• Day of Party •

Everything moved so quickly, I thought that maybe getting to today would be a longer process. That I would be staying in Korea much longer, but that's not the case. Yes, I'm terrified. I'd wake up sometimes during the night and just hug my blankets hoping and wishing that I can relive a day so that I wouldn't have to leave so soon. Basically, all of my belongings such as clothes, shoes and some other things that I am choosing to take with me to California, have already been moved by plane to the University this morning.

Lalisa and I will not be sharing a dorm because coed rooming isn't allowed for obvious reasons. I mean, not that me and Lalisa would do things... but we agreed that after the year is over we'd get an apartment together, so we're going to save up all this year.

We will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning and as the time gets closer for the party I've become more and more anxious. I haven't even left and I already feel homesick, I already feel like I miss my mother. I know the smells, the sounds, the sites and basically everything else will be different for the next year. It's something that I'm going to get used to for sure, and all this is going to be easier because I have someone with me. And I love her so much, without her I don't know what I would do.

I change out of my pajamas and walk over to some existing clothes I have in my closet that I have left for today and tomorrow morning, and also other clothes for times that I come back and visit. Everything looks so empty, but I know that California is not my home. Maybe soon I would think this way, but for now I know that it's not. "Jungkook, are you up?" Besides tomorrow, this is the only morning I'm going to hear this. I won't hear this every time anymore, my mother's voice, and for some reason I've become very emotional. "Yes, I'm awake I'm just getting dressed for today." I call out to her from my room.

"Okay, after you freshen up, come down and help me with decorations." I hear a sort of excited but yet sad tone in my mother's voice, it's not avoidable. But I feel like I'm more emotional than my mother is at the moment, maybe it hasn't hit her yet. Or maybe she's just trying not to think about it. I put on some nice black jeans, with some black timberlands, a dressy shirt opened with a white tee underneath. I walk downstairs after I freshen up in the bathroom and head down to my mother. "Oh, baby you look so handsome like always." I smile and stare at her for a very long time. She then sees the expression on my face and looks away for me, she knows what I'm feeling.

"Aaah, Jungkook.. don't look at me like that, it's way too early in the day to start crying about you leaving me. But I know my little bird has to leave the nest." I stare at her from behind, this shouldn't be so hard. Maybe I'm just making it harder than it has to be. I walk up to her and hug her from behind though she's much shorter than me, I just set my chin on the top of her head. "Please, stop before I start crying." I hear her choke up, a lot.

"I just want today to be nice so that you don't forget where you come from, I don't want you to fall too hard for the life over there. I want you to be the same when you come back, just a little older, maybe a little taller and tanner. But I don't want you to forget that you have family here and here is just as important as over there." I feel my eyes water and I choke up, I gulp down a lot of saliva as I try to stop myself from crying. "Never Eomma." I start to cry. "Jungkook, stop." She's basically yelling at me, she instantly starts crying really hard. I bury my face in my mother's short hair, this is what I will miss the most. Her smell and her warmth. 

"You're my home Eomma." I sob. "Jungkook! Stop!" She begged. She takes my arms off of her, "Jungkook, please don't make me cry more today. Yesterday and the night before, I couldn't stop crying because I couldn't find myself to imagine being in this house without you. Or eating at the dinner table by myself. Or doing everything I do with you, I'd be doing by myself." I bite my lip and shut my eyes really tight. "Then you stop Eomma, I don't want to cry too much today either. But I already miss you even though I'm right here in front of you." I tell her and she lets out a whine as she tries to stop herself from crying.

"My baby." She yanks me into her arms, she cries in my chest and I cry in her hair. Well.. it might be a while until the decorations are up.

**

"Awe! My sweetheart you look so adorable." My father tells me as he gets a good look at my outfit. I smile, I decided to go with a simple outfit today. I'm wearing a off the shoulder white long sleeved shirt that are flared at the wrists and have floral cut out designs, with a pair of light washed jeans that is secured with a little black belt that goes well with the shirt. I'm also wearing studs in my ears and a necklace. I had left my hair in braids the other night so my hair is wavy. "I didn't want to over dress." I chuckle. "No, it's perfect. It's so cute, you have a good sense of style my love." My mother reassures me. I feel a lot more confident in my outfit.

I had decided to get something for Jungkookie for his party, though he says the party is for the both of us, I still really wanted to get him something that means a lot to me. "Okay, are you ready to go over?" My father asks me. "Yes, let me just get my purse." I run upstairs and get my purse. Not forgetting the box that has Jungkook's gift in it, it luckily fits in my purse, then I grab my Polaroid camera and I run back downstairs. "Lalisa baby, do you think Jungkook will like this dodger jersey we got him off line?" My father asks me. "Yes, I think he'll love it." I say as I walk up to them. "Do you think people are there already? It's already thirty minutes after Misun told us to go over.", "There might be, there might not be. Who cares, let's go." My father sets his hand on my mother's back and leads her outside the house.

