Nayeon hurried her daughter as they packed their last items to move abroad from Korea. If she was to say the truth, she was very scared and worried about how things would differ from the two places. But she wanted the best for her daughter and she knew that sacrificing her own job and life here would be beneficial if it meant that she was safe.

Safe.

What Nayeon would do to go back to the time where she wasn’t constantly checking over her shoulder in fear or constant panic. She should have listened to the others when they told her that her partner was not who they seemed to be. Nayeon ignored them all, thinking that they didn’t know them like she did herself. She thought that things were great between the two of them; that there could be nothing wrong when they’d even brought a child into their lives, adopting the four year old.

But she had never been wrong about anything in her life as much as she’d been for her partner. Nayeon had never expected the bitter change from what she used to know them as. She’d seen how they destructed themselves to no return. Sensing the danger for their daughter, Nayeon had hesitantly applied for a divorce.

She knew she should’ve been worried when it was agreed upon quickly. But in that moment, she was happy that she could have custody of their daughter and protect her. Nayeon had simply looked into their eyes, and had known how distraught and guilty they felt. Things couldn’t be changed now, the love they shared disappeared into thin air.

Their relationship was more of a habit for the two of them – like a routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, drop their daughter off, come home, eat dinner, sleep. No words of affection were shared, no moments were created, they became two strangers. From that, it had become worse. Her partner came home late, reeked of alcohol and woke up later than Nayeon.

The one time Nayeon had tried to convince them that it was not the path to take, she’d earned a slap on her face which could’ve potentially turned into more if their daughter hadn’t come into the room. Of course, they regretted it the moment they were sober but the damage was done – there was no going back from what had happened already.

Why was she no longer safe? Nayeon had initially thought that she was in the clear when she’d left her partner’s house and received no contact from them for a month. She was slowly getting use to life without her partner and everything seemed amazing – she’d describe it as too good to be true. It had started off with simple letters, asking Nayeon to come back but it had turned to so much more and Nayeon couldn’t risk the safety of her daughter.

Nara.

Her little bundle of happiness that she wouldn’t trade the world for. Her precious and beautiful daughter who she wanted to protect from anything and everything. She was seven years old and she was so damn bright, Nayeon couldn’t even have an answer for her sometimes. Or, Nayeon was probably just behind on all the new fancy terms introduced to kids.

Nara had asked her heaps of questions about why they were leaving and none of them seemed to answer what she wanted, developing more and more questions each time. Nayeon eventually had to lie, saying that it was for her work – how could she tell her daughter that this was all because of her partner? That they were running away from the problems that they brought on? Lying was the only way to settle the questions and she had to do it.

Nayeon held Nara’s hand tightly as they reached the airport check-in, looking around in nervousness.

“Is everything okay Ma?” Nara asked, tugging on her hand.

“Of course sweetheart. Let’s go.” Nayeon smiled, ignoring the sinking feeling in her stomach. Something made her uncomfortable – as if there was someone staring but when she turned around, she couldn’t see anything. She shrugged it off as paranoia and paid attention to Nara who was rambling about her school.

“Hey Ma, do you think I could get some candy before we board the plane?” Nara asked, giving her best puppy eyes to Nayeon.

“You know that’s not the best idea sweetheart. You need to get some sleep on the plane.” Nayeon explained.

“I promise I’ll sleep! It’s just that it might be the last time I get to eat it.” Nara pouted, weakening Nayeon’s defence.

“Alright, alright. Just one!” Nayeon teased, ruffling Nara’s hair as she whined.

The two completed their check-in, walking over to the gates as they tried to find seats in the area.

“Ma, can we go now?” Nara pleaded.

“Just a few more minutes sweetheart. I just want to rest.” Nayeon chuckled.

“You’re getting more unfit Ma.” Nara teased, covering as she uttered the words.

“Hmm… I don’t know if I want to buy those lollies anymore.” Nayeon pretended to be angry.

“I’m sorry Ma!” Nara apologised, playing with her fingers. Nayeon had to stifle a laugh at her daughter’s cuteness. She pulled out her slide clip off her hair, fixing it up as she watched Nara continue to be upset.

“It’s okay. Let’s go now, shall we?” Nayeon smiled watching Nara get up in glee and excitement.

