Tonight has been such a good night and it couldn’t get any better. Work has been beyond hectic and I just needed a nice relaxing night at home. Cuddling on the couch with my boyfriend while watching his favorite movie? I was almost asleep, leaning against the side of the couch with my legs draped over his lap. So comfy. Nothing could go wrong. That is, until I hear scared whimpers coming from the bedroom down the hall. I frown at the sound, wishing I could fix it once and for all.
“Looks like he’s having nightmares again.” I whisper.
“Yeah, do you-” Chan starts to say when little feet pitter patter against the tiled floor.
A little light brown haired boy walks in, rubbing his eyes, “Mommy? I had a bad dream.” He murmurs, sniffling.
“It’s okay lil man.” I open my arms and smile as he walks over to us, climbing onto my lap. “Come on baby, we need to get you back to bed.” I rub his back. “No!” He shakes his head and hides in my neck.
Chan looks over at me, understanding in his eyes. A little bit later, both of us falling asleep, Chan takes the initiative, “Hey, big guy. What do you say I take you back in there and tuck you in? I’ll tell you a story, what do you say?”
He picks the sleepy boy up and carries him back to his room. I feel bad letting him do it. He’s my responsibility, not Chan’s.. He didn’t ask for this. The joys of dating a single mom... I get up and sneak down the hall, peeking in his bedroom door. Chan’s leaning back with him tucked safely under the blankets. I hear Chan turn the page and begin to read my son’s favorite story to him. I smile as I lean against the door, catching my boyfriend’s eye. He smiles at me but continues to read.
Soft snores eventually fill the room and Chan places the book on a dresser, wiggling out from underneath the boy’s grasp.
“Thank you.” I whisper as he walks towards me.
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he smirks and kisses my forehead, “I don’t mind. He’s a great kid.”
I smile at the compliment happily, “I’m glad you think so.”
“He takes after you. You’ve done well on your own, love.”
I feel my face getting red and hide in his chest, “I’ve done the best I can.”
“I promise to be there from here on out. We’ll do the best we can now, if you’ll let me.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donghun:
“Hot chocolate in ten!” I hear from the kitchen.
“Right before bed, Donghun? You’ll give her nightmares with all that sugar.”
“She’ll make it through the movie, it’s her favorite. So, hot chocolate at the beginning won’t hurt babe.” He smiles, wrapping his arms around my waist and I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Fine, but if she wakes up with nightmares you’re taking care of her tonight. I have to work tomorrow.” I pout.
“Okay. I may not have been around long, but I’d do anything for her and you.” I tear up hearing the words. It’s only been eight months but the 5 year old in the other room loves him like he’s been there forever. I do too. It’s been rough, but Donghun has made it better. I can’t picture our lives without him. A tear slides down my cheek and he wipes it away with his thumb.
“Donghunnie! Donghunnie! Is it done yet?” I hear as my dark headed little girl runs in the kitchen. I let go of him and smile as he bends down and she runs into his arms.
“Not yet, my princess. Want to help me finish it?” He asks, booping her nose. “Can I?” She asks, excitedly.
“Of course. Maybe your mom can start the movie?” I nod at him when he looks my way, seeing that I’m being sent away from all the fun. Turning on The Little Mermaid, I pause it at the beginning and walk back to the kitchen.
I smile and lean against the door frame. Their backs to me while Donghun stirs the milk and cocoa powder together and she holds the mini marshmallows patiently in her hands.
“Can I add them now, Donghunnie?” She asks.
“Not yet, little one. I’m almost done.”
“Okay.” She pouts and I hear him laugh at her, “You’re just like your mom when she doesn’t get her way.” He says. I almost speak up when I hear that comment but let it slide.
“I want to be like mommy when I grow up.” She beams, looking up at him, “Can I add them now? Please?” She asks, getting distracted.
“You can add it to this one, princess.” He chuckles, placing a mug in front of her.
“Yay!” I hear her giggle and quietly take my phone out of my pocket to snap a picture of them.
“Mom? Can we go get pizza?” My 8 year old asks as he gets in the car. I had just gotten off work and was exhausted.
“Sure, man. Did you have a good day at school?” I ask in return.
“Yeah and Mr. Park says he needs to speak with you again.”
“Again? What did you do kid?” I sigh.
“Nothing. I just have a few bad grades in math.” He grumbles from the back seat.
“Is he still inside?”
He nods and I pull into a parking spot and we walk inside the school, heading straight for his classroom. My palms are sweaty and I’m nervous. I don’t know why, I’m not the one in trouble. I knock on the door and walk in while my little boy sits in the chair sitting in the hallway.
“Mr. Park?”
“Yes?” He asks, looking up, “Oh! Hello. I assume you’re here to talk about grades?”
I nod, “I know it’s hard for him to grasp and I’m not great at maths. I don’t really have anyone else to help him, but we try our best.”
“That’s why I asked to speak with you. I know you’re doing your best and I was wondering if I could help him after school. I could come to your house and tutor him or we could meet in the library.”
“I- Really? That would be great. When would you be able to?”
“I could start today if you’d like. We have a test tomorrow and I could help him prepare.”
I nod happily and thank him. His smile lit up the room and made my heart flutter.
A year later and Jun was still coming over everyday.
-School-
“Hey, man. Did you understand everything today?” Jun asks as the final bell rings.
“Yeah, thanks Jun. Are you coming over tonight for mom’s birthday?” He asks the boy.
“Of course. I got her a gift and figured we could go get her a cake. I already told her I’d drive you home. She can relax for a bit before we get there.”
“Sweet!” He smiles.
“Come on, let’s go.”
-Home-
“Mom! We’re back!”
“Hey, kiddo. How was school?” I ask, walking into the hallway.
“Good! Jun said we’re going to study for my finals this weekend.” He beams.
“Good. Let’s enjoy dinner first.” I smile at him. Jun walks in behind the boy, holding a cake and a gift bag. “Jun! What’s this?” I ask, startled.
“Your birthday surprise.” He smirks.
“You guys didn’t.” I feel tears fall and smile like an idiot.
“Here, man. Sit these on the table for me?” He asks, handing the stuff over. The little boy nods, taking the stuff from Jun happily. Jun walks over to me and takes my face in his hands, “It’s your birthday, babe. You’ve worked a lot lately. You deserve it. I’ll cook tonight too.” Kissing my lips, he let’s go of my face and takes my hands, leading me to the kitchen.
He motions for me to sit and takes all the ingredients out to cook, working away.
A bit later, dinner is over and the cake has been eaten. Jun hands me 2 gifts.
“Open mine first, mom!” He grins. I open the biggest one to find a box of chocolates and a teddy bear, “Aw, I love it baby. Thank you.” I smile at him.
“My turn.” Jun smiles. Taking the smaller bag, I open it and find a silver chain with an infinity symbol that says forever. Tears swarmed in my eyes as I looked up at the 2 guys in my life that would always be there for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sehyoon:
“Sehni! Where’s mommy?” The red headed little girl walks into the room and asks me.
“She’s at work, my sweet. She’ll be home soon.” I say, sitting the art brush down.
Her face fell and I walk over to her, bending down to her level, “What? Am I not good enough to watch you anymore?”
She giggles and shakes her head, “No, I just miss her.”
“I know you do but she has to work to take care of you, silly.” I chuckle, poking her tummy.
“I know. She works because I don’t have a daddy.”
“Where did you hear that, my sweet?” I ask, feeling my heart drop at the 4-year old’s words.
Her lip juts out, “A kid at school.”
