Chapter 9

"Dreams"

"Mm, yes," said Dan as she held her phone against her ear, walking back and forth in the kitchen, "yes, I understand. I will talk to him as soon as he comes home. Thank you again, for calling me. Goodbye, and have a nice evening."

After hanging up the call, Dan looked at her phone with a sigh, until her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door creaking.

"Taehyun, sweetheart, is that you?" asked Dan while hearing footsteps nearing.

"It's me, mom," said Taehyun and appeared in front of her with a smile, "I just came home to drop off some things before going to Yeonjun's house, that's okay, right?"

"Of course, but sweetheart, there's something I need to talk to you about," said Dan in a serious tone and Taehyun's smile seemed to falter all of a sudden.

"Alright, what is it?" asked Taehyun.

"I just got off the phone with your homeroom teacher," said Dan and Taehyun gulped, "she told me about this 'career plan', something I haven't heard of until today."

"Mom, I'm sorry, I would've talked to you about it-"

"She said you were supposed to hand it in last week?" said Dan with a sigh while looking at her son in worry.

"I know, I didn't forget about it, I swear," said Taehyun, defending himself.

"Why didn't you hand it in, then?" asked Dan in a firm, but also loving voice.

"Because..." started Taehyun while diverting his eyes, "I don't know what I want."

"Taehyun..." said Dan, almost sighing his name while smiling at her son, making him look up in embarrasement.

"What is all the rush for anyway? I have a whole year left of High School, there's plenty of time to figure out what I want."

"I know a year seems like a long time when you're only 17," said Dan, "but you have to start thinking about what you want to do in the future, otherwise you won't be able to work towards that goal."

"But I don't have a goal," said Taehyun dejected.

"That's why you need to look into the different options you have," explained Dan, "you can choose whatever you want and your father and I would love to help you if you have any questions." Taehyun looked at his mother and suddenly felt even more guilty when he saw her genuine and caring smile.

"Alright... I will start looking into the options," said Taehyun.

"Good, but please don't wait too long, your future might seem far away, but in reality, it's just around the corner."

I wish it weren't, thought Taehyun to himself, letting out a sigh in the process.

"It will be alright, you will think of something," said Dan, "but let's not talk more about this now, as long as you promise me you will think about it well, then you can go and have fun with Yeonjun. Tell his family I sent my regards!"

"I will, mom," said Taehyun and walked towards staircase leading to his room, "and mom, thank you."

"For what?" asked Dan confused and Taehyun's smile turned brighter as he continued:

"For always being so understanding." Dan's smile now also turned bigger, mirroring her son's.

"Of course."

The late summer evenings were making the wind colder and Taehyun felt it hitting him at full speed as he rode his bicycle to Yeonjun's house. Awaking him from his depressing state, only to let him return to the same mental state the second he hopped off his bike and parked it next to Yeonjun's.

After knocking twice on the door, Taehyun waited for a response, and when he heard the familiar female voice speak a "come in", he felt his cheeks heat up.

"I'm entering," said Taehyun as he walked inside, looking around the empty house, "hello?"

"I'm in the living room," replied Yoo Jin and Taehyun saw a hand appearing above the sofa, waving him over. 

As he took a few steps forward, Yoo Jin became visible on the sofa, wearing her usual attire, accompanied by her favorite bag of chips, with a blanket wrapped around her legs.

"Hey you, welcome home," said Yoo Jin and looked up at Taehyun with a smile, "I mean, this is almost your second home, am I right?"

"I guess I do hang out over here quite often," said Taehyun and scratched his head while looking away in embarrassment, "is Yeonjun not home?"

"Actually, Yeonjun just left with our mom," said Yoo Jin, "he went grocery shopping with her since our dad is working late and he didn't want her to carry everything alone."

"I guess Yeonjun is a devoted son afterall," said Taehyun.

"And I'm a devoted daughter! I was going to offer my help as well, but he beat me too it!" said Yoo Jin, looking at Taehyun slightly offended.

"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! I'm sure you're just as devoted towards your parents as Yeonjun," hurried Taehyun and said, waving his hands in the air, making Yoo Jin burst out laughing.

