Today was the day that you're leaving your hometown, the place where you grew up and made memories with people, both good and bad, but you treasure nonetheless.

The day when you found out that you passed the entrance exam, your father was overjoyed, obviously. He contacted his close friends to boast about his smart daughter who passed the strictest and hardest college entrance exam. Mass of congratulatory messages from close friends, relatives, teachers, classmates, and even from people you weren't close to rained down and your phone wouldn't stop ringing from all the notifications. You weren't able to use your phone for thirty minutes because it was lagging.

Your mother's friend found a good and affordable dormitory for you which was only ten minutes away from NeoU. It also had great amenities such as cafeteria, study lounge, convenience store, and separate bathroom and comfort room.

As an only daughter of your parents, they had so much strict rules and advices that you couldn't help but to roll your eyes at. The number one rule you expected was...

"You are not allowed to have a boyfriend until you're 40," your father said in a stern tone which you couldn't help but laugh at since he was never the serious type. He loved to joke around and your mother was on the verge of losing her sanity every time he made fun of serious situations.

"Can I have a girlfriend then?" you asked, jokingly. However, you entertained the thought of having a girlfriend instead. Boys were a pain in the ass and they would ditch you once they found someone who's prettier or sexier than you. Plus they disappoint you.

"Well, that's not bad. At least you won't get pregnant." Your father shrugged his shoulders.

"Less talking, more moving! Put her baggages inside the trunk, I will check once again if all the lights are turned off and no appliances are plugged in. (Name), are you sure you didn't leave anything important?"

"Nope! I'm good!" you replied to your mother who disappeared inside the house. Your father loaded your baggages inside the compartment of the car and you walked away for awhile to observe the familiar surroundings that would only become a vivid memory to you.

You would miss this place, that's for sure. No matter how excited you were to venture in a new and strange city, this town would always and forever be your home.

As you scan around your surroundings, you noticed the tall and ancient cherry blossom tree just standing at the edge of your backyard. It was in its full bloom during spring but every bloom of the cherry blossom tree was short-lived so you had to make the most of it and admire its beauty. Right now, it barely had any leaves left, it looked dull and almost wilting, a sign that it had been through so many seasons.

You walked closer and saw initials engraved on its rough trunk. Leaning closer, you read it as NJM and (your initials). Tracing a finger on the jagged surface, waves of memories filled your brain as you remembered a black-haired little boy you used to play with when you were just five years old. You remembered the sound of his laugh, the way his eyes sparkled whenever you brought him sugar cubes, how his joyful and young face would turn into a frown whenever you're sad.

You remembered him, after a long time of forgetting that he actually existed in your life, not just a figment of your imagination.

"Nana..."

"(Name)!" your mother called you. "What are you doing there? We're leaving!"

"Coming!" you responded and jogged back to where your parents were. You stopped and looked back at the cherry blossom tree. The initials were still engraved in that tree that was older than you and your parents, but the person you engraved it with was gone. Disappeared like a ghost with no trace left behind except for his initials on the old tree.

The engine started and the car sped away. You didn't look back this time as you were occupied about the boy you used to play with when you were five.

Na Jaemin, that's the name of the boy. The first friend you ever had, the one who comforted you when you're sad and also the boy who made you cry sometimes. In the end, he would feel bad and he would give you a hug. He was such a sweet person and he was never shy to shower you with compliments.

He was ten when he left and he didn't tell you why. You asked your parents why but they were also clueless. Everybody in your town was surprised that the Na family left without saying a word to anybody.

Nine years had passed since the day they left and it was still a mystery. The two of you had no communication when he disappeared. Every day you missed him and would cry about him until you grew out of it and made new memories with new friends, forgetting his existence.

Now that you remembered, you couldn't help but think...

Where was he and why didn't he tell you why he left?

It was a four-hour long drive from your town to the city where your dormitory was located so you busied yourself watching the scenery outside, taking photos from time to time, listening to the same song for the fifth time and then falling asleep, the thought of your childhood best friend completely forgotten.

Soon enough, the scenery outside changed. From tall trees and vast rice fields to concrete houses, business establishments, and skyscrapers. You were in awe by the new surroundings. Everywhere you look, it was completely different from the environment you were used to. Everything was colorful and the streets were bustling with people going on about their daily lives.

However in just a matter of minutes of being exposed to the city life, you instantly hated two things. One, the traffic. Two, the noise.

It was far from the peaceful provincial life where you were surrounded by nature. You expected all of these but it was still overwhelming for you. You plugged in your earphones back to block the noises outside and stay inside your serene world for awhile, knowing that once the car stopped and your baggages unloaded, it's going to be a different life for you.

As you absentmindedly scanned the maze of buildings outside, the car passed by a popular coffee shop in town named Starbuxks where a tall, lean man entered.