I wrap my arms around her, picking her up and feel her arms wrap around me and her face bury in my neck, “Well, need I remind you... I’m not your dad, but I love you and your mom and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise?” She asks, sniffling and looking up at me.
“I promise.”
“Sehni? Can we go outside and play?”
“Sure. Do you want to ride our bikes to the park and play until it’s time for your mom to get off?” I ask.
Nodding, she smiles and I dry her cheeks.
“Go and grab your jacket then. Let me put my paints away, alright?”
“Alright!” She giggles.
I kiss her nose and set her on the floor so she can run back to her room.
“Kwan?” I say, getting his attention and returning back to my coffee. He’s space out thinking about something.
“Yeah? Sorry, I was thinking.” He chuckles.
“I can see that. Want to talk about it?”
“Nah, it’s nothing bad. Where are the minis?”
“At school.” I laugh.
“Wait, then shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I have today off, dork. What’s with you today?”
He looks at me, thinking again and I really wonder what’s going through his head. “I love you guys, you know that? I know I haven’t been in your life for long, but I love you.” He smiles.
My heart rate picks up and butterflies explode in my stomach. I feel the heat rise to my face and the smile won’t fall off.
“I- I love you too.” I say, looking down.
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
His eyes light up and he leans over, pressing a kiss to my lips. “I was thinking about when I met you 3 for the first time.”
My smile fades a bit, remembering the rough time in my life that was just 2 years ago. Homeless and living in a car with a 2 year old and 4 year old, while working odd jobs to make ends meet.
“No, no, don't lose the smile, baby. You’ve come so far.” He says, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I look down at the table and nod, “I know. It’s hard to believe we were there at one point though. I wouldn’t be here without you, ya know.”
Just then I hear the front door open and squeals of excitement.
“Kwani! You’re here!” The little girl grins, running into the kitchen.
“I am.” He smiles, holding his arms open for the 4-year-old and placing her on his lap.
“Bk! Will you play video games with me?” My 6-year-old asks, running in to stand beside him and wait for his answer.
“You’ve got to ask your mom, sir. Do you have homework?” He asks them.
“Not today! We had testing all day today.” The boy smiles and turns to me, “Can we mom? Can Bk please play a game with me?”
“After dinner and only if I get hugs and kisses first.” I laugh. I’m attacked by 2 children and kissed several times before I feel a kiss on my head and chuckle, “I didn’t mean you Kwan, but I’ll take it.” I smile.
Genres: established relationship, spicy/suggestive
Warnings: marking (hickeys), slightly possessive, some language near the end
Word Count: 866
A/N: no sleep + comeback teaser photos + online friends = whatever this turned out to be. Oooohhhh @junquisite honeyyyyyy~ ;)
For you and Park Junhee, tonight was a very rare occasion that with his increasingly busy schedule could only happen once in a blue moon - it was date night.
Not that anything extravagant was in order, your relationship is way past the honeymoon phase filled with grand gestures, wining and dining. Now it was walks in the park, maybe with coffees in hand depending on the time, getting some street food and talking to your hearts content about everything you can't during schedules. Although you two still contacted each other a lot there was always a surprising amount to discuss. Of course, though, the days were only so long. Those days lead into dark nights, which would inevitably get even later. Ever the gentleman he would walk you home, and every single time you would stand there as if you were actually entertaining the concept of simply saying goodnight, but instead you would ask if he wanted to come in. "Only for a little bit," you would say, glancing pointedly at him with slightly raised eyebrows. He would chuckle and nod.
It was obvious where that invitation would always lead, and tonight was by no means an exception. Your legs on either side of his hips, his hands running over your waist and your back, sometimes threading through your hair. It had been only a few minutes but his lips were already swollen and more pink than their usual blush hue. You pulled away for a short second and rested your forehead against his, letting him give you a quick peck before stopping to breathe and looking into your eyes. His pupils were blown out to the point where the black and otherwise deep brown almost blended together. You couldn't resist letting yourself kiss him again, and again, and again, your hand shifting up to cup his cheek.
This was unusual. He was normally the one to be on top of you, and even when he wasn't he was the one setting the pace and calling the shots. This time around he was following your lead. You wondered...
He always liked giving you hickeys. Not many, just a few here and there, sometimes in place where they could be easily hidden and sometimes not so much. That all depended on his mood. You didn't really know that there was a pattern to that until one night after your escapades had finished. You were admiring the tiny blue blotches in the mirror when he came up from behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his head on your shoulder and joining you in the admiration of his work. "Hmmm..."
You glanced at him in the reflection. "What?"
He made eye contact for a second and shrugged. "You're mine." He saw your look that prompted him to explain further. "If anyone sees those, they'll know you're spoken for. The more obvious they are the more I want them to see it."
"And... if I cover them up...? I mean, I have to for work."
Eye contact again, and this time he held it accompanied with a small smirk. "Well... You'll still know they're there."
You looked down as a red flush crept up your cheeks. He had a point.
And that point was exactly what came to mind the moment he released a moan into your lips. You hesitated but only for a moment before you started to trail your kisses towards his jawline, below his ear, and then down the column of his neck. You could hear shaky breaths leaving his mouth which hung slightly open, and if you had taken even a split second to spare a glance you would have seen how his eyes were heavily shut. He didn't even realize that he was subconsciously tilting his head up to grant you more access. Or he might have and was just too blissed out to care. In this state all he could focus on was the feeling of your lips lightly sucking against his skin. He didn't expect you to find his sweet spot so soon, though, and graced you with something that made your insides all but explode: a small, breathy, high pitched whimper.
Holy shit.
You had never heard him make that sound before, or really anything even remotely like it. But god damn if it wasn't one of the most beautiful sounds you had ever heard. Suddenly you found a mission that superseded all previous. Get him to do it again.
Your sucking became a little harsher and you nibbled on the skin that pulled between your teeth, knowing full well that it would turn color in only a second. You let your mind flicker for an instant to the poor makeup artists who would have to deal with this in the coming days but oh god he was whimpering again. You could feel his hands tightening around you and his fingers digging into your skin as those heavenly noises fell from his lips, and suddenly you completely understood what he said that night.
When you were done with this he would know it. His bandmates, the staff members, everyone would know.
Warnings: On Donghun's story the reader goes through a panic attack
Summary: A.C.E reacting to different situations in which you are upset. Seeing you hurt also makes their heart hurt for you and driving them to make you feel better.
Chan
“Just leave me alone.” I groan angrily as I go to my boyfriends and I’s bedroom and fall onto the bed. Tears threatening to fall down my cheeks.
“Not until we sort this out.” He whines, referring to my bad day and lack of communication with him unless it was to snap at him. He flops onto the bed beside me and starts rubbing slow circles on my back.
“I don’t want to talk.” I tell him as I bury my head further in the bed sheets.
Chan stops rubbing my back and moves his hands to wrap around my waist, holding me close to him while his head rests between my shoulder blades.
“Then don’t. But let me hold you until you feel better, love.” He whispers.
Somehow, that simple phrase breaks my icy exterior, causing me to break down into sobs. Chan holds me while I cry, never saying anything, just offering comfort through his presence.
Seyoon
“Did I upset you?” Seyoon asks on our drive home from a dinner party.
I don’t answer, I keep my eyes on my phone in my lap. I knew if I said something it would only make things worse because I was upset.
“Why are you not talking to me?” He asks as he tries to take my hand but gets it pulled away.
Seyoon gives out an irritated sigh and keeps driving. Silence stretching between us the whole way home. When Seyoon parks in our driveway, I get out and go into our house without saying a word.
