“And the most important piece in this hall is this one,” the blonde girl with the blue scarf presented the sculpture behind her, “Antonio Canova created this beautiful artwork for Empress Josephine, the wife of the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte.”
She checked the small pocket book about the artist which she prepared before her departure to Italy. It’s supposed to be a work trip to cover cultural tradition in several cities. Yesterday she wrapped all the exploration in Verona. And efore moving to Venice, her obsession to sculpture brought her here, a museum in Possagno which became a home for the masterpieces of Canova, an Italian Neoclassical sculptor.
“There’s a story behind this sculpture, the reason why it’s called The Three Graces,” she stepped closer to the woman in the middle of the crowd, “We all know, that this sculpture, from left to right, representing the beauty of Zeus daughters, Euphrosyne, Aglaea, and Thalia. But when he’s working on this piece, he also took another inspiration from society perception during that period. Anyone know what’s that?”
Some people seemed intrigued and started discussing with their surroundings. Some just nodded quietly, having conversation with themselves, some just left and continued to explore the museum.
“If we see closely, their hands are so delicate, the way they touched, the way they embrace each other. But we can see these three beautiful women are all different. Why is that?”
Once again, the crowd splits into silent and murmurs.
“This sculpture portrayed what beauty is in the past. The first one, a beautiful woman must have brain. A smart woman considered the most beautiful. Let’s take a look at the middle one, her head’s slightly higher than the two. Here we can understand, that she’s the smartest, thus she’s the most beautiful.”
She cocked her head to focus on the middle sculpture. She’s the smartest and the prettiest, yet she still humbled and lowered her head, she thought.
“The second beauty is still the same with present days, the beauty that we can directly see with our bare eyes. The one on the left, are shaped in the confident posture. She had the most uncovered body part, to show how physically beautiful she is.”
She remembered her grandmother’s words, being a woman is not easy. The society would take times to realize that woman’s place isn’t below the man. Therefore you should be confident, and do what you gonna do, believe yourself, and you’ll overcome everything in life, she recites once again the last message she received from her before she moved to the capital.
“And the last one is generosity. However, in the past, the term of generosity he meant here is how the woman would spend her time to carry a baby and give birth to them.”
An invisible truck just hit her from the back. She didn’t know she dropped her book until the lady next to her tapped her arm and returned it back to her. She could only send her a quick smile, a very forced one, it’s almost painful to see.
“Ironically, the Empress Josephine herself couldn’t give a child to Napoleon. In the dire need to have an heir, at the end Napoleon had to divorce her.”
Her feet worked on itself, sprinted her torso that has no more strength to hold her above the ground. The spring breeze wiped her drenched cheeks once she’s sitting by herself, eyes looking forlornly to the front, focusing to some spot away across the hill.
Still with uncontrollable sob that seemed become messier every second passed, she took out her phone from her purse and pressed the speed dial.
“Hey, Honey. Di—“
“Please, don’t divorce me. I beg you.”
“What?”
“Please.. don’t leave me. Don’t leave me alone..”
Gwiboon’s practically bawling. The streams running down her face, harder than before. Last week they went to the hospital to get the result of the test they took on the visit two weeks prior. The ob-gyn greeted them with a bright smile, awfully pole apart with the statement she had five minutes later.
She found three cysts in her ovaries, as the result of endometritis she suffered since she was young. The doctor described that most ovarian cysts are benign and would naturally go away on their own without treatment. However, due to Gwiboon’s excessive activities and works, she needs to get another check-up as soon as possible to get better diagnosis because one of the cyst is apparently almost considered ruptured one.
The whole conversation explained everything to her. It’s the reason why she always got merciless abdominal pain during her period. It’s the reason why her period cycle is a mess. It’s the reason why up until now, their fourth year of marriage, she still cannot get pregnant. And the horror of being divorced just because she’s not fertile enough to continue the family tree strikes her in a very harsh way.
“Honey, Gwiboon, what happened? Are you okay? What are you talking about? Please, don’t make me take the closest flight to Italy. Tell me everything’s alright, Love, please.”
Unable to compose herself still, she kept crying on the phone, worrying her husband on the other line, “I just.. It just.. It just hit me. It would be so hard for me to give you the daughter you always wanted. I might have no chance to get pregnant. At all.”
“Dear, God. Honey, the result’s still bothering you? It’s treatable, you heard yourself, we already have the schedule to see the doctor again once you get back. We will find a way. It’s okay, Gwi. It breaks my heart listen to you cried like this.”
“I am afraid.. I’m afraid you would leave me if I cannot have a baby..”
The man on the other line tried to suppress his own weeps, he took a very deep and long breath before carry on with the call.
