thirty eight.
lather, rinse, repeat“I can’t believe you’re finally graduating!”
I winced at the pitched squeal in my ear, scooting the slightest away from the source of the voice. As much as I loved (and hated all the same my brother, he was far too easily excitable.
But he was right. I myself couldn’t believe I was finally graduating. The last twelve years of my life, struggling with education, teachers, and bullies (and love) had finally come to an end. It was a bitter sweet moment. I half wished I could turn back around and return time, but another part of me couldn’t be happier than it was finally all over.
I wasn’t sure whether to scream of joy, or cry.
“My baby brother’s finally an adult now,” Himchan cooed, pulling me into a hug, successfully wrinkling my school uniform. I promptly told him this, shoving him off me, only to find his eyes welling in tears and lips spread to an odd smile, “This’ll be the last time you wear that too.”
He was about to throw himself on again, but to my rescue, Yongguk stepped in, prying Himchan away from me with a soft chuckle, mumbling out apologizes in my brother’s stead.
It was an odd sight, my family.
Most kids’ had their whole family at their graduation, their party ranging from their baby cousins to their grandparents. For me, I had Himchan – and Yongguk, who’d decided to tag along after Himchan’s great pleas. Mom and dad were busy at work, as usual, and hadn’t been able to call time off to watch through my graduation. They’d already given me my congratulations, and hugs of approval and I supposed that was enough for me. And oddly enough, I couldn’t find myself jealous of the other kids, whose grandparents had decided to press red lipstick stained kisses to their cheeks. I was happy with my family.
Not much had changed between the days to my graduation. Himchan was still Himchan, bright and easy to please (whether he was still a monster in the mornings before he got his daily dose of Americano inside him, was a matter I didn’t want to experiment). He’d entered his second year of college and continued to room with Yongguk, who stayed firm by his side despite all the stupid Himchan would pull each morning. They were like soul mates in a sense – or an easily mistakable couple.
Daehyun, true to his word, hadn’t enrolled in college, sending me a far too easy going shrug when I glared. “I’ll figure something out,” being his only excuse upon being questioned.
I on the other hand, had managed to get into the same institution as Himchan, forever dooming my ears to his nagging upon entering the classrooms. All was perfect, if only Daehyun hadn’t been so stupidly stubborn.
“Hyung, it’s pretty hyung.”
“Oh! Youngjae!”
I twisted at the familiar voices from between the crowds, easily spotting the two I’d met just the other day. As usual, Daehyun was glued by his younger brother’s side, not bothering at all to the annoyed glares sent from our classmates as he lugged around the wheelchair-bound Jongup.
I was, of course, elated to see the duo – they, much like Yongguk, were like my family to me. But, as it seemed, Himchan was even more than me.
“Daehyun!” And this time, not even Yongguk had a chance to grab at him before he was all over Daehyun, excitement getting the better of him.
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