"Don't get so worked up, I was only messing with you," said Yoo Jin, still laughing, "relax, come sit down while you wait for Yeonjun to return."

"A... alright..." said Taehyun a little nervous before he moved forward and sat down next to Yoo Jin, who had pulled her feet closer to her so she didn't take up all the space.

While Yoo Jin again turned her attention towards the show airing on the TV, Taehyun stared into the distance, his mind wandering far away. 

Why did the future have to be so close? Why couldn't he just live in the moment and enjoy his youth? Why did everything have to change?

Taehyun let out a sigh while lost in his thoughts and Yoo Jin looked up in surprise, stopping her hand that was in motion towards the bag of chips.

"Yo, what's wrong?" asked Yoo Jin, bringing Taehyun back to reality, "who died for magic boy to be sighing like that?"

"Oh... Ah... it's n... nothing..." stuttered Taehyun while trying to hide his red cheeks.

"Come on, you can talk to me," said Yoo Jin and gestured towards herself, "I'll be a good Noona and listen to your worries." Yoo Jin suddenly paused the show and sat up straight on the sofa, moving closer to Taehyun while looking directly into his eyes.

"Really, it's okay, we don't have to talk about it," said Taehyun, trying to ignore the fact that Yoo Jin was sitting awfully close to him.

"I see..." said Yoo Jin in a low voice, suddenly moving back a bit, "I understand. I wouldn't want advice from me either if I was in your stead. I mean, I'm a failure as an adult, so who am I to give advice?"

"No, no that's not why I don't want to talk about it! AT ALL!" said Taehyun and empathized the last sentence strongly, "it's just... I... I'm embarrassed." 

"Why?" asked Yoo Jin and Taehyun looked down while taking in a deep breath. He turned around and bend over the sofa where his bag was standing. After unzipping it, he fumbled for a while, until he returned to the surface and handed Yoo Jin a crumbled piece of paper.

After taking a quick look at it, Yoo Jin's face immediately lit up.

"Ah, I know what this is!" she said all proud, "Yeonjun just filled one out as well. Yours is still empty?"

"Yes, I just... I don't know what I want..." said Taehyun in a frustrated tone, one Yoo Jin had never heard him speak in before, "or actually... I might not even want to know what I want."

"I... don't think I understand," said Yoo Jin and looked at Taehyun who lifted his face in the same second and looked back at her.

"I don't want things to change! Is that so bad?" asked Taehyun earnestly, his eyes locked on Yoo Jin, "I love being in High School, being able to see my friends everyday, hanging out with them and just enjoying my youth. Why do I have to start worrying about the future already? I just want to enjoy the time I have left before all my friends will be scattered and I have to be an adult." Yoo Jin looked at Taehyun as he spoke and when he was done, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I get it," she said and Taehyun looked at her in surprise, "I felt the same way when I was in High School. The future seemed scary and I would much rather stay in the present. But just remember, there's a whole life waiting for you out there. I know you love your friends, but you will also meet new friends during your education. I met some of my best friends in University and we still keep in touch, so I haven't regretted my decision one bit, not even after being unemployed for over a year."

"I guess you're right..." said Taehyun, "but I still don't know what I want to do."

"What does your parents say?"

"They just tell me to choose whatever I want." Yoo Jin gabed at Taehyun who just looked at her in confusion.

"You have no idea how lucky you are," said Yoo Jin, "my parents basically chose my education for me. Well, it wasn't like I had anything better in mind. I was good at math, so Mathematic Economics seemed like a fine idea. But still, having your parents support you no matter what, that's worth more than gold."

"I know it might seem ungrateful of me, but I just feel like it adds more pressure," said Taehyun.

"I understand," said Yoo Jin, "but try thinking about what you're interested in, are you in any clubs?"

"No, not really," said Taehyun, "I jumped around several clubs in my first year of High School, but nothing ever interested me enough for me to stay there." Yoo Jin nodded understandingly.

"I guess, the only thing I've loved all my life, is drawing."