“I, Lee Jinki, promise to be there for Kim Gwiboon. I promise to love her unconditionally, until all hair became white and all we could do is sitting together on the porch, wrapped in each other’s embrace, while listening to the sound of the rain. I promise to stay by her side, both in face full of acne or adorn by after sex glowing. Both in bad hair day or freshly cut hair. Both in debt after all week shopping or granted promotion bonus. Because she is the only home I will be coming back to. Do you remember that?”
She nods vigorously, and found herself being stupid because obviously Jinki cannot see any of that.
“Listen. I married you not because I wanted you to bear my child. But because I love you. So what if we can’t get pregnant? We can do surrogate. We can adopt. A baby. Twins. Or dogs. Bunch of dogs. Or just stay the two of us, so we can have sex whenever we want, wherever we want. Stop blaming yourself, will you?”
The nightmares she had every night after the doctor appointment were hell for him. He has no heart seeing Gwiboon’s sleep talking, stating how useless she is, or how everything is her fault if they couldn’t have baby.
The weak chuckle he heard after a dreadful silent eased his mind. Oh, how he wished he’s in Italy right now to hug her tight and kiss all over her face.
“I miss you, Lee Jinki.”
“I miss you more, Princess. And remember, I would never, never divorce you just because you’re unable to conceive.”
“Because you love me?”
“No, because the alimony,” he scoffed, “Of course because I love you, you silly head!”
“Oh, I almost die for a second.”
“Then I’d go to underworld, jump to the dead river to rescue your soul, bring back my beautiful wife to me and we live happily ever after.”
“Hercules?”
“Yeah, it was on Netflix last night.”
She laughed, burden-less. The first time after what seemed like forever, haunted by remorse feeling and overdose anxiety.
“I love you, Lee Jinki.”
“I love you, Kim Gwiboon. Soooo so much.”
“Pick me up at the airport next week, then?”
“Yeah, can’t hardly wait.”
***
P.S.: all the stories of the sculpture are sourced to the guide explanation on my last visit to the museum. Hopefully, I wrote it right because I have a memory of a goldfish sometimes :P
P.S.S.: please mind all the grammar errors and everything incorrect, it’s almost 4 AM here when i finished writing this one hour drabble
Inspired by the song Toothbrush by DNCE. I like it so much even until now haha, for you who hasn’t heard it, go check here! Enjoy!
-------------
Her phone buzzed madly on the night stand, bumped into tin of the scented candle placed next to it, making it sounds even worse during the dawn. She groaned under the weight of an arm wrapped her waist tightly. Blindly reaching her phone, she just hoped it wasn’t her daily alarm even though it seems impossible for the only sounds like that would be her phone telling her to wake up and start her day.
6.23
“Oh, why,” she rolled her limb and saw the face of the other person who looks like a baby bear taking a nap peacefully, “How can you look this cute while sleeping?”
She wiped the sweat gathered on his nose and landed a quick peck on it.
“I need to leave, Babe.”
“Grhmhhrll.”
Chuckles released from her lips, her boyfriend’s certainly not a morning person, poles apart with her who took time in the morning to pamper herself. Nevertheless, she removed his arm and stepped her feet on the floor, grimace instantly hanging on her face when the coldness greeted her skin. She reached the nearest t-shirt splattered to her and threw it over her head, stretched her back a bit and paced around the room to find her purse.
He squint his eyes, complaining about how he deserves more sleep to knock out the jet lag. In between reality, he caught her collecting her stuffs, naked legs with his worn out t-shirt barely covering her ass globes. Such a beautiful view in the morning, but also such frustrating to fight the drowsiness when the sun is not even come out.
“Why so early in the morning..”
She walked back to the bed, soothing his back and peppering his milky shoulder with kisses.
“Lee Jinki, I have a class at 10 remember? And I need to go back home change my clothes and everything.”
The school she was teaching in is not that far from his apartment, actually. However, her place is forty minutes away from his, forcing her to do double commute to show up decent enough in front of those little kids. Sometimes she envy his job very much. Being a chef, if it’s not the purchasing day, he will leave the house to the restaurant only after lunch.
“Come on, I’m going to wash my face then send me off will you?”
It’s been two weeks they didn’t see each other because she was in charge with the annual student trip and he was visiting wine and food convention in Tuscany. Beside the amazing sex, she missed the quick lunch dates and the night in – basically his presence – so bad, no wonder she became extra clingy since the dinner last night.
“Okay, I really need to pee. When I get back here, I expect you to kiss me sober.”
He didn’t answer but she turned her heels anyway for she cannot hold the nature’s call anymore. After done with the business, she took small towel from the drawer next to the sink to dry her face later. What she didn’t realize until she faced the mirror is there are two toothbrushes attached on it. One is green and the other is pink.
Before she had the thoughts of him cheating behind her back, she caught the small letters engraved on each toothbrush. She practically threw the towel away and leaves the bathroom immediately just to find him back to sleep, now back facing her direction.
