Perception of Distance || Jaebeom

FIVE

The cold feeling of the metal chair touched my thighs as I let out a small shiver. Pulling the cardigan closer to my body, I looked around the mom and pop style restaurant. Jaebeom said he wanted to bring me to his favorite place to eat.

It's been a week since I've started school, it was way harder than I thought. Reading in Korean was difficult, I never really learned Hangul properly either. I knew the basics but reading novels and essays in depth was challenging, I felt completely useless.

A tray of food hit the wooden table as it snapped me out of my thoughts. A bunch of delicious smells wrapped around my nostrils as I felt my mouth watering. There was a big bowl of sundubu, a plate of galbi, and two bowls of rice.

"Wow." I looked up at him, a big smile radiates from his lips as he pulls out a chair and sits down.

"Igeos-eun naega jeil joh-ahaneun eumsig-ida"

*This is my favorite food.

"Gamsahamnida Jaebummie."

*Thank you.

I shot him a grin as I put the metal spoon into the soup, picking up a piece of tofu and beef, then blowing it lightly before shoving it into my mouth.

The taste of spicy soft tofu melted in my mouth as I let out a satisfied moan. Looking up I saw Jaebeom cover his mouth with his hand, holding in his laughter. Seeing his eyes crinkle up in happiness while laughing made me laugh as well.

"Jaebummie?" He looked at me curiously as I bit my lip, calming myself from laughing again.

"Gwiyeobda."

*Sounds cute.

He wrinkled his nose up in disgust and scrunched his eyebrows together, putting on a serious face.

He patted his chest proudly as he said, "Gwiyeobji anh-a. Naneun namjaibnida."

*Not cute. I'm a man.

Rolling my eyes, I shoved the spoon into his mouth as he took the spoon out of my hand. His cheeks started to uncover hints of pink, he cleared his throat.

"Wae yeogilo isa wassni?" He stared at me with his deep curious eyes.

*Why did you move here?

After taking a sip of my cola, I shrugged. "Abeojiui jigeob"

*My dad's job.

He nodded as he parted his lips to speak again, "Neowa neoui appa ppun-inga?"

*Is it only you two?

"Nae dongsaengi yeogi sanda." I gave him a smile as he nodded, spooning some rice into his mouth.

*My brother lives here.

"Geugeon nae sudgalag-iya!" I glared my eyes at him as he let out a loud laugh.

*That's my spoon!

He hands me it back as I saw mischief gleam in his eyes as I eyed the spoon in disgust, but inside I was freaking out.

Isn't that like an indirect kiss?

Taking the spoon from his hand, I stuck my tongue out at him as he gave me a goofy smile. He picked up his chopsticks as he started to devour the galbi as I followed his actions with a big smile on my face.

🐥

Hearing him kick a rock onto the sidewalk, his hands were shoved into his front pockets. It's been silent for a few minutes, but it was a good kind of silence.

"Chinguga dwaejwoseogomawo." I looked at him, completely stopping in my tracks.

*Thanks for being my friend.

He raised an eyebrow looking at me before I saw his lips twitch into a smile. Before I knew what or could process what I was doing, I threw my arms around him.

He froze as he stuttered, "Kaimi?"

A rush of emotions hit me as I felt sad yet happy all in one. I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I realized I've been bottling things up for awhile now.

He wrapped his arms around me as I heard him whisper, "Nan neul ne gyeot-e iss-eul geoya."

*I'll always be here for you.

He pulled away, telling me to look at him as I refused. Hanging my head low, I continued walking as he pulled me back lifting my chin up.

"Uljima! Naega neoege eumsig-eul sajulgeoya, forever." He scratched his head thinking of the word as a dorky smile appeared on his lips.

*Don't cry. I will always buy you food, forever.

His words caused me to burst out laughing as I thought to myself, his accent is cute.

I wiped the tears from my eyes, as he draped an arm over my shoulders as we continued walking.

Walking home we were talking about what we like, and my time in America, the sky was starting to get dark.

Where the light meets dark, and it created an beautiful array of colors.

One that put a smile on my face, because it reminded me of somebody.