The world seemed to revolve around us as we rode through the streets of Seoul. I was feeling pumped. Adrenaline pulsing through every vein in me. "Yonna hold tight!" I warned accelerating my nineteenth birthday gift. A BMW motorcycle. It felt like a dream. A dream I didn't want to wake up from. The pair of hands wrapped around my waist holding me tight proves I wasn't dreaming. "At this rate we are going to be given a ticket! " She squealed.
I grinned widely aware of the fact that she was enjoying this just as I did. Or even more. "You might end up jinxing us!" I said loudly. Just enough for her to hear me.
As if waiting for me to finish my sentence, we both heard the blaring siren of the police.
Fuck.
I gritted my teeth. They just had to show up. I groaned inwardly.
Yonna held me tighter. " We should just pull over." I snorted in reply. "Let's outrace them. I'm dying to see how fast this baby is"
" We can do that another day. Pull over!" She said again. " Argh, alright fine. " I slowed down and pulled over by the Han bridge.
The police pulled over beside us almost immediately. An officer stepped out.
"Good evening!" I flashed a sheepish grin at him. The Officer upon seeing me combed his hands through his hair. " Ms. Kim. I thought I had given you a clear warning last time." He said.
I felt Yonna's burning gaze on me. I pretended not to notice and replied scratching the back of my head, "You did? I completely forgot."
"You did." The Officer wasn't amused.
"Well I-"
Yonna spoke up. "I apologise for my sister's recklessness. I promise never to let it happen again."
The Officer opened his notepad. " Apologies aren't going to cut it lady. You're both minors to begin with and disregarding the speed limit is a grave offence."
There with all that trash talk. Hearing them made me drowsy. Falling asleep right now... Yonna would tear me apart. I spoke up once more.
"It's our birthday today huh, can you not just let this slide once more. I will forever follow the speed limits."
The both of us stared pitifully at him. " I'll make sure she does community service!" Yonna added.
"What?!! I'm not doing that."
Yonna stared at me sternly. "You don't want Mom to hear about this do you?" She asked.
I shuddered. " Fine, fine. I'll do the f*cking community service. "
The Officer shook his head shutting his notepad. " This will be your last warning. Anymore defects and you'll be visiting the cells." He warned.
We both gave him a jerky nod. He turned, walking back to the car. He paused and turned to look back at us. "I'll watch you leave."
Great. Just great.
I climbed my bike throwing the helmet over my head. Yonna climbed in after me. I ignited the bike. The engines purring with vitality. I looked at the officer. "Have a good evening." I said and rode off. Accelerating even faster than earlier.
Rules. They were made just so I could break them.
______
I stopped when we arrived at our destination. I took off my helmet breathing in the cool air. Taking of my leather jacket, I took a moment to admire the Oceanview. I looked beside me. Guess I wasn't the only one admiring.
Her eyes shone with pure love. "It's beautiful!" She breathed. "I know right." I held her hand. " Come on."
We both ran to the oceanside. The breeze sweeping our hair behind us. "Take them off. Take your shoes off." I said.
We sat down taking our shoes off. I gasped softly as my feet sank in the cool sand. I stood up pulling Yonna up with me. "What are you-" before she could finish, I lifted her up from the ground and unto my shoulder. "It's time for your baptism!" I pronounced.
" Let me down!" She writhed restlessly trying to free herself. Too bad I had a firm grip on her. I walked deeper into the water stopping when it got above my waist. "Let me down!" She screamed.
"As milady wises." I dropped her in the water watching as it enveloped her. She floated back up almost immediately. I let out a muffled laughter running back to the shore but she was quick. She grabbed my hand and yanked me backwards. I swallowed as my back hit the water sucking me in.
I came back up for air coughing. "How does your baptism feel?" She asked. I rubbed my nose. "A bit Salty." I replied.
"I read somewhere that salt is really good for your health, so you should take more salt!" She splashed water directly on my face. " Oh now you've done it." I said and chased after her.
We chased after ourselves for a while till Yonna started shivering. We walked out of the water dripping wet. Our hair and clothes sticking to our body.
We sat on the sand staring at the moon's reflection on the rippling water.
"I love it here," Yonna began. "We both love it here." I corrected. It was our safe place. "Wait here." I stood up and rushed to where I parked my bike. I grabbed my jacket and rushed back to Yonna's side. I drapped it over her shoulders. "I can't afford you getting sick." I said.
She hit my shoulder. "Whose fault is it?" I chuckled and didn't say anything. " Put your hands in the pockets to warm them up."
Yonna eyed me curiously and checked the pockets of my jacket. She furrowed her brows slightly feeling a small box. "What's this?" She asked. I rubbed my chin. "Take a look inside and see for yourself." I reply
She opened the box carefully and I watch as her curious expression turned into a shocked one. She looked at me. "Happy birthday." I say with a smile.
She traced the pendant of the necklace in her hands. "How did you get this?" She asked. I shrugged returning my gaze to the ocean. " You didn't-" she made to protest.
"I'll save them up again." I said
"But.... you had plans, "
" Yeah I did."
I looked at her. " You like it? They came in pairs."
She nodded." They are limited edition."
I rubbed my nose and snatched the necklace. "You cannot return them." I said fastening the hook around her neck.
" Where's yours?" She asked.
"At home. We were coming here and I didn't want it to get wet. They cost a lot you know." I said with a grin. " I didn't even get you a gift. " She said. " Just watch a movie with me." I said. " I can't I have to study."
I grumble and hold her tight. " Just for tonight. I mean why study on your birthday?" She shuddered slightly." We have midterm exams on Tuesday." She said. I sit up surprised. " Our school does midterm exams?!!!"
She flicked my head. " Of course they do."
I rested my head on her shoulder. "Regardless, it's just movie. One wouldn't hurt right." She groaned and nodded." Fine just for tonight." I beam at her and snuggled closer to her.
We were oblivious to the world around us. It didn't matter if the world was crumbling, we were sure we would pull through as long as we were together.
We needed only each other.
Yonna tapped me. "Look, a shooting star. Make a wish."
I sit up clasping my hands together. I looked at her, she was really focused on her wish. "For someone who reads a lot, you are quite superstitious." I teased.
" It actually works." She muttered.
" Yeah. It does." I reply closing my eyes and making a wish.
~~
After a while we both stood up. "What did you wish for?" I ask as we walked back to my bike. " That we never be apart." She replied. I halted in my steps and looked at her. " You wished for that?" I asked surprised and touched.
She nodded and looked at me. "What did you wish for?"
I looked away. "The star had passed so it doesn't count."
" Of course it does. Tell me!" She pressed.
I sucked in a deep breath. " I wished that you would never have to be alone."
I watched as her jaw dropped. " You wished that??"
I grabbed my helmet. "I only said what came to mind. That's why it doesn't count."
" But-"
I ignited the bike. " We have a movie to watch, let's go home."