𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡﹕jay

－ 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

Third person

The moon illuminates the serene patio where Jieum and the rest agree to spend their night together. The sound of the fire crackling from the wood burning inside the firepit joins with their warm banters and witty repartees. There are beer cans and snacks on the wooden table to keep them company. All four of them must have already downed a can or two, and some are going in for more.

"What was life in the States like, Jongseong?" Jaeyun, asks, putting forward a new topic as the previous one has now died down.

"Oh, me? Um..." Jongseong trails off with an awkward smile as he scratches his nape, feeling the eyes of everyone tumble on him.

However, Jieum is taken aback by the question that isn't even meant for her, as if she were summoned. She averts her eyes away, skeptical of whether she wants her ears to take in his next words or not.

"It was... well— different to begin with. I knew it was going to be a whole new lifestyle, I just wasn't aware of what kind yet. Everything was new for a couple of while. But then, when you get used to it, it comes to be fun. Suddenly, it's like you've been living there your whole life." Jongseong says, hitting upon the right words as he thinks back to those days.

A glimpse of those times flashes back when he used to stare at houses across the street through his bedroom window, with people he'd never seen before coming in and out of their front doors. He hoped to see one of his old neighbours appear to convince himself that he was still home.

He also remembers the days he missed his friends, entering the gates of the university he got into without Sunoo or Sunghoon swinging their arm over his shoulder while Heeseung catches up to them. He later on got approached by a boy and a girl of different nationalities who welcomed him instantly, treating him as a new friend of theirs.

Eventually, he decided it had been long enough to remain in his bubble, and began going out to parties and hanging out almost every night, especially in freshman year (which he regretted at some point).

He lived comfortably, with lots of meaningful memories and reckless choices as he was only continuing to grow up after all, just in a whole different environment.

"Did you ever feel homesick?" Sohee asks, sparing a discreet glance towards Jieum who's been staring at tiny flames rising from the pit.

As much as Jongseong loved his whole other life, it never got to beat the life he grew up in. Because every time the night was almost over, he would lie down in bed and yearned for what he used to have.

"Of course, I did. Nothing beats home, after all." He nods then laughs after.

He shares a few more short stories with Sohee and Jaeyun while sipping on his cold beer. Their mixed laughter makes him smile in return, eased by the attention he's receiving. But then he realizes that despite their guffaws, something's missing.

Looking over to his side, he sees Jieum drinking, her head in the clouds. He doesn't know if she's been listening the whole time or not, therefore he stops chattering. He sees the grim on her face when she gets called by her best friend, getting interrupted away from her deep silent thoughts.

"Earth to Jieum? Are you good?" Sohee snaps her fingers at her face. Jieum sees her red cheeks and droopy eyes.

"Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?" Jieum answers, taking another sip from her third can.