"Thanks, that'd be nice." So, with that, the two of us set off together as a leisurely pace down the sidewalk.

"So, where are you from?" I asked him, hoping to make some casual conversation along the way.

"I'm from Seoul. Just here on a small business venture so I'll be heading back this afternoon." He replied, glancing at me as he pulled his scarf a little higher over his plump lips.

It had struck me as strange for such a good looking guy to be in my hometown. They just didn't exist here. Truly an anomaly.

"That must be nice, I've heard so many nice things about Seoul." I gave a tiny smile.

"You've never been?" He questioned, gaze glinting curiosity as he peered at me from over the light beige fabric of his scarf.

"Well... I have but, I can't remember any of it." I hesitated to answer, not wanting to get into any kind of specifics on why that was. He was a stranger after-all. I was relieved he didn't press it.

"Oh... I see." But, still felt the mood shift and I cursed myself for even bringing it up.

"Yeah, it's a bit complicated," I tried to laugh it off as to brighten the mood, "but, I'd love to go again someday, if I can." The smile I gave seemed to spark a small excitement in him as he broke into a grin.

"Well, if you do ever find yourself in Seoul and need a hand, let me know. Here, how about you take my number for good measure?" His enthusiasm was warm, inviting. As badly as I wanted to, I didn't know if I'd ever get the chance, but, it was still a kind offer.

"Really?" I grinned.

"Yeah, of course! It's the least I can do for helping me out" upon swapping numbers I learnt that his name was Jin. It rolled of the tongue so effortlessly, like I'd said it before.

He'd thanked me for the directions. And, I was left feeling almost mesmerised by his handsomeness when he gave a lazy wave back at me as he went on his way.

I took my time in the grocery store as I collected all the items my mum had written down on her list. My mind still being pulled back to the boy I'd met merely moments ago.

The reason I'd gone to Seoul in the first place was so that I could study. After my accident my parents had deferred me from University. Over the last few months I'd been thinking more and more of going back and finishing my degree. But, when I'd mentioned it to my parents they'd flat out refused.

Excuses of money struggles followed by a genuine worry about sending me back. Even though I couldn't remember it didn't change the fact that I'd nearly died somehow. Which, was an understandable worry for my parents to have. Maybe I should've been more worried too but, for some reason I wasn't. Instead, I felt empty. Like I was missing a part of myself, an incompleteness and as time passed it only bothered me more and more.

Prior to the accident neither of my parents had payed me much attention so, now that they'd been doting on me day in day out, it was hard to get used to and uncomfortable at times. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate that they cared but, I just wish it hadn't taken for me to nearly die for them to give a damn.

After grabbing the last item on the list, which was a bottle of Vodka, no doubtably for my mum, I headed home. During winter the sun set early and with it, the chill instills.

I'd only just stepped back into the house when my mums voice floated from the kitchen.

"Is that you Jia?" She called. I hadn't even taken off my shoes before she rushed out of the kitchen towards me.

"Sweetie, you'll never guess what happened while you were out." She was quick to take one of the shopping bags from me to help carry the load to the kitchen.

"Something happened? What?" I questioned, following behind her and propping the bag into the counter beside the other..

"Well, while you were out a representative from the University came by." She turned, smile on her lips. That sounds weird. Why on earth would they do that?

"What? All the way out here? Why?" I froze, took my hand out of the shopping bag and looked at her, waiting for her to go on.

"They're offering you a scholarship. Oh, not to mention, the guy who dropped by was such a good-looking young man. Sweetie, you really should try and nab yourself a boyfriend when you get back there-" She began to ramble off but I was having trouble digesting.

"Wait! Mum, slow down! What do you mean 'When I get back there?!' I thought you and dad didn't want me going back?" I felt a rush hit me, although delayed it was catching up. Was she seriously considering letting me go back?

"Well, there's no way we could turn it down if it's a scholarship. It'd be such a waste... And, I know how bad you want this. So, let me handle your Father. I'm sure I can convince him to agree." My mum gave a reassuring smile before pulling me in to a gently hug.

I felt like I was dreaming, half expecting myself to wake up any second now. Even though my mum was kinda hopeless it was times like these that she came through for me and I loved her for it.

Dad came home after work and the three of us had dinner together huddled under the warmth of the Kotatsu table. After some slightly heated discussions my dad gave into my mums tipsy bickering and it was decided that I'd be going back to resume my studies in March.

That night as I lay in bed I remembered my mum mentioning that the guy who came was handsome. Which was weird cause my mum wouldn't have said it about just anyone, that and the fact I'd run into someone of a similar description myself. Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

______________________________
Memories - Jin's piece:
18.September.2013

Silence blankets the white walls of the hospital room, it'd been a week since Jia's accident but none of us were able to see her until now.

The emergency surgery had caused a delay, which, only intensified our fears once news of what happened reached us.

But, somehow we'd managed not to fall apart in these seven days. We'd held on, the sheer force of her living through this keeping us from falling undone at the seams.

The seven of us stood around her bed as she lay there in the white sheets, still asleep. An I.V drip still in her arm, head wrapped in bandages from the surgery.

My heart aches, I can sense the strained emotion between us. Confusion, regret, pain, worried until we'd been physically sick. The guys were holding it back as best they could.

But, when she woke. Her first words ripped our world apart.

"Who're you?"

Notes:

Okay! There we go |ω')
Please let me know what you think!
It really helps and makes my day hearing from you,
Also, cause this is a new theme I'm a bit nervous but excited ><

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