I looked at my drawer and saw 3 red roses. I took the roses and showed them to Sunwoo.
"What are these?" he asked, and I shrugged my shoulders in confusion. "Is there any letter?" he asked, so I looked at my locker, and there it was. I saw a paper folded in half that says. "I'm sorry," Sunwoo read out the letter that made me more confused. "Maybe it was just a mistake?" I chuckled as I pulled out my pens and notebooks. "I don't think that it's just a mistake," Sunwoo closed my locker and showed me the letter with my name on it. "I don't get it? How could I receive a letter on my 2nd day?" I smiled and took the roses from Sunwoo.
We went into the classroom, and I was greeted by a box of chocolates placed on my desk. "This is...creepy, yet it's so sweet," I thought to myself. Sunwoo was also shocked by the act of the mysterious stranger. I just gave him the chocolates and kept the roses to myself since I wasn't craving anything sweet at that time. A few minutes later, Jinho entered the room and sat beside me. The professor started the lesson and noticed that Jinho isn't seating in his respective seat.
"Mr Shin Jinho, go back to your seat, same with you, Mr Jung," I mentally cursed when I saw Jae-Hwa coming near my seat. He peacefully sat in his seat and continued to listen to the professor. I, on the other hand, tried to focus on the topic and minded my own business. "So for tomorrow's project, you will be partnered with your seatmates," I quickly stood up and shouted no in the middle of class. I embarrassedly sat on my seat when the teacher scolded me. "Ms Kim, sit down!" he pointed his stick at me. "Ms. Kim Ha-Neul will be partnered Mr. Jung Jae-Hwa. End of the discussion," the professor said and dismissed the whole class.
"Bestie, let's have some coffee?" Sunwoo asked. I was about to reply when Jae-Hwa suddenly spoke. "You can't. We got a project to finish, remember?" he said as he took his backpack. "Sorry, bestie, let's just go out after we finish this goddamn project, okie?" I smiled at him and bid goodbye as I followed Jae-Hwa.
"Where are we gonna do the project?" I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes as I followed him towards the hallway. "My house," "What?! I'm not going there!" I complained, stopping my tracks. He looked back and pulled my hands towards the parking lot. "Let me go!" I said as I tried to pull my hand back. He didn't reply and shoved me in the shotgun of his car. I called Hee-Kyung to inform him that I might get home late. "Hee, I might get home late," "Why?" "I have a project to finish, and this might take a while," "Oh, okay, I'll just tell mom about this. Bye, love you" "Love you too," I said and ended the call. "Is that your boyfriend?" Jae-Hwa suddenly asked as he took a different lane. "It's none of your business," I rolled my eyes and slept for the meantime.
I felt the car stop, and I opened my eyes. An extensive modern mansion faced me as soon as I went out of his car. I was amused by the house's dark interior. The flooring was made of marble tiles, and the whole room was lit up with chandeliers. The wall has this smooth texture, while the balcony on the 2nd floor was enclosed by glass. "You live here alone?" I asked. "It's none of your business," I rolled my eyes as he glanced at me with an annoying smirk plastered on his face. "Let's just finish this thing. I wanna go home," "My room is on the second floor, wait for me there," "What- I-I'm not going into your room, you perverted bastard," I said as I hugged my backpack with me. "Who's the pervert between us? Stop thinking things. I won't do such a thing, just go there because my instruments are in my room," he said as he entered the kitchen.
I went up to the 2nd floor and entered his room. I didn't expect that his room would be this clean. His desk and bed are entirely organized. The room's scent is similar to fresh lavender. I opened the door to the balcony and saw a view of the city. It's currently 6 in the evening, so the city lights started to open. The scenery was so ecstatic. The lights with the moon above brought inner peace in me. I was awoken from my thoughts when I felt someone stood beside me. "Let's start?" Jae-Hwa asked, and I nodded, so we both entered his room. "Which song would you like to sing for the project?" he asked."There's this song that's very close to my heart. Is it okay if we choose that?" he hummed and nodded. "The one that got away by Katy Perry," he chuckled, and I asked why. "Nothing, it's my dad and mom's theme song," I was amused about him suddenly opening up. "Really?" he nodded. "My mom died when I was 9 because of a car accident. Ever since then, my dad became numb. He moved back to the states, and I stayed here in Korea because I insisted. Until now, we only talk when it comes to my grades and school life." he said and sighed, looking down. "You didn't have to share those things with me. You should've kept it to yourself. I'm sorry for your loss." he bitterly smiled at me and started playing the guitar.
