1 Family

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Lae Sybounma:9/16/20XX

It was quiet. Only the sounds of silver utensils clanking against the ceramic plates filled the walls of the generally white room. I sat at the furthest end of my mother, who was acting like nothing was wrong.

"Have you forgotten your simple table manners?" my mother asks while dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin.

I realized that I was staring at her, a small action that she would easily catch. I quickly look down to my plate. Lately, the portions have been getting smaller by each day. I used to be served 6 dishes, which I have enjoyed. Nowadays, I'm only served with a medium-sized bowl of Larb and a small bowl of Som Tam, two delicacies of Laos. She claims that I need to "lose weight." I'm hungry, but I need to eat this.

I didn't dare to respond. I just want to get out of this heavy atmosphere as soon as I can. Being as conscious of my movements as I could possibly be, I ate quickly as I could without choking.

"Honestly Lae, can you be any more of a mess?" she rolls her eyes. "Try to make yourself look decent, we're leaving for the Kang's party tonight at 7:30." With that, she leaves me alone at the table too big for just the two of us.

My mother, Khamseng Sybounma, was the second CEO of a popular makeup company in Laos. The other owner, my father, was shot by his main rival, Kougoun Xayavong, while attending a convention in Vientiane. I was only six years old at the time, so I had very few memories of him. My mother and I were in danger of being the next target, so we flew to Seoul, where we reside now. My mom decided to continue the operation of the makeup company, and from there, our family prospered more in Korea. Her name, Khamseng, means compete, which suits her well. She's competitive and arrogant, VERY arrogant. She forces me to adapt to her exact ways, basically cloning herself onto me. Every move I make, every word I say, she needs to make a comment about it. She hasn't ever changed.

Why do I need to make myself look good in every second of my life? It's impossible to relax.

I finally let out a breath I was holding in the entire time. Maybe I did need to lose weight. I glanced down at my remaining food. Seeing as there was not much left, I got up to figure out what my mother would want me to wear.

I can already tell that tonight will be long.

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Hong Seohyun:9/16/20XX

"Are you sure you'll be able to do all this?" my mom asks worriedly as she watches me shove a piece of toast into my mouth.

"I'll be fine." My muffled reassurance needed to be good enough for right now since I didn't have the time to stop.

I quickly grab my bag and rush out of the door. It was 7:10. Five minutes before I would be late to the new part time job I got recently. I couldn't be late on my first day, could I?

I checked my bag to see if I had everything I needed. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder that stopped me in my tracks.

"Woah!" I look up to see Kang Eunsang, my current best friend. "Dude, you almost knocked me over-"

"Sorry, I'm kinda in a hurry right now," I say, pushing past them.

"You've been taking up whatever jobs you can lately." Eunsang jogs to keep up with my pace. "You need a break."

I stay silent, more focused on getting to the Chinese restaurant I'll be working at in three minutes. Eunsang grabs my shoulder to stop me again, and raises their eyebrow.

I sigh. "You know I can't afford a break right now. With the business failing-"

Eunsang offered me their financial support, saying that I couldn't juggle two part time jobs and run a business.

"Eunsang, can we talk about this later? I really have to go or I'll be late."

Eunsang sighs. "I'll follow you, mornings are slow there, so it'll be fine."

The rest of the jog was generally quiet, minus the occasional complaints from Eunsang.

At 7:16, Eunsang and I finally walked through the door of the restaurant.

"Sorry I'm late I-"

"It's fine, just put this on and get behind the counter." My boss, He Jianyi, an old Chinese man, hands me a black apron and points to where the register is at.

I glance at my friend before going to where he pointed. Eunsang follows me, but stops outside of the counter as if they were ordering something. They lean against the counter and put their face into their arms.

"My parents are hosting a party tonight. I don't wanna go," they whine.

"Again?"

"Yeah-" they pause in a sudden realization and look at me. "Do you want to go?"

I firmly refuse, but they continue to plead. I told them that I have a night shift at this fancy Italian restaurant and I don't have time to go there. Eunsang kept begging me, telling me to call in sick for them. They look at me with hopeful eyes. As much as I wanted to avoid their gaze and refuse, I couldn't.

"I don't even know what to wear."

"Does this mean you're going?" Eunsang asks for confirmation excitedly.

I say nothing and simply stare at them.

"Wear something nice, since it's one of those parties," they say, excitement turning to annoyance by the thought of having to deal with another party.

Eunsang didn't enjoy parties hosted by their parents or their parent's friends. They don't want to take over their company, but they know they don't really have a choice. I honestly feel bad for them.

"Is your boyfriend going to be there?" I tease.

"HA! I wish!" They shake their head. "You know how homophobic my parents are. They don't even like him as a person, much less a boyfriend. And they expect me to bring a girl over tonight as well. They say that if I don't find someone suitable for me soon, they will."

"Damn. Have anyone in mind?" I ask with sympathetic eyes.

"I might just pay a random girl to be honest. I have no idea." They sigh and look down to their hands.

"I'm sorry, I don't know anyone."

"It's alright man, I'll figure it out." They smile at me.

The restaurant started to get busy, so I told them that they should find that girl. Eunsang planned to pick me up at 7:25 tonight. I waved them goodbye as they stood straight and left the restaurant.

I went back to my counter and thought, "Damn, I still don't know what to wear."

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