Waking up before the sun is one of the worst feelings in the world. Don’t try to tell me some stupid crap about how the day is more beautiful after you watch the sun rise over a cup of hot tea. I’m more of a coffee person and even if I weren’t, the sunrise isn’t beautiful from were our flats are. The only reason that makes me regret not deciding to stay on campus, is having to wake up early to get a lift with Jin on his way to work.

I suppose I could take public transportation, but the last few times I did always ended up being late. And this also saves me money, since now that the semester has started I’m only going to be able to work full shifts on the weekends, and half shifts during the week.

I pour myself another cup of strong black coffee. This second cup wakes me up and I finally have the energy to go shower. As I wait for the water to heat up, I think back to last night and of the guy that started the disturbance that cut my performance short. The man had been arguing with one of the office workers that always showed up with his girlfriend on Saturdays. From what I could tell he’d been flirting with that guy’s girlfriend.

Something else about the altercation between them was bugging me, but I’m unable to put my finger on what, exactly it was. I push the thought out of my mind as I get into the shower. I let the fast pace of the water erase my discomfort, as I quickly shampoo my short hair. I’d cut it last week, and now it barely reaches chin length. I smile as I recall Cassidy’s reaction after she saw that I’d cut my own hair with a pair of kitchen scissors.

Despite what she may think I didn’t do this just to annoy her. I’d told her that there is still time before her and my brother’s wedding for it to grow back, and that seemed to placate her. Although I never promised to grow it out, I’d said there was time. Everything is in word choice.

I actually like how I look with short hair, she’ll just have to deal with it. 

After I’ve gotten dressed, I wait in the kitchen for my brother.

He works as an application developer at D² Designs, and although his speciality lies in GUI design, he often has to stay at work till late these days. Due to a change in management there was a massive retrenchment last month, and he was one of the few original employees that were promoted. However, the raise in his payslip means longer hours, but at least this time his efforts are richly rewarded.

My brother comes into the kitchen and makes himself coffee in a travel mug. He watches me over the steam from the coffee, and waits for me to say something. Since I don’t know what he wants I don’t reply.

He rolls his eyes and packs himself lunch in his briefcase. Three chicken mayo sandwiches. I wonder how that mayo will taste after having been in his bag all day. Knowing him he’ll only remember to eat tonight because he’d be too occupied to remember.

I take out the sandwiches and swap it out for mine, which are peanut butter and jam. At least they’ll still taste good later. He just raises a brow and adds a banana to his bag.

I take that out too, knowing it’d get squashed and put in an apple instead. He just rolls his eyes and says nothing. Not even thanks. I consider putting the banana in there and letting it get squashed by his laptop and smear all his work documents.

I don’t.

“I take it you got the chain message?” He asks, as he picks up his car keys and motions for me to follow him. I pick up my own bag and go after him, opening up the banana and eating it.

“Yes, but I don’t see how it has anything to do with me.” I say as we go down the elevator to the underground parking lot. I look down at my fingers, my nail polish so chipped that it’s just a few green speckles.

Hey, it could look like some new nail art craze, after all people put all sorts of stuff on their nails and call it art. Just yesterday I saw someone post a picture of them with their newly manicured nails.

Except that the nail art had been in the style of cracked nails, blood and all. The things people come up with.

“You must be joking,” He sees that I’m not, and continues, “Another girl went missing last week. This is the forth disappearance in as many months.”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with me? After my shift at McDonald’s the bus I take home drops me off right outside the flats.” I continue as we get out of the elevator. “My daily routine has been constant for more than a year. Most of these girls went missing during midnight hours, I’m usually asleep that time.”

“Well, it’s about time your schedule changes. Starting from this evening you will wait for me at the university cafeteria, and we will head home together. I’ve already spoken to your manager so he knows you’ll only be coming to work on weekends, so you —”

“What? No! You can’t just make decisions like this on my behalf.” I interrupt him, stopping him from entering his car. I stand with my arms crossed and my back against the drivers side door. He huffs out a breath of frustration but he doesn’t try to force past me, yet.

“This is not up for discussion, Seo-yun. You will go to the cafeteria after your last class, and you will wait there until I come fetch you.”

“No, Jin. You can’t do that. I need the money I make at work, and besides I’m an adult. You can’t order me around anymore.” I stick my chin up, trying on confidence that doesn’t fit. I can’t seem to be able to stand up to him when he is in this kind of mood. Mama bear Jin is the worst.

Jin is impassive as he slowly says, “Your safety is my top priority. You want to be treated like an adult and yet at nineteen you are still acting like a spoilt child. This is not me being unnecessary or trying to ruin your day.” He shoves me out of the way and opens the door. He pauses, looking at me, and sighs.

“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you, so please. Just do as I say.”

With my shoulders dragging on the floor from disappointment I walk around to the passenger seat and get in.

I barely keep from punching his straight face the whole way to Central University.

Although I do leave the banana peel in the glove compartment while he’s not looking.