We finished our practice around 9 in the evening. Not gonna lie. Jae-Hwa is quite a chill person to be with. He's good at playing the guitar and also at singing. I don't know why but I got goosebumps when I heard his voice. It sounded like the voice I heard in the Karaoke bar last night. "You want me to drop you at your house?" he asked as he puts the guitar in its case. "No need, someone's going to fetch me," I said as I sat down on his comfy bed. "Is it your boyfriend?" he asked without glancing at me. "I don't have a boyfriend, lol," I chuckled and proceeded to observe his tidy room. "Really? Then who-" I cut him off. "It's my older brother chill," I giggled and went to the balcony to again be mesmerized by the city lights. "Ha-Neul, I'm sorry," he said out of the blue. "For what?" I asked back, still with eyes focused on the blissful view. "For what happened earlier, about the bullies and about-" "It's okay, no need to apologize," I smiled at him and diverted my view to the dark sky. "Y-you're not mad?" he asked. I just sighed and looked at him. "If I get mad at you, there's nothing I can do, and besides, it's just a waste if I'll be mad since it already happened. My mom said that if you keep on looking through your past, you can never move on. You have two choices, stay or move. In every situation, I always chose to move even though it hurts because you can never change what already happened." I looked at him as I finished my statement. He was looking earnestly at me. We were interrupted by a horn beeping. I looked down and saw my Audi being drove by Hee-Kyung. "My brother's here. See you tomorrow," I waved goodbye and left his room.
"How's your day?" Hee-Kyung asked during the ride. "It went bad at first, but the rest of it went smooth," I said as I rested my head against the car's tinted window. "Oh, by the way, there's a teachers-parents conference tomorrow at school. I know mom's schedule is busy, so is it okay if you attend the conference?" I asked. "Sure, what time?" "12 noon, we only have 3 classes in the morning, and after that, we can go home because of the conference," I said. "Do you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend again?" I chuckled at his statement and remembered the times I asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend in every school conference that he attended for me. "No need," I smiled as I glanced at the roses that were given to me.
"Hey, Ha-Neul, is your mom gonna come to the Parent's conference later?" Sunwoo asked as he drove towards our school. Sunwoo texted me last night if we could go together to school. I said yes since I'm too lazy to go by myself. "Nope, my mom is too busy for that. I asked Hee-Kyung to attend for me," he nodded. "So...what happened yesterday?" "What?" I asked back. "Spill the tea...what happened to your group project with Jae-Hwa," "Oh, nothing much. We practiced it in his house and-" "Wait, hold up! You're telling me that you two did the project in his goddamn mansion?!" Sunwoo asked in shock. "Yes...what's the problem?" "This is the very first time that he brought someone to his house. Well, aside from Jinho, of course. But every time there's group projects he always finishes them either in a cafe or in the school's library. It's really odd for him to bring someone like you considering that you're a girl," "I don't know...anyway, we finished the project, and he opened up about his family and-" Sunwoo roughly stepped on the breaks when he heard what I said. "Bestie, are you okay? You know what, I'll drive," "No, I'm okay. I'm just shocked that he opened up about his family, aside from Jinho," he again continued driving and abruptly got me thinking...am I really that special? "We're here," Sunwoo said as he parked the car. "Thank you for the ride, bestie," I said and grabbed his shoulder as the both of us happily walked towards our lockers.
"Bestie, look at this," I showed Sunwoo another letter and another set of 3 roses that I found in my locker. "Ha-Neul, I truly believe you have a secret admirer," he said as he mentally read the letter I handed him. "What's in the letter?" I asked. "It says, ' thank you for the advice '. Ha-Neul, have you giving someone some advice lately?" I shook my head. "I think we should wait a few more days before we suspect someone," I said, and he nodded. The both of us went into the classroom, grabbing each others' arms. To my surprise, Jae-Hwa is early today. I greeted him good morning, and he greeted me back. After a few minutes, Jinho entered the classroom with a big smile on his face. He placed a pack of banana milk on top of my desk and went to his seat. "What's this?" I asked him. "It's a pack of Banana milk," he sarcastically said. "I mean, why are you giving me this," "Oh, someone told me to give you that while I was entering the lobby," My lips formed an 'o' as I was confused about the person who gave me this. "Do you know who's that person?" Jinho just shooked his head and stared at the board in front. "Ha-Neul, maybe it's the guy who also puts flowers in your locker," Sunwoo commented. "Yeah, maybe...I don't know," I said as I pocked the banana milk and started to drink it.
"Good morning, class," the professor greeted us. The whole class bowed at him and sat in their seats. "So, today, you're going to perform the project that I assigned. Who wants to go first?" I suddenly heard whispers from the class. I looked to my side and saw Jae-Hwa raising his hand. "This is new, well if you wanted so...go ahead, Mr Jung and Ms Kim," the professor smiled and gestured us to go in front.
