{{just some word definitions, because Jae and Johnny are Korean, and Jae's half Mexican, but I just assume the Spanish is kind of easy to translate.
Halmony-Grandma
Nuhneun chohahae-'you like it?'
Ttal-daughter
Umma-Mom
Oppa-older brother (man slightly older than you, you can say this as a term of affection too, showing how close you are.)
Also note that sometimes Jae's dad likes to call her by her middle name. Okay let's go!}}
Past Tense
"Well what the hell should we do now?"
"Damn I dunno, this was your idea remember?"
The two boys sat on the stairs outside the shop. It was late in the day, and they were out of time, even if they weren't ready to admit defeat just yet.
"Maybe we could ask your uncle."
"Hell, if we're gonna do that, we may as well just tell your grandma."
"No way man, she'd kill me if she found out I lost her necklace, and in a bet too? she'd have my ass. "
They continued bouncing ideas off each other as two young girls rounded the corner, frozen treats in hand. The older boy jumped to his feet and ran to them.
"Lin, Jae Hwa! What are you guys doing out? Jae's gonna ruin that cute dress."
The younger one smiled brightly and gave him a hug, straightening the ruffles in her outfit, as the other girl simply shrugged.
"Hey Momo! We got ice cream!"
"Someone couldn't get her sweet tooth in check, so here we are. What are you two doing?"
The girl retreated behind her older cousin as the other boy came to join the group. Lin smirked and pushed her back out in front.
"Hey Johnny. This is my cousin. Jae Hwa, say hi."
She fiddled with the edge of her dress, not even making eye contact.
"N-nice to m-meet you. I'm Jae."
He nodded in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the older girl.
"Johnny. Say Lin, know a way we can get in this building?"
He quickly explained his predicament, which sent the girl into a fit of giggles.
"That was pretty stupid of you Johnny."
"I tried to warn him, but he never listens to me." The older boy merely shrugged as he leaned against the lamppost that had flickered on.
"Whatever man. How was I supposed to know that dude would scam us? "
Lin laughed at the two boys before looking toward the building.
"How stupid can you boys be? Jesus." She scolded them while the younger girl walked over to the door, studying it closely.
"I-I think I can help... "
Micah and Lin were lost in conversation and hadn't noticed her words nor her absence from the group, but Johnny had. He slid up to her side and whispered.
"What you got in mind?"
She jumped slightly at his closeness, shaking her thoughts back to the task at hand.
"H-here. Hold this?"
She handed him her ice cream as she toyed with her hair, producing two bobby pins. She straightened them out and walked up the stairs as Johnny followed her, taking a bite from the bowl.
"Cookie dough, good choice."
"H-hey! Don't eat it! "
"Chill out, I just wanted a bite."
Jae huffed and narrowed her eyes at him a moment, before turning back to the door. She took a moment to bend the tips of her pins before crouching in front of the lock. Johnny watched her curiously.
"Whaddya planning on doing? Picking the thing?"
"Well...yeah."
"Huh, and you think we haven't tried that already?"
She looked over her shoulder and watched as he took another bite of her ice cream.
"Bet you a week's worth of ice cream I get it open before Lin and Momo notice us."
Johnny looked over to the other two, lost in a more hushed conversation that brought their faces dangerously close together.
"Alright short stack, you're on."
Jae smiled brightly as she focused back on the lock and the task at hand while Johnny clicked his tongue.
"Tch. if you think your little princess self can get that thing op-"
*click*
Jae stood as the sound of the door opening drew Micah and Lin's attention back to the building and to her.
"Jae Hwa! What'd you do?!" The older two simultaneously stared in awe at the little girl.
"No frickin' way..."
Johnny shook his head in disbelief as the young girl snatched the bowl from him and frowned.
"Aww...it's almost gone..."
She sat on a stair and pouted as the other 3 walked inside. Lin and Micah reappeared a few moments later with a few goodies in hand, and sat down next to her.
"Jae Hwa, who taught you how to do that?" Micah raised a brow at her while ruffling her hair a bit.
"Papa did. It's one of the fun secrets we keep from Mami."
"Heh, figures."
Her cousin smiled as she stood, pocketing a few of the things she had brought out with Micah before heading up the street,
"Come on cuz, we should get home before they start to worry."
"But where's Johnny?"
Jae looked around before her eyes landed on the stairs inside as the boy ran down, a box in one hand, the necklace and a pair of sunglasses in the other. When he reached where they were standing, he thrust the box to the younger girl.
"It's not cookie dough, but here."
Johnny fumbled through his pockets before placing a spoon on top of the box in her hands.
"You saved my ass, I owe you big time."
His head was hung low, eyes glancing up momentarily to meet hers. She squealed and wrapped her arms around him before chasing after her cousin who was quite a few strides ahead of her. His eyes followed her bouncing steps as Lin wrapped an arm around her. He could hear the excitement in her voice, even if he couldn't make out the words. His lips curled up as he watched until the two turned another corner and out of sight.