I lock up the house, following my parents to the car. I then get a text.

-

Chipmunk🐿-
Where are you?

Me-
On my way, just left the house

Chipmunk🐿-
Okay good, Jungkook won't stop asking for you

Me-
Oooh.. well.. I'll be there in like five minutes

Chipmunk🐿-
Okie dokie

-

I get into the back and buckle in, though it's only a five minute drive, safety first people. We're literally at Jungkook's house in maybe less than five minutes. We all get out of the car and I wait for my parents so we can all walk up to the house together. When we walk up to the house the door instantly opens, "Ooh! My inlaws!" She jokes. "Yeeeeees Misun! I agree!" My mother gets really excited, and to my surprise.. even my father gets excited. My face heats up so much, they're already expecting Jungkook and I to get married?

Not that I'm complaining or I don't want to, but I don't want Jungkook to feel pressured in taking such a huge step as we are still at a young age. "Jungkook, our sweet girl is here." She calls into the house, my face gets even hotter. In seconds I see Jungkook, he's looks so good.. oh my gosh, Lalisa calm yourself woman. He smiles and my little heart pops in my chest like a balloon. "Oh! My girl! I didn't notice how unbelievably cute you look!" Jungkook's mother compliments me. "Thank you." I smile as I tilt my head. "Come in! Come in!" She squeaked. I walk in and Jungkook's mother instantly hugs me and I hug her back, I feel her set a kiss on my head and I smile wide.

"You sweet girl, I'm so happy Jungkookie has you." She whispers to me, "I'm lucky to have the both of you." I reply. "Awe honey." I feel her hug me tighter. Then she finally lets me go and she fixes my hair. "Oh, you brought a gift for Jungkook, you can bring it over here." She tells my parents after they're done smothering Jungkook with hugs. Then it's just the both of us. "Hi pretty girl." I hear behind me which makes my stomach turn. I turn and look at him, "Hey." I chuckle nervously. "You look handsome." I add. He smiles, "thank you." He closes the door and turns to me.

"How was your week? I haven't seen you since the graduation dinner.", "Oh, it's been hectic trying to get everything together for the move." I explain. "You?" I ask. "Same, I feel like it's going to be hard to leave tomorrow." I nod in agreement. He then smiles and grabs ahold of my hand and pulls me close. He kisses my cheek, "Oh! Hi Lalisa!" I hear Jungkook let out a breath as he lets go of me and Chaeyoung runs up to me and gives me a huge hug. "I know I saw you like two days in a row and two days later, but I still feel like I haven't seen you long enough." I chuckle. I hug her, even after our sleepovers all week and going to the mall, I feel like I haven't seen her enough either.

"Same." I tell her. "Come come." She yanks me to the living room and I look back at Jungkook, he just smiles. "So today I went to the mall to see what I can get you-", "Don't tell me you got me something." I interrupt her. "Of course I did." She smiles. "Chae, I told you that you didn't have to." I whine. "Yeah.. but.. I wanted you to have something to remember me by, so you don't meet someone awesome in California and forget me." I shake my head, "No, you'll always be my best best friend." I tell her. "Here, I want you to open it now." She tells me. She pulls out a little box from her purse that's on the floor. "Chae..." I whisper, she sets it in my hand and she smiles.

I look down at it and open the box, inside sits a silver bracelet with a rectangular pendant that had two names engraved on it. Chaeyoung & Lalisa, Is carved on the pendant, our names are in Korean characters which makes it even more special because in California no one will know what it means. I feel my eyes water, "Chae!" I beamed as I take it out of the box and set it on my wrist for her to put it on for me, she instantly clips it and I look down at it on my wrist. "I love it so much, I'm going to wear it all the time and I'll never take it off, and if I do I'm going to take really good care of it." I blab in a quick sentence.

She hugs me really tight, "I'm so happy you like it, look at mine." Her hand rubs my back before she let's me go and I look at hers. Hers says, Lalisa and Chaeyoung, cutest friendship bracelets ever. I gasp, "Let me take a picture of our bracelets with my Polaroid and you can have one and I can have one." She smiles, "Okay."