Jae-Hwa and I sat on the wooden stool and started singing.
Summer after high school, when we first met
We'd make out in your Mustang to Radiohead
And on my 18th birthday, we got matching tattoos
Used to steal your parents' liquor and climb to the roof
Talk about our future like we had a clue
Never planned that one day I'd be losing you
In another life
I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were
The one that got away
The one that got away
I was June, and you were my Johnny Cash
Never one without the other, we made a pact
Sometimes when I miss you I put those records on (whoa)
Someone said you had your tattoo removed
Saw you downtown singing the blues
It's time to face the music, I'm no longer your muse
But in another life
I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were
The one that got away
The one that got away
The one
The one
The one
The one that got away
All this money can't buy me a time machine, no
Can't replace you with a million rings, no
I should've told you what you meant to me (whoa)
'Cause now I pay the price
In another life
I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were
The one that got away
The one that got away
The one (the one)
The one (the one)
The one (the one)
In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were
The one that got away
The one that got away...
I opened my eyes after finishing the song. I heard the class clapping for us. I looked at my side and saw Jae-Hwan...smiling? "WOOHOO! You two look good together!" Jinho cheered at the back while giving us a playful grin. The whole class laughed at him, and the professor carried on with the other students. "Hey, sis, let's go?" Hee-Kyung asked as he arrived at the school driving our Ferrari 812 GTS. I can't believe that he brought that here. Hee-Kyung wore a white button-up polo shirt with two buttons undone. He pared it with a black blazer and black slacks along with his black leather shoes. He also wore some earrings and round Harry Potter glasses to finish the look.
We entered the lobby, and as expected, people around us started gossiping and fangirling about my brother. Well, I can't blame them though, my brother is one fine man. "What's up, Hee-Kyung Hyung!" Sunwoo and Hee-Kyung made a high five as they met each other. "How did you two get so close?" I asked. "We exchanged numbers when we're at the Karaoke bar. I can say that Sunwoo is a nice kid," he said and messed my hair. "Where's Sunhee, by the way?" I asked. "Sunhee went home early. She said she's tired and wants to sleep instead of waiting for the conference to finish," I just nodded and guided Hee-Kyung to the Auditorium where the conference will be held. The professors told us that students aside from the Student Council are not allowed, so Sunwoo and I decided to hang out at the coffee shop while waiting for Hee-Kyung.
"What coffee would you like to order?" I asked Sunwoo as I was approaching the counter. "I'll have whatever you order," I nodded and ordered two Iced Americano with cream. I thanked the employee and took the drinks with our names on the cup. Sunwoo and I chose to have a peaceful stroll at the park. On our way, we saw Jinho and Jae-Hwa. "Jinho!" I called and waved my hand as they looked back at us. They stopped their tracks and signaled us to join them. "Where are you two going?" I asked. "To the park, we're going to meet someone there," Jinho replied, placing his arm on my shoulder as we walked. The four of us reached the park and were greeted by a bunch of kids. Jae-Hwa accompanied them under the shady tree and lightly scolded them not to be noisy. The kids obeyed him, and Jae-Hwa also sat under the tree with the kids. He pulled out his guitar and started singing for them.
I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
It could be so nice, growing old with you
I'll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
Even let you hold the remote control
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
I'll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
He's singing grow old with you by Adam Sandler...I felt euphoria as I was listening to him. My eyes were closed as he was singing; it made me feel the song more. I sensed someone dogged me lightly, which made me come back to my senses. I snickered when I saw Jinho looking at me. I looked at Jae-Hwa, and he was also looking at me. We made eye contact throughout the whole song. We were lost in each other's gaze like two magnets attracted to each other. I smiled at him, and he smiled back.
Even let you hold the remote control
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you...
I clapped and cheered along with the kids. After that, the 4 of us played at the playground to kill some time. "Sunwoo!! weeeee!" I laughed as I went down the slide. Sunwoo caught me, and we both giggled. Jae-Hwan and Jinho also played with us, and when I tell you that it was total chaos, I mean it. The three of them were so dizzy from riding the merry-go-round and swings. Jinho was attacked by the kids when he was climbing the monkey bars while Sunwoo was beaten by a toddler in an ice cream eating contest. I wish every day is like this. My heart can manage this feeling...
After a couple of hours, the 4 of us came back to the school grounds and bid goodbye to each other. I was with Sunwoo when Hee-Kyung finally went out of the Auditorium. "How was the meeting?" I asked as I gave Hee-Kyung the drink that we bought for him. "The student council is so annoying," he rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Well, it's not my fault. You dressed up like a rich CEO in a parent's meeting," "Yo, Sunwoo! Would you like to come with us?" he asked. "Where?" "We're gonna go to the mall and buy our mother a gift for her upcoming birthday," I replied. "Sure, I'll also buy a little something for Sunhee," he said with his signature bubbly smile and went in his car.
