he’s the first one to congratulate her. of course, it’s only expected; how many years had passed since the first time he’d sat by his phone, waiting for midnight to strike before running to take her into the safety of his embrace? hailey is the most special thing in eli’s ilfe, and so he feels it’s only his duty as her ‘oppa’ to think of a perfect way to celebrate her birthday.
this year had been different, though. he had so much on his mind he couldn’t come up with a plan like usual. she’d always been his number one priority and that hadn’t changed. however, it seemed as if, to her, things weren’t the same anymore, and that’s what had stopped him from showing up at her place at night and ringing the bell as soon as the first of may started to make sure no one would beat him to it. he didn’t want to deal with her roommate or the entire living arrangement situation. he didn’t want to think. which, of course, only made him think harder about everything.
god, kyoungjae. when did you become so selfish?
seven seconds into the new day, and there’s a voice message notification on hailey’s phone. pretty much the worst thing he’s ever done for her, but there’s no way he would let the date go by without making himself present.
“do you remember that time when you first told me about your dreams of being signed to royal entertainment, and i made you a flower crown? called you my princess and all that? well, look at you now. you’ve truly become a princess in the royal garden.” a long pause. “i couldn’t be more proud of you. i know you’re gonna be korea’s most incredible singer one day. i told you when we were little, and i’ll keep telling you it until you believe it yourself. you’re simply amazing, and i…” he stops, trying to get back on his train of thoughts. what if naeun were to listen along? the thought terrifies him enough to end things abruptly. great. "i love you, heeyeonie. happy birthday.“
she was waiting. hailey didn’t want to admit that, not even to herself, but since when she came home from another day at royal entertainment, she had been waiting. no – in fact, hailey was anticipating that time when april was to become may. not just because it was her birthday – well, maybe it was because it was her birthday. but she knew that eli was doing something for her. he always did, since they were very little. he had always been the first to say “happy birthday” to her. so she waited, wondering if he was coming there, in the middle of the night like he used to do. hailey couldn’t even be seated, so she anxiously walked around the apartment. looking at the time, a smile was on her lips. now, any minute. she actually ran to the door, peeking the hallway to see if eli was somewhere to be found. but no.
her eyebrows came together. that was unusual. maybe he was just late? but again, that was weird. eli was never late when it came to things like that. hailey took a deep breath. maybe she was just spoiled. no, definitely she was spoiled. and she couldn’t ask anything from him. trying to shake off the disappointment, hailey got her phone, heart racing when she saw the icon of a voicemail. hailey quickly tapped it, taking the phone to her ear. his voice calmed her down and the trainee sat down on the couch, listening to his words. suddenly, she sees just how much she was sacrificing by signing that contract. she had barely seen her childhood friend since she came back to korea. tears ran down her cheeks while her feelings were still mixed. she cried because she missed him, because his words were touching and because she wasn’t listening to that in person.
wiping some tears, she took a shuddering breath before dialing his number. it took some time until he finally answered it, and when she did, hailey barely waited for him to say hello. “oppaaaaaaaaa” she said, the same way she’d cry for him when she was a little kid. hailey sniffed, fresh tears coming from her eyes. “thank you. thank you, oppa. i— I love you too, oppa.” sobs came out her lips and hailey used her sleeve to wipe her tears. “i’m so lucky for having you in my life. thank you, oppa. i – i was very touched”
