Jimin’s  P.O.V

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

[EARLY OCTOBER, SATURDAY]

"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" I mumbled mindlessly to myself as I tossed my 2014 signed tennis ball toward the ceiling, letting it fall back against my palm to rest. My arm was beginning to grow weak as I ogled the round object in the clutch of my fingers. My imagination took a front-row seat as I stared at the ball, envisioning the sphere as the floating rock that happened to be the one all mankind lived on. 
 
 
Earth.
 
 
There was so much of it I haven't got the chance to see. For the majority of my life, I was stuck inside the four walls of my house living the same mundane way of life. Although I did have it easier than a generation of people before, I'm sure. I knew there were plenty of children younger than me or even around my age that didn't even have a family. There was nothing wrong with my home, but I had grown bored of it. 
 
 
The faded magenta wallpaper, to the tall window to the right of my sheeted bed that cast an incandescent light upon my floor mirror; wearied my spirit of staying indoors.
 
 
So, most of my days were spent here, in my room or sometimes out in the yard, gazing at the censure in the spring and breathing in the sharp cool air of the winter. I'd take it in until the very last second of retreat, my lungs burned with the yearning for the outdoors.
 
 
I wanted to see it, to breathe it all in at once. 
 
 
"Jimin! Jimin, you can't stay in your room all day like this- it isn't healthy. Breakfast is on the table." My halmoni suggested, her voice strained and strung with concern. 
 
 
She was right to be. I hadn't moved from the confines of my room just yet, and all because of one thought. 
 
What if I could just leave?
 
Where would I go?
 
 
"I'm not that hungry, halmoni! I'll be down for dinner!" I shouted back to the older through the closed door of my room. With my thoughts slightly disturbed, I tried to push past my wishful thinking. 
 
My halmoni loved me.
 
 
She completely adored my every move. It was eventually to the point where she wanted me in her sight and under her care at all times. So, with that, I had to a pay small price. I didn't go to school with everyone else- I stayed where I belonged, home. 
 
Even without my halmoni admitting it, I felt her emotions were stemming from the obvious fact she was my only option at surviving. Years ago, my eomma gave her last words as she gave birth to I didn't have a clue of who she was, the womanly face and existence, for me, were blurred out. I only knew her name for now, and that was enough for me. My halmoni, in return, out of the goodness in her heart, took me in and raised me from my infantile stage, all the way to my eighteen-year-old self.
 
 
Eventually, my halmoni's labored footsteps pattered away from my door and I let out a sigh, my arm falling to the side of my body. 
 
 
I didn't want to leave her side. 
 
 
But I wanted to broaden my horizons. 
 
To explore far and wide. 
 
 
I could picture myself having so much fun. Laughing as I ran over pure white-sanded beaches in an as bedazzled swimsuit without a care in the world, smiling while diving into the crystal waters of the ocean, dancing with a stranger, and falling in love with the man of my dreams, just like any rom-com seen on the big screen.
 
 
It sounded like a dream, a whirlwind of imagination and fantasy- brainstorming, was what I called it for months on end after I turned eighteen. 
 
 
But the clock was ticking, and every day I was growing older. My 19th birthday was just around the corner- well in eight days to be exact. For a while now my birthday wasn't anything too extravagant, but as I grew older, I began to realize that I was missing out on so many activities. And as each precious second passed and slowed within in the movements of my life, I wasn't giving up on the ideas I had. 
 
 
Whirring sounded from my phone that I left on the opposite end of the bed. In one swift motion, I sat up and peeked at the brightly lit screen that displayed a text message from the only friend I had. We had met online one day after I was scrolling on Instagram, hoping to luck out on anyone who would talk to me or even send a funny meme. He had been the only one that spared me a few words. 
 
Sadly, he lived across the world in Chicago. I would even go as far as to call him my accidental best friend. 
 
 
His name was Kim Taehyung.
 
 
 

_______

[TEXT MESSAGE]
 

 
 
WaVyTaeV= Kim Taehyung
MINNIEKITTY= Park Jimin
 
 
WaVyTaeV: Hey Minnie! How're you doing today?
 

_______
 

 
I inhaled before typing out my response. This was what we did, every week or so we'd do a check-up and ask about each other's living. 
 
 
For me, it was usually the same old thing- chores needed to be done, napping in various places in the house, then there was making up scenarios in my head about the world. Taehyung, on the other hand, was older and had things I didn't, like a boyfriend- or a life in general.
 
 

_______
 

 
MINNIEKITTY: Oh, you know... Nothing much.
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: My 19th birthday is coming up next week!
 
WaVyTaeV: 😥 This is the third time you've said this same exact thing. Are you and your halmoni getting along over there?
 
MINNIEKITTY: Of course!
 
MINNIEKITTY: It's just that... Every day I start thinking about what it's really like out there.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: Out where?
 
MINNIEKITTY: Anywhere outside of Korea.
 
MINNIEKITTY: I love my hometown, and there isn't anything wrong with it.
 
