︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

I'm so afraid of everyone's eyes on me
I was sick of those beautiful, beautiful times.
I hate myself so much for not being able to be loved.
Mom and Dad are only looking at me.

-to my youth-bol4-

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Minho POV:

I swerve through the traffic, which wasn't too bad, at least it wasn't as choked as it would be most Monday's. My phone is ringing, waiting for the receiver to pick up

"Hello? Minho? What's up baby?"

"Oh nothing much mom, just coming back from training."

"I see, is everything okay? You're better now right?"

"Yeah, way better mom."

"Well I'm glad to hear that, Minho. Although I want to talk more, your dad's just coming home and I'm sure he'll be starving, so I better plate his food."

"Oh mom actually I'm coming over in 10 minutes, is it okay if i pick up some food?"

"Baby, there's no need to ask, of course, I'll keep it ready for you, come soon."

"Okay, mom, I'm on my way."

I came here to pick up food, and I know Hana told me to come home as soon as I can, but I wanted to surprise her with fresh food, since she seemed to like it so much today morning.

I rushed to their gate, wanting to greet my parents and get the food as quickly as I could and return back home, just incase Hana is waiting. In this, I forget my phone in the car, but I'm already by the door, and I'm super lazy to have to go back just to get my phone. Just as I'm about to knock on the door, I immediately remember that I know the code. I punch it in the and call out for her as I stand in the foyer
"Mom, I'm here."

"We're in the dining room!"
She yelled.

My mom was plating bulgogi, her hands moving with practiced efficiency. I couldn't help but smile.

"Hey, baby! Just in time!" she called out, her face lighting up when she saw me.

"Sorry for come at such short notice. I forgot to ask you to prepare a Tupperware."
 I said, feeling a bit sheepish.

"It's okay, you know I always make bigger portions."

"Yeah, because you're lazy to cook everyday."
He teased her.

"Dad, you're trying your limits here."
I said and we all laughed.

"Don't worry, he's going to get from me one of these days."
my mom shot back playfully, her eyes narrowing at my dad with mock seriousness.

"Just trying to keep the atmosphere lively," Dad said, holding up his hands in defense.
"But seriously, Minho, I'm glad you're here. I could use some company while I eat."

"I wish I could stay, But I need to go home."

"Really, you sure you need to be home so quick?"

"My roommate must be waiting for me. Actually, this is a whole story. Remember the food you packed me last Saturday? She liked it, a lot. She even compared it to my cooking and said yours was better."

She.
Slip of tongue.

"She?"
My mom inquired confusedly.

"Right, I never told you. My roommate, who's also best friends with Seungmin and Jeongin, is a she. Like I said it's a long story. Sometime, when I come over for a whole day, Ill tell you guys about her."

"How come I've seen Seungmin and Jeongin but never her?"
My mom's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"She never hangs out, she's still studying."

"Studying? How old is she?"

"Uhh... Mom why are you asking me that? I actually don't know- 23? 24?"

"Well, she's just curious, you never know."
Dad raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

"Come on, Dad," I said, trying to keep my composure. "It's not like that. We're just good friends."
I felt my heart race at the sudden attention.

"But she compared my cooking to yours, which means you must have made quite the impression," my mom said, crossing her arms and smiling knowingly.

I couldn't help but chuckle nervously.
"Well, it's not my fault our food is legendary."

Dad laughed.
"Sounds like you might want to keep impressing her, Minho. Who knows where this could lead?"

I felt my face heat up again, the playful teasing making me squirm.
"Okay, okay, enough about that! I really do need to get back home."

Mom looked at me, her expression softening.
"Alright, but you have to promise to bring her over sometime. I'd love to cook for both of you."
She said handing me the bundle of food.

"Sure, Mom," I said, grateful for her enthusiasm but I knew I wouldn't do that.
"I'll bring her by soon."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

 "Well, if she's been waiting, I doubt she still is,"
 I muttered to myself, feeling a twinge of disappointment.

As I pulled into the parking spot, I grabbed the Tupperware, my phone and my gym bag and hopped out of the car, the cool night air hitting me like a splash of water. I hurried to the front door, my heart racing with anticipation.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside, calling out, "Hana? I'm home!"

