Yoseob’s POV

I stared out the large window of the airport, taking a look at Hong Kong one last time before I had to leave.  I wanted so much to stay, but if going back to Korea was what my mom wished to do, then I guess I should do my best to make her happy.  Going back to my home country felt weird.  I only lived in Hong Kong for 4 years, but it felt like a long time.  I had begun to like Hong Kong too.  What would it be like going back to that place that caused my mom and I misery?  I sighed and decided to find a place to sit while I waited for my mom to check in.  I made my way through the crowd to a half-empty bench and sat myself down.  I couldn’t help but overhear a girl humming a song by Wonder Girls, a popular girl group in South Korea.

“Hmm hmm hmm~” The girl hummed sweetly with a lollipop in , not realizing I was listening.

I turned my head and wanted to take a glimpse of the girl.  She had chocolate coloured eyes that complemented her dark brown hair.  I quickly looked away, but only to turn around again when I thought she noticed me staring at her.

“Annyeonghaseyo.” I greeted her with a sweet smile, hoping to not weird things out.

She took out the lemon lollipop that was in , and greeted me with curious eyes.  “Annyeonghaseyo. How’d you know I’m Korean?”

“Don’t you think you look Korean?” I asked.

“People have mistaken me as a Hong Konger before; until they found out I couldn’t understand Cantonese.”

I took a moment to observe her face.  In a way, she did look a bit Chinese.

“I’m Yoseob by the way.  Yang Yoseob.”  I introduced myself, holding out my hand.

“Aerin.  Song Aerin.”  She smiled and shook my hand.

“Aerin-ah.  Can you go get a luggage cart for the suitcases please?  Your Eomma and I will be with you in a bit.”  A voice called out to her.  I think it was her dad.

She nodded and stood up from the bench.

“Yah, stop flirting and help me with these suitcases!”  An older boy called out to her from a short distance.

“OPPA!”  She shouted angrily across.  I assumed that was her older brother.  Then, seeming embarrassed, she turned to me and smiled politely.  “I have to go now.  It was nice meeting you.”

At the sight of her smile, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever see her again.

“It was nice meeting you too.  Annyeonghikasayo!” I stood up too.  Bidding the goodbye that came so fast.

“Annyeonghikaysayo!” Aerin waved and started walking towards the line of luggage carts.  She put her lollipop back in and began to rummage through her pockets for something.  While searching, something silvery fell out of her pocket, but Aerin didn’t realize it.

“Aerin-nah!  You dropped something!”  I called out, but Aerin didn’t hear me and kept walking.

I opened the door to my new bedroom.  It had already been decorated with new furniture, though the room looked as if the person who had lived here before me never left.  Despite my desire for going back to Hong Kong, this room gave me a homey feeling.  Maybe this will be a new beginning for me.

“Yoseob-ah.  How do you like your new room so far?”  Mom knocked on my door.

“It’s great, Eomma.  Thanks.”  I forced a smile.  I didn’t want to upset her.

“I’m sorry for making you leave Hong Kong, but Daehyun’s business is here.  I want us to live together like a family, Yoseob.”

Daehyun.  Of course.

“I understand.”

“Thank you for doing this for me.”  Mom hugged me tightly, and then quickly turned around.  I knew she was starting to tear up, but she didn’t want me to see her cry.

“Don’t stay up too late tonight.  You have school tomorrow.  You’ll get to see your friends again.”  She closed the door behind her.

My friends, whom I haven’t seen in 4 years, will we still be as close?  I finished taking a shower, and was drying my hair with a towel when I remembered the bracelet.  I hung my jacket, and ped the pocket to find Aerin’s silver charm bracelet.  I placed it carefully in a little white box, and put the box in my desk drawer, hoping to return the bracelet to its rightful owner someday.