The two of them passed through a busy area and unknowingly, Nara had disappeared from Nayeon’s side. She passed the crowd, turning around to check on Nara when she noticed her lack of presence. She panicked, searching for Nara and pushing past the people once again. She was right next to her, how did she disappear so fast? What if someone took her? What if something bad happened to her? Calling out her name, Nayeon continued to look for Nara.

Nara had continued her way to the store, not knowing what to do about her missing mother. Maybe she could find her here? She stood by the store entrance, almost in tears. Her Ma should’ve found her by now right? What if she forgot her here? Thinking about the possibility caused her to burst into tears.

“She must be lost!”

“So? What if she’s not?”

“She clearly looks lost!”

“What if we scare her though?

“We won’t know if we don’t try!”

“Then, should we talk to her?”

“Would you rather pull her away somewhere instead?!”

“Alright, why are you getting mad at me!”

“Because, argh! Why did I bother in the first place!”

“Hey, I didn’t do anything to deserve that!”

“Come on, just stay by my side.”

The two of them approached Nara carefully and slowly, not wanting to scare her away. Squatting so that they could be level with her, the blonde one talked first.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

Nara quietened down, backing away slightly.

“Are you lost?” The taller one asked.

“Ma said not to talk to strangers.” Nara mumbled to herself.

“My name is Sana, and this is my friend Tzuyu. We just want to help, okay? Are you looking for your mum?” Sana tried again.

“Y-yes. She was next to me and then suddenly she disappeared.” Nara muttered.

“Maybe we can get it announced on the PA system?” Tzuyu suggested.

“That’s a great idea!” Sana clapped.

“Do you want to come with us? We’re just going over to that desk over there.” Sana asked, pointing to a help desk.

Nara nodded, slipping her hand into Tzuyu’s, surprising her in the process.

“Oh, look at that. I think she might like you.” Sana teased, earning a scoff from Tzuyu.

“Shut up.” Tzuyu frowned, looking down at the girl holding on to her hand. Nara was still looking around the place for her Ma.

There is a lost child at gate 6, calling Im Nayeon. I repeat again, Im Nayeon, please come to gate 6.

Nayeon’s eyes widened at the announcement, frantically searching for the gate. She was currently near 12. She followed the path, finding the gate in no time. She couldn’t spot Nara and she panicked again – had she misheard the announcement?

There was a tap on her shoulder and she turned around, facing a rather tall girl. “Are you possibly Im Nayeon?” She asked.

Nayeon nodded and the girl smiled, worrying her in the process. How did she know who she was?

“I’m Tzuyu.” Tzuyu greeted, bowing to Nayeon. “Your daughter was lost and was standing outside one of the stores crying so we made an announcement for you to come here.” She said, asking Nayeon to follow her.

She let out a sigh of relief as she saw Nara sitting with someone else, swinging her legs on a seat. As if noticing her presence, she looked up, eyes widening before she ran up to Nayeon and hugging her.

“Ma!” Nara sobbed, hugging Nayeon’s legs. Unable to help herself, Nayeon cried quietly as well. Even though it was only for a little while, it felt like forever. She held on to Nara tightly, mouthing a thank you to the two girls who were watching on in awe.

“It’s okay sweetheart.” Nayeon soothed, kissing Nara’s head. “Did you say thank you to the girls?” She asked, Nara shaking her head in response.

She ran up to Sana, shaking her hand before moving to Tzuyu to engulf her in a hug. Awkward with the situation, Tzuyu just patted Nara’s back, knowing that Sana was going to afterwards.

“Thank you.” Nara grinned, bowing to the two of them.

“Thank you, very much.” Nayeon said sincerely.

“It’s no problem. I’m glad it all got sorted out.” Sana smiled, waving to Nara as the two of them left.

“Hmm, I think we still need to buy your lollies, right? Hold on to my hand tightly this time, okay?” Nayeon advised, chuckling as Nara nodded with enthusiasm.

Words weren’t enough to show the two girls how thankful she was that she found Nara. Her mind had gone to the extent to think that her partner had possibly taken Nara away. She shook that thought out of her head; this was meant to be a chance for her to leave everything behind and forget the past – a chance to overlook the lack of luck. She wasn’t going to care about anything else.

The past is in the past.

A/N: and it's officially started :')
Like I said in my foreword, this is new territory I'm treading on so I hope it sounds okay~
Feedback is greatly appreciated!
Let me know what you all think~

Sorry for any typos you spot (ง'̀-'́)ง