if he’d turned it off. Or was screening her call. Could he really have forgotten?
Her phone buzzed, but it wasn’t Jihoon. It was her mother.
I’m sorry I had to leave so early. The office called and asked me to come in. But I left soup on the stove, or there’s bread if you want toast. I’ll see you tonight for our family dinner. I love you.
The message was a small comfort. She knew her mother wouldn’t be having an easy time of it today either. And though Somin knew it was selfish, she wished her mother had played hooky and spent the day at home. At least then Somin wouldn’t be alone. But her mother probably thought Jihoon would be here.
Somin and Jihoon had a tradition for this day. For her father’s birthday. Since it always fell during summer break, she and Jihoon would go out and eat ice cream, go to an arcade, maybe go to a movie. It varied, but Jihoon always planned a full day to keep her preoccupied. It was the one day a year that Somin let herself be the one taken care of. But now he was nowhere to be found. How could he forget today?
Or maybe he hadn’t forgotten. Maybe he was still angry from their fight yesterday.
It stung that Jihoon could be so mad he’d abandon her on today of all days. But a part of her was worried she deserved it. Jihoon’s parting words still echoed in her head. Was it so bad that she wanted to help her friends? Was she really so controlling she couldn’t let the people she loved live their own lives?
She’d already been feeling useless the past week, unable to do anything to help her friends. But maybe Jihoon was right. Maybe they didn’t need her help. She balled her fists, her useless fists, and slammed them into her pockets.
And before she knew it, she was crying. Just letting loose with all of her frustration, and fear, and anger. She gave the door a couple of punches for good measure.
She was crying so hard she barely heard the doorbell. But when it rang again, she answered with an angry jerk.
Junu’s eyes widened as they took in her blotchy, tear-stained face.
“I take it this is a bad time.”
“I take it you’re an asshole and I don’t want to talk to you right now.” She tried to slam the door shut, but he reached out and stopped it.
“Listen, can you just tell me if you’ve seen Miyoung today?”
Somin frowned up at him. “You’re looking for Miyoung?”
“Yeah, I woke up, and she was just gone. She’s not answering her phone and neither are you, apparently.”
She was confused for a second before she remembered what had woken her up on this already awful day.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry, now’s not a good time. Today’s not a good day.” Somin suddenly felt too drained and just sat on the step between the foyer and the living space.
“What is today?” She felt Junu’s hand come down on her shoulder and the warmth of his body as he sat next to her.
“Today,” Somin said into her knees, “is a day I don’t want to be alone.”
She heard Junu’s sigh before he said, “Tell me what to do for you.”
“Will you take me somewhere?” Somin asked without looking up.
“Anywhere.”
32
MIYOUNG RAN THROUGH the forest quickly and quietly.
Jihoon hadn’t answered her dozens of calls. And though it had been so early the sun had barely peeked over the horizon, Miyoung knew in her heart that it wasn’t because Jihoon was sleeping. Something was wrong. Yena had said Jihoon was running. Dirt and sticks, she’d said. The forest.
There was a hum in the woods. A low rumbling that settled into Miyoung’s ears. It felt like every tree, every beast, whispered around her. Wondering why she was here. Warning her away. Because in this forest she’d done unnatural things. She’d stolen life. She’d destroyed lives.
Miyoung tried to shake the thought out of her head. But it wouldn’t break free. As morbid as it was, she realized it was fitting as she broke free of the trees into a clearing. Her mother’s grave.
She almost turned and made her way back into the forest, but the hum seemed louder here and she moved out of the shelter of the trees. As she approached the maehwa tree, her steps slowed as she searched the area for any threats. Old habits were hard to kill, and to Miyoung, the forest was a