His silver hair was slicked back, exposing his forehead which added to his alluring aura. He was wearing a simple denim jeans and a denim jacket over a white shirt yet he managed to look like a runway model. Wherever he went, attention followed him like a moth drawn to a flame.

He wasn't in the mood to flirt or entertain the people gawking at him, not until he got his daily dose of drug, coffee.

"Good morning, welcome to Starbuxks. What's your order?" the female barista asked. The first thing she noticed was the sharp features of the man's face. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh and manly scent of the handsome customer. Years of experience made her seem as if she was nonchalant about how attractive the customer looked.

"A venti size of iced Americano please with four extra espresso shots. No water, just ice," he recited his order.

The female barista's jaw dropped. She looked at the customer as if he had grown two heads. Was he crazy? Was he addicted to caffeine? Who in their right mind would drink an iced Americano with four extra espresso shots without water?

"Excuse me, did you hear my order or should I repeat it?" the customer asked politely, his voice going deeper. He was getting irritated but he was trying to keep his cool.

Without his coffee, he was nothing but an empty vessel. Coffee was his only drive to move, his only source of energy.

"No, sorry, I heard it loud and clear. What should I write on the cup, sir?"

"Jaemin. J-A-E-M-I-N."

"Okay, Sir Jaemin." The female barista smiled and disappeared to the pantry to prepare his drink. He sat on an empty seat near the glass window to watch the busy streets of the city. He was bored to death and his head was throbbing in pain. He was still jet lagged because he just arrived in the city yesterday since he needed to attend to that damn orientation.

He brought his airpods out of his pockets and listened to a soothing music, closed his eyes and found peace once again, ignoring the curious stares from the people who were shamelessly admiring his beauty.

That same time, your car stopped in front of a seven-floor building where a beautiful woman with an oval shaped face and bright eyes was waiting outside. You recognized her as one of your mother's friend who visited in your hometown when you were little. She was obviously younger than your mother but they became best friends anyway.

"BoA! It's nice to see you!" your mother greeted her and went in for an embrace. You father hugged her swiftly as well and her eyes landed on you.

"Is it really you, (Name)? You've grown up so much. The last time I saw you, you were this big." BoA said and motioned a hand in the same level of her stomach. "You're so beautiful as well."

"Thank you, miss BoA."

"Please, just call me auntie BoA. Miss is too formal." She gave you a kind smile which you returned.

"Kids grow up too fast. Yesterday she was just five and eating mud. Today, she's nineteen and about to start college," your father commented and the two women only laughed at him while you cringe at his sudden sentimental speech.

"They indeed grow up so fast. Before you even know it, she already has a boyfriend," BoA said and winked at you.

"She promised that she will not have a boyfriend until she's 40. You better be true to your words," your father warned you.

"But I didn't promise you anything!"

"Let's cut this discussion for now and continue moving! We're all tired and starving," your mother grumbled and your stomach growled in agreement. You helped your parents unload your baggage and rode an elevator to the fifth floor where your room would be. Your roommate was still out of town and you would probably meet her this week. After all your things were settled, you and your parents went to a nearby restaurant.

Your father was extremely generous to grant you the chance to eat any food you like because this was the last time you would be eating with them. That thought made your eyes moist but you told it was because the food was delicious.

"Always remember to message us every day, okay?" your mother told you and held your hand tightly, too hesitant to let go. The separation was getting too real now.

"I will," you replied, not letting your voice crack.

"Don't demand too much update from her! She'll be busy in school," your father told your mother off. "Text us when you're free or when you're having difficulty, okay? We will always be there for you."

You nodded and you hugged them both as if your life depended on it. No words uttered, but they knew exactly what you meant. They hugged you back tighter.

"Take care of yourself, don't skip meals and take your vitamins. We'll visit you once a week," your mother told you.

"Please, visit me when you're free. You don't have to force yourself to go especially now that you'll have more time to focus on the store. Customers will flock since winter is coming."

"She's right, she's all grown up now. She can look after herself just fine." Your father patted your shoulder. "Tell me when someone's bothering you. I'll beat them into a pulp."

You punched his arm jokingly. He was trying to look cool in front of you but you knew that deep inside he was sad to leave his only daughter behind. He was tough on the outside but a softie on the inside, something that you got from him.

"I love you, both. Take care of your health. See you in a while!"

They bid you goodbye for the last time and you watched as the car sped away and disappeared to the mass of vehicles and maze of buildings. The heavy feeling you were suppressing earlier started to engulf your heart and wear it down like an anchor thrown into the sea.

This is normal, you thought. You went here to follow your dreams. This is just a little sacrifice in your part and theirs. Soon enough, you would get used to your new independent life as a college student and you would learn how city life works. You hoped that you would make real friends and unforgettable memories, something you would be happy to look back to once you're a grown adult.

You went back inside the dorm and picked fresh clothes from the dresser and took a long, relaxing bath. The sadness was slowly starting to dissipate, leaving only the excitement you felt earlier before you left your hometown.