**

"It's a pretty emotional day today." He tells me, I look at him before looking back at Chaeyoung and Lalisa on the couch taking pictures of their really nice bracelets. "Yeah, I know." I whisper. "You know, I'm really going to miss you." I look at him, "Even your teasing." I smile. "I'll miss you too, especially the teasing." He chuckles. "So, are you going to give it to her today?" He quavered. "Dude, Jimin... what if it's too big of a step? What if she's not ready." That smile grows on his face, "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't." I tilt my head in a 'really' sort of way. "That's not even an answer, the heck." He rolls his eyes, "All I'm saying is.. we don't know how she'll react, so let's just hope it's good."

"Well, for sure I'm not doing it in front of you guys.", "That's fine, you shouldn't." I nod. "Jimin.. have you ever just.. loved someone so much that you don't want to lose them?" He nods, "Yes." And his eyes fall on Chae. "I'm just scared that in California, she's going to find someone better.. and she's not going to want me anymore." He unexpectedly smacks my shoulder, it didn't feel like anything and I think that was his hardest. "Don't say that, I know that Lalisa loves you a lot. And I think doing it today would seal everything.", "I'm so nervous, what if I don't know how to do it correctly?" I question him. "Awe come on dude, it's easy." I raise an eyebrow. "Okay, I haven't done that yet, but I think it will be easy." I already feel like I'm sweating bricks.

"Hey, where is Jennie?" He surprisingly asks. "I don't know." I answer simply. "And Taehyung?", "I don't know." I repeat. "And-", "I'm concentrating." I shush him. I wait for the right time to see what Chaeyoung and Lalisa do next, and when the time is right I walk up to them. I set a hand on Lalisa's shoulder and Chae looks up at me. "Can I steal Lalisa for a few seconds?" Chaeyoung instantly nods and Lalisa stands up, I grab ahold of her hand and lead her out of the front of the house without having the parents notice. I bring her to the side of the house, I let out a breath when I look at her face. "Hey." I start. "Hey." She chuckles. "So um... I wanted to give you something." I start. "Wow, everyone is just giving me things today."

"I'll just stop being a wimp and do it.." I mumble. Her beautiful eyes stare at me, I stuff my hands in my pocket. "Lalisa, I never knew in my life that I could love someone as much as I love you, and I know we're young and we still have a long life ahead of us. And people say that teens are too young to know what love it, and I say no to that.. because when I think, look, speak or even dream about you, all I feel is love. And that's why I want to give you this." I pull the small box out of my hand, and I hand it to her. She looks down at it and opens it, she gasps, her hand going over her mouth. "Jungkook." I smile sweetly, "It's a promise ring, I promise to love you for a really long time. And maybe it will lead to us getting married one day.."

I explain, "This ring represents my loyalty to you, my dedication to making you happy, and as long as the ring is on your finger and even after, it represents my undying love for you Lalisa." She steps closer to me, "I love it so much." She tells me. "I saved up for it." I tell her, she wraps her long arms around my neck. "I'm lucky to be with you Jungkook." I gently wrap my arms around her. Her hand caresses the back of my head and I just feel like I'm going to turn to water, and the soil will soak me up. I drop my head and she grins sweetly. Our lips touch and the tips of her fingers gently curl into my hair, l hold her tenderly. I'd never want her to think that I'd want to hurt her.

Our kiss is sweet, like it always is, though I think that it's because of her. We pull away from each other, I feel my cheeks burning up. I slowly open my eyes and look at her, her cheeks pink and her eyes are closed as a little smile grows on her lips. I kiss her cheek and she opens her eyes, "Would you put the ring on my finger?" She asks. I nod, "Of course." She shows me the ring in the box and I take it into my fingers. It's a little thin shiver band ring with a little simple diamond, I spent a whole lot of money on it. I set the little box in my pocket. "Which finger?" I ask her, "Left ring finger, cause why not." I slip it onto her finger.

"I love how it looks on me." She looks at her hand, I use one of my hands to bring her face close to mine. I set my lips on her head and she hugs my torso. "Jungkook!?" My heart sinks, I hate that I have to pull away from her. I turn and it's Jennie and her mother. "Did you just propose to her?" Jennie asks out loud. I mean, sort of?? "Jungkook, you proposed?" Her mother adds. "I-" I'm not even able to finish when they both rush into the house, I look at Lalisa and she looks at me at the same time. We both run into the house before a huge misunderstanding happens, when we get inside Jennie's mother is already talking to my mother and Lalisa's parents. They look at us, surprised and another emotion I can't quite think of.

