Chapter Text
*BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.*
The alarm wakes me, its blaring tone somehow even more annoying than it was the day before. Peeling open my eyes, I groan and reach for the clock, slapping it multiple times before successfully turning it off. Stretching my arms up and over my head, I yawn and lay back down into the warm cocoon I had made during the night. Staring at the ceiling, I wonder, as I do everyday, what this new day might bring me. But when I check the clock, I shoot up and out of bed, no longer thinking about possibilities that I know would never happen.
Following my daily routine, I head for my bathroom, scratching my head along the way. The bathroom light temporarily blinds me, causing me to shut my eyes in pain. Regaining my sight, I grimace at the horror staring back at me in the mirror. My hair, jutting out in different directions, is greasy and deflated. I sigh as I fail my attempt to fix it, and begin stripping my clothes off, preparing for my normal morning shower. Before I step in to the chamber which was quickly filling up with steam, I glance at the clock above the toilet: 7:45. Right on time.
Feeling clean and refreshed, I change into my work clothes, consisting of a black pencil skirt and a plain white blouse tucked in at the waist. Tying my black hair into a loose ponytail, I skip down the stairs and into the kitchen, where a sticky note waits for me on the countertop. I pick it up, reading it:
"Left some orange juice for you. Have a good day at work as usual, hun'. We'll be back at the normal time tonight. We love you, Miyun. Mom and Dad x"
I smile as I open the fridge, pulling out the last bit of orange juice my parents had oh-so-kindly left for me. I grab two pieces of bread and stick them in the toaster, pushing the lever down to start the toasting process. As I wait for the toast, I pour out a glass of juice and take a sip, checking my phone for the time: 8:00. Perfect.
With a full stomach, I lock the front door and close it behind me, looking out at my quaint neighborhood. Kids run amuck on their front yards, spending as much of their summer time as they can outside. I smile and sigh, checking the time again: 8:15. I step out of my yard and onto the sidewalk, beginning my trek to the bus stop. As I walk, I look up at the blue sky and admire the puffy white clouds floating above. Slowly but steadily migrating, with no clear direction. I stare at one as it begins to transform into something new, something completely different than it was just a few seconds ago. Is it sad that I envy them? I blink and pull out my phone, wanting to take a picture of the scene. Instead, I see the time, 8:19 - 2 minutes later than usual - and push the thought aside, moving faster to the stop, where the bus would come at promptly 8:30.
I get onto the bus right on time and greet the driver, thanking him. Stepping into the seating area, I spot my normal window seat that I have called my own since the beginning of summer. Sliding into the seat, I look around at the familiar faces I see almost everyday, not one I didn't recognize. I look out the window as the bus begins to start. It pulls out onto the road when it suddenly jerks to a stop, earning a few annoyed groans and gasps. Everyone looks in the direction of the bus driver, waiting for an explanation.
"Sorry everyone! Somebody was waving his arms for me to stop and I almost ran over the damn kid!"
The driver explains, rubbing his forehead as if he had just gotten the biggest headache.
I cluck my tongue, realizing this event would make me late to work. As the doors open, a young man I've never seen before practically jumps into the bus, gasping for air. He puts his hands on his knees and bends down, clearly tired. I grimace at my late maker. Wearing a plain white tee, jeans, brown boots and a red beanie, he straightens and reaches for his back pocket, pulling out a bill and handing it to the driver.
"Thank you," he gasps in between breaths, "so much," The driver reluctantly takes the peace offer, eyeing the boy up and down as he stands there, grinning cheekily. Still heaving breaths, he enters the seating area, looking for an empty spot to sit. My eyes widen as he spots the seat next to me, and I quickly turn my head to look out the window, avoiding eye contact and praying he wouldn't sit here. I hear him chuckle as he slides into the seat next to me. My face falls and I sigh heavily, checking my phone for the time. 8:35?! I could be half way to work if it wasn't for this guy! I sigh again as I cross my arms, tapping my foot impatiently. The guy seems to notice this, and nudges me on the arm with his elbow. I turn to look at him, surprised, and raise my eyebrows. He clears his throat before speaking.
"Hey, sorry about all of that. I must've made you a little late to where ever it is you're going? You seem sorta anxious," He whispers, not wanting to disturb the others on the bus. I put on a thin smile, not wanting to cause any trouble with this guy.
"Just a little," I whisper back. "It's fine though, don't worry about it," I hold back a scowl as I turn my head to face the front. Of course this would happen. Why couldn't he take a different bus? This can't be the only one that's heading in the direction we're going. I check my phone again, still tapping my foot. I lightly bang the back of my head against the head rest, closing my eyes. I feel another nudge and I open my eyes, raising my eyebrows again.
"Yes?" I say, clearly annoyed.
"Yeah, I can tell it's not fine, actually. Where are you heading that you need to check your phone every 5 seconds for?" he asks, narrowing his curious eyes at me. Who is this guy? I glance at his face, full of curiosity and ignorance. He looks about my age. Does he not have a summer job like every other teenager I know?
"I'm going to work." I start, putting emphasis on the last word. "Ever heard of it?" It's his turn to raise his eyebrows, surprised at the sassiness of my tone. He raises his hands in defense.
"Whoa, no need to get sarcastic now." He says. "Yes, I know what work is. In fact, I'm going to my job right now!" He crosses his arms and smirks victoriously, as if him having a job - just like everybody else in this city - earns him an award. I roll my eyes and turn my head so I'm not facing him, clearly wanting to be done with the conversation. He doesn't seem to get it.
