petals

Name: Jessica Jung
Band: Industry
Journal: galbi
AIM: #flower.pots
Age: 21
Year: Junior
Sorority: Kappa Delta
Major: Fine Arts
Minor: Photography
Affiliations: Art Club; Fashion Club; Photography
Occupation: Student; Crew Member [campus bookstore]

Home of the brave, land of the free -- Jessica was as American as they could get. Sort of. Central LA was a whirlwind of cultures and the Jung household was no exception. Korean spoken at home, Spanish at the park just a few blocks away, and Japanese at the work room of a little boutique where her mother and an elderly woman fondly known as auntie Umino casted bronze and molded clay for jewelry they made together, Jessica felt like her head was spinning around in circles trying to keep everything straight. Did she speak English to the lunch lady when she told her no cheese, please? Or was that Korean? Daijobou desu ka? It made her feel like the puzzle piece that looked like it fit, but just didn't unless you pushed down real hard.

No matter how chaotic the outside world got, home was heaven.

Music filled every room of the small two story home. Sometimes it was the electric pulse of a heavy guitar, or soft melodies crooned in silky smooth falsettos that made you want to sway to the gentle beat. Every day was something different. The kitchen table was permanently marred by a wayward permanent marker and vivid green glitter that had somehow gotten super glued to the wood. Jessica swore up and down that it was mom but every time the conversation came up suddenly popsicles were on the menu and if Jessica wanted the last pink she had to be a good girl. If Krystal got upset because she wanted pink too, that was okay because there was still blue, which wasn't as good but it was a close second and she could make that sacrifice because that's what big sisters did. They gave up the last pink popsicle, and always shared the good crayons, and definitely didn't let other ~~punks~~ kids mess with them.

As happy as home was, the outside world often left much to be desired. At the age of 8 she decided school wasn't for her. By 10 she had almost flunked the 5th grade and brought great shame to the family as her Grandfather had been quick to tell her in his weekly email to the family all the way from Seoul, South Korea. That was the year she'd proclaimed in a flurry of tears and flailing arms that she was going to run off and join the circus and that she was taking Krystal with her because she couldn't get the hang of long division, and multiplication was too complicated and how in the world was she supposed to remember all of those old white men!? But drawing? She could do that. Sing all the words to JLo's This is Me... Then album, Jessica had that down to an art.

"Baby, it's okay." Her mother whispered against the shell of her ear once she had finally calmed down. Together they curled up in the middle of the large king sized bed in the master bedroom with Jessica tucked up against her mother's side and Krystal nestled in behind her.

A's for Art lessons became the motto after that, a compromise imagined up by her father. Jessica may not have understood a lick of what she was doing but she worked her butt off for that 90% and even when she fell a little shy the effort was rewarded.

But happiness wasn't built to last and no matter how strong the foundation their life was built on, life always seems to know just what curve ball to throw to send everything toppling down.

The Jung's came from a long line of business owners. First was Jung Jinho who founded a small real estate firm in Seoul. Then his son, Jung Jiwoo, and his son Donghyun -- Jessica's Grandfather. As with most families in that business, it passed from one son to the next. But as the second son, Jung Dongwan -- Jessica's father had no obligations. He was free to do as he pleased, but he pleased to make his father happy so as the time came he entered Seoul University for a business degree, just like his brother and father.

When Dongwan met Haeun, the family rejoiced, and when they married right after graduation Donghyun sent the happy couple to LA to start the business she dreamed of. No one imagined that just a few years later his brother would die in a tragic car accident. But still, Donghyun allowed them to stay. They made good money, some of which they sent back each month and they were happy, even if the girls weren't being raised exactly right.

As foolhardy as it was, no one expected Donghyun to die. With no other heirs to claim the Jung legacy, the small family was forced to pack their bags, sell what they couldn't take and make their way to Seoul, South Korea.

Gone were the bright colors and eclectic mix of languages.

Korea was strange. Everyone spoke fast and dressed the same and what in the world was geometry? Like a bird with it's wings clipped she plummeted to the ground. No friends, failing grades and a house that wasn't a home. There wasn't even the boutique to keep her busy. For months she relied on Krystal as he only companion. Back in the States her blank expression didn't mind people but now it seemed to put people off. The worst part was, everyone seemed to judge everyone.

Thankfully her mother didn't care.

Get your grades up, she said. Make a few friends, she urged. And to keep her sane, they kept her out of after school lessons and instead enrolled her into a design class in Hongdae. And so the wilting flower blossomed. It took time, but eventually she had friends, and her grades were respectable, enough to get into a decent high school, enough that she had a chance at a decent university when the time finally came.

Juggling was a hard act and sometimes things fell through the cracks -- namely her sister. It was what Jessica regretted the most about those last two years before university came around. In her guilt, she made a pack with Krystal before she left.

"Lets start a business together!" Jessica proclaimed one night as they laid together in her bed, staring up at her ceiling, music playing softly in the background.

"Like mom and dad." Krystal had echoed at the time, a rare smile gracing her lips.

They stayed up late that night, well past bed time and lights out, covers draped over their heads as they planned, hashing out details and giggling at each other's lame jokes.

A week later Jessica was gone, shipped off to school with promises to call and get lunch together -- every weekend.