"Really? Can I see some of your drawings?" asked Yoo Jin enthusiastically and Taehyun's heart immediately began beating faster as he remembered all he recent drawings. 

"NO!" he said, "I don't like showing them to people." Yoo Jin raised her eyebrow.

"Hm, I don't believe that," she said, "if you love drawing so much, you probably carry around a sketchbook all the time, am I right?" Taehyun's eye instinctually shifted to his bag and Yoo Jin spotted it immediately.

"AHA!" she said and jumped up from the sofa, running directly towards Taehyun's bag before he could even fathom what was happening.

"No, Noona, please don't," he said, reaching out, but Yoo Jin had already retrieved the sketch book and run to the other end of the room. Taehyun just stood next to the sofa, sighing as he knew it was already too late, watching as Yoo Jin swiped through the pages.

"Taehyun, these are really good," said Yoo Jin and Taehyun smiled nervously.

"Thank you, please give it back now," said Taehyun and stepped forward but Yoo Jin kept turning the pages without hesitation, until suddenly, she stopped.

"Wait..." Yoo Jin said, staring intensely at the page, "this... it looks like me..." Yoo Jin looked up from the book and stared at Taehyun.

"Did you draw me?"

"I... the thing is... y... yes..." stuttered Taehyun, finding no way out of the situation, simply waiting in agony while Yoo Jin seemed to be staring into his soul.

"Aish, you could have just told me if you needed a model to draw," said Yoo Jin and brushed it off, making Taehyun widen his eyes, "but, I really do feel like you could find someone prettier to draw." Yoo Jin laughed while closing the book.

"No, don't say that!" said Taehyun as the words slipped out without any thoughts whatsoever, "you're perfect, Noona!" Again, Yoo Jin looked at Taehyun in surprise until another laugh left her mouth.

"Oh my, I'm really not used to getting compliments like these after living with Yeonjun," she said, "I wish he would say nice things like that once in a while." Taehyun felt his cheeks heat up again and he lowered his head while Yoo Jin walked towards him with the book in her hands.

"But you really have a talent," said Yoo Jin and handed the book to Taehyun, "have you thought about Art School?"

"Art School?" asked Taehyun while looking up.

"Yes, it's not a prestigious education, but since your parents are supporting whatever decision you make, why not pursue something you have a passion for?" said Yoo Jin while Taehyun looked at her, listening carefully, "they don't have high admission requirements either, so you won't be in trouble, even if your grades aren't that good."

"What makes you think my grades aren't that good?" asked Taehyun immediately.

"Ah, well, Yeonjun might've mentioned it," said Yoo Jin and watched as Taehyun looked away in embarrassment.

"Seriously, when Yeonjun returns I won't hold back," said Taehyun in annoyance and watched as Yoo Jin looked him up and down.

"You know, with your height, you just aren't very intimidating," she said in a serous tone, "Yeonjun would break you."

"Alright, that's enough, next time I will bring proof so you can see I'm taller than you, and then all this can stop!" said Taehyun all worked up and Yoo Jin just burst out laughing.

"Ah magic boy, you're just too easy to tease," she said and Taehyun crossed his arms while looking away.

"Don't be mad, okay?" said Yoo Jin and tilted her head, making her cute smile irrisistble for Taehyun.

"Okay, I won't," said Taehyun, "but I am bringing proof!"

"Sure, if you say so," said Yoo Jin and walked over to the sofa again to sit down. Taehyun did the same, while Yoo Jin grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

"Thanks, Noona," said Taehyun and Yoo Jin turned her head, looking at him as he continued, "for listening to me and giving me advice. I will think about it well."

"I am glad I was able to help, even if I failed at my own life," said Yoo Jin with a smile, half happy, half sad.

"You haven't failed anything, Noona," said Taehyun firmly, "I believe in you." Yoo Jin looked at Taehyun in silence until her smile got brighter.

"Thank you, It's nice to know someone believes in me."

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember to stay warm and eat healthy and take care of yourself. Stay safe.

Also, don't forget to leave a comment down below.

Love, Annalise~