Silence greeted me, since there was no one except my cats sleeping in their bed. I knew Hana must've fed them. I put down the bag on the coffee table, pulling out my phone, which immediately lights up to show me the numerous texts I got from her. Must've missed them while I was at my parents house. I feel bad when I read through them, she thought I wasn't coming home.

I put my phone in my pocket and walk to my own room to change out of my gym clothes. After putting on a fresh pair of clothes, I go to Hana's room, who I know has already fallen asleep because I know she would have come out if she heard me come home.

There she was, passed out in bed, as if she didn't plan on falling asleep. Her blankets nowhere near her, but Doongie seemed to have cuddled up against her, both of them sound asleep. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Hana looked so peaceful, her hair fanned out across the pillow.

I open my phone to capture this moment, where she looked so much at peace. I block the shutter, trying to avoid unnecessary noises, but Doongie has started to stir in his sleep. I walked and sat to the side of her bed, checking her texts one more time.

"I haven't eaten because you arent here"

"who's gonna do the dressing?"

"Ah yeah, that's all you want me back home for."
I thought, jokingly of course.

"But I probably should do it for her, shouldn't I Doongie?"
I said, gently pulling him away from Hana.

I take her hand in mine and get the medical kit from under her bed and unwind the gauze. She still seems to be deep in sleep, which is good. It's probably the sting from the alcohol that wakes her up, but I'm surprised she wasn't awake as soon as I got her hand in mine.

"Good Morning, idiot."

She still seemed sleepy, so she just stared, her eyes were bleary and I doubt she could even see me well because her eyesight isn't the best.

"Minho"
She mumbled, closing her eyes again.

"What?"

"Is it really morning? It doesn't feel like."

"No, of course not. It's almost 12 though."

"Where were you, I waited for so long."

"And you fell asleep?"

"Yeah no shit."

"Sorry, but I did get you a surprise. Small one."

"What? why?"

"Like I said, small. It's just more food from home. You seemed to like it."

"I did like it. Did you go over to parents for that?"

"That's what I said."

"Now why would you do that?"
She smiled.

"To see that."

"See? See what?"

"Your smile, I knew it'd make you happy."

It was as if time froze... at least for me it did. I looked in her eyes for longer that I'd intended to, but even after I realized, I didn't break the eye contact.

"You haven't eaten."
I stated, still holding her gaze.

She seems oblivious, but I'd love to give her the benefit of doubt.

"No, I was waiting."

"Let's get some food in you,"
I said, finishing of her dressing with that.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Minho I could get used to this, I don't think you understand how good the food is."
She spoke with food stuffed in her cheeks.

"You're going choke, calm down."
I laughed.

Hana laughed, cheeks full as she tried to chew and speak at the same time.
"I can't help it! Your mom's cooking is too good."

"Do your parents know you have a roommate?"
I spontaneously asked.

"You mean you? No, they don't. I never told them I live in a shared apartment in the first place. Why?"

"No I was just wondering, my parents just found out I have a roommate that's you."

"Oh. Are they... are they mad?"

"No, no, they're intrigued is all. I just wondered if that was my parent's reaction, what would be of yours."

"Ah, right. I don't know what it would be like though. Not anything good that's for sure."
She said looking away for the first time.

"Can I ask why?"

Hana shrugged, her eyes flicking back to her plate, the vibrant colors of the food suddenly captivating. "It's just... I don't know. My parents can be a bit... traditional."

"So if they found out I, a man, was living with you would they be mad?"

"Sure, they would. But I'm not worried. They won't try and find out, at least that's what I think. What did they say anyway?"

"They already know all my friends, but they don't know you, so they asked me why they haven't seen you, then I told them you're  studying, to which they asked how old you were. I didn't know exactly so I guessed 23 or 24. And they were just being a little weird about it, mom said if you ever had the time we should go over because she'd cook for us."

"I'm almost 24."
Her tone dipped another octave.

"I must've forgotten to ask you when your birthday is. I remember telling you about me."

"Mine's on 9th November."

"I'll definitely remember that now."
Minho said smiling as he watched her eat.