Seyoon closes the door behind me as he tries again, “Was it because of what I said earlier?” Referring to a snarky remark he made at me in front of everyone. Embarrassing me.
To be fair, I knew he was tired. And I knew he didn’t want to go to the dinner party and I forced him to go. It was partly my fault that he was in a sour mood, but I was too stubborn to admit that.
I take my shoes off at the front door and start walking to our bedroom to change when Seyoon’s arms wrap around me, holding me in a tight hug.
“I’m really sorry.” He whispers, his voice cracking. Making me falter.
I let out a sigh and take his hands in mine that were around my waist as I lean into his chest.
“I’m sorry too.” I whisper. Making him kiss my temple and hold me tighter.
Byeongkwan
I lay on the couch snuffling quietly, trying not to draw attention to myself. I had an old scrapbook out in front of me, seeing photos of my parents who lived half way across the world from me made me get more emotional than I thought.
I hear Byeongkwan come into the living room, making me quickly wipe the tears from my eyes. Hoping he wouldn’t notice. It doesn’t work.
“Are you crying?” He asks me, coming closer to where I sat.
“No.” I say quickly, my voice far too shaky to be believable. I meet his eyes and see worry in them, making me somehow lose it again.
Byeongkwan quickly moves the scrapbook from beside me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. I cry into his shoulder as he plays with my hair.
“Do you miss home?” He asks me softly.
I nod my head, too upset to even voice my answer. Byeongkwan holds me closer to him.
“You’re okay, baby.” Byeongkwan whispers into my ear as the sobs subside and I slowly start opening up to him.
Jun
I wince as I try to move around, hoping it would help the pain. I had had a migraine all day. The worst I had ever experienced. The pain never lessening enough for me to get relief. By now my head felt like it was about to explode.
Jun comes into our bedroom to see me standing by the dresser shaking with tears in my eyes.
“Why are you up?” He asks gently as he rushes over to me and takes my arm.
“I can’t get comfortable.” I tell him, my voice shaky and my vision blurring.
Jun wraps his arms around me as he scoops me up and places me back on the bed, covering me with a blanket.
“You need to rest.” He whispers to me, wiping away strands of hair that had fallen into my eyes.
I let out a sob and press my hands to my temples, “It hurts to bad, Juhnee.” My voice barely above a whisper.
Jun’s eyes fill with tears as he crawls into bed beside me and let’s me bury my head in his chest as he holds me tightly.
“I promise you’ll feel better soon.” He whispers as he continues to hold me tightly. Somehow, I manage to fall asleep with my head still buried in his chest.
Donghun
We were at a party, it was way bigger than I expected it to be. My nerves already shot from the long day I had had at work. I hadn’t said anything though when Donghun mentioned wanting to come to this party. I just agreed and got dressed. Even though I could feel myself coming apart at the seams.
The music booms loudly, too loudly, people talk and yell over the music. Overwhelming me, making the drink that was in my hands shake with my ever shaking hands. My skin feels hot and the walls feel like they’re going to collapse on me, making me run my fingers through my hair nervously and roam through the room trying to find a ‘safe place’
Donghun finds me in the crowd and walks over, his smile wide. “Are you having fun?” He asks.
I look up at him and his smile quickly turns to a frown as he sees the panicked tears in my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, quickly taking my drink from my hands to hold them in his.
“I need to leave.” I tell him, my voice shaking.
Donghun watches me for a moment before taking my hand and leading me through the crowds of people, down the houses hallway until he finds an unused room and pulls me inside.
The room is a closet to be exact. A small closet. It’s hanged up clothing hitting me in the face as soon as we step inside, making the space even smaller.
“No...no...no no no.” I whimper, “It’s too small in here, I don’t want to be in here. I want to go home, Donghun.” I cry, my voice getting higher and my chest tighter.
Donghun quickly wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. I fight him slightly because of the confined area.
“Hey.” He whispers in my ear, catching my attention.
“You’re okay, Princess.” He soothes, running a hand through my hair. “Just take it easy.”
I eventually calm down, mimicking the deep breaths Donghun was taking as my head rested on his chest, his grip around me keeping me close to him.
When he sees I’ve calmed down enough he places a kiss on my forehead. “Let’s go get ice cream before we go home.” He suggests, making me smile.
The two of you were laying on the floor in the living room breathing heavily after he decided that it was okay to chase you around the house for no apparent reason. You sat up and looked at him. "Why?" Was all you said. He shrugged in reply, earning a frustrated groan. "I love you but you're so fricking annoying." He closed his eyes and you took the chance to grab a pillow and smack him in the face with it. His bewildered expression was very worth what happened next. "Junhee!!" You screamed as he leaped at you snatching the pillow and proceeding to hit you with it as if his life depended on it.
~Lee Donghun~
"No. Put that pillow down." He gave you a look. "Why?" You challenged, sticking your tongue out, still holding the pillow above your head, ready to throw it at him. "I am warning you. Don't start something that you won't be able to win." He smirked and you shrugged and simply launched the pillow at his face. Once the pillow fell to the floor, Donghun's expression changed to an evil smirk. "Dont tell me I didn't warn you." He said before running at you. You screamed when you felt his hands squeeze your waist. "No! Don't tickle! I'm sorry!" You screeched, squirming in his grasp.
~Kim Sehyoon/Wow~
"Sehni~~" You dragged his name out, as you did when you were bored. "Oh great here comes the cuddle monster." He grinned and spun around in his chair. What he wasn't expecting to receive was a mouthful of feathers. He spluttered, spitting out the feathers and their remains from his mouth. "Yah! What was that for?" He asked, eyes wide but a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. He swiftly wrapped his arm around your waist pulling you into his lap and used his other hand to rub the feathers that were all over him into your face.
~Kim Byeongkwan/BK~
He was being annoying. That's what had triggered your sudden urge to play whack-a-mole. "Kwanie? Can you look at me for a second?" You asked, hiding the smallest pillow you could find around your house behind your back, hoping he wouldn't notice. "Jagi? Why do you have a pillow behind your back?" He asked and you dropped it. "O-oh no reason. Just thought to put it on this chair to make it more comfortable." You turned away from him and putting the pillow on the nearest chair. Before you could turn back around, Byeongkwan snatched you up off your feet and dropped you onto the sofa, grabbing the nearest pillow and starting to hit you with it. Both of you couldn't stop laughing as he sat astride you and kept smacking you with the pillow. The only thing you could do to make him stop was to grab his shirt and yank him down into a hug.
~Kang Yuchan/Chan~
You were laying peacefully on your bed, scrolling through your phone while Chan lay beside you bored to death. "Y/N, can we play a game or something?" He whined. You chose to ignore him. "Jagii~~" you could hear the pout in his voice but wanted to see how long he could last without attention. It wasnt long before you saw something white come towards you but you couldnt coordinate your movements fast enough to protect yourself. "You ignored me. Now feel my wrath." He grinned and continued hitting you.
A/N: hope you enjoyed this. Like, reblog and comment. Feel free to request. Requests are open. I Stan a large amount of boygroups so there's a chance that I can write for you're favourite group.
WARNING : Ambiguous Morality, Mention of death, murder, Knife, threatening of life (If I missed any warning, please comment or DM)
NOTE : Whoever expected fluff when I posted yesterday that I have a fic for Junhee, I would like to personally apologize to you.
“The prince is in love.” the Queen spoke up and she looked up at the Queen as she was serving her tea. She probably was not talking about her, Karissa thought as she looked at the disgust on the Queen’s face.
“How’s that a bad thing my Queen?’