"Don't you think this is moving too fast?" My mother asks me, "You two are too young to get married, engaged even." Her mother adds. "I never would've thought that you would go behind my back and do something like this." Her father looks at me very disappointed. "This is all a huge misunderstanding." I start and all the parents just stare at me. "It's a promise ring." Lalisa says. "It just symbolizes that when we go to California that we will stay together and not let California change the love we have for each other." They then all smile, "That's actually really cute." Her mother says. "I assumed too quickly." Jennie's mother chuckles nervously. "When you put it that way, I think it's sweet." Her father adds.

The parents then look pleased, I'm lucky our parents are flexible. And that her parents really like me. Jennie's mother then greets me with a hug and a kiss, "I'm sorry Jungkookie, I just don't want you to grow up too fast." She tells me. "It's okay auntie." I respond. The parents go off and talk about things and I walk into the living room, Jennie just sits on the armchair by herself and says nothing to anyone. I don't know how she expects to be friends with us, when she won't even start a conversation with us. Literally all the times that I saw her this week, she wouldn't say anything to me.

Chaeyoung gets pretty excited about the promise ring and then there's a knock at the door, I turn and look. When my mother answers the door I gasp and stand up, "Hi!" She exclaims. "We haven't seen you in a long time!" She then looks at me, "Jungkookie!" She exclaims. "JISOO!" I run up to her and she smiles, giving me a big long hug. "Congratulations on your graduation." She tells me. "Thank you, it means a lot that you're here, I didn't know you were coming." We slowly pull away, "Yeah! Your mother invited me because I had messaged her, telling her that I was going to be here for a week. And I really wanted to see you."

"I have someone I want you to meet." I tell her immediately, "Okay." She smiles and walks with me into the living room and Lalisa turns to see me with Jisoo. Her eyes light up, "Hello, I'm Lalisa." She instantly stands up. "Jisoo, this is my girlfriend." I tell her, she looks at me and gasps. "Oh my gosh! You're the girl auntie Misun was talking so much about, you're so gorgeous... my gosh!" Lalisa smiles and her cheeks turn pink, "Oh thank you, I hope all good things.", "Oh yes! Yes! They're all good things!" Jisoo unexpectedly pulls Lalisa into a hug. "You're so damn cute oh my gosh, good job Jungkook." I chuckle, and when I turn I see Jennie standing up. "Jisooo!" She tells on purpose.

"Hi kitty Jennie!" She gently lets go of Lalisa and turns to give Jennie a hug. "How are you!?" I gently cough and walk past them, I set my hand on Lalisa's back to sit down. Of course everything has to be about Jennie.

**

When Jisoo walks into the room, all she's doing is talking to the Dog. Oh my gosh, don't tell me she actually likes her!? When Jisoo hugs her I instantly stand up and interrupt the moment. "Jisoooo!" I exclaim. "Hi kitty Jennie!" She gives me a hug. "How are you?" I ask her. "Oh, I'm great. California is amazing but I really missed Korea." She tells me. "I missed you." I tell her, though honestly with all the drama I totally forgot about her. She gently pulls me to the other side of the room. "Jennie, you look fabulous like always." I beam.

"Thank you, you do too." I smile. "So, Tell me all about the stuff that happened this year.", "Well.." there's then a knock at the front door and I look over my shoulder. The door opens, and in walks Taehyung. He looks all nicely dressed of course in designer clothes and shoes, complimented by really expensive accessories including some earrings. "Oh my... who is that?" I hear Jisoo ask. "That's Taehyung." I say under my breath bluntly, before I look back at her. "He's my ex." I add. Her face instantly drops. "What? How can he be your ex? He's so hot, and seems really nice and-", "He hurt Jungkook." I interrupt her.

"What?" Her eyebrows knit. "Stuff went down hill with us and he beat up Jungkook.", "I mean.. why would he hurt Jungkook unless..." she stops and looks at me, already getting it. "Wow.. after all these years you finally like him when he has a girlfriend." My eyebrows knit, "You knew." She lets out a breath, "Everyone knew, except for you." I find myself become angry, "Now he's with her." I snarl. "What's wrong with her?" Jisoo asks, "She has him." I look back at Jisoo. "Well, isn't that your fault." I let out a breath. "It is.", "So you ruined somewith with that hot rich boy, because you wanted unavailable Jungkook."

I nod. "Wow, you're something else kid." She tells me. "Oh stop, everyone makes mistakes." She shrugs, "Well, I'm going to say hi to that cute boy you call Taehyung.", "He's younger than you." She smiles, "You think he'll be into Noonas?" She winks at me before she walks over to the group of the stupids and says hi to Jimin and Chaeyoung, then introduces herself to Taehyung who gives her that smile. Right when I thought that I could have someone to talk to and hang out with, she walks over and talks to them. I roll my eyes, can today be done already? Who cares that Jungkook and that dog are leaving? They're just going to school, I'm going to school and you don't see anyone congratulating for me.