MINNIEKITTY: But I can't stop thinking about the fact that I haven't left Korea since I first started breathing.
 
MINNIEKITTY: Like there's so much out there and I don't know about any of it.
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: Does that make sense?
 
WaVyTaeV: Yeah, I understand what you mean Minnie.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: You feel like you're missing out on a lot, and I know that can be stressful. You said your birthday's coming up? You ever thought of doing something?
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: Do something? Like what?
 
WaVyTaeV: Well, you seem like you need time away from everything. I know when I was a teenager, I used to travel with my family a lot.
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: Are you trying suggest that I ask my halmoni to take us on a vacation? I don't think that would play out nicely.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: No, not that... I just thought that since you're old enough to go places on your own... You should have a chance to. It's only fair.
 
MINNIEKITTY: Like by myself? I don't know... I haven't been on a trip even once in my life.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: Yep! And that's the fun part. You'll be doing it on your own. Nobody will be there to guide or keep you trapped inside. Trust me, you'd love it.
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: Okay, but where do you think I should go? I had been thinking to go many places, but Japan isn't far, and I think my halmoni might approve.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: Oh no, you can't go to Japan- they're not the ones with a killer florist shop.
 
MINNIEKITTY: CHICAGO?
 
WaVyTaeV: Yes!
 
WaVyTaeV: And I promise it'll be completely worth it! You could hang out here at my house, I have a spare room, and you can help me with my garden and we can go on pizza runs and do everything you're thinking about.
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: Is it expensive?
 
 
WaVyTaeV: No, the cost shouldn't be so high at least not for one person.
 
 
WaVyTaeV: Please say you'll give it some thought?
 
 
MINNIEKITTY: I will.
 
 

_______
 

 
 
 
Backing out of my messages, momentarily, I sent out a google search for the cost of a flight from Korea to Illinois.
 
Swiping down, I came across a website that explained the cost in plain numbers, bolded so even idiots who needed glasses could see it.
 
 
 
 
 
₩950,000
 
 
 
 

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎
 

 
 
 
 
 
Hours passed and I was still on edge about how to present this idea to my halmoni. I wasn't completely sure how she'd react. But the last thing I wanted was for her to get hurt by my decision. Taehyung had sent me his address not much after our conversation; he said it would bring good luck if he did it, and I prayed to the gods that he would be right. 
 
"Minnie, sweetheart! Please come on down, dinner's ready!" My stomach did a tumble and flip the second the older woman shouted for my presence down those steps. 
 
 
Ruffling my lavender hair and straightening out the wrinkles in my pajamas, I did as I was told without question. Walking out of my room, the air was drastically different, the air vents in the hallway blew directly onto the nape of my neck, my collarbone scattered with goosebumps as I descended my way down the steps, with each creak in the floorboards I was drawing near to the future. 
 
 
My halmoni's face brightened like a firefly's bulb the moment she saw me walk silently into the dining area. 
 
"Jimin-- you don't look well. Please have seat, food's ready." She informed; her voice soft with a worrisome undertone. 
 
 
I took a seat at our small, round glass table with two bowls of Yukgaejang, the aroma of the stew along with the spices wafting in the air summoned me to the table. My halmoni grinned as I filled in the empty seat just across from her. Once she began eating her dish I started just after her. 
 
 
"You were pretty quiet today. Is there something happening that I should know about?" I swallowed harshly; my lungs being filled with a large streamline of air to prepare myself.
 
Usually, halmoni and I had a great relationship. I would tell her all of my ideas and thoughts from beginning to end. Something about her questioning stare jolted everything I had been hiding for months out onto the table for examination. It was nearly impossible for me to lie straight to her face.
 
 
"Well, there's nothing wrong... I've just been thinking about something things lately..." I nodded slowly, working my way up to snapping directly to the point. That was the only way I was going to power through this, "I want to travel... To America."
 
 
The older woman's eyelids cracked open wider, awestruck at my request. I had a feeling that she didn't understand what I was saying right away, so stammered my way through the continuance of my proposal. 
 
 
"I... I think it would be better if I went alone." It looked as if my halmoni had stopped breathing, the clatter of her spoon hitting the table halted my breath. 
 
"And how do you suppose you're going to do that on your own?" She inquired, her voice wavering.
 
"I have a plan... And it'll be fine. I'll get on a plane and fly up north to Illinois. I know it sounds ridiculous coming from me, and I love being here, I really do! I just think about it a lot, halmoni-" I paused realizing my stance as I had subconsciously risen from my seat at the table. I took a brief second to check the flow of my emotions to keep the conversation at bay, "- But it's all I want... I just ask for this one thing." 
 
 
I reclaimed my seat at the table, my flapping jaws slowed to a complete halt as I awaited my halmoni's response. 
 
 
The elderly woman scooted her chair forward, her chest pressed against the glass of the table. In her eyes lied a warning glare, she wasn't angry in the slightest. His eyes didn't hold anything but complete concern and disbelief. 
 