“Well for starters it's not you. It's a commoner!” the Queen spat and Karissa repressed a smile. The Prince’s heart matters nothing at all as long as the Queen wanted her to be the next Queen.
“I cant believe after training you for almost 7 years to take my position, Junhee had the audacity to tell me he wants to marry for love! How is he to be a king!” the Queen continued her grumbling as Karissa smiled at her.
“Why don't you let me talk to the Prince, my Queen?”
“Yes! You do that. See if you can put some sense into him. He has always listened to you!” the queen said as Karissa bowed to take her leave. Ofcourse he always listened to her. She had always been nice and charming for him. She looked up at the sudden grey clouds at the sound of thunder.
Guess it was time to let him know that she won’t leave what was hers so easily.
~
“You wanted to see me Miss. Karissa?” Junhee said as he bowed and kissed her hand. Always so gentle, oh how much she adored him.
“I heard..rumours. From the Queen.”
His face grimaced slightly.
“Is it about our marriage?”
“I heard you wanted to break off the engagement.” she said and he looked away, clearly avoiding her eyes.
“Please understand that I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“Know what my Prince? That you were in love with someone who was not me? Who was a mere commoner?”
His head whipped up at the mention and if there was pain in his eyes, so was anger now.
“Her being a commoner means nothing, her status doesn't matter to me.”
“Well clearly it doesn't! if it did,a Prince like you wont be wanting to break off your marriage with me, a Noble to be with a Peasant!”
When his jaw clenched, she knew she had lost him. He won't listen. And she had lost.
“If that was all, I’ll be taking my leave Lady.”
Well mannered even when she could feel the anger simmering underneath his skin.
“Marry me. Take her as your Mistress. I won't even mind if you’ll spend every night with her as long as I'll be the Queen.”
He turned around to look at her. The eyes she had adored since she was 9 were cold as they stared her down.
“Is that all I am to you? A way to the crown? A way for you to be the Queen?” Junhee asked and she stared at him.
“Did you ever loved me?”
“I did.” she said. “Until you chose her.”
~
“Are the preparations for tonight’s party done?” the Queen asked Karissa as she nodded.
“As always! You never cease to surprise me Karissa. I am so happy you convinced the Prince for the marriage.”
Karissa just smiled at the Queen as they walked into the hall where the party was to be held.
“My lady, sorry to interrupt but there's an urgent matter you should attend to.” a knight asked her and she bowed to the Queen as she went to her parlour.
The Karrissa that left the parlour after it though, was livid. The Prince was trying to fool her - he was going to present his peasant girl as his fiance, in front of all the nobles and delegates and make a fool out of her. How dare he?!
“Find her. And bring her to this room.” she ordered as she left to get ready for the party. She’d put an end to this problem once and for all.
~
“Your majesty, Lady Karissa is asking for you in her parlour. It seemed urgent.” The knight spoke to Junhee who had been at the party for a bit more than a few minutes. He bowed to the Duke he was talking to and left with the knight. It wasn't out of character for the lady to call for him out of the blue but a bit before the party she worked weeks for was throwing him off a bit.
He knocked on the door as he entered, “Lady Karissa?”
The sight that greeted him made him hurry to the centre of the room where his lover was tied to a chair with a cloth covering her mouth.
“What happened here? Why is she tied?” Junhee yelled at the knights standing around who didn't answer him. He pulled out his sword and put it on one of the knight’s neck who didn't even flinch. They were loyal but not to him.
“Calm down would you my Prince?” he heard as Karrissa entered the parlour from the other door.
“Did you do this Karrissa?” he asked and she laughed.
“And here I thought you couldn't even be rude to a prisoner but you already dropped the titles. I suppose I should too then.” she spoke as she walked towards him until she was standing behind the tied up girl.
A whine resounded in the room as she grabbed her by the hair and Junhee cursed as two knights grabbed him from behind.
“I thought we had a deal Junhee. You would marry me and make me the Queen and take her as your mistress. What happened then huh? How dare you try to trick me and bring her here to announce her to the public?! And that too in my dress! MY precious cerulean dress, how dare you give it to a peasant like her!”
“So? What if I want her to be the queen? You’re too hungry for power! And she deserves everything that is yours more than you!” he spat back as the smile on her face dropped.
She sighed as she took two steps back and ruffled her dress a little bit. A glint caught Junhee’s eyes as she pulled a small dagger out of the dress’s layers and he struggled more in the arms of the knights.
The whine turned to sobs as the girl felt the blade of the cold knife against her neck.
“How about we talk now about my hunger for power?”
~
“..And there is the Prince!” the Queen exclaimed as Junhee and Karissa walked down the stairs, hand in hand.
“I would publicly like to announce that our Prince, my Junhee, is officially engaged to marry Miss. Karissa in the time of 2 weeks!”
Round of applause and soft congratulations filled the room as Karissa squeezed Junhee’s hand, “Smile dear soon to be Husband, the grimace doesn't suit your face.” as Junhee smiled at the crowd.
A running soldier distracted everyone at the party as he ran directly towards the dais, knocking into the nobles here and there.
“My queen! My Prince! There’s been an accident!” he shouted and she felt as Junhee stiffened.
“What's wrong?” the Queen said.
“A Girl was found dead in the gardens! It looked like she jumped from the roof of the palace or maybe someone pushed her.” he spoke and Karissa tightened her grip on the Prince’s arm.
“What was she wearing?” Junhee asked, sounding too calm for everyone but she could hear the tremor in his voice.
“A cerulean dress, My Prince.”
Karissa pulled him towards her as she felt his legs weaken and he let her pull him close as he leaned on her.
“The Prince and the Queen should leave to safely lest it be an attempt on their lives. It could have been an ssasination. Knights, go search the surroundings and lead the nobles outside!” Karissa ordered and everyone followed as the Queen left to her room and she helped Junhee walk to his.
When they entered his room he fell on the bed as Karissa leaned over him, unbuttoning his jacket.
“Why did you kill her?”
“It wouldn't have led to this Junhee had you just done what I asked you to. She could have lived and you would have lived with her.” she spoke as she pulled his jacket away and then pulled at his shoes.
“But then again, who knows. I could have gotten jealous. You are a very selfish man Junhee, you never thought of me or how much I loved you - how much I gave up for you and learnt to be your Queen.”
She went to the candle stand as she blew it out.
“I do not take nicely to my things being taken away from me. And If i can't have you..no one can Junhee.”
She closed the door behind herself as she left Junhee alone. Alone with the guilt of getting his lover killed because of his foolishness.
Summary: Starting a new semester at a new college can be difficult. That is, until you find your best friend and then fall for him and it comes back to bite you.
September
“Do you think this campus is going to have any good places have fun and sing karaoke? I know there wasn't any here last semester.”
“I’m not sure, you can always explore it once you get there.” My dad laughs, helping me carry boxes to the car.
“Why are you laughing? I didn’t just get my looks from you.” I snort. I love singing just like he does. I can’t help it… He stops and smiles, “I know. I’m just glad you don’t suck at it.”
“Dad!” I laugh but I can’t believe that just came out of his mouth. He’s laughing hysterically now and I’m afraid he might drop my box of breakables. I take the box from him, avoiding that situation entirely and set it in the backseat of my car.
“Alright, that’s it. When do classes start?” He asks.
“Tomorrow and I’ll only be a few towns over so don’t freak out. I’ll come visit when things aren’t hectic.” I say, giving him a hug and jumping in the car. I see him wave as I drive off.
A few hours later, I found my dorm, unpacked my car and collapsed on my bed.
“Hello?” I hear and sit up, startled at the voice.