I feel like it's always been about Jungkook, probably because he's the baby. So everyone cares about him more, not about me. I just sit back and take out my phone again.

**

"Yeah, just to let you know I have somewhere to be right now. People actually want me around.", "Taehyung, don't you dare take that pie!" My mother exclaims. "Or what?" I ask her. "Don't!" She bangs her hand on the counter. I leave my hand in the fridge and slowly take out the pie that I bought for Jungkook's party tonight. "I don't get why you're so angry about me leaving, when all you ever want me to do is leave when you're not here." I take the pie out completely. "You should be happy that I won't be here for most of the night. Now you can go and work more, but let me just assure you that I don't need a nanny this time."

Her eyebrows knit, her nostrils flaring. "Taehyung, I want you to stay here tonight.", "And I don't want to." I close the fridge and walk over to the front door, I pick up the bag with the presents and continue out the front door to the Uber that was waiting for me. "Sorry about that." I apologize the second I get into the car. "It's fine." The driver says. I just stare out the window as the Uber pulls away from my car. The sight of my house disgusts me, I hate it. I wonder a lot about how my life would've been if I was raised in a regular house. Maybe then.. people would like me. I stay silent as I wait to be taken to Jungkook's house. The driver played some pop music, and I was just slowly nodding my head to some Red Velvet.

Then I arrive to Jungkook's house and I thank the driver for their time, before I get out and walk up to the house. I'm instantly let inside by Jungkook's mother, she greets me and she gladly takes the pie from my hand and I ask where I can leave my gifts, though I know this is for Jungkook, I also got something for Lalisa. Cause why not? It's not just Jungkook leaving. Jungkook's mother also takes them for me, and I greet the adults before I walk into the living room everyone greets me with smiles and instantly asks me to join them and I'm welcomed into the little circle. Not many seconds after, a person I've never met before comes up to the group and talks to them, before she turns to me and introduces herself.

Wow, I didn't know that Jungkook and Jennie knew such an attractive noona. She's sitting really close to me, oh my. Does she think I'm cute? "So what are you most excited about California? I can always come by your school and show you around." Jisoo starts another conversation. "I'm most excited about the weather and the beach." Jungkook replies. "I'm excited about the stores and food." Lalisa says making Jisoo shriek. "You're so damn cute I just want to stuff you in my pocket you little cute bean." I smile. She turns to me, "And you hot shot? What are you gonna do?" I blush, hot shot? "Ah, I'm going to university for acting. I want to be in dramas."

"How dreamy." She smiles. "Aye, so what's up with Jennie? Is she always by herself?" She asks in a whisper, I clench my jaw. "She doesn't like us because we like Lalisa." Chaeyoung says really quietly. "Wow, what a typical thing for her to do." Jisoo shakes her head.

Before I knew it, the night was getting shorter and shorter, soon tomorrow morning Jungkook and Lalisa would be leaving for California. I actually really do like talking to them, and getting to know them. I hope that they can become my friends, and we can all be nice to each other. "Okay! Now dinner is ready!" I hear Jungkook's mother. Everyone gets up and I'm about to leave when I feel a tug on my arm, it's Jennie. "Taehyung.. hi." She starts. "Hi Jennie, what's up?" I ask. She looks out of the living room to everyone getting food, then back at me. "I just wanted to try something.", "Okay.." I nod, only to have her gently pull my face so that our lips touch.

Her arms wrap around my neck and her lips seem to hypnotize me, but I've started to realize that I shouldn't believe anything she does for now. It's possibly for her own gain, not because she feels something for me. But I'll enjoy the contact for now. My body reacting naturally, my arms wrapping around her and I tilt my head into the kiss. This has been a part of my dreams for the past few weeks, and I feel very lucky to be experiencing this moment right now. She wore a sticky lip gloss that made her lips stick to mine a lot, not to forget that it tastes amazing. I try my best to savor her taste, up until she takes her lips away from mine and sets her hands on my chest before pushing her way out of my arms.

She walks out of the living room and into the dining room. I set my hand on my chest to feel my racing heart, I suck my lip into my mouth. Gosh Jennie, why do you do this to me? You're just making it harder for me to get over you.

**

We all sit at the table, my mother had gotten the longer table from the garage so everyone can fit. I stare around, there are people missing. I think my mother notices and she sets her hand on mine, "It's okay baby, I think he really wanted to come.. but didn't. Maybe he got a lot of anxiety, this is a big step you know." She tries to defend him, and I don't blame her. I'd defend him too if this was for my mother and she expected him to come. Maybe she's right, he was anxious. I then feel a shoulder touch mine and I smile. "You okay?" I hear her sweet sweet voice.

