A/N: Wow, two chapters in a row! I'm on a roll! I would like to thank EcoSeeker247 and Enigmatic-Elysium for their wonderful reviews and support! I hope my story will continue to please you! And I agree with EcoSeeker247 that Red Barrels needs to release concept art of Miles, and thank you so much for liking my illustrations! Also, if anyone would like for me to draw something for this story, please say so. And you are also free to draw my characters too! I would love to see your interpretations! :D
And welcome any new readers! Enjoy!
-Gunsan, South Korea- (Young-ja)
"Young-ja." My father poked his head around the corner of the laundry room. "I'm going for a walk. Accompany me."
"Yes, appa." I quickly placed the last of the laundry in the washer before following my father to the front entrance.
"Should I grab your hat? Would you like your cane?" I offered, helping my father across the small courtyard and out to the street.
"No, no. I'm fine." He pulled away from me and continued walking with his hands clasped behind his back.
Miles would call that the 'old man pose' and I laughed at the thought of it.
"What is so funny? It is not polite to laugh without reason." He glanced at me, his old gray eyes piercing my soul.
"It's nothing, appa. I'm just happy to be home."
He stared at me a while longer before continuing his stroll.
It really was great to be home. The Mugunghwas were in full bloom along the tiny one lane road, giving the air a sweet smell. Children were also playing catch in the courtyards, while the elders played Five Field Kono on the porches.
We reached the end of our street where it connects with the main road, which wasn't any bigger. In America, there are small sidewalks and large roads, while in Korea, there are large sidewalks and small roads.
I guess it's because we are a smaller country and having a car is unwise when there is plenty of public transportation for everyone.
I imagined Miles' confused face at the differences, and I found myself laughing once again.
My father glanced back at me a second time, but he didn't say anything.
His annoyed expression spoke for him anyways.
"I'm sorry, appa." I gave a small bow. "My mind is elsewhere."
He gave a curt nod and continued to scrutinize me for a moment longer.
"So it seems."
As we walked towards the park, I imagined Miles' reaction to my father's grumpy nature.
'Your old man is a pain in the ass, short stack.'
Yeah, he would probably say that.
A group of old ladies passed by us, and I made sure to greet them with a smile.
They were a sweet bunch, telling me how pretty I was and if I wanted some sweets from their handbags while Father watched from a distance.
Eventually we reached the park and followed the trail we've known for years.
We walked in complete silence for a moment before my father halted in place and turned towards me.
"You have changed, Young-ja."
"What do you mean, appa? I am the same as always."
I felt my heart rate increase, frightened that I've done something to disappoint him in the three weeks I've been home.
"Don't lie to me, Park Young-ja! You've changed since going to school in America."
Father's legs began to wobble, so I lead him over to a nearby bench and sat down next to him.
"How have I changed, appa?"
"You stand with your chin up now. Before leaving for America, you always looked down and never said a word when walking down the street and meeting strangers. Yet, you speak with such ease now, even to your mother and me." He leaned forward and pointed to my eyes. "There is a fire there now. Your eyes were so dull before."
I averted my eyes and cleared my throat.
"Does it bother you,appa?"
He didn't say anything, just stared ahead at the duck pond in the distance.
"I don't know," He said after a while. "But I do want to know what caused the change, and so does your mother."
I thought back on the past few weeks, recalling all the times Mother and Father whispered behind their hands while staring at me with confused expressions.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to confess the truth.
"I made a friend. He is a sweet boy, a little abrasive at times but sweet nonetheless. He helped me learn to express my feelings clearly without fear. I truly am grateful for that."
His eyes scrutinized me once again, and I felt myself fidgeting under this gaze.
"Do you care for this boy?"
"Of course. He is a dear friend of mine."
"Don't ignore the question, Park Young-ja." His stern voice, though normal, sounded like a scream to me. "I asked if you care for this boy."
I rubbed my knuckles and tried to collect my thoughts, knowing Father hated it when his questions weren't answered immediately.
"The truth, appa?" I breathed out with pink cheeks, "Yes, I do care for him quite a bit- no- quite a lot actually."
Father made a grunting noise and turned away, furrowing his brow.
"Do you approve, appa?"
"No, I do not approve. This boy has made you happier, but he could interrupt your studies. You were lucky to receive a scholarship to that American college, and all your time should be devote to your studies, not some boy. So, I forbid you from having a relationship with this punk. Am I clear, Park Young-ja?"
I said nothing.
"AM. I. CLEAR?"
"Yes, appa." I sighed.
"Good." Father rose to his feet. "Let's continue our walk."
I nodded and watch him head down the path, waiting for him to be out of earshot before speaking up again.
"I do understand, appa. I understand that I like Miles, and it's my damn choice if I want to date him or not."
"Young-ja! Are you coming?"
"Yes, appa!"
-Kansas City, Missouri- (Miles)
"Dinner is ready, mio figlio prediletto!" My mom called from downstairs. "I made your favorite!"
"Be right there, mom!" I responded, shutting off my GameCube before sliding down the banister and into the kitchen.
My mom stood at the stove, pouring Sausage and Lentil soup into three different bowls, humming a tune.