“Hey! I’m Lili. Are you my roommate?” I ask the dark haired girl.
“I guess so, this is my room too. I’m Anya.” She smiles. I hold my hand out, smiling back and she shakes it.
I will never choose another college math class if I can help it. I hate this so bad. The only class I can’t ace without trying. Why do I have to have math anyway?
I stare down at the textbook and really want to throw it out the window. My phone dings and see it’s my roommate:
Anya- Let’s go out.
Me- I’m studying.
A-So what? You study all the time. You need a break.
Me- So, I still have to learn this stuff. I suck at math.
A- One night. Let’s go. No whining. Get dressed.
And don’t wear jeans.
Me- Ugh. Fine.
A- Okie, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
I knew there was no arguing, once she sets her mind on things then I’m stuck. Which is fine, I normally have fun if we go out together.
I open my closet and notice she’ll expect me to wear something cute, especially the no jeans text.
She’s going to make me wear a skirt... She knows that I don’t have anything but jeans, a few skirts and a couple dresses. I’m not wearing a dress. I’m not cute anyway. Nobody likes me, I’m a nerd. I wear glasses, my nose bothers me, I have poofy hair that I typically throw up and though I’m not fat, I’m not skinny either.
UGH
I grab the black skirt out of my closet and the turquoise dress shirt. She hates me…
Thirty minutes later we’re on our way to... somewhere.
“Where are we going?” I ask, confused.
“For once, something we both never do.”
“Oh, god…” I groan, “I should have stayed home.”
“Why? It’s a nightclub, nobody knows us. Have fun.”
“You’re asking me why?” I grumble.
“You’ll have fun, just enjoy it.”
Walking in, it’s packed. There’s so many people. “Anya.” I suck in a nervous breath.
“You’ll do fine.” She says, as we walk in.
She holds my wrist as we make our way through the crowd and find a table, “Now, have fun.” She smiles.
An hour later, I’m tired from dancing and the heat in the room, taking a seat at the table.
“I’m so tired.” I grab my drink and take the last few sips of it, “Ready to go soon?” I ask.
“Yeah, I-” She’s stopped by a tap on the shoulder and looks up.
“Hello, I’m Donghun. I saw you dancing early, care to dance with me for a bit?” He says, rather politely. I bet he’s an ass.
“I would, but my friend and I are about to leave.” She says, frowning slightly.
“No, I’m fine. Go ahead and dance for a bit.” I smile, urging her on.
“Are you sure?” Giving her the dumbest, ‘Are you serious’ look ever, she gets up.
He holds out his hand and she takes it as I watch them heading towards the dance floor.
I lean back against my seat and sigh. “Are you bored?” A voice asks. I look up and notice a tall man with black hair in a white unbuttoned dress shirt,with a black shirt underneath.
“N- No. Just tired.” I answer and he smiles brightly, “May I sit?” He asks and I nod.
“I’m pretty sure my friend may have stolen yours for a while.” He chuckles, looking towards Anya and Donghun.
“Oh? Your friend, so you’re the wingman tonight then?” I smile.
“No, not really. Um, we were just out with another friend, but he saw your friend and here we are.” He chuckles.
“Aw, well that’s Anya’s charm I’m afraid.” I chuckle.
“Anya’s, huh? That’s cute. What about you? Do you have any charms?” He asks.
“I don’t even know your name, nor you mine. Why should I tell you?” I smile sweetly, making him laugh a high-pitched laugh.
“Fair point. I’m Yuchan.” He smiles lazily, holding out his hand.
“Lili.” I smile, shaking his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Lili.”
“Nice to meet you too.” I smile.
“Also, I’m pretty sure I don’t have any charms.”
“Everyone does, maybe you just don’t see it.”
“Eh, maybe.” I shrug,
“Hey, Lil who’s this.” Anya asks, walking up with Donghun on her heels.
“This is Yuchan, Donghun’s friend and Yuchan, this is Anya.” I smile, gesturing to her.
“Hello, nice to meet you.” He smiles and nods slightly.
“Did you have fun?” I smirk, watching her face turn red.
"I did, but if you're ready to leave, we can go." She says in almost a pouty voice.
"I'm fine if Yuchan can keep me company for a bit longer?" I say, looking over towards him.
"How about it, Chan?" Donghun pipes in, smiling.
"Yeah, I'm happy to do that and you can call me Chan if you want." He smiles.
I avoid looking at his eyes but look over at him and then Donghun. They're too handsome to be here, I feel myself getting lost in my head for a second.
"You wanna dance?" I hear Chan say, snapping back to reality.
"Pardon?" I ask, unsure I heard him right.
Anya motions for Donghun to tell him a secret and he smiles.
"Do you want to dance?" He asks again.
"Oh, I- uh.. I-" I stumble.
"Just once? Please?" He smiles and gives me the softest eyes in the world.
"I- I can try." I stutter, unsure of what to do now, but feeling my face turn red.
I look up at Anya, who's wide-eyed and smiling and feel my cheeks getting hotter…
"Let's go." Lee says, patting Anya's side. She looks up and nods, "We'll see you out there?"
As they walk away, I mutter, "Lord, I hope not."
"We don't have to dance." Chan says.
"No. No it's not that. I'm just not a great dancer and I'm clumsy."
"Don't worry, I'm clumsy too, but only off the dance floor." He winks and I chuckle, blushing more.
He holds out his hand for me and I take it, getting pulled excitedly to the dance floor.
“Since you think you’re not a great dancer, I’ll help you. Don’t worry.” He smirks, looking back at me.
“I don’t know if I should be more worried or happy about that.” I laugh, following him towards the back.
“I figured by the sound of it, you didn’t want them seeing you. It’s different when you don’t know the people, you can forget about them.” He turns around, grabbing my other hand and pulling me close.
“You’d be correct.”
“Well, don’t worry about any of them.” He smiles lazily. We begin dancing and having fun, I step on him once and he laughs about it. Yet, I feel embarrassed and avoid his feet as best as I can. Eventually, I get a better understanding and it’s because he leads amazingly.
“Chan, we’ve gotta get back soon.” We hear over the loud music. I stop and turn around to see who was standing beside him, someone I didn’t recognize.
“Alright, give me a few minutes. Have you found Donghun yet?”
The man shakes his head, “I’ll go look for him, meet me outside in a few minutes.”
“Alright Jun.” Jun, apparently that’s his name, turns around and leaves and Chan looks at me.
“Let’s find Anya and Donghun. He looked agitated.”
I nod and Chan leads us back to where we were. We find Anya and Donghun already talking to Jun at the table we had been sitting at earlier.
“What’s up?” Chan asks Jun.
“We’ve gotta go.”
“Why?” Donghun asks, seeming annoyed. Jun looks at Chan and I and then back at Donghun and Anya and grumbles.
“We just do, alright?” I don’t know if that meant something, but they were all on board to leave now and Donghun was talking to Anya about something and Jun was apologizing for having to drag him away. They were having fun.
“Sorry, I have to go. I’ll see you around sometime?” Chan asks, looking down at me. I look up and smile, “Sure. Especially if they end up dating.” I laugh but only joking.
We head outside and part ways, walking as quickly as possible to our car since it’s cold.
“Did you get his number?” Anya asks me and I look at her like an idiot. “No, why would I?”
“Um, because he’s hot, kind and was dancing with you?” She snickers. I roll my eyes and want to facepalm her, “So? He probably has a girlfriend. I’m never that lucky.”
