Sunlight streamed through the curtains, waking me up far earlier than I would have liked. I rolled over, groaning softly as I blinked away the sleep. Today was the day—the one that had been looming over me for weeks. BaekHyeon and I were officially turning eighteen, and the celebration planned by our family was going to be nothing short of extravagant.
As I sat up in bed, I could hear faint voices downstairs. Mom was probably already fussing over last-minute details, making sure everything would go perfectly. It was a big deal for the family—two twins coming of age, a symbol of our family's future. And while part of me felt proud, another part of me just wanted to hide away from all the expectations.
Before I could even check my phone, mom and Hyeon bragged into my room with flower rings in hand. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BONNIE!" Mom cheered walking up to me and placed the rings around my neck.
"Thank you mom." I slightly smiled.
BaekHyeon grinned as he followed Mom into the room, already wearing his flower ring proudly around his neck. "Happy birthday, Clyde," I teased, using the nickname we'd had since we were kids.
He rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking a little. "Really? We're still doing this?"
"Of course," I said, "It's tradition. Bonnie and Clyde—partners in crime, even on our birthday."
Mom clapped her hands together, her eyes shining with excitement. "Alright, boys, no time to waste. The stylist will be here in 10 minutes so hurry down and eat your favorite birthday pancakes."
I nodded, watching as Mom left the room, already chattering away about decorations and catering as she made her way downstairs. BaekHyeon lingered, still lounging on my bed.
"Big day, huh?" I said, my voice more relaxed now that Mom was gone.
"Yeah," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Feels like a lot."
"You'll be fine," I said, "We've been through worse."
"Like what?" He asked.
"Remember when you had to get surgery for the tumor in your stomach, and we spent our 10th birthday in the hospital with me crying the whole day." I chuckled.
"That was a very memorable birthday." He laughed
"Yeah, you were a wreck," BaekHyeon said with a grin. "But honestly, I think you were more scared than I was."
"Of course I was! You were the one lying there, all calm, while I was losing it. I thought I was gonna lose my twin," I said, nudging him playfully.
He shrugged, leaning back against the bedpost. "I guess I knew I had to stay calm. For both of us."
I smiled at that. BaekHyeon had always been the more grounded one between the two of us, able to keep things light even in the heaviest situations. And here we were, eight years later, still dealing with the ups and downs of life.
"You know, this is kind of like that," I said, motioning around the room to the faint sounds of party prep downstairs.
"Big, overwhelming day, and we just have to push through it."
BaekHyeon raised an eyebrow. "I don't think the family party compares to a tumor surgery, but sure, let's go with that."
We both laughed, and for a moment, the weight of the day didn't seem so bad.
"You ready?" he asked, standing up and heading for the door.
I glanced in the mirror one last time before following him. "Yeah. Ready as I'll ever be."
We headed downstairs to find the dining room already set up for breakfast. The smell of pancakes filled the air, and I could see that Mom had gone all out, stacking them high with whipped cream and strawberries. Hyung and Noona were already sat at the table munching down their pancakes.
We barely got to see them since they both studied far away, so I was so happy to see them back for this special day.
Seeing Hyung and Noona at the table brought a wave of comfort and nostalgia. Hyung was laughing about something with Noona, their voices carrying a familiar warmth. They were both dressed casually, a stark contrast to the formal attire that awaited us later in the day.
"Hey, look who finally decided to join us!" Hyung called out with a grin, reaching for another stack of pancakes. "Did you guys sleep in or something?"
"No, just taking our sweet time," BaekHyeon said, joining in on the banter as he grabbed a plate.
Noona looked up, her eyes bright. "Happy birthday, Jihoon and BaekHyeon! We wouldn't miss this for the world."
I felt a genuine smile spread across my face. It was moments like these that reminded me why family gatherings, despite their chaos, were worth it.
Mom bustled around, making sure everyone had enough to eat and that the pancakes were as perfect as she intended. She finally settled into a seat, giving us a moment to enjoy the breakfast before the next phase of the day began.
"So, how was the pre-birthday party last night?" Hyung asked between bites. "I heard it got pretty wild."
BaekHyeon and I exchanged amused glances. "Yeah, it was something," BaekHyeon said. "A lot of games, a lot of noise."
"Sounds about right," Noona said with a laugh. "And now here we are, with a more refined version of a birthday celebration. Just wait until you see the cake Mom ordered."
I could only imagine. Mom had been talking about it for weeks, and I was sure it would be nothing short of spectacular.