 
She didn't think I could do it. 
 
 
"Young man, I understand your desire... Truly. But you do not understand what the world is like. There people who raise hell, dirty people, individuals who don't care about what a long life a pretty, precious boy like you has left to live..." I shook my head, blocking out the repeated speech should talk about whenever I even mentioned going places. It was logged into my brain over and over again. 
 
"I know, know- and I'm saying that I'll avoid that. There are plenty of people who don't live out their lives as simply as I do... I know it sounds reckless, but I'm ready for it. I might fall and or get lost, but I'll make sure to find my way. I figure it out." My halmoni's eyes glossed over with what seemed like upheld tears. 
 
She blinked them away, her look softened, watering down into something unfathomable. 
 
 
"You're so much like your eomma... Every day you and her get more and more alike." I inhaled, my breath hitching at the surprising topic she decided to bring up. She normally never spoke of my parents to me; she was cautionary. She wanted to avoid any type of thing that would hurt me. 
 
 
"What was she like?" I asked, whispering into the warm liquid and broth below my face. Normally, I didn't want to know the answer to the question. I didn't want to go through the sorrow of missing someone I'd never have the chance of meeting. 
 
 
My Halmoni smiled, her lips quivering lightly. "She... Was so, so outstanding. She was a dreamer... Wouldn't let a thing stand in her way. She was smart and beautiful, like you... Each time I look at you, you remind me of her. And when she passed, she gave you over to me. I'm responsible for everything that happens to you And if I can't be there--" She was beginning to choke on her words with a syllable that escaped her lips. 
 
"I'll be fine. I can do it. I can do anything- just let me see for myself. Let me try... It won't be for long. I'm getting older and in a couple of days, I'll be aging more... I need to know." My halmoni adjusted her seating, with her back upright and her face void of sadness. 
 
She sniffled softly before giving me her response. "If I were to let you go, paying for it and all... By yourself, on your own..."
 
 
"Yes?" 
 
 
"Would you have a place to stay?" She questioned sternly. 
 
I nodded firmly, not wanting to give her any indication of even the slightest bit of uneasiness. 
 
"Yes, yes I will. And I'll have so much fun, I'll even send you pictures!" My halmoni breathed in, and the entire felt as if a veil of doom and failure had been lifted. 
 
"Okay... But you have to promise me something." 
 
"What is it, Halmoni?" Her warm grin came skating back on her face, putting a spin in the atmosphere.
 
"Promise, you'll be careful throughout your entire trip. Promise you'll make memories that you won't let that fire in you be extinguished by anyone you may meet." My fingers gripped the solid edge of the glass table, my knuckles bleeding white as I promised to halmoni. 
 
 
"I will... I'll make sure of it... Thank you, halmoni."
 
 
She beamed at me a second later, picking up her spoon to dig back into our meal.
 
 
"Let us eat." She started taking her fill of her homemade stew. She hummed in delight as she ate. 
 
"Tomorrow, I'm going to have to prepare you for your trip. Be ready to learn a few things, alright?" My ears sprouted with heat with the speed of our agreement. 
 
 
"Well, we don't have to move so fast... I'm only hoping to be there for the week." My halmoni tilted her head.
 
 
"Jimin, honey, yes you do. There is a lot you need to know before going to America. People there aren't completely like us, their ways are different." I chuckled thinking of all the things I've read online about North America and its standards. 
 
"Then sure... I'll be ready." I agreed.
 
"Of course you are."
 
 
 

 
▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎
 
 
 
 

 
As the night winded down and Halmoni and I finished our dinner, I was tasked with washing the dishes from the day. My heart was racing and so was my mind as I hurried up the stairs to my room. 
 
Grinning wildly, I made it up to my room and b-lined to my closet door. Shockwaves of energy flowed through my body like electricity into a plug.
 
I stared down my racks of clothing, rifling through my winter stash, picking out various sweaters and boots that I haven't gotten a chance at wearing. 
 
I glanced back at the mirror that stood beside my bed. Looking at my reflection I couldn't help but smile wholeheartedly at my achievement.
 
 
With my Halmoni on board and my head cleared from doubtful scenarios. 
 
 
I had my one-way ticket.
 
 
Although Chicago was miles away and far across the ocean, it felt as though I was just one step away from being there. 
 
 
It was only a few more hours until I could finally set out on living out my dream. 
 
And I was going to make every second of it worth the wait. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A/N: SOOO... HOW WAS IT?!
 
 
I'm glad you all made it over to this new story!
 
I hoped you enjoyed this introduction to Jimin and his home life!
 
 
Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT JIMIN'S PERSONALITY?
 
Q: YOUR THOUGHTS ON JIMIN'S HALMONI?
 
Q: OPINIONS ON VMIN'S RELATIONSHIP!
 
Well as you guys know...
 
You'll just have to wait and see for the next chapter!
 
Love you guys!
 
XxxS
 
EDITED BY : @RavenMalRooney004