That next week, Donghun stopped by a few times and I could see what it was turning into. They were dating within the next month. Jun and Chan even came a few times after that, I’d take a break from papers or homework and hang out but never staying very long. Chan and I became really good friends and by February, we talked to each other every day. Often going out for dinner or movies, nothing more than friends though I wish differently.
“It’s definitely different. But I’m happy for you.” I smile at my best friend, though I don’t really feel happy. I hope he can’t tell from the screen...
“I know, but I wanted to tell you before Donghun found out by snooping through my phone.” Chan says, running his hand through his hair. I wish I could.
That thought immediately leaves my mind as soon as it appears, “So, when can I meet her?”
“Soon, I hope. She’ll be over tomorrow if you want to meet her. Maybe we can go get coffee?”
“Sounds good! I can come by around 11, is that alright?” I ask, making sure I have enough time to get my workout in first. “Yeah, sounds great. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Lil.”
“Night, Chan.” I wave at him and end the video call. I crawl into bed and put my headphones in, wishing I could forget the conversation fresh in my mind. Chan has a girlfriend…
I knew it would never be me, but a girl can dream.
My alarm goes off and I sit up, debating on whether or not to break it. I’ve worked too hard to quit now though so I get up and dress in my workout clothes and take off for the gym. Letting out my frustrations there always makes things better, though I stay an hour over and have to rush to shower and practically run to the coffee shop now.
“Sorry I’m late.” I say, hunching over to put my hands on my knees and catch my breath.
Chan laughs and I look up, “It’s alright Lili. Morning workout?”
I nod and finally notice the girl next to him at the table he’s sitting at. She’s pretty. She has dark curly brown hair and a button nose with hazel eyes and full lips. She’s skinny and I’m already jealous of her for one reason, now I have to add another?
“Lili, this is Sam, my girlfriend. Sam, this is Lili, my best friend.” Chan says, introducing us before his phone rings. “Sorry, gotta take this.”
I nod at him but decide to try for him. “Hey, nice to meet you.” I smile at her.
“Yeah, you too.” She replies. Great.
“Lili, did you want any coffee?” Chan asks, not hearing how rude Same was a second ago.
“Sure. I can get it though.” I chuckle and start to stand before I’m given the look from him. I sit back down and hold my hands up in surrender, “Fine. Fine. My cappuccino, please?”
“Done. I’ll be right back.” He turns to Sam, “Do you want anything else babe?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you though.” She says in a cutesy voice and smiles and I want to gag. Chan gets up and heads inside to order, leaving just us girls.
“It’s really nice to-”
“Let’s get one thing straight. You may be his ‘best friend’ but I’m his girlfriend. From here on out, I come first. I matter more and don’t even think about telling him this because I will make sure he believes me over you.” I stare at her in shock and if I didn’t dislike her before...I do now.
“And another thing, don’t try to push me away. He’s not into you sweetie.”
Chan walks out with my drink and if it wasn’t for him I’d have come across the table swinging at her big head.
“Here, Lil.” He smiles and I smile back, just not feeling like being here anymore. And believe me, it didn’t get any better after that.
“Chan!” I yell from the science lab. He turns and waves, jogging back to meet me. His smile making my heart skip.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you in over a week. Where’ve you been?” He asks, worriedly.
“Come in here if you’re going to talk. I happen to see you walk by but I’m busy.” I smile and turn back into the lab.
“I- shit. One second, okay?” He says, pulling out his phone and calling someone. I hear him talking but I can’t tell who he’s talking to...probably Sam.
He hangs up, looking annoyed now and walks into the lab with me.
“Are you okay?” I ask, leaning up against the counter.
He nods, “Yeah, I just rainchecked Sam. She’ll live though.”
“Chan! You didn’t have to. You should have just texted me and we could have talked.” I roll my eyes, but not denying I’m super happy that he blew her off just this once for me.
“It’s done. Now, what are you doing here and why have you been gone for so long?” He asks, leaning on the opposite counter to face me and see what I was doing. I’ve never lied to him and I won’t start now.
“I’ve been sick and instead of getting Anya sick, I went home so my dad could take care of me. I’m in here because this is my last class and nobody is in here after that, so I use it as a place to study instead of the library.”
“Liliana! Why didn’t you tell me?” He exclaims and I shush him a little. The bewildered look on his face makes me feel bad for not calling him more than I tried. “That’s bullshit. I could have helped.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get you sick either. I was hardly in any shape to see anyone.” I plead.
“What did you have?”
“I had the flu.”
“Lili..” He says, feeling defeated. He walks to my side of the counter and sighs, “What am I going to do with you?”
“I’m fine now.” I shrug. He pulls me in for a hug that made me feel safe. I feel tears in my eyes; I haven’t had one since he started dating Sam…
“Lil? What’s this?” Anya asks. I look up at her, “Anya! What are you doing?” I jump up and grab my phone from her. She looks at me in confusion and I sigh and turn off my phone. I have got to stop reading that damn text.
“I’ll ask again...What was that?”
“Nothin’ Anya, don’t worry about it.” I grumble.
“Don’t worry about it?” She says, raising her tone at me for the first time ever. “Since when do you lay down and die when someone tells you to do something?”
“I’m not. I’m avoiding a situation.” I feel my throat close in emotion and stop talking.
“Tell him.”
“No.”
“Liliana, tell him.”
“No, Anya.”
“Then I will. Let me see your phone.”
“For fuck’s sake, no Anya!” I scream and walk out the door. I take a walk around campus, not caring that it’s almost midnight. I walk and cry and walk. Just looking at the message, my finger hovering over the delete button. I wipe the tears from my eyes, feeling like a pansy, and hit delete. Now it’s gone...nobody else can see it and I turn to walk back to my room.
When I walk in the door, Anya’s waiting for me. “I’m sorry.” She’s frowning and pouting and I want to laugh and be upset at her at the same time.
“It’s okay. I know you mean well. Let’s just forget it.”
“I’ll try, but don’t trip going up on the stage.” She laughs and she finishes my makeup. There’s no way she’d let me out of this dorm without makeup on for graduation. None.
“I’ll do my best, no promises.”
“Well, just don’t look at Chan and you’ll be fine.”
I open up my eyes and look up at her, “What do you mean?”
“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you don’t like him.” She mumbles, seeing the dorm door open. “I don’t!” I say a little louder than I mean to.
“Don’t what?” Donghun asks, followed by Chan.
“Don’t- uh. Don’t want her to do anything else to my face.”
“It looks good the way it is.” Chan smiles.
“Fine. I’ll leave it.” She rolls her eyes and walks behind the pair to get into the closet, winking at me from behind them. I roll my eyes and feel anxious now, but all that anxiety leaves when Sam enters the room and I have to fight the urge to ruin my nails one of our other friends made me get done.
“Let’s do this.” I clap, standing up and walking towards the door. As much as I want to stay here, I can’t.
“Lili, what are you still doing here? Work can wait. Get going!” My friend scolds me.
“I’m almost finished writing.”
“You’re losing daylight. The song lyrics can wait. Go and get home, enjoy your break with your dad. Tell him I said hi.” She smiles and wiggles her eyebrows.
“You are so gross, but I will.” I laugh, “I’ll see you when I get back! Don’t get famous until I get back!” Grabbing my jacket and my laptop bag, I turn to make sure everything is once again off.
“I wouldn’t dream of it without my partner. Now go!”
“I’m going! I’m going! I’m already out the door! Bye!” I wave and rush out the door, towards my car.
I’m so behind now… I got more work done than I thought I would though.
I pull out my phone and let my dad know I’m on my way and sorry because I got stuck at work. He replies be careful and a meme with a speeding car… He knows me well.