As we finished our breakfast, the stylist arrived, carrying an assortment of clothes and accessories for the day's festivities. I sighed, knowing that the relaxed morning was coming to an end.
———————————
Once we were done getting ready, mom, hyung and Nonna were already gone.
Mr. Lee walked inside in a very unusual uniform looking a little bit to fancy then usual, "I was ordered to take you guys to your destination."
BaekHyeon and I exchanged glances, both caught off guard by Mr. Lee's unusually formal appearance. He was our family's driver, and while he always dressed neatly, today he looked like he was attending a high-end gala rather than chauffeuring us around.
"Destination?" BaekHyeon asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mr. Lee nodded with a slight bow. "Yes, the venue for the celebration. Your mother has ensured that everything will be a surprise."
"A surprise?" I muttered under my breath. I wasn't sure if I liked that.
BaekHyeon grinned and clapped me on the back. "Come on, Jihoon. How bad could it be? Mom's been planning this for weeks."
I reluctantly nodded, following them out of the house and into the car. The drive was quiet, the excitement of the morning now tempered by the anticipation of what awaited us. The further we drove, the more unfamiliar the surroundings became, until we finally pulled up to a massive estate on the outskirts of the city.
"Whoa…" BaekHyeon muttered, eyes wide as he took in the sight of the grand mansion that stretched out before us.
The place looked like something straight out of a movie, with towering columns, manicured gardens, and sparkling fountains decorating the entrance. It was luxurious in a way that only our family could pull off, and it made the mansion Lola and Halmeoni lived in seem modest in comparison.
"Your family is waiting inside," Mr. Lee said as he opened the door for us.
As we stepped out, I couldn't help but feel a nervous flutter in my stomach. Today was the day—the culmination of all the planning and preparation. Whatever was waiting inside this mansion was going to be over the top, and I wasn't sure if I was ready.
"Alright, let's do this," I said, mostly to myself, as BaekHyeon and I made our way toward the grand entrance.
Inside, the place was even more extravagant than I had imagined. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a soft glow across the marble floors. The entire space was filled with flowers—white, gold, and pale blue arrangements that matched the theme of our outfits.
And then, there they were—our family, friends, and even some people I barely recognized, all dressed in their finest, waiting for us. The moment we entered, the room erupted in applause and cheers.
"There they are, the birthday boys!" Mike's voice boomed over the crowd as he pushed his way toward us with a huge grin. "Looking sharp, both of you!"
Mom appeared next, pulling us into a quick hug. "You made it just in time. Everything is ready for the big moment."
I forced a smile, trying to shake off the nerves. "Thanks, Mom. It's… amazing."
BaekHyeon looked more comfortable than I felt, already chatting with our cousins as if this was just another casual day. I envied his ability to roll with things so easily.
As we were guided toward the center of the room where two elaborate thrones were set up—yes, actual thrones—I glanced at him and whispered, "This might be a bit much, don't you think?"
He laughed softly. "Definitely. But just enjoy it. After all, we only turn eighteen once."
As we approached the thrones, the crowd parted to make way for us, and I couldn't help but feel like this was more of a royal coronation than a birthday party. The thrones were draped in luxurious fabrics that matched our outfits, and I could already see the ornate cake that Noona had hinted at—an extravagant multi-tiered masterpiece covered in gold accents and intricate decorations.
"Wow," BaekHyeon whispered, his eyes fixed on the cake. "Mom really went all out, huh?"
"No kidding," I muttered, still trying to process the overwhelming grandeur of everything around us.
As we sat down, the room quieted, and Mom took the stage, holding a microphone. She looked radiant, practically glowing with pride as she addressed the crowd.
"Thank you all for being here to celebrate my wonderful sons, Jihoon and BaekHyeon, as they step into adulthood today," she began, her voice filled with emotion.
"It feels like just yesterday they were two little boys, full of curiosity and energy, and now look at them—strong, kind, and ready to take on the world."
I shifted in my seat, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on us. This was the part I had been dreading—the speeches, the attention, the expectations. But I kept a smile on my face, knowing how much this meant to Mom.
She continued, sharing stories of our childhood, some embarrassing, others heartwarming, before finally turning to us with tears in her eyes.
"I couldn't be more proud of you both," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I know today marks a new chapter for you, and I'm confident that whatever you do, you'll do it with the same grace and strength you've shown your whole lives."
The room erupted in applause once again, and I saw Lola and Halmeoni wiping their eyes, clearly moved by the speech. Even BaekHyeon, who usually avoided sentimentality, looked touched.
