Narrator
Soft rays of sun were shining through the little cracks of the window. The waves were splashing on the shore, and small yawns could be heard throughout the beach house.
"Good morning, Honey!" A cheerful mother greeted.
"The weather is nice out. You should go down to the beach. Explore with the locals!" An encouraging dad smiled widely.
All their yawning baby could do was nod.
- Minji POV -
I was yawning all the way down to the beach town. Hands in my shorts and the collar of my shirt unevenly laid, while I found it difficult to pick up my slides from the floor.
I had been in a bit of a funk lately, so my parents decided to take me on a trip.
I think it was a nice gesture from them but I was still finding it hard to enjoy everything.
"You know, some gum could help that yawning out!" A local suddenly caught my attention.
*AWWWHHH*
I yawned again as I tried to pretend like I didn't hear them.
"I can guarantee you that the gum here is very special!" The local tried again.
I did my best to ignore them. I wasn't trying to be rude. It's just that they weren't the only vendor along the beach trying to sell something.
"I know you heard me. I promise this gum is so special that it could put a smile on your pretty face," The local was trying so hard that it actually made me smile a bit.
"Alright, what's so special about it?" I softly asked.
"Here, open it to find out. It's on me!" The local excitedly handed me a pack of bubble gum.
I hesitated for a bit but eventually took it. All the vendors nearby were watching us and they all seemed so eager for me to take it.
I figured it would be rude to not take it in case this specific gum was something special to the locals.
"Thank you," I gave the local a smile as I placed the gum in my pockets.
"Make sure you open it!" The gum vendor yelled as I continued on my way.
"I promise it'll make your day better if you just open it!" He continued to yell as I faded into the distance.
The simple gesture of a local lifted my mood a bit, and I found a soft smile resting on my face as the way went on.
After exploring the beach town for a few hours, I bought a sandwich and a signature drink a local shop owner recommended. I made my way down to the shore and found a flat slick rock to enjoy my lunch on.
"This is actually kind of nice," I smiled as the fresh ocean scent surrounded me.
*SLUUURRPPP*
Finishing a meal next to the ocean waves was a refreshing experience. I hadn't done so in a long time.
I breathed in the air along me and exhaled deeply.
I hadn't been this relaxed in months.
"The ocean looks so beautiful," I thought to myself.
I reached for my phone to capture the moment but was met with something else. I pulled out the what it was and found the gifted pack of bubble gum on my palm.
"Hmmh," I wondered if I should finally see what was so special about this bubble gum.
Curiosity ended up winning and I slowly unwrapped the packaging.
There was nothing special about the bubble gum packaging in itself. It was just a simple pink color with purple bubbled writing on it.
I finally opened the pack and my eyes narrowed when I noticed something written in marker on the inside.
"Won't you come and find me?
~ I'm just a yummy clue away ~"
My head tilted in confusion.
I looked around to try to find the local who gave me the gum but quickly realized I had moved a bit away from that location.
"Must be a practical joke or maybe even marketing," I whispered under my breath.
Either way, I wanted to see what was so special about this gum and took a piece out. I unwrapped it and placed it in my mouth.
There was nothing special about the gum.
It was plain old bubble gum flavor.
I sighed as my mood reverted back to its original state and squatted down to regain my energy.
"I wanna go back home," I started to think again.
I knew my parents were doing their best to lift up my mood, but I didn't ask for this trip. None of it would change anything.
I twiddled with my fingers for a bit as I contemplated on how to ask my parents if we could go back home without sounding ungrateful.
It was then that I noticed something else...,
There was writing on the individual bubble gum wrapper.
"I took a picture with an animal that goes 'moo'. Think you can catch up?"
I was really confused.
There was something odd about this bubble gum pack.
"This writing-" I thought to myself.
I immediately jolted up when I realized something. I looked around for any clues of my suspicions and was met with nothing but disappointment.
I sighed and took another piece of gum out.
I took a few bites and it felt like this next piece was a bit sweeter.
"The sun rays must feel nice. Huh, MJ?"
The wrapper read.
A smile crept up on my face. To the point where my eyes were smiling too.
- Y/N POV -
I watched as MJ took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and soaked in the sun.
A small smile appeared on her face. It was barely noticeable, but it made butterflies flutter in my tummy.
"Yeah, I guess the sun does feel nice," I saw Minji mouthed.
I smiled to myself.
I knew Minji hadn't been feeling well so it was nice to see her in a mood other than her usual.
*MMOOOOO*
Some of the cows nearby started running around the field on the hills. My attention was placed on the silly cows that when I turned my attention back to Minji...
She was gone.
I looked around a bit confused and chuckled when I finally found her.
Minji was running down the beach in the direction of the cows.
It didn't take long before I caught up to her. It looked like MJ was doing what my little scavenger hunt suggested.
She was trying to take a picture with one of the cows.
It was really cute.
I walked over to the middle of the field and sat down to watch her.
It would've been better if I was hiding, but it's not like Minji could see me anyway.
I few minutes went by and I watched as MJ chased around some of the cows. Typically, Minji seemed like a menace to society but it seemed like the cows were really enjoying her company.
It seemed like they were all just playing.
Minji suddenly stopped, pulled out the very special pack of bubblegum I got her, and took another piece.
I watched as she suddenly looked around the floor, picked something up, and took off running down the hill.
I was exhausted from following her around, but it's not like I had something better to do.
I walked over to the bottom of the hill and smiled when I noticed Minji had completed another one of her missions.
She had found a four-leaf clover.
I thought it was impossible to find but I guess with a face like that, the universe couldn't deny Minji anything.
- Minji POV -
I couldn't stop smiling.
I hadn't smiled so genuinely in such a long time. My checks were starting to hurt.
I knew just who was behind it all, but I also knew it was impossible to ever see them again.
"I miss you," I sighed to myself as I took out another piece of gum.
"I miss you too," I heard a familiar voice say.
I froze for a second.
"Y/N!!!" I squealed once it finally sank in.
"What are you doing here? I thought you moved?!" I ran up to hug Y/n tightly.
"I could never move away from you. Even when you think I'm not there, I will always be there for you!" Y/n giggled.
I took a deep breath as I hugged Y/n tighter.
Just when I thought I was all alone...
I realized I wasn't.
"Now, how about we finish that bubble gum pack together?"
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Author's Note: Rate 'Bubble Gum' from 1-10. I give it a 10 <3