"Yes." I reply. There's a lot of conversations going on around the table with the adults, all of them still asking about the promise ring on Lalisa's finger. Jisoo was pretty surprised and didn't expect me to do something so crazy. Even then, I could see that she was pleased and she could tell that I'm really happy. "Jungkook, has Lalisa showed you-", "No.." Lalisa chuckles nervously. I raise an eyebrow, I look at her but she looks down at her food. Showed me what? Now I'm curious, very. "Oops.. sorry." Her mother covers her mouth with her hand and she blushes. "La-", "Shhh." She looks at me and I just blink.

"I'll.. show you after dessert." She whispers. We continue to eat and it's mostly the adults keeping conversation that makes the atmosphere less silent and a little more comfortable. We even start dessert, a really delicious pie brought by Taehyung. Of course it's rich in flavor as it was probably rich in price as well. "Is there room for two more?" My heart sinks to my feet, I slowly look up to see my father and brother have let themselves into the house. My eyes water for some reason, no.. it's because my father is here.

"I'm sorry we're late son, I.. I was scared I wouldn't.." He doesn't finish. "No, the fact that you're here means a lot to me." I stand up. He smiles, his face is much older than I had seen a week ago. His face is wrinkly and his black hair is combed back, the roots are gray like he had dyed it not too long ago. He dressed nicely, like he wanted to impress me and the same with my brother. "You have some nerve coming here Jihun!" I hear my auntie, but my mother instantly stops her. "No, it's okay." She tells her. "No, he's a monster and you know it." I ignore them as my mother pulls my auntie to the kitchen to calm her down.

Everyone looks either at my father or at me. I take a chance and walk over to them, a huge smile finally grows on my brothers face. A nervous one. "Wow.. you look even more grown up than I thought you did." My father smiles and I see his eyes water and it makes me choke up. "I brought this for you." He says as he shows me a small box. I look at it and gently take it out of his hands. "Thank you, both of you for coming. Even if it was late, just the fact that you came means a lot to me." I smile. "Oh, wow." My brother smiles as he runs his fingers through his hair. "I just sort of want to give you a hug right now." He says.

I smile and slowly nod, "You.. can." I reply. Without hesitation, he pulls me into his arms. "Oh my gosh, you're literally a man." He whispers for only my ear. My eyebrows knit and I hug him back tightly, how great it is to be hugging my brother for the first time. I can't ever remember a day that he hugged me when we were in this house together. I slowly pull away from him and turn to everyone who is sitting at the table, ready for an introduction of who these two guys are. "Everyone this is my Appa and Hyung." I start. Everyone surprisingly greets my father and brother, and I walk them over to the table. They take a seat and I notice that my mother and Auntie are back at the table.

I decide to serve them some pie and they gladly take it. "Thank you." My father smiles, I nod. Everyone goes back to talking like nothing happened, Lalisa's parents start to talk to my father. Telling him about our relationship and my father seemed to beam, he looks pleased. Maybe he never thought I could get a girl? I mean, let's be totally honest, I wasn't capable of having a girlfriend. I was a wimp, I really was. But I'm lucky that Lalisa and I were friends first before we became something more.

Again, different conversations take over the table and I try to stay in at least one. My mother sets her hand on mine and I look at her, sensing that she wants something. "I never thought that today would even come, not you leaving, or your father being here to celebrate." She says. "I'm very grateful that we are very flexible people, Jungkook. I have a great feeling that you are going to influence a lot of people in California with your amazing personality." She smiles. "I have an amazing personality because of you Eomma." I tell her. She smiles and when everyone is done with dinner I decide to take a moment and say something.

"I just want to take this moment and thank you all for coming, I wanted this night to be casual and relaxing. Really letting all of this sink in before tomorrow morning." I start. "All of you who are here today, are very special to me. And though we may not see each other for a while, I want you to remember me in this moment until we meet again." I nod and look down at Lalisa who looks up at me with sparkling eyes. "This honestly would be so much harder if I didn't have this amazing girl right here." She slowly smiles. "This feeling in my chest is indescribable but also undeniable, I would never deny this overwhelming emotion that have for you. And I'm so happy I have the privilege to experience this next step in life with you."

"And this night is not only for me, but for you." I look back up at smiling faces, and one straight face in particular. "I want to take pictures with all of you before you decide to leave, thank you." Soon everyone was getting out of their seat and wanting to take pictures with me, then with Lalisa and I. And I told my mother to remember to print them all, then send them by mail so I can have them forever. I even took a picture with Jennie, though it was really awkward. And I also took a picture with my father and my brother, before he suggested that my mother got into the picture and she was not only pleased but surprised.