After Mom finished, Dad grabbed the mic after him Hyung and Noona also got up to make their speech.
Dad took the mic with a warm smile, looking around the room as he began. "Well, after such a beautiful speech from your mother, I don't know how much more I can add." The room chuckled softly. "But I will say this: Jihoon and BaekHyeon, watching you grow into the men you are today has been the greatest privilege of my life. I've seen you both face challenges, celebrate victories, and support each other through it all. That bond, that strength, is something you should always hold onto."
He paused, his gaze shifting between BaekHyeon and me, his expression softening. "You're ready for this new chapter, even if it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders today. Just know that we, your family, will always be behind you, no matter what."
Applause followed, and Dad stepped down, giving us both a firm pat on the back as he handed the mic to Hyung, who had an impish grin on his face.
Hyung adjusted the mic, looking far too casual for what was clearly supposed to be a heartfelt moment. "Okay, so, real talk," he started, and I knew something ridiculous was coming.
"Jihoon and BaekHyeon, you're turning eighteen, which is supposed to mean you're adults now. But let's be honest—adulthood is overrated."
The crowd laughed, and even I couldn't help but smirk at his approach.
"Now, I'm not going to stand here and pretend like I'm some wise older brother who's got it all figured out. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's this: you've got to take life as it comes. Don't stress too much about expectations or what other people think you should be.
Just be yourselves, and everything else will fall into place. And if that doesn't work… well, there's always Noona to bail you out."
Noona rolled her eyes playfully but stepped up with a smile when Hyung passed her the mic. "I'll keep this short because I know everyone's eager to start the real party." She paused for effect, looking at BaekHyeon and me with a mix of fondness and pride.
"Growing up with you two was always an adventure. You guys have always had each other's backs, and that's something not everyone gets. It's special. But now, as you step into adulthood, just remember to let people in, too. Family, friends… even when things get tough."
Her voice softened as she added, "We're all here for you. Always."
More applause filled the room, and with that, the formal speeches were done. I glanced over at BaekHyeon, who looked as relieved as I felt. The weight of the day still hung over us, but in that moment, surrounded by the people we loved, it didn't feel so heavy.
Mike, ever the mood-lifter, was already back at the mic. "Alright, enough with the heartfelt stuff—let's get this party started for real!"
The lights dimmed, music filled the air, and people began to move toward the dance floor. I took a deep breath, feeling the shift from ceremony to celebration, and allowed myself to finally relax a little.
Music started playing, and people began mingling, grabbing drinks and heading toward the dance floor. The formality was over, and now it felt more like a celebration.
BaekHyeon and I finally stood up from the thrones and were immediately pulled into conversations with cousins, friends, and family members congratulating us.
"You two look like kings!" Quinn said, hugging us both tightly. "This is like the fanciest party I've ever been to."
"Yeah, no kidding," I replied, trying to shake off the lingering nerves. "I wasn't expecting anything this… big."
"Well, you better enjoy it while it lasts," she teased. "This is your moment."
As the night went on, I found myself finally relaxing. The pressure had eased, and I even managed to have fun—dancing with cousins, laughing with friends, and taking in the sheer madness of the event. For a while, I almost forgot about the underlying anxiety I'd been carrying all day.
———————-
As the night started to drag on, the energy in the room began to mellow out. The music was still loud, and people were still dancing, but there was a noticeable shift. The excitement of the early evening had softened into something more relaxed. People were gathering in smaller groups, sipping drinks, sharing quiet conversations, and laughing softly.
BaekHyeon and I had been pulled into countless chats with relatives and friends throughout the night, congratulating us, offering advice, or just reminiscing about our childhood. I was exhausted but content. The party was winding down, but it felt like the perfect end to the day.
Quinn appeared at my side, a drink in hand and a knowing smirk on her face. "You look like you're ready to crash."
"I am," I admitted with a chuckle, leaning against the back of one of the lounge chairs. "This whole day has been a lot."
"You guys really pulled it off, though," she said. "I don't think I've ever been to a party like this."
"Neither have I," I replied. "And I'm not sure I ever want to again."
Quinn chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah, I don't think anything can top this. The New Year's Ball doesn't stand a chance."
I laughed, shaking my head. "I wouldn't mind a more low-key celebration next time.
Something without speeches, matching outfits, and half the city in attendance."
She grinned, leaning in closer. "But you secretly loved it, didn't you? All the attention, the fancy clothes. Don't lie, Jihoon."
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. "Maybe a little. But it's exhausting."
TBC