7 hours later, I’m pulling into my dad’s snow covered driveway, exhausted.
“Lil!” I hear my dad and hop out of the car, just to hurry and hug him. “Hey dad, how are you?”
“Who are you?” He gasps, looking me over, “Where’s my daughter?”
“Very funny! These looks aren’t going away.” I laugh pointing to my face. He messes my hair up and tries to turn me around to kick my butt. “Yep, there she is.” He says, “C’mon. Let’s grab your bags and get you inside. It’s freezing. Was your drive okay?”
I nod and hurry back to grab the few bags I brought, dragging the smallest one inside. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?” He asks.
“No, I’m super tired though. Care if I sleep already?” I ask, bobbing my head towards my old room.
“No, go ahead.” He smiles, “I’ll see you in the morning then.”
“Night dad.”
Walking into the bedroom of the past, I smile. Nostalgia hits though it’s only been 2.5 years.
I left this place behind and almost everyone around it. Anya and my dad are the only ones that I kept in touch with. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing that wench every day or hearing about her either, so I cut off ties with Chan. It hurt, hell, it hurts today.
I throw my bags down on the floor, change and wash my face and fall face first down into my bed. It’s still just as uncomfy as ever but I’ll take it. I missed this too.
“About time! Wake up! We have things to do and people to see! Let’s go. Up. Up. Up.” I hear someone and then feel someone rolling me around on the bed, attempting to wake me up.I’d become a heavy sleeper…
“Mmmm.”
“Nooo, wake it up woman!” Anya laughs, “Let’s go eat and get coffee.”
“My eyes flutter open and I see my friend standing there and I smile, “Anya! What are you doing here?”
“Come on, up. Your dad said I could have you today since he has to work.”
“You talked to my dad?”
“Yup, when you left-”
“No, it’s alright. I don’t want an explanation.” I say, honestly. That’s an old part of my life and it just needs to go away.
“So, come on. Up. We’ve gotta meet Donghun for breakfast and coffee.” She smiles and smacks my leg which is still cozy under my blanket.
“Alright, I’m up. I’m up. Let me throw some jeans on and a tank top.” I stand up and see her eyes widen. I look down to make sure I still have pants on and nothing is messed up, “What?” I ask when everything looks normal.
“Where did you go?” She asks, meeting my eyes.
“Really?” I put my hand on my hip.
“Lili, you look amazing!” She laughs and I smile, bowing to her. “Thank you. I’ve worked my ass off.”
“God, if Ch-” She cuts herself off but I already know what she’s going to say. “It wouldn’t change anything.” I say, “Now, let me change and we’ll go eat. I’m starving.” She nods, avoiding my gaze now.
I nudge her with my shoulder and smile, grabbing my bag to go change.
“Donghun!” I squeal as I see him sitting in the booth as we enter the diner. He smiles widely and stands up, holding his arms open for a hug, “Hey, Lil. Long time no see.”
I squeeze him and he squeezes me harder to where I feel like I could pop like a balloon.
“Ah! I missed you.” I say happily. The smile on Anya’s face is priceless and we take a seat, staring at the menus on the tabletop.
“How’ve you been?” He asks, smiling and I see him take Anya’s hand that’s sitting on the table. I smile, wanting to ogle at them. “I’m alright. Working and being a homebody.” I chuckle.
“So nothing’s changed much then? Besides the obvious.”
“Nope, nothing’s changed.” I can’t stop smiling, I’ve missed them so much. “How have you been? I know Anya’s been working a lot too.”
“I’ve been good. Teaching vocal classes at the school this year.”
“Donghun, that’s great!” I put my hand over my mouth in awe. Then I see the waitress come up to take our order. I order something I haven’t had in a long time, indulging for once, “I’ll have the cheeseburger and loaded fries with a sprite, please.” She nods and the other 2 order as well. I hope I can eat all of that…
We eat and talk, just like old times and I couldn’t be happier.
“Anya? Help me pick out some ice cream from the freezer?” Donghun asks, pointing to the freezer in the corner. “Sure.” She says, getting up and I start to get up but Donghun tells me to stay here. I don’t understand why, but okay.
They walk over and then my view is blocked, “Lili…?”
I look up into the brown eyes I swore I’d never see again, “Ch-Chan? Wha- What are you doing here?” I can’t be here. I need to leave and I start to get up and grab my things, emotions flooding back that I’d buried for so long. Movie nights, dinners, his hugs and feeling safe..No. I can’t.
“Lili, please don’t leave. Just give me a minute.” He says and I put money for my food on the table and walk out the door, not looking back.
I hear the bell ring on the door and hear running before they stop, “Liliana!” I pause at my full name, rarely ever hearing it from him. It always sounded sweet. Tears fall down my face and I wipe them away then look back at him.
“What do you want, Chan?” I ask, feeling defeated.
He walks up to me and looks into my eyes. I can see his jaw tense and his hand start to move but stop, “Give me an hour. Please?” He begs.
“Cha-”
“Liliana, please?”
I nod and let him lead the way. He leads me to a black sports car that doesn’t fit him at all besides he likes speed, and he opens the door and I see yellow seats.
“Hop in.”
“This is yours?” I ask incredulously. He only nods and offers again. I do so and sit my stuff down as he’s walking to the driver’s side. He starts the car and I look at him to ask where we’re going.
“We’re going somewhere that I go when I want to think.” He says without even looking at me and drives away. The ride is silent and I sit there and fidget with my nails, “Quit before you break one.” He sighs and I look over at him in a double take. I stop and look out the window, biting my lip now and wonder where we’re going because he’s driven outside of town.
We pull up to a lake on the outskirts of town, about 8 miles from the college and I get out, looking around.
The freshly fallen snow, only touched by rabbit paws and the trees weighed down.
Walking up beside me, I see his breath before I see him. “Come this way, there’s a place to sit and stay warm over here.” He leads me towards a little fishing cabin, not very big, but big enough to start a fire in and talk.
He puts some firewood in the pit and starts a small fire, “It’ll be warm in just a minute. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not. I’m still used to the cold. I left but I didn’t stray too far.” I mutter. I watch the fire grow, getting lost in it for a minute.
“Why’d you leave?” He asks and I can hear the pain in his voice. I look up and see it written on his face too. This was a bad idea.
“I shouldn’t have come here today.” I grumble, standing up and trying to walk past him to get to the door. He stands up, blocking my way, but not angrily, “Wait. Please?”
“I can’t do this, Chan.” I sigh.
“You don’t have to talk then, just listen.” He insists. I close my eyes and nod, turning around and moving back to my seat. I hope I made the right choice.
“For starters, I’m really freaking happy to see you. You look great, not that you didn’t before and I wanted to tell you that at the diner but you ran. But you look amazing, I’m really proud of how far you’ve come.” I look up at him, in shock at what he just said. “Anyway, I don’t want to get off track. I know Liliana, I know about what Sam did.”
My heart stops. I didn’t want this today and I didn’t want him to ever know what had gone down. How did he find out? “H-H-How?” I stutter.
“You really want me to tell you how I found out?” He asks, looking shocked. I nod.
“Anya sent a picture of it to Donghun the day of graduation. Actually right after we walked... He sent it to me but I’d broken my phone, remember? Not everything was coming through when it should have, especially photos. I didn’t get it until the next day.” I hear the anger in his voice and the tears in my eyes start to fall. She must have taken the photo before she asked me what it was, knowing I wouldn’t tell her.
“She should have left it alone.” I grumble.
