#brminwoo

@brminwoo

the hwang siblings. bound by blood and band-aids. “They were so close to each other that they preferred death to separation.”

being a hwang meant many things. even though most people didn't recognize it, it often meant being a rebel. her family obtained position and power by swimming against the tide, by being against customs. whether or not jinri agreed with those, it was a fact. so whenever her mother put her in the stocks yet again for something that what oh so much against the family mindset, jinri had to painfully bite her tongue not to ask where she thinks her daughter got that from. so naturally, tonight wasn't any different. after earning an icecold rejection from minwoo and his plans, she decided to do the exact opposite from her brother's well-intended "do me a favour and stay home" advice. a heavy bassline was sending vibrations through her ribcage as she leaned over the bar to happily accepted her previously ordered drink from the bartender. she had no idea if she was going to hit the necessary alcohol intake a vampire needed to get drunk but no one could claim she wasn't going to make an effort. with light feet she found herself back on the dance floor, body swaying to the rhythm of whatever song was playing. she didn't mind being alone ( that's what she was telling herself after all three song sisters said they couldn't make it ), she had confidence in her skill of getting a hold of a likeminded club visitor. it was never going to come that far. jinri had drowned her beverage after the first song ( she must be looking crazy drinking a vodka tonic like it was water ), so while the dj was teasing the next track, jinri already made her way back to the bar. halfway through the crowd her guts gave her a kick so heavy it caused her to halt. she stood still for a few seconds, profoundly confused by the unfamiliar feeling. while staring into the darkness that was being illuminated by bright, flashing lights every few milliseconds she realized her head was spinning. it must be the light. something about hyper aware vampire senses. 'air.' now. immediately. with her vision pinned to the ground she stumbled to the exit, desperate for her eyes not to catch too much of the gleaming white club lights. outside the sharply inhaled mild spring night air quickly filled her lungs and after a couple of breaths she dared to open her eyes which turned out to be a severe mistake. the world around her was spinning so fast, she was afraid it was going to turn upside down. she couldn't recall her legs ever feeling so heavy as she staggered away from the middle of the pavement, desperate to find something to lean on as she lurched into the alley right next to be club building. the cold, dusty wall of whatever store neighbouring it served as support as her body slumped against it. she threw her head back, eyes blankly looking into the night sky as she forced herself to be the master of her vision and to keep breakfast, lunch and dinner inside of her. 'i'm gonna fucking die right here', she thought, theatrically ready to embrace the end.

the journey to events like this often felt like jinri's last steps on the way to the executioner. the last time spent in freedom until she put her dignity and everything she stood for on the chopping block before it got split in half with strange eyes watching. the discontent with everything about this evening was basically painted onto her face, jinri having not enough shame to hide her feelings just yet. if she had to choose one thing she clearly hated, it was evenings and events like those. in comparison, every other day made her feel like the moon, feel like the high she's been chasing all her life but now it was just her, her brother and the silence between them. deep down within her, maybe somewhere along the middle of her spine, jinri knew that minwoo meant no harm. she would jump a bullet for him and even though they never told each other, she knew he would do the same for her. but it was difficult not to resent him and his dilligent, dutiful self during times when their worlds collided once more. when he said organized and responsible, she said inflexible and boring. when he focused on the importance of social status, she dumped the hierarchy in the trash again and again. sometimes she wondered if there had been a mistake during her birth and she got swapped with another child. there was no way those two could actually be related, yet here they were. 20 years too late to question anything now. the car ride came to an end as they pulled up to the humanities building, leaving it in comfortable walking distance. jinri tugged and pulled on the sleeves of the blazer her mother had begged her to wear. jinri had thought if she didn't complain about the black suit pants and the white blouse she at least would win the fight over wearing a leather jacket, but it had been in vain. with gritted teeth she followed orders once more. it didn't matter how much it pained her. "okay," she finally broke the silence between them as they slowly but steadily walked towards the building. "i'm ready for a final lecture before we go in. my mood cannot get any worse anyway. give it your best shot."