"Your mother sounds sweet, she's already inviting me over for food, and she hasn't even seen me."

"Really? Isn't that normal?"

"I really wouldn't know... normal."
She gave a awkward chuckle.

"Why's that?"

"My family is far, far from normal. You wouldn't believe me even if I explained. It's absurd."

"Try me, I want to know."

"Let's just start from something small. So you know how I've been friends with Seungmin and Jeongin ever since high school." I nod before she continued.
"So this one time they begged me to take them to my place because they thought since I've been at theirs, they should be at mine at least once."

"Why did you never take them before?"

"My parents didn't know I had friends. I didn't for a big chunk of my life."
She said chuckling at that.
"I didn't even realize how lonely I'd been until they came into my life."

"Was it because they asked you not to?"

"I was homeschooled, until grade 7, I had a private tutor because my mom and dad barely had time to eat at home, so obviously they wouldn't be able to teach me themselves, and I'd be lucky if i had a dinner with them. Funny how they could be home the very day it was something to do with academics. So I never made friends, I didn't how to."

"So for 7 years, plus assuming 3 years... you had no friends?"

"Never got a chance actually. I changed schools when I was in 9th, mid-term, because of my parents. I lived in Gimpo back then."

"Wait, that's I'm from. We shifted here when I got to Seoul National Academy."
Minho lit up.
"Anyways, continue."

"Yeah. I brought them home eventually, but I got yelled at for sitting with them in my room and for wasting time. One of the house maids saw me take way too many snacks up to my room and she told my dad, and my mom wasn't home. I hated her, the maid. I never told the two that I got yelled at because I thought they'd never want to come back then."

"What did he say to you?"

"He just went off about how I needed to focus on my studies, how friends were a distraction."
She winced and raised her eyebrows as if she was over it.
"But I did it again, I don't know why I felt like breaking their rules, I'd hear a never ending nag for it, but they were worth it. I'd do it all over again even after knowing what would happen."

"What would?"

"I got slapped a couple times, before my mom convinced my dad. But that was okay."

"Was he the one who slapped you that night you went to your parents?"

"Oh don't bring that up, it's super embarrassing."
She said putting her hands over her face.

"Hana you're an adult, you're not a kid anymore who needs to get hit to be taught a lesson."

"It's just dad, it doesn't matter, he had a good reason to be mad."

That doesn't make it any better. He was supposed to protect her, make her feel safe.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Hana POV:

I think I over-shared a little, maybe I shouldn't have. He seems sad to hear this.

I know its bad, but...

They're still my parents.

We eat the rest of our dinner quietly, without talking. It wasn't awkward, I felt comfortable, except the fact that he was probably sad now though. He finishes whatever is on his plate, and I do too. He places out plate one over the other taking them to the sink, and I close all the Tupperwares and arrange them in the fridge and carry all the dirty spoons to Minho, who's wearing the gloves to start washing the dishes.

He even washes the dishes silently, the quiet only broken by the occasional clanking of the plates.

"Minho."
I say as I sit behind him over the counter.

"Hmm?"

"Are you sad? Did I say something wrong?"

"What? No of course not."
But he doesn't look to me as he says this, still washing the dishes.

"Look at me while you say that, because I know you're sad."

"I'm washing the dishes, Hana."

"Minho you know I'm okay now, Right?"

"Yup, you sure are."

"I can sense the passive-aggressiveness."

"Because I'm being passive-aggressive."

"I'm going to go sleep now. Don't worry too much."
I said, slipping down the counter, because there was no use of talking to him right now.

"I'm taking you out tomorrow. If that makes you feel better. Hospital, to practice and then hopefully to my parents house. You seem to enjoy the food way too much."
He said Just before I leave.

"Really?"
I asked excited.
"I want to see your mom, you had me all intrigued."

"I'm doing it for you. I want you to have at least  few happy memories revolving the thought of parents."

I just nod at this because I don't know what to make out of it.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Mums

Hana wants to meet you

we'll be there for dinner
i guess

don't ask embarrassing
questions i beg you

she's a friend. roommate

and she's been sad these
few days

so be mindful

i think that's all you need to
know before we come

delivered: 12:45pm

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