“Are you up already? Need to talk to you.” I read Jiyong’s message as I woke up. I checked the time he sent it: 7:00 am. Why so early? He knows I’m not yet up until 8. Maybe there’s something he needs to tell me that he can’t tell his parents. Maybe…

“Dara? Dara! Jiyong’s down here,” my sister, Bom called from downstairs.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” I replied.

I went down, still in my pajamas, and my hair tied in a ponytail. I grinned when I saw him. He smiled, but it wasn’t the usual smile he had. It was a sad one.

“Hey,” I greeted him. “What’s up?”

“Dara, we need to talk,” he said.

“Yeah, I know. I read your message. But why so early?” I asked him. “You know I’m not yet up until 8.”

“I know. And I’m sorry,” What is wrong with him? He’s not being his usual self.

“Never mind that. What do you want to talk about?” I decided to ask him.

He sighed, and then he stood up. He was pacing in the living room thinking deeply. He went near the door and motioned for me to come and follow him. He held my hands and looked at me in the eye. I looked up at him. I read his expression; it was full of pain, worry, and sadness. It seems that there is something bothering him so much.

“Are you okay? Are you sick?” I asked, full of concern. He shook his head and looked down.

A thought flashed into my mind. Uh-oh, this is it. The day I never wanted to come. 

“No,” I said. I took a step back.

“Dara, ple