The only exception

Part TWO

Jisoo looked at me. She appeared to neither pity me nor feel uncomfortable with all that she'd had growing up that I didn't have. A family's warmth, a complete family that will always be there for you, and a life where your only problems are just your life career and don't involve two asshole parents.

I expected her to say something, something like, "How sad." and then give me the pity that I don't need and life stories that contained their flaws to make me feel better (though I'm sure it wouldn't make me feel better), but she didn't. Instead, she said something I never expected.

"All the more reasons for me to admire you the way I do," Jisoo said, raising her wine glass towards me. "To you, for being absolutely fucking great."

I laughed, clinking my glass with hers, then drank with her. Before I knew it, I was now facing the white board. I can feel Jisoo's eyes on me.

"I..." I don't know what to say. I had so many ideas before, and now that I faced the empty canvas to pour my imagination into, they suddenly disappeared.

"What you feel is what you're going to pour."

"What if you feel empty?"

"Then you express empty."

I glance at her. I had no words to tell her, but when I looked at her eyes, she looked at me, flames of adoration were present.

"Jennie Ruby Jane, that's your sister's English name." I said to her. She raises her eyebrows at me. "What's yours?"

She blinks and says nothing until after a long time.

"I don't have one. I'm only Kim Jisoo, from South Korea, and a loving sister of Jennie Kim," She said. "And yours? Is it really Park Roseanne?"

I glance at the canva and move my hands. I try to focus on the bold stroke I just made and confess the truth. "Park Roseanne is my English name. However, my real name is Chaeyoung. Park Chaeyoung"

I didn't really hear any reactions from her. She didn't say anything like, "So, you're from the states?" or. "Why did you change your name?" She didn't ask any questions regarding of my name or where I live. She didn't say anything until she said.

"That's a beautiful name, Chaeyoung."

I couldn't help but feel the tip of my lips rising up. My dad has always thought of that name as beautiful, but the kids at my elementary school kept saying how old-fashioned and ugly it was. For the longest time, I kept moving my hands and focusing my eyes on the painting I was doing for the first time. This is the first time I felt so motivated, and it's all because of her.

"Thank you," I said, and decided to express my feelings. "No one has said that to me before."

I glance at her. She glanced back at me. I could not help but feel myself smiling at her. She smiled back.

I turned back to the canvas, which was now filled with something, and I realized how much I missed painting.

+++

After that evening, I noticed how much time I had consumed. I invited Jisoo to stay for the night. I didn't want her to go home at this hour. I could see how she was getting tipsy, and so was I. I twirled my arms around hers, holding her close to me, and led her upstairs, where my room is located. I can't let her sleep in my father's bedroom.

"Where's your father?" She whispered.

"Work," I didn't want to say that he rarely comes home. I don't want her to fully see how lonely I am. "You can borrow my pajamas. I have just the perfect one for you."

We walked straight into the closet. I watched as she looked around, taking in the surroundings of the bedroom where I grew up.

"Can I ask you something?" She said,