Genre: fluff, rom-com Requester: /

 

NOTE: 35 million won is about £20,000 or $33,500.   I sighed, ruffling my hair and setting my bag down on the sofa. I squinted at a piece of paper on the floor near the door. “Umma!” I called to my mum who was upstairs. I heard her footsteps pound on the stairs. I held the letter out for her. “We are concerned about a growing amount of debt in your name… blah blah blah… You might have to sell your house to pay off your debt.” My mum scrunched up the letter and threw it in the kitchen bin. She leant against the kitchen door frame. “Umma, how much debt are we in?” I asked cautiously. I was afraid to lose our home. We did everything to keep it but ever since my appa left, there has been little money coming into the family. My mum shook her head, rubbing her forehead. It was always like this; my mum would stress over the debt and get a migraine, meaning I would have to do all the housework for her while she slept it off. “35 million won.” She mumbled quietly. I gasped in shock. Well I certainly didn’t expect it to be that much. “Seo Hee I’m sorry. I just haven’t been able to find a good enough job.” I rubbed her back soothingly. “It’s going to be okay, mum, I promise you.” I hugged her tightly.   A week passed and my mum called me downstairs at breakfast to talk. I sat down nervously across from her and picked at my breakfast. “You know I wouldn’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, right?” I nodded slowly, curious as to where this was going. “Have you ever thought about getting a job? Even just part time?” I sighed and looked back up at my mum, who was hesitant. “Umma I’m trying, you know that. Most places don’t want to employ someone who’s just graduated and has no experience. At least not with good pay. Unless I want to chuck papers at doors all day.” My mum smiled at me and tapped my bowl. “Eat your breakfast, honey, before it gets cold.” I picked up my spoon and devoured the cereal. “Alright Seo Hee I’m off to work now. There’s food in the fridge so make sure to eat something at lunchtime, arasso?” I nodded and kissed her cheek. The house was empty and silent without my mum there, so I decided to take a walk outside. I was searching in my bag for my ipod when I heard someone calling my name. I looked up to see Jongdae, the friendly boy around my age who lived across the road. He was wearing a light blue striped t-shirt that outlined his body underneath. I tried not to stare; after all, I barely knew him and I thought it would have been awkward if I was checking him out. “Hey Seo Hee. What’s up?” he asked casually, putting his arm around my shoulders. I scrunched my nose at the smell. “Aish Jongdae have you been working out again or something?” I pushed his arm off of me. He laughed, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Nope, just playing swing ball with my cousins.” Jongdae smiled at me softly. “Want to play too? I’m getting a little exhausted out there.” He offered.   I shook my head. “I can’t, I’m sorry. I have to go and find a job today.” He frowned and stopped me. “Why today? Can’t it wait?” I shook my head and continued to walk away. “A couple of hours won’t hurt, right? Come on Seo Hee I just want to get to know you. We’ve never really spoken much.” I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. “Okay, fine. Only a couple of hours though.” He grinned and took my hand gently and led me to his house and into the garden. “Everyone this is Seo Hee. Seo Hee lives across the road from us.” He introduced me. I bowed respectfully. “Oh! Han Seo Hee is it? Yes, I know your mother. We used to go to the same school together. How is she?” Mrs. Kim asked. I smiled and told her that my mum was doing alright. I felt like I had to. Jongdae pulled me away into his ‘secret den’ and sat down with me on a small bench. “Is everything okay at home? You looked a little uneasy out there.” He rubbed my back soothingly. “My mum is in some debt and unless we pay it we might have to sell our house off.” I replied.  “I didn’t know it was that bad!” I shot him an alarmed look. He put his hands up in defence. I looked down at my feet and kicked tiny little pebbles around. “I can help out if you want me to.” I shook my head. “It’s alright, I don’t need charity Jo