You Are Home [Hwang2Shin]

Ch. 15

Back when you were in foster care, you only got presents twice a year -- a random holiday gift from a non-profit that worked with the group home, and a handmade birthday craft from Sunoo. (You know you're still in foster care, but it doesn't feel like it anymore. You try not to think about that too much -- one last ditch attempt not to get your hopes up.)

But ever since that day Yeji and Ryujin bought you a new walkie-talkie -- one that would reach Sunoo -- they've been giving you an almost absurd amount of small treasures.

Sometimes they're for special occasions, like the leather-bound sketchbook they gave you when you aced your history project. Sometimes they're for milestones, like the set of sparkly barrettes Yeji bought you when you showed her you could almost tuck your hair behind your ears. But, more often than not, Yeji and Ryujin will give you presents for absolutely no reason at all. (Once you hear John half-heartedly chide them for spoiling you, but Yeji tells him they're just making up for lost time. You're not entirely sure what she means, but it makes Ryujin smile.)

You cherish every single gift they give you, but it's the surprise ones that really get you. Honestly, they could wrap up a pinecone in newspaper and you'd feel touched. Just the fact that they chose something specifically for you -- for no reason other than making you smile -- fills your chest with a cloying sort of joy. Like laughing with a mouth-full of ice cream -- a delectable ache.

Those presents are also your favorite because Yeji and Ryujin always hide them somewhere for you to find. One time you discovered a plush cat that looked just like Waffles nestled amongst your other stuffed animals with a yellow bow stuck to its head. Another time you slipped your foot into one of your Keds only to find seven bundles of colored string for making friendship bracelets. (Yeji and Ryujin found matching rainbow bracelets under their pillows a few days later.)

So, when you and Yeji come home from running errands one Saturday afternoon, you're surprised when you walk in the front door and nearly trip over two little bundles wrapped in silver paper that's so sparkly it looks like it was made from ground-up disco balls. You haven't gotten any tests back lately or passed any milestones that you can think of.

What's more, Yeji looks just as confused as you. "Ryujin?" she calls, bending to pick up the one labled with her name. "Babe? What's going on?" No one replies except for Waffles, who meows hello as he trots into the entryway. You see Ryujin's keys on the hook by the door, so she must be home. Yeji raises one eyebrow and you laugh as you pick up the gift with your name on it.

It feels squishy, like a folded towel, and your bundle is slightly smaller than the other. A floorboard creaks somewhere above you and Yeji smirks. "Alright, Miss Mysterious," she yells up the stairs. "Are we just supposed to open these or what?" Ryujin doesn't answer and you bounce on your toes with excitement.

Usually Yeji is the silly one, but when Ryujin goofs around she goes all out. Yeji shrugs and the two of you head into the living room, where you can sit on the couch and keep the bottom of the stairs in sight. Yeji holds the package up beside her ear and shakes it, as if she'll hear something rattling around inside.

She's doing it just so you'll laugh, which makes it even funnier, and you collapse against the back of the couch in a fit of giggles. Waffles jumps up onto the sofa next to Yeji and starts pawing at the shiny paper right around the same time her fingers begin toying with the tape, and you laugh again because you never realized it, but they're both equally impatient.

"Ryujiniiiiinnn, we're opening them!" you call, blushing a little because you're still not used to being loud. "Last chance to come down and see our reactions!" You think that might lure her out from her hiding spot. Ryujin, like you, is a keen observer, and you know she likes giving presents a million times more than receiving them. You'll never forget how she looked on Yeji's birthday -- the way her eyes lit up.