Mom, relax. I checked everything already. I'll still visit you and dad on the weekends, I promise." I told her while holding her hand, assuring her.

Lie.

I still didn't know how long our training sessions lasted, or even how many days we'll stay at the dormitories, if we were even allowed to come back. But I just have to reassure her. She didn't have to worry about me.

I couldn't help but look away as the light in my mother's eyes dimmed down. Her hold on me slackened. She also knew.

Maybe because of seeing her son growing in the hands of the company gave away the idea that I'll also experience the hardships of training periods eating away at the time of visiting them again. I heard the rumours that they were stricter than the other companies, not allowing phones inside the practice rooms, monitoring our meals, and of course, checking our weight weekly.

This was the downside of all the glitz and glamour behind all of the groups in the industry. We are all harshly being shaped to become perfect. Some may not even make it. But I wouldn't tell them that.

They'll just worry.

Oh, how I'll miss my parents. Especially my mom's cooking. I probably wouldn't be able to eat because of the company's strict diet protocols but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Everything was naturally hard there. We'll be tested to our limits, practically getting pressured until we became what they were looking for. My stomach unconsciously grumbled. I'll probably get used to it..... I hope.

"Jiwon-ah, time to get in. It's starting to get cold." My dad said while looking out the car window. He honked a few times, growing impatient. I sighed and faced my mom. I know she'll get lonely when I leave. And oppa won't be returning for 2 months. It's just her and dad in the house for god knows how long. Well there's Mickey.... Hopefully, he'll keep my parents happy while I'm gone. I hugged my mother for the last time and bid her goodbye.

I got in the car and fastened my seatbelt. "Hey, dad. Bring home mom's favourite food when you get back home." I said while turning to him. He smiled knowingly at me and held my hand.

My eyes slightly heated at the scene in front of me. The wrinkles in my dad's eyes reminded me that they weren't getting any younger. And it pains me to leave them alone. But it was inevitable. I had to make sacrifices.

"You should take care of yourself there, Jiwon. Eat on time and call us every night." He said while focusing on the road.

"I will, dad. I promise." I reassured him. After a couple of minutes, I got bored and decided to turn on the radio. At first it played a very popular ballad until it ended and in came a fun and playful song. It immediately engulfed us and I couldn't help but nod my head to the beat. A boy group was singing.

"You like them? One day, I'll also hear your songs on the radio." My dad said while smiling, obviously liking the song too.

"You'll be the first one to have our album, dad." I said, smiling widely.

Damn, the song was addictive and one particular voice stood out the most for me. I couldn't help but be amazed.

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Word Count: 689