Reasons to live

The lunchtime passed really fast and I really had fun. I have the art class next lesson. And because it's in another building across the street, I have to leave earlier.
I'm the first person in the class room, so I get my painting and paint, brushes and start painting. I've always liked to paint, almost as much as dancing. Dad used to say, that I take after my mother a lot, she was also really talented in art and danced really well. But I don't think that I'm like her, because I would never leave my daughter and husband. Never. Not for all money of the world.
I concentrate on painting and don't realize that someone came in and is standing behind me watching me paint.
“Ah-Reum-ah, this is beautiful.”
I startle and the brush falls down on the floor. I turn around to see how Jr. picks it up and hands it to me.
“Mian, I startled you.” He said with a crooked smile.
“Gwenchana. What are you doing here, Jinyoung?”
“Oh just call me Jr. or oppa if you like. I'm in this class.”
“Jeongmallo?? I've never noticed you.” Maybe I'm just always too fixed on my paintings.
I don't realize that everyone's here and the teacher had already begun with the lesson. Jr. quickly gets his painting and materials and sits down next to me.
“So you're painting the sunrise?”
I nod and look at his work. It shows a middle-aged woman sitting on in a wheelchair, smiling sadly. She looks really familiar to me.
“And you, Jr. oppa? Who are you portraying?”
“This is my mother. She has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant, but it seems that there's no matching.”
“Sorry, oppa, I shouldn't have asked you that.”
“No, no, gwenchana. And you? What about your family?”
I hesitate.
Should I tell him? I have never talked to anyone about appa. I only know him since today. But he also told me about his mother.

*bell rings*

We were allowed to go and I pack my things. He gives me a smile and thinking of his sad face before...
“I don't have a family. Not anymore.” I said while we walk back to the main building.
“My father died in a plane crash and my mother. I don't have one. She left us when I was little. I don't even remember how she looks like if there weren't those photos.”
“Oh mian, Ah-Reum. I didn't know that. But you're now living all alone??”
“Yes. And don't be sorry. I got used to it.”
“No, how can you live alone? Don't you know that it's really dangerous?”
“Ani, gwenchana. Nothing has happened and it's not gonna change. I can take care of myself.”
Jr. looks at me a bit worried, but then smiles.
“Geulae, what do you have afterward?”
“Maths and you?”
“English”
Jr. accompanies me to my classroom and again everyone's looking at me and whispering. I go into the classroom and quickly go to my seat.

After the class I hurry out the classroom to go to the Chinese restaurant I work at today. Dad was half Chinese, that's why I speak Chinese fluently. That helped me to get the job.
I just wanted to go as I see Bambam, Mark and Yugyeom standing in front of the classroom.
What are they doing here?
“Annyeong, noona, we're here to bring you home.” Bambam smiled.
“Ye, ye, Jr. hyung told us to. He said, that we should protect you since you live alone.” Yugyeom added proudly.
“Should we go now?”

Notes