“No, you should have fucking told me earlier, Liliana.” He stands up and glares down at me. He’s never been angry at me and I don’t think he’s truly angry this time, just hurt.
“Why? You were happy.” I look up at him, acting unaffected but my heart is shattering into pieces.
“Yeah, because I wanted to be happy with someone who was treating you like shit.” He says sarcastically. I stop what I’m going to say and just stare.
“What was I supposed to say? She said you’d never believe me and after everything that’s gone wrong before, do you really think it felt that far off for me?”
“You knew me better, you should have come to me.” I see a tear fall from his eye and I don’t want to be here anymore. This is breaking me.
“I wanted you to be happy, that’s not changed.” I say, standing up and trying to walk around him towards the door. He’s too big, I can’t unless I step over the fire.
“I broke up with her that day. I broke up with her the day after graduation and came with Anya looking for you. You left without saying goodbye, you left me. You could have given me a chance, taken a leap of faith on me.” He chokes out.
“She broke me, Chan.” I sob, hiding in my hands. “You knew what I was like back then and how I was growing up. I told you and I care too much for you to see you unhappy.” I feel his arms wrap around me and for the first time since that day in the science lab 2 years ago, I feel safe.
“I do know and that doesn’t change the fact that you should have come to me then. I would have believed you over her anyday of the week.” His hand pushes my head up gently, looking at my eyes, which are probably red and swollen now.
“Really?”
He nods, “Of course. You knew me better than anyone. Probably still do.”
This time I let the tears flow freely. I had held them back for far too long and he just holds me while I cry. “Lili?” He says softly.
“Yeah?” I answer, drying my eyes on my coat.
“Do you remember the night we met? The night in the club?” He asks. I look at him confused, I don’t understand why he’s bringing this up now… But I nod, “Yeah? Why.”
“You know that night, we were there for Jun but he was dancing and once we saw you two, we just kind of left him. That’s why he was so aggravated. We were supposed to be his wingmen but Donghun saw Anya and was hooked and once I started talking to you, I was too.”
“You’re my best friend, I mean..were my best friend, Chan. We hung out and it was great.” I smile sadly.
“You’re not getting the point, dork. I loved being around you. You made me feel better, always. We were always talking or texting or hanging out. It was everyday. Anya and Donghun and you and I. It wasn’t awkward and it wasn’t anything we worried about, it just happened and I hadn’t realized it until you left that day.”
His words hit home.
“I’m sorry for not realizing it sooner and I’m sorry that I didn’t know that she was being such a witch to you. I never meant to hurt you-”
“You didn’t hurt me, Chan. I did it to myself. You’re right, I let her get to me and I should have known better. I knew you back then and knew you would believe me but I was afraid that my feelings for you were getting in the way and making me overreact.”
“Feelings for me? What do you mean?” He looks down at me.
Well, I messed that up. I never wanted to admit this to anyone and now I ruined that. Fuck it.
“Yeah, feelings for you, smart one. I’d had a crush on you for the longest time. The night at the club, you had me interested but when we went to dinner the first time was when I knew.”
“What are you doing?” I laugh as he grabs his wallet and keys.
“Come on, we’re going out too.” He says, holding out his hand. I look at him in confusion and wonder why.
“Okay?”
“If Anya and Donghun aren’t going to be home then neither are we. Let’s go. We’re going to dinner.” He smirks.
“Chan! It’s snowing!”
“So what? Then we can get soup and hot chocolate.” And that’s exactly what we do. The snow fell hard enough to make it annoying to drive in but nothing too difficult. We pull up to the diner we always visit and run in, freezing since his car doesn’t have heat.
“You’ve gotta get that fixed.” I whine.
“I will. When I get a better job.”
We take a seat at the back of the place, where we always do and I order potato soup and water, reminding myself to get hot chocolate later. Chan orders chili and pepsi and I regret my decision. I want his..
“Man, I should have gotten what you did.” I grumble.
“Why didn’t you?” He asks.
“It didn’t sound good when I thought about it.” I answer honestly.
I start to eat my food, though he tries to switch me and I swat his hand away. Laughing and trying once more before giving up.
“Let me eat the food I don’t want Chan.” I laugh.
“I eat anything though, so either one sounds fine to me.” He smiles.
“Yes, but I ordered it. Not you, I’ll eat it. It’s fine.”
“Share?” He asks, pouting.
“You’re joking.” I giggle.
He sticks his spoon in my soup, taking a bite, “Okay, you may not get any of it.” He chuckles, reaching for another spoonful.
I look at him and just laugh hysterically and he looks at me with soup on his lip now. I lean up and take my thumb and swipe it across, cleaning it off.
“Really? At the diner?” He chuckles, remembering too.
“Yep.” I say, popping the ‘P’. I don’t even notice, but I feel more relaxed now and finally I notice, I’m still being held by him and my heart beats faster.
“Wow, so if only.”
“If only?” I ask.
“If only I’d have realized then what I realized the night I found out that you had left.”
My heart beats out of my chest, “What did you realize?” I was almost too afraid to ask.
“Are you seeing anyone now, Lili?” He asks, out of nowhere and my automatic response kicks in, “Um, no?”
He leans down and his lips meet mine and I lose all air from my lungs. I close my eyes, feeling lost in a dream. It’s not a deep kiss but it’s sweet and lasting. He pulls away and I wonder if I was dying from frostbite somewhere in a delusional state of bliss.
I open my eyes and see him smiling down at me, “Wha- what did you realize again? I’ve forgotten how to think.” I say sarcastically. He leans down, planting a softer kiss on my lips and I didn’t think that was possible.
“That I should have been looking in front of me the whole time. Instead of chasing something I was blinded by that wasn’t special to me in any way, I should have been chasing you.”
“I’m sorry I ran and didn’t have faith in you.” I say, trying to avoid tears again.
“It’s not your fault and you’re here now. Do you forgive me?” He asks.
“There’s nothing to forgive. I tried to protect you to make you happy.”
“Yeah, well you make me happy.” He smiles.
“You make me happy too.” I smile back, standing on my tiptoes before kissing him again and he tangles his hand in my hair, “Can we go back to your car now? I can’t feel my fingers.”
“Sure, Lili. Sure. But we have a lot to talk about later.” He smirks, kissing me one last time and turning to put out the fire before we head back to the car as fast as possible.
It's a Saturday night and all of A.C.E sits around a table packed with food to celebrate their recent album release. All of them having worked hard to ensure the production of the songs and the dances were perfect.
I sit beside my boyfriend, Junhee, as all the members talk at once teasing each other and talking about funny moments they had behind the scenes of production. I laugh at them all until my stomach hurts and my cheeks are red. Barely touching the food on my plate because I was afraid I would choke on it from laughing so hard.
After one particular hard fit on laughter I catch Jun looking at me out of the corner of my eye. Prompting me to turn and meet his eyes. His dark eyes swirl with emotion and a soft smile tugs at his lips.
"What are you thinking?" I ask him through giggles. The boys continuing their playful banter.
Jun glances around the table to see if anyone was paying attention before swiping his tongue across his bottom lip and leaning closer to me to whisper in my ear.
“I like your laugh."
I feel my eyes widen, a blush creeping from my neck up to my cheeks. Painting them a vibrant shade of red.
"You do?" I ask nervously. No one had ever commented on my laugh before.
Jun smiles at me, his nose brushing mine teasingly. He leaves a quick kiss on my lips before pulling away and whispering, "I really do."
I smile at him shyly, placing a hand on his thigh that he quickly takes to intertwine our fingers together. The quiet moment shared between us going seemingly unnoticed by the other members.
