The car came to a stop and Areum glanced out the window, inspecting the environment. There is no single human here, excluding them.
But nevertheless, she's never seen such a beautiful place. It's a green forest.
The trees were tall and the floor was covered with soft green grasses. Birds chirped melodiously, while butterflies flapped around, perching on the beautiful and bright flowers.
Far ahead, she could hear rushes of water. She alighted the car and turned to Arizona, "Wow! It's lovely here!"
"You think so?" He smiled, walking to her side, "Yes!"She shrieked happily.
Arizona smiled," Come on. "
Areum walked after him, looking around. Her eyes caught a squirrel racing up a tree. She grinned. She's always appreciated nature, so she loved this.
As they walked further into the beautiful forest, the sounds of rushing water became even louder.
They walked silently and she admired the beauty around her.
Her admiration was interrupted by sounds of what seemed like rushing water. And as she looked up, her eyes were graced with the view of a waterfall. The crystal blue water was pouring down, below them. So it's like they were on a cliff.
The sky had a dark orangish-indigo glow, adding to the beauty around.
She gasped breathlessly, a loud squeak leaving her mouth. Is she in paradise!?
"H.. How'd you find this place? Because i don't think people know here. Else, it'll be crowded." Areum said, glancing around then focusing on him.
He smiled charmingly, "I just did. This place is very special to me, Areum. You see..." He sighed.
Areum stared at him, hoping he'd go on,but he didn't. It's obvious he had a lot on his mind, and he needs someone to talk to. Areum wants to be that 'someone'.
She held his hand and smiled, "Let's sit." Arizona smiled at her.
They both sat on the edge of the cliff, their legs dangling in air.
"You like it?"
"Yes. It's lovely here. I'd want to be here with you, everyday." She grinned adorably and he laughed,
"Okay. When are your auditions? I heard you guys are presenting on graduation day."
"Hmn, Yeah. Probably next week." Areum replied, "Why'd you ask?"
Arizona nodded, "Next week, I see. Okay. If you well, pass,I'll bring you here..."
" Really? "She interrupted him with a squeak.
" Yes, Cutie. "
Her heart fluttered at the pet name," I'll make sure to pass then. "She beamed at him. He smiled down at her,feeling his blood rush weirdly.
Areum looked ahead at the waterfall, "It's beautiful here." She said.
Arizona smiled, "I discovered this place when I was 15. Ever since then, it's been my personal place of peace and comfort."
Areum nodded in agreement. It sure is.
"How'd you find here? "She asked causally.
He replied," I just did. That day, i was so... lost and blank. My feelings were jam packed, so i ran away from home and roamed around. I saw a tunnel and passed through, and it led me here. Over the years, I discovered that it led to a lone Road. "
Areum nodded. Yh. The road they took was obviously barely used." But why were you feeling jam packed? Lost a lover?"She asked playfully.
A bitter smile fell on his lips, "Something like that. I lost my sister."
Areum blinked, not expecting that. "Oh. I'm so sorry about that."
Arizona smiled, "Hmn."
"At least, we have that in common now. Losing a loved one. "She joked and he chuckled a bit.
He then asked," Do you miss your mom? "
Areum nodded, her lips thinning," Very much. Too much. "
Arizona said subconsciously," She must have been the best. "
" Yeah. She was. " Areum smiled and Arizona didn't know when he scoffed to himself, feeling pathetic. Then why does his own mother have to be like THAT!
Areum noticed his mood falls each time a maternal topic is brought up." Aren't you in good terms with yours? " She asked cautiously.
Arizona looked down," No. I'm not. I hate her infact. "He blurted.
Areum blinked. She's never met someone who hates his own mother! And Arizona doesn't seem like the type with hatred in his heart,but he sounded very serious and hateful.
" Why? What happened? Mind telling me? "She inquired as softly as she could.
Arizona didn't say anything for a while but Areum didn't mind. She waited patiently.
" She... She's the cause of my sister's death. "Arizona said after a while. Areum had to suppress her gasp. What!?
" My mom has always been neglectful. Not that it affected us. My siblings and I were better off with our dad. But then. Once. Just the one time she had to watch over us, my little sister died. Yet she felt no remorse! In fact, her bad behaviour became more worse. And then dad decided to part ways with her. "Arizona took a deep, shaky breath before he continued," She insisted on taking us,my brother and I, along. We didn't want to go with her. We despised her. Then she got a lawyer who found a way to make it equal. My brother stayed with dad and I, with her."
Now, he was already turning red. He was very angry, remembering the tragedies. The separation. The sorrowful tears. The times he'd spend alone in his room, locked up, remembering the deep red color of his little angel's blood.
The more he recollect these memories, the more he gets angry and the more his hatred increases.
He felt a gentle had on his back, gently rubbing. He could feel his eyes sting. Oh. He's gonna cry but he needed to pour out his feelings and seriously, Areum is the best person.
"It's been awful. I hate seeing her. She's still as worse as she's been. She never apologized for anything. Hell, she's probably forgotten she killed her own child." He scoffed to himself. He felt like pulling his heart out to stop all the pain. But as he felt Areum's soft hand on his back, he felt better.
"It's okay,Ari." Areum said to him.
" I'd be lying if i say i know exactly how you feel,but I can feel a bit of your pain. It's okay. You'll be fine. "Areum honestly didn't know what to say. She just wanted to make sure he'll be fine. She just wanted to be there for him.
Arizona didn't know when the tears rolled down his cheeks. He's never cried in front of anyone. No one has ever been there when he's venting his anger on the walls. No one has ever been there to comfort him... But Areum.
She gently placed her head on his arm as he cried silently. He might be embarrassed after this though. She smiled, looking ahead at the waterfall.
It's already getting somehow dark though, but still,It's lovely.
After a while, he stopped. To be honest, he felt so much better. His heart felt lighter. He felt the head that rested softly on his arm, preventing him from moving his arm. Is she asleep?
"Areum?"
Almost immediately, she looked up at him. Oh. She isn't asleep.
Her pretty green eyes scanned his face. His lashes were wet from the tears and his eyes were twinkly. She smiled, raising her hand to brush the hair off his face, "Are you okay? You look so cute right now."
Arizona blinked a bit, "I'm better. Thank you."
Areum tilted her head, leaning towards him, "Arizona. Can I tell you something? You've poured out your feelings to me. It's only fair i do the same."
"Ok." He nodded in agreement. Areum took a deep breath, ' brace yourself for anything, Areum' and said,
"Ever since I've met you, everyday with you feels like a dream. No matter where I go or what I do, you are the last thought that puts me to sleep each night and the first thought that wakes me up every morning. I've never felt this way towards anyone, Arizona. But I can say this confidently. I love you. "
Arizona felt like he was imagining things as he gaped at her. No! No way! He's probably daydreaming! Areum can not say that. He's definitely daydreaming.
But as soon as she said it, she pulled his head down by holding his collar and ever so gently, she touched his lips with hers.
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