daddy lessons | 2jae

| two |

I guess you could say my life turned upside down after my father passed away.

Leukemia, of course the doctors had caught it too late.

I was left to look after my mom and sister, only to have my eomma turn into a complete junkie and my sister not come home everynight.

The sobs that shook the walls of the house at night were haunting. I wept silently into my pillow while my mother didn't bother to hide her pain, wildly throwing objects and screaming.

My sister came home every couple days. Out with her boyfriend most of the time.

I was too worried about them that I hadn't stopped to think about how I felt, although I didn't really care how I felt.

The death of my appa tore the family apart. I hadn't ventured outside of my bedroom for a week. No food or shower, just crying, sleep, repeat.

I somehow managed to pull myself out of bed today and make my way to a local small cafe.

It was dead of the summer in South Korea and the feeling of the artificial air conditioning enveloping me when I walked into the shop brought me joy.

Something I hadn't felt in a very long time.

As I sat down, I was greeted by a rather chipper young man with ebony hair. An employee, it seems.

" Good afternoon, I am Jaebum, what can I get you? "

I was annoyed by how lively the boy was. He looked as though nothing could bring him down from his pedestal of happiness.

" Just a coffee. Black. "

My facial expression did not change as I stared at the vibrant boy in boredom.

His smile tugged slightly and I felt myself smirk.

" Okay, coming right up! "

I sighed as the man named Jaebum walked away, behind a counter.

People were crowded into the shop, chattering obnoxiously.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through numerous texts from Mark and Jinyoung.

Their worried texts did not affect me and I slid my phone back into my pocket.

I did in fact notice that ever since appa passed away, I had been rather cold-hearted. The worst part about it all was I didn't really care either.

But I knew appa would not want me to be so rude so I talked myself into being nicer as Jaebum returned with a cup in hand.

" Here you go, sir. "

I chuckled at his innocent formalities, taking the warm cup.

" Thank you, Jaebum. "

His cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink and I ignored the feeling of my heart fluttering ever so slightly.

I paid for the coffee, also handing him a tip of 23, 618 won.

His jaw fell agape at the tip I handed him.

" I can't take this. "

I smiled, pushing the hand with the money in it closer to his chest.

" It is fine. Go buy yourself something nice. You probably need it more than I do anyways. "

He bowed awkwardly, shuffling his feet.

" Thank you ah- "

" It's Youngjae. "

" Thank you Youngjae. "

I swiftly stuck a piece of paper with my number on it into his apron pocket and exited the shop.

It was as I was leaving that I remembered my appa's words.

" Do not give your heart so easily. "