Sounds Fake, but Okay | ✓

e p i l o g u e

   Catalina fixed her dress and hair before she turned to Jae. "Are you sure I look okay?" Her hair was back to being brown and was now falling to below her collar in soft waves. It was May and somehow Jae had managed to convince her to have dinner with his sister and their parents. Now that she was in Canada to settle in before starting university with them that fall. Catalina was nervous by this point, she was praying she wasn't sweating or shaking.

   "Kitty Cat, for the millionth time, you don't look okay, you look gorgeous. Now, take a deep breath and calm down." Jae massaged the back of her hand.

   "But what if Eun-Byul doesn't like me?"

   "Why are you so worried?" He tilted his head.

   "Because..." she sighed, "I want her to like me."

   Jae shook her hair and pulled her into a hug. "She will. My sister will like you because I am head over heels for you."

   "Jae," Catalina groaned as she reached up towards her head, pulling away from him. "You ruined my hair! And what if she thinks I'm stealing you away or something?"

   "She won't." Jae laughed and patted her head a little before he pulled away. "You look fine, now, let's go before we're late." He pulled her towards the restaurant.

   Catalina took a few deep breaths and held unto Jae's arm tighter as they made it through the birch doors.

   Catalina and Jae arrived at the table where his sister and his parents were already seated waiting for them.

   "Oppa!"

   Catalina recognized Eun-Byul as she stood from her seat and waved at her brother. She was so pretty, her black hair fell to her shoulders, a red ribbon decorating it while her t-shirt dress was styled so fashionably and effortlessly. Her make-up was also so pristine and pretty. The girl was basically an angel.

   Jae led Catalina towards her as everyone greeted them.

   "I saved you a seat," Eun-Byul smiled before she turned to Catalina. "Nice to finally meet you. I like your dress, it's so pretty, where'd you get it?"

   Catalina smiled. "Um, online. I'll send you the link, they have a bunch of pretty dresses."

   "Yes please!" Eun-Byul smiled as they all sat down at the table. The first few minutes were slightly awkward and tension driven. It was the first time Catalina had seen his parents since they'd left the previous year.

   "How was your school year, Catalina?" Cecilia asked, her head tilting. "Jae tells me your staying for another year?"

   Catalina shyly nodded. "Yes, I still need to finish up my minor...but my school year went well. I got good marks all around which I'm very proud of."

   Eun-Byul leaned closer to Catalina. "Jae says you work, what do you do?"

   "Oh, I just work part-time at a restaurant."

   "Really? Is it fun?"

   "Yes, I guess so. But rush hour is hectic."

   Eun-Byul nodded and went back to ordering her food.

   "Are you planning on applying to graduate school afterwards?" Jae's father asked, setting his menu aside after having made up his mind.

   Catalina looked back up from her menu. "I think I'll be going straight into the workforce after. I'm not really sure what I'd be focusing on if I were to take graduate studies."