We arrived at the mall and decided to eat before we go shopping. The three of us went inside a fancy restaurant since we just received our weekly allowances. "I'll have a steak. Medium-Rare," Hee-Kyung replied to the waiter who's taking our order. "I'll have a serving of carbonara and strawberry cheesecake," Sunwoo said and handed the menu to the waiter. "How about you, ma'am?" the waiter asked. "I'll have some carbonara and a slice of cheesecake. As for the drinks, we'll have a glass of wine and two mango juices," I smiled and also handed him the menu. "Ha-Neul, can you spill more about what happened to you and Jae-Hwa yesterday?" Sunwoo teasingly opened a topic. "Who's Jae-Hwa?" Hee-Kyung asked. "Oh, he's a friend of mine. He's my partner on the project that we're assigned to do yesterday," I explained and looked at Sunwoo with wide dead eyes. "His house looks nice. I didn't know that he has a nice taste," Hee-Kyung commented. "How does his house looks like?" Sunwoo curiously asked. "I took some pictures but, I want to keep his privacy, so I deleted them," he frustratedly rested his back against the chair and pouted. "You're so cute," I pinched his cheeks, but Hee-Kyung interrupted by clearing his throat. "I feel sorry for you because you're old and single," I fakely sighed and giggled at him.
The order finally arrived, and we immediately finished our meal. "Hyung, when is your mom's birthday?" Sunwoo asked. "The party will be held next week at our house. Wanna come?" "Sure...is it formal or casual?" "Well, our dad will go home from the states, so it'll be a formal event," I replied. The three of us went to buy the things we need for the party, including what we'll wear and the gifts that we'll give to our loved ones. We passed by a jewelry store, and I saw a familiar figure looking through the glass case of the expensive jewelry. He was assisted by the staff as he was picking out some jewelry. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued roaming around the mall with my brother and friend.
"Bye, Sunwoo," I waved goodbye as the two of us parted ways in the parking lot. Hee-Kyung and I went in the car. I looked inside my bag and again glanced at the roses that were given to me earlier. I took it out and showed it to Hee-Kyung. "What are those?" Hee-Kyung glanced at me. "Someone was putting flowers in my locker since yesterday," I said. "Ha-Neul, you know that-" "Hee, I know, no need to remind me. If I ever get into a relationship, I'll make sure that I won't get hurt. Got that?" I smiled at him as he nodded. I plugged in my earphones and played Leaves by Ben and Ben. This song is very special to me since I listen to this whenever I feel sad or feel relaxed. "Hee-Kyung, can I invite some of my friends to the party?" I asked as I hopped out of the car. "Yea, sure. But tell them about the details of the party, okay?" I nodded and went inside the house.
Jae-Hwa's POV:
I parked my Audi in my garage and entered my sorrowful house. People might think that I live a perfect and rich life but, I'm completely broken, and my life has turned into complete darkness. The day of the car accident keeps haunting me until now. I always blame myself for everything, and because of me, the light of my life has vanished, and it's just an unending tunnel of darkness for me to travel. I went into the house and saw the person who makes my life more miserable. My Dad. "How were your grades?" he asked as soon as I entered the living room. "When are you coming back to the states?" I asked instead of answering his question.
I'm so tired of him asking the same damn question every time we meet. "You didn't answer my question!" he said sternly. Does he think that he can scare me? At this point, I only see him as junk. Trash. I wasn't surprised when he punched my face. I bitterly smiled, tasting the bitter taste of my own blood. I went to my room and locked myself in there. For once, I wanna live in peace. I want to know the feeling of being loved again before I die. I'm so tired and sick of this eternal chaos. Since mom died, I would always cry myself to sleep until I have no tears left to cry. It's always been a routine. If not for Jinho, I would be buried underground right now. I hated him at first, but deep inside, I will always be thankful for him. He stopped me when I attempted to end my life, and he also made me feel that I always have a strong brother to lean on. I went to the balcony to take a glance at the city's view. I looked at my side and remembered Ha-Neul's words. "In every situation, I always chose to move even though it hurts because you can never change what has already happened."
Ha-Neul's POV:
Today is a lovely day because it's SATURDAY! I took a short bath and went downstairs to eat something. I saw Hee-Kyung talking to someone on his phone, so I suppose it's the event's organizer for mom's birthday party. As I was watching my favorite show on the TV, someone called me, and I immediately answered my phone without glancing at the caller's name
"Hello, this is Kim Ha-Neul speaking," I said with eyes still focused on the TV.
"Hello Ha-Neul, can you...come with me?"
To be continued...