**

"I wanted to give this to you when we were outside but now seems to be an okay time." Lalisa tells me as we're standing in my kitchen, alone. "Okay." I smile excitedly as she quickly runs out then runs back with her purse. She opens it and hands me a small box. I smile down at it as I open the box, before my eyes is a silver bracelet. "I wasn't sure what style you'd like.. I just got something simple." She says nervously. It has something engraved on it, a date. I instantly recognize the date. "The day we had our first date." I say, looking up at her. She nods. "I didn't think you'd know." She blushes. "What? That's the date I'd never forget."

I take it out, it's sort of similar to the one Chaeyoung got her but mine is a little thicker, maybe for a manlier feel. I love it so much. "Thank you, I'll never take it off." I reassure her. "You like it?" She asks cutely, her voice full of curiosity. "Of course I live it." I tell her excitedly. Her smile grows, "That's a relief." She whispers. "What? You thought that I wouldn't??" I asked shocked. "I don't know.." She whispers. "It matches with my necklace." She shows me, a silver necklace with a thin rectangular pendant and the same date on it.

I smile and set my thumb on her chin and lift it to make sure she's looking at me, "I love it, don't think anything less." She nods. I set a kiss on her lips and she smiles after I slightly pull away. She lifts her chin and kisses me again, and I feel my heart melt in my chest. "Jungkoooook." I hear my mother sing my name, I let out a breath against her lips and I look down at the bracelet.

"Put it on me." She gladly does and I love how it looks on my wrist. "Thank you." I kiss her head and in that exact moment my mother walks in. "OH!! HOW DARLING!! Let me take a picture!!" She says, "Eomma." I whine. "Don't move Jungkook." My mother says sternly. I let out a breath, I'm doing it for my mother.  "OMG!! SO CUTE!! Totally posting this to the insta." She says and I laugh as I pull away from Lalisa. "Everyone wants you both to open your presents." Lalisa lightly gasps, "There are presents for me??", "Yes my sweet girl, come."

Lalisa and I walk out to the dining room and everyone is waiting as the presents are at the end of the main table already separated from mine and Lalisa's presents. Everyone is so sweet for bringing us something, they really didn't have to. Lalisa and I opened them at the same time, from her parents I got a really nice dodger jersey. Her parents surprised her with some really nice Timberland boots, they're kind of like mine. Relationship goals? Not to forget the really cute outfit they got her, can't wait to see how she looks in that. A little black top with these camo pants that I've seen are really popular in California.

Lalisa then showed off the bracelet that Chaeyoung gave her. She gave me two really nice shirts with some jeans, that's really nice of her. Jimin got Lalisa a leather journal along with pens. He had told her that he got it for her so she can write in it if she ever gets home sick or even if she just wanted to write, and I thought that was a great idea.. sort of wish he got me one. Instead he got me a guitar song book so I can learn more songs, and I liked it a lot and told him that by the time I see him again I'd learn several songs.

Surprisingly Taehyung brought us something, of course.. everyone's breath was taken away when I opened my gift. It was a Rolex, my gosh.. I've never held such a heavy watch. When I told him he didn't have to, he said that if it made me feel better, it wasn't as expansive as the Rolex on his wrist. Well damn. And if my Rolex wasn't as expensive, the pure diamond studs he got Lalisa were extra expensive. But he just swatted it away and said that he hoped that we would wear them often, so that the price wouldn't go to waste. We assured him that they would be worn as often as possible.

Next was the present from my auntie, she gave me a box of cologne and a few American candies. "Oh wow, thank you auntie." I tell her with a smile. "I hope that you like the candy, I got them off line. They're supposedly popular in America." She nods. "Thank you, we can all try it together." I tell her. Lalisa reads the names of the candies for us cause she knows English, she said the names out loud. "Gushers, they're little Gummies with a filling. Starburst, they're fruity flavored taffy sort of candy. And Sour Patch Kids, they're sour but sweet." Everyone was surprised except for her parents, they were just pleased that she hasn't forgotten any English.

Lalisa got some really nice smelling perfume, that I can't wait to smell on her. And another really pretty blouse with a jean skirt. Then from my mother she unexpectedly made both Lalisa and I a strap book that she designed herself with metallic markers and stickers. Mine had a black background with white, silver and gold writing. Lalisa's was a champagne color with pink, light blue and gold that was really girly in a way. I give my mother a huge hug, and I can't forget to open my father's gift. He apologized for not getting something for Lalisa and he would've if he knew but Lalisa insisted that it was okay.