I could see my dad in the adjacent room, shutting off his laptop and organizing his notebooks.
The old man probably had the most boring job in the world, but he loves books like a second child.
"Alright! We are all set." She was about to grab the bowls, but I beat her to them.
"I got it." I balanced the three steaming hot bowls on both arms and transferred them to the dining table, whispering a "Fuck yeah" when I didn't spill a drop.
I turned around and saw my mom staring at me with a look of utter shock.
It reminded me of how short stack pulls the same face when she's surprised, and I chuckled at the thought.
"What's up, mom? Is there shit on my face?"
"No and watch your language, young man." She said in a stern tone. "I'm just surprise. You never offer to bring the dishes to the table. You usually sit there with your feet on the table, tapping away on your mobile calculator."
"Okay, Mom, what kind of calculators have you been looking at recently? This is a phone, and give me a bit more credit. I know I've helped set the table more than once."
"Actually no, Miles." My father laughed, walking into the room and kissing mom on the cheek. "I'm agreeing with your mom on this one."
"You always agree with her!" I groaned, leaning back in my chair and tossing my head back in exasperation.
"Because she is always right."
"IL mio amore." Mom sighed, pulling Dad in for a very wet kiss.
"Good God, get a room, you animals!" I covered my eyes, ignoring their laughter and teasing.
It's bad enough they openly flirt in public, but do they have to gnaw each other's faces at the freaking dinner table?
"You'll be singing a different tune when you fall in love, son." Dad grinned, pulling out a chair for Mom before taking his seat. "But, in all seriousness, what is with the sudden change in behavior?"
"What?" I squinted my eyes, wondering what they were talking about.
I'm no different than I was before leaving for Colorado.
"Well, you have been more helpful around the house, you've been kinder to the neighbors, and most notably, your face is softer."
"My face?" The fuck have they been smoking?
"You used to have such a pinch up face. " Mom smiled, patting my cheek. "Now you have such a relaxed expression and soft skin."
I swatted her hands away and turned back to my dad.
"If I didn't know any better, old timer, I'd say you're seeing things. Nothing's changed about me at all."
"Well, if I didn't know any better, sonny, I'd say you meet someone at college who's influenced you quite a bit."
"W-what?" I stammered, trying not to immediately think of a certain short stack. "You're crazy, old man. Nobody's influenced me at all!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. So lay off." I took a swing of my juice and mumbled to myself, "She hasn't influenced me that much."
I forgot my mom had bat hearing because she started squealing with joy.
"It's a girl?! Oh, mio figlio prediletto!" She jumped out of her chair and yanked me into a bone crushing hug. "My little boy finally has a special someone!"
"She is just a friend!" I gasped, forgetting how strong my mom was. "Stop freaking out!"
"Oh, really?" My dad smirked, taking a sip of his champagne. "Then why is your face so red?"
"Because Mom is crushing my lungs!"
"Oh, sorry!" She released me from her death grip, and I collapsed into my chair. "Anyways, tell us about her. What's her name?"
"Young-ja Park, she is a music major." I wheezed out, feeling the oxygen returning to my lungs. "About the same age as me."
"What is she like?"
My mom had such a dreamy expression on her face that I wanted to puke my guts out.
"Well, she is really polite at first, but she is actually pretty sassy deep down. She is a hard worker, but constantly worries about what others may think. She is also a worry wart, like I told her I don't eat lunch all the time, and the next day and every day after that, she brought me a lunchbox filled with whatever she could get her hands on. It is one of the things that annoys me the most about her. Short stack is too nice for her own good. She tells me she can stand up for herself, but really she is all bark and no bite." I sighed and ruffled my hair in frustration. "In short, she is the most frustrating girl I've ever met."
My parents exchanged this sappy look, and I regretted even coming to dinner in the first place.
"Sounds like you like this girl quite a bit."
"Wow, nothing gets past you, Dad. Bless that doctorate of yours."
"When school starts back up, you should ask her out." My mom suggested that sickening smile still on her face.
"Uh, no thank you. We are just friends."
"Well, all relationships start from somewhere, and the best ones usually stem from friendship."
I was about to respond when my dad held his hand up.
"Just think about it. You don't know until you try. Whether it turns out sour or sweet, at least you gave it a shot."
I fiddled with the table cloth, actually considering his advice believe it or not.
"…I'll think about it."
My parents chuckled and continued eating their meals.
Reaching into my pocket, I fished out my phone and inspected the keychain attached to it.
It really was an ugly charm, but the care put into its creation made it beautiful.
I gave a small smile and nodded.
Alright. I'll give it a shot.
A/N: I just wanted to do a chapter with their parents input. I was raised in Gun-san, so I tried to recreate her neighborhood from experience. The houses are small, but every single one had a gate and a tiny courtyard. And, at least when I was growing up, you always addressed your parents when talking to them. Now for Miles' parents, I saw a picture of a young Sophia Loren and the Prince of Dubai, and I thought to myself, 'If these two had a kid, what would they look like? 'And that is how my mental image of Miles' was created. Haha.
Translations:
Appa: Father
mio figlio prediletto: my beloved son
IL mio amore: my love.
(I don't know any Italian, so my translations may be rough. I apologize. Hahaha.)