collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•seventy-eight•

~~~~~Jimin

The smell of coffee and desserts is filling my nose as I step into the cafe. My mother doesn't seem to be here yet so I take a seat near the window to wait. Her sudden call made me happy and nervous all at once. She hasn't come to Seoul much since we're always busy, so the curiosity is killing me. When the cute waitress stops at my table, I let her know I'm waiting for someone, and I suddenly worry she might pass out. She was holding her breath, and her face was a bright red. I couldn't contain my smile, which only made her more red...

The door opens, and the warm breeze from outside brings a familiar scent. Turning I see my mother looking around for me, so I wave her over. When she's at the table, I stand up and hug her tightly to me. I really do miss my parents more than I ever thought I would.

"Mom... It's so good to see you. How's Dad?"

"Same as always... Working... I came because we've been concerned about you... How are you Jimin? Really..."

Confusion swirls in my head, and I don't really know what to answer her. The last few months have been busy, but really wonderful now that Haerin is doing so well. I finished a solo song, and released it... We've been recording our new album, and are about to film a music video. It makes me wonder why she's suddenly so concerned...

"Everything is good Mom... We're very busy, but I'm happy with how our album is coming along."

"Hmmm... And your 'friend'... Choi Haerin? Are you involved with her?"

My heartbeat picks up, and I begin to stress about where this conversation is headed. My mother looks serious, but keeps a smile that doesn't meet her eyes.

"Mom... What's this about?"

"Jimin... Your father and I watched the drama from the past year. We haven't stepped in, but I also noticed that you seem very thin and unhealthy when you're on tv. We think that you're not taking care of yourself... Because of her..."

My mouth must be hanging open at her statements. I never thought she would be like this about a girl that spent almost every weekend at our home when we were children. We took baths together... Spent nights camping in my back yard... She was like a part of the family...

"Mom? I don't understand... Haerin is my best friend, and someone you've always known. Why are you saying 'her' like she's a stranger?"

"I saw the video from court... How you begged her to forgive you... Why? You left to follow your dream my son... And she sold herself!"

"ENOUGH!!"

I'm fuming at what she's saying, but we're in public, and my raised voice has already attracted attention. Not wanting to handle this here, I stand up and glare at my mother before walking out the door. How could she be like this? It's not Haerin's fault what happened, but when did my mother become so judgemental? I walk fast without realizing where I am, until the park in front of me makes me halt. There are kids playing, and parents smiling... It only reminds me of how much Jeongguk missed, and Haerin has suffered...

"JIMIN!"

I am sitting on a bench with my face in my hands when my panting mother sits next to me. I know it's her by the perfume she wears, just as I did when she entered the cafe. I wish she wouldn't have said what she did, because I really miss her. She had always been the Mom that my friends felt welcomed by. Even Haerin went to her first, when she needed help, but my parents had moved... If she'd been just one hour earlier...

"Jimin... I'm sorry... I'm just worried... Your Dad and I both are worried."

"I'm fine Mom. I'm better than I have been in a while... So why are you here now? It's been 9 months since the trial... Almost a year since the news first reported what happened... It feels a little late."