From my father, he also got me a really nice watch. That was so nice of him to get me anything at all. Jisoo's gift was the last one and surprisingly she got Lalisa something, probably cause she talked to my mother. She got us both two outfits that were bought in American stores, I like the style. After the presents are all opened, I thank everyone again before all of us teens go back to the living room and the adults continue to talk in the kitchen. My brother even follows us and he sits right next to me, "So, my little brother has a girlfriend." He sets his hand on my back, I nod. "Yes, a few more months and we'll be a year." I smile looking at her. "Wow, I can so tell that you have feelings for each other. It makes me really happy that you found someone Jungkook." He tells me.

"Me too." I nod. "Are you excited for California?" He asks. "Of course." I nod. "I hope when you come back we can see each other more often.", "I'd like that." I smile, which makes him smile too.

**

• Morning of Departure •

Jungkook and Lalisa walk together, they both have a small duffel bag and a backpack. They'd both still need to get their bags checked. Lalisa's parents are crying and so is Jungkook's mother. "Eomma.. it's okay, everything is going to be okay." Jungkook slowly nods as he wipes his eyes. "Oh gosh, I didn't want today to be this hard." She whimpers as she covers her face. Jungkook sets his bag down and hugs his mother. Lalisa's parents haven't even waited for her to set her bag down, they just pull her into a hug.

"You're all we have, Lalisa. Please be careful and call us as soon as you land and then again when you make it to the dorms." Lalisa's mother tells her. "I will, I will." She nods. Lalisa and her parents are able to slowly stop the tears. Her father giving her words of encouragement and telling her that he's never been so proud of someone like he's proud of her, causing Lalisa to start to cry again. "Make me proud, I know you will." He added as he held her soft face in his big hands and wiped her tears away.

Jungkook and his mother had the hardest time, because Misun knew that she'd be alone everyday of the week for the next few months. That she knows that there's a possibility that Jungkook's scent would slowly fade away from his room, and the little dent in the dining chair he always sits in, will slowly fade and go back to looking like an unused chair. That his bathroom will be clean, his face washes wouldn't be cluttered on the sink. Much like on school days when he'd quickly wash his face and throw things everywhere. That she wouldn't have to clean up the little blotch of toothpaste that sat on the inside of the sink because he always put too much toothpaste and half of it would fall off his toothbrush and the paste would make a huge mess.

That seeing less of his handsome face has to be a reality for her, that she'd have to go off on her own thoughts when she tried a new hairstyle or made a new pastry, she couldn't ask for his opinion. Her one and only Jungkook would be far far away, and there's nothing she could do about it but hug him one last time.

"The plane leaving to United States, California will be boarding in five minutes."

Rips all the hugging parents away from their not so little kids. "You have you go now." Misun quietly told Jungkook. She looks up at her tall son, his soft white skin was flustered and wet from all the tears he was crying. "I don't want you to miss your flight." She smiles weakly. She gently wipes his tears away and pulls his face to kiss his cheek. "I love you so much Jungkookie, call me when you can and tell me all about the new adventures you're having. Both you and Lalisa look out for each other, okay?" He nods to his mother and they share one last hug before the parents switch teens and exchange more hugs. Lalisa's parents hugging Jungkook and giving him helpful words of encouragement.

"I'm happy my daughter has you, Jungkook. We wouldn't imagine her going to California with anyone else." When all the conversations were quickly over, Lalisa and Jungkook rejoin. Jungkook picks up his bag and takes Lalisa's hand as they walk up to the bag check line. There was no problem with passing and soon the teens were walking farther and farther away from home to the gates for their flight. Before they could walk through the door that lead to the plane, both teens turn and wave to the parents. Misun fighting back tears and Lalisa's parents sharing a hug as they all returned the wave. And in seconds, the young couple walk through the door and are on their way onto the plane.

**

I turn to Jungkook as we are in our seats, but he was already looking at me. "We have each other and that's all that matters on this part of our journey together." I smile at his words. His arm stretches across to my face and he gently touches my skin with his fingers. "I love you so much Lalisa Manoban." He whispers, I set my hand on top of his and rest my head on the seat. "I love you Jungkook." That smile spreads on his face, and I feel my chest fill with happiness. He sets a single kiss on my lips and my face gets hot.

"It's just you and me, Kook." I run my fingers from the back of his hand to his wrist. "We are ready for take off, please fasten your seatbelts. We will be leaving shortly." We already had our seatbelts on and go unbothered by the instructions. "For a long time pretty girl." And I know that this is the perfect place for me, with him. Jungkook is everything I need I'm California.

———————————————————

[ R E V I S E D ]