"Looks like you've made a new friend." Micah's laugh brought him back to his senses and he frowned.
"Hell, not like you two were any help, making googly eyes at each other."
"Hah, and who's making the googly eyes now? It's not cookie dough, but here. HAH! You like her don't ya?"
Johnny punched him in the arm and stomped off in the opposite direction the girls had gone, mumbling under his breath. Micah caught up and slung an arm around his shoulder.
"You know she lives with Lin, in that building right across from ours, right? She's Raul's daughter."
"No way. The Kingpin himself?"
Johnny shot a glance at him before looking down at the necklace and the glasses in his hands.
"I'll bring you over there tomorrow, and you can thank her properly."
Micah laughed again as he rubbed his knuckles into Johnny's hair, prompting the younger boy to punch him once more.
"Happy birthday dear Jae Hwa... Happy Birthday to you!"
Everyone clapped as the young girl blew out her candles. Her mother brought out plates and started cutting into the cake, as the man to her right got her attention,
"So babygirl, anything special that you wanted for your birthday?"
"Oh JuJu! It's been so nice seeing everyone, nothing could make tonight more fun!"
The large penthouse was bustling with family and friends who had come to celebrate Jae's 10th birthday. Her mother and aunt were chatting up the older lady from the other building, and her cousin Lin was over with Micah and Johnny, talking smack while the two arm wrestled for what seemed like the millionth time, with Micah always coming out on top.
"Man, screw this."
The younger boy got up from the table in a huff. The other two laughed as the birthday girl made her way to the group.
"He's never gonna let you win." Lin stated with a smirk.
"Man, whatever, I'll get his ass someday."
Johnny pouted his way to the kitchen as Jae followed suit,
"Don't let them get to you, I'm on your side!"
He opened the fridge and muttered something under his breath.
"What?"
"Huh...oh, nothing. How's the princess's special day going?" Johnny pulled out a drink and shut the door, popping the top and chugging half of the soda.
"Amazing! I got these from your grandma-" she turned her head both ways to show him the diamond studs that were almost too big for the young girl's ears. He let out a low whistle,
"Damn, she never told me she got those, that's impressive."
Jae beamed at him as she fussed with the trim of her party dress, "She's always really nice to me, I wish she was my grandma."
"Well she practically is..." Johnny shrugged non-chalantly before turning to leave the kitchen when he felt his sleeve stretch slightly.
"Hey! You wanna see what BeeKee got me?" The sweet smile held a sliver of mischief to it as she pulled on his shirt again, urging him in the opposite direction.
"What is it?"
"You have to come upstairs to see, I promised him I'd bring them straight to my room!" She tugged once more before rushing up the stairs beckoning him to follow,
"Alright, alright, I'm coming." He chuckled as he fell in line behind her excited footsteps.
~QQ~
They reached her room and she quickly shoved him inside, looking around the hall before shutting the door,
"You have to promise that you won't tell my parents. Mom would be so upset."
"Hah- what'd he do? buy you knives or somethin'?"
She grinned widely as Johnny cocked his head, "No frickin' way..."
Jae headed over to her dresser, pulling out a soft black case before flopping down onto her bed. She gently opened the cloth up and his eyes got wide,
"Are you fucking shitting me right now?!"
"Johnny! Shh!"
She held her hands over his mouth as he joined her on the bed, upsetting their balance and falling into his lap. He set her upright in front of him and he leaned over her to get a better look at what she had received. Four throwing knives, two dark grey, and two with a rainbow finish, were safely tucked inside the holder. He stared wide eyed as she scrambled from his lap and to his side,
"Isn't this awesome! BeeKee remembered and got them for me! But he said I need to be very careful, and hide then from Mama, because he doesn't want her yelling at him. Again."
"Hah, I bet. Is it even safe for you to have these?"
"Sure! Papa taught me how to throw some before Mami banned that too. It was one thing I really liked..."
She leaned in and tucked her arm into his. "They're pretty cool huh?"
"Oh for sure, but Jae Jae, how you gonna keep em from your Ma? She's crazy good about searching your stuff."
"I know...so I figured, maybe you could keep them for me?" She looked up at his arched eyebrow,
"I'm sure Halmony wouldn't mind, and that way, we can practice together! It'd be fun don't you think?"
Johnny looked down at the girl and smiled, "Yeah sure, I can dig it."
She squeeled and hugged him, "Thank you Johnny! I knew you'd say yes! You're the best!"
Footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs, and the pair quickly put the knives away, Johnny shoving them into his backpack in the corner of her room, just before Lin walked through the door,
"What are you two doing up here?"
"Oh! I..uh.. was just..." Jae stumbled over her words as Johnny simply shrugged.
"She wanted to get away from the excitement for a minute, that's all."
"Huh. well everyone's getting ready to head out soon, you should go thank them one more time before they leave."
"Okay."