"No, but seriously," he laughs. "Do you really have to check your phone so often? Being 2 minutes late to work isn't a big deal at all. I'm already 20 minutes late to my job and it's my first day there! Do you see me stressing out about it? Nope. And neither should you, Time Checker," he tells me, grinning. My mouth gapes open when he mentions being 20 minutes late to his first day on the job. What kind of decent human being is okay with that? And what did he just call me?
"Are you serious?! It's your first day and you don't care at all? If I was your boss, I wouldn’t even let you in the building after being that late on the first day. And don't call me that." I say.
"What, you don't like it? I think it fits you pretty well. And nah, my boss is chill. He said he's okay with us showing up a little late. He even said that it'd be a miracle if he showed up before all of us. My…co-workers are all probably late too. Plus I'm the youngest, which gives me a free pass for being late, if I do say so myself," he explains. My eyes widen in disbelief. What kind of boss is okay with that kind of behavior?
"Where do you even work?" I ask him.
"I dunno, where do you work?" He says in a high pitched voice, mocking me. Like a child. I scowl, not even afraid of what this kid thinks of me anymore.
"How old are you, 5? How did you even manage to get a job? Oh right, your boss is wonky too," I state, getting ticked off. Who does this guy think he is?
"Hey hey, Time Checker. My job is different, it's cool. And if my boss found out you called him that, he'd be pissed. Also, I'm 18, for your information. Perfectly capable of getting any job I wanted," he says, puffing out his chest. I scoff, rolling my eyes again.
"Right, right. Your job is "cool". It's probably not even a real job," I throw back at him. He nods his head before saying anything.
"I don't even have to know where you work to know its not as cool as mine."
"Uh huh. And what makes you think that?"
He looks at me from head to toe. Suddenly feeling self conscious, I cough a little and look down at the ground, waiting for him to say something. He looks back up at me, making eye contact.
"Your clothes. They're really formal. Too formal. Your probably a secretary or a librarian or something, am I right?" He says, smiling. My eyes widen. He got it on the first try. Am I really that obvious? I clear my throat.
"Well, what about you? Your totally dressed to impress with that white t-shirt you got there. And isn't there some kind of policy that prohibits you from wearing hats to work?" I argue. He smiles, still not aware that I'm straight up insulting him.
"I told you, my job is actually pretty cool. You don't have to "dress to impress". There aren't any policies or rules you have to follow. We're not there to ruin moods. We just come as we are and everyone's happy," he grins. I freeze as he says the last line.
We come…as we are? Everyone's…happy?
…That must be nice.
To be happy with being yourself.
Of course, I wouldn't know.
"Hey. Time Checker? You okay there? You're totally out of it. Is it something I said?" the guy asks, waving his hand in front of my face. I blink, looking at him. I open my mouth to say something, but close it as the bus slowly comes to a stop. I sigh in relief, snapping out of my daze as I realize it's my stop. I grab my purse and stand up, waiting for the guy to move so I could get out into the aisle.
"Well, um…bye," I say. He glances up at me, wanting to say something back, but instead slowly gets up and out of my way. As I pass him, I look at him for what I thought was the last time, and brush past him, moving toward the bus doors. As my feet come into contact with the pavement, I pull out my phone. 8:50. I was 5 minutes late. I look up, ready to sprint full speed ahead, when a voice from behind stops me.
"Time Checker! Ease up a little, okay? It's never good to be so uptight about everything." He shouts, and turns around, his back facing me. He then turns around again, this time jumping. "Oh, and the name's Jungkook! Don’t forget it! See you later, Time Checker!" he walks backwards with his hands in his pockets, still with that stupid smile on his face. I stop, not sure of what to do next. Before he could turn back around though, I hear myself speak.
"H-hey!" I shout, surprising both him and myself. Even from this distance, I can tell his face fills with curiosity.
"I have a name too, you know!" He blinks twice, processing what I said, before smirking again.
"Oh, really? Care to spill?" He says playfully. I hesitate. Am I really doing this?
"Miyun. My name's Miyun." He's smiling even wider now, grinning from ear to ear. I feel myself smile, too. Unconsciously, I laugh at his dumb expression. I watch him as he looks down at the ground, thinking about this new piece of information I had just given him, as if it meant the world. After a brief moment, he picks his head back up and sighs contently.
"Miyun, huh? That's a really pretty name. But you know, I still like Time Checker. Don't be surprised if I keep calling you that, okay?" He shouts, putting his hand to his head, giving a small salute with two of his fingers. I roll my eyes, but with a smile on my face this time. I wave goodbye and watch him turn around, walking in the direction opposite of where I was headed. I pull out my phone, checking the time. 8:55. But instead of feeling anxious and stressed, I laugh, thinking about the stupid nickname he gave me. It really does suit me. I put my phone back into my purse, for some reason not wanting to pull it out again.
Something within me stirs, something I've never felt before. It surges through my body, electrolytes tingling my skin and settling in the pit of my stomach. It's surprising and unexpected, but strangely enough, I'm okay with that. Because a change is exactly what I've been needing, I've finally realized.
Change is scary and different and unusual, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's beautiful and powerful and absolutely necessary. Sometimes the result is something you could have never gotten if you hadn't gone through with that change.
And if he's that change, I know it'll be okay.