Jae hopped off the bed as Lin exited the room. She straightened her dress and headed after her cousin when Johnny quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her back into the room and shutting the door quietly in front of her.
"Johnny? We should go back down.."
"Just.. here."
He handed her a small wrapped box.
"What's this?"
"It's, your present, from.. from me."
She smiled brightly as she sat back on the bed, carefully peeling the tape away from the paper.
"Just frickin'..." He came to her side and ripped the wrapping away, "We ain't got a lot a time."
She huffed at him, before opening the box and grinning once again,
"Johnny! It's a bracelet just like yours!" she took out the beaded gift and held it to Johnny, along with her wrist. He slid the bracelet on her and tightened the ends.
"Grams said that this color means confidence. And...happiness." He watched her as she admired her new gift. "Nuhneun chohahae?"
"I love it! It's my favorite color!"
"Heh, yeah I know..."
She blushed a little, and smiled meekly, "Thanks Johnny, it's perfect."
He patted her head and smiled, "Anything for the princess."
They heard Jae's dad calling for her and they stood to head back downstairs.
"Johnny?" He turned and raised an eyebrow, "Yeah?"
She stood on her tiptoes and pushed her lips up to his cheek, her own flushing a bright red when she looked up into his surprised eyes. "I love this so much, thank you."
She ran downstairs ahead of him, while he placed a hand to his hot face, the redness creeping all the way to the tips of his ears.
"I- uh, you're welcome."
He slowly followed after her.
"Ttal, ya. I know you're scared, but right now, you need to listen to mommy, and go back downstairs."
The young girl stood in the doorway of the rooftop, eyes wide at the man who held the gun to her mother's head. She had no idea what was going on, or why this was happening, but as she played with the beaded bracelet on her wrist, she knew now wasn't the time to be afraid.
"B-but Mami..." she took a step forward as the door closed behind her.
"Pobrecita. You should really listen to your mother, wouldn't want anything to happen to la princesa now, would we?"
"What do you know! L-let her go!" Jae's tiny voice quivered with fear and the man laughed.
"Oh ho! A brave little one aren't you? You two sure raised her right, she'll make a good addition to my place."
"Over my dead body." Her mother struggled to get free, but the man fired a round at the duct right next to the young girl, causing Jae to scream and her mom to instantly stop thrashing.
"Please, please! Don't hurt her!"
He held the gun up to her head once more as the young girl started to cry.
"Umma! Wh-what do I do?"
~QQ~
He was making his way up the fire escape when he heard the commotion. Their ritual of practicing together over the year was the only excuse he had to hang out with her, just the two of them, and he looked forward to it each and every time. Any other time he'd try to make any excuse to see her, Micah and his boys simply laughed and made fun of him. Which was messed up, he'd lost count of how many times he'd seen the older boy getting soft around Lin, and those few times he'd even seen their lips touch, what a hypocrite, Johnny thought to himself as he hoped over the guard wall at the top. He stopped dead in his tracks as he watched the battle between her mother and the man, not sure if they noticed him or not. He walked passed a few ducts when he spotted her, hunched onto the ground and playing with the bracelet.
"Jae..." without thinking he ran to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Oh ho, hola mi amigito. Seems we have another player at our little party."
Min Jee slowly raised her head toward her daughter, tears flowing from the young girls eyes, as well as her own.
"Mi princesa, Saranghae. Mianhae my sweet angel."
She wiped her eyes and steady her voice.
"Johnny..."
"Yes ma'am."
"You and Jae need to go downstairs, right now."
"But Umma!"
"NOW! Johnny, please, do as I say, and take her back downstairs."
He stared at the older woman and she nodded slowly, pleading with her eyes before she lowered her head again. The assailant shoved the gun under her chin, forcing her head back.
"Mami!" Jae stood and tried to run to her, but Johnny had gotten a hold of her wrist just in time.
"Come on Jae Jae. We need to do what your mom says."
"But... BUT!"
"Come on."
He opened the door slowly as he dragged a screaming Jae through it. He held her close as they watched the door shut, the older woman mouthing a thank you to the young man before she was tossed aside. Footsteps could be heard approaching the door on the other side, as the man locked it, and slammed his fists into, scaring Jae into Johnny's arms once more. Fear turned to anger as Jae began to beat him with her fists, wailing and screaming incoherently as he brought her back to her room. He threw her to the bed, and locked the door, checking the windows and closing the curtain before turning to face her, barely dodging the lamp she had picked up and thrown his way.
"Dammit Jae! You need to calm down!"
"FUCK YOU!"
The young girl spat. She beat her fists into his chest and cried, as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, effectively stopping her assault for the moment. Johnny laid down with Jae in her bed as her tears continued, unsure of what he could say to make her understand. He knew the kind of life her family led, and the young girl was just beginning to understand the world she really lived in. Her crying went from anger back to sadness, as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, sobbing into his shirt. He held her just as tightly, stroking her hair, cursing her father and cousin for not being around when the two females needed them most, and cursing himself for not being stronger.