“You saw it?”
He asked, with the sexier sleepy voice ever in her opinion, when he felt her hand slipped under his arm and stroke his chest painstakingly slowly, while resting her head by the crook of his neck. Smile started creeping up his face.
“What is that?”
“Time-saver, Boonie.”
“Time-saver?”
He turned himself to see her better, even with blurry vision, she still looks stunning for him. He planted a lazy kiss on her lips before giving his answer.
“This way you can stay here longer and I can cuddle more.”
She cannot hide her excitement anymore. After sharing one long kiss, she dragged herself to strangle him, sitting dangerously at his lower abdomen, both faces gleaming with too much affection toward each other.
The alarm clock’s buzzing madly on their bed's side drawer. But no one seemed to care about it.
“It’s annoying.”
“Hmmm,” instead of turn it down, he tighten his grip on her naked torso and pressing his chest to her back while he's nuzzling to her neck, “You’re closer.”
“How I supposed to get that if you're locking me like this?”
Her sleepy nag makes him chuckled and peppering her shoulder with kisses before making some room for Gwiboon to reach the clock.
“Why would you put that on at the first place?”
“Baby check.”
“Means?”
Gwiboon’s back beneath the blanket, reaching her husband’s hand, led it back to her waist, “I need to check on Taemin whether his diaper is full or not.”
“Oh, yeah. That little monster.”
This time is Gwiboon’s turn to chuckle. But it’s not even last two second before she turned to gasp when his stubby fingers tracing up to her belly then fondled the mound flesh on her chest.
“Hmmm, Jinki..”
And he’s more than turn on with her lazy voice, “I think another round wouldn’t hurt, babe..”
Gwiboon turned her limb and facing his angelic face which thousand times sexier with his messed up hair. She leaned forward and captures his fat lips in a long kiss. Her mouth opened when his tongue insist to have some heated battle with hers. When his hand sliding down and caress her butts, she smiles on his lips.
“It’s time to baby check, honey.”
“This baby needs to be checked to.”
She giggled for a while then pecked his jaw several times, “Jinki, it’s really time to baby check. You don’t want that little angel hauled in massive cry, right?”
“He’s your baby,” Jinki rested his lips on her forehead while secure her limb under his arm.
“It’s weekend so he’s yours.”
His laughter muffled on her skin making her shoulder nonchalantly following his silly behavior.
“But can I get the baby check after I took care Taemin?”
When Gwiboon shot her head up, mischievous smile hanging on his face, making stupid grin appeared on hers too.
“You’ll get fully checked at least two times, babe.”
Jinki pushed her back closer so he can devour her lips once again before he left to the other room.
“Shit, this is why I love weekend.”
“I can guarantee you’ll love it more aft––“
“ARE YOU GUYS DEAF OR SOMETHING?!?!!! Your son's crying like hell he disturbing my morning!!”
Their bedroom’s door slammed open, Jonghyun carried crying Taemin in his arm while his head looks so wrecked, clearly not enough sleep in the past hours.
Gwiboon has no time to backfire and pulled the blanket in surprise to cover her naked body.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!?!!” She then turned her head to her husband who bursted out in laughter, “Jinki why does this asshole here?!?!!!”
“This asshole is your brother!” he pats Taemin’s back hoped he would stop crying, “Poor Taemin having irresponsible a mother like her.”
Once Jonghyun left to the living room, Jinki stretched his arms and scooped Gwiboon to his embrace, “He’s coming with me last night. We’re pretty knocked out so I asked Minho driving us here.”
“Why didn’t Minho take him to their apartment?! He’s his boyfriend for God’s sake!”
“He needed to go to the hospital. Emergency, you know,” seeing his wife rolling her eyes Jinki couldn’t help but kiss her again, “It’s okay, Gwiboon, I’ll go get Taemin.”
He jumped off the bed after give her quick peck on the cheek. Being as usual Jinki, he took a long time in front of their wardrobe just to pick some underwear and shorts.
“Babe.”
“Yes?”
“Can you just not wearing anything?”
Gwiboon smirks playfully to him. The view of her tousled bed hair with blanket up until her chin but long legs sprawled on the bed makes him feel content out of nowhere. He cracked again and picked anything he can snatch before he's back to Gwiboon’s side.
“You want Jonghyun drooling over my ass then?” Jinki kissed her scrunched nose to ease her down.
“Damn. That jerk will be here for at least until afternoon. He’ll definitely ruin my weekend!”
“Minho said he’ll be here soon. Don't worry. I'll wear them as low as could be,” Jinki raised his boxer in the air, his eyebrows wriggled up and down playfully.
Gwiboon smacked his chest while the latter trying to wear his underwear, “You bet. Or I cancel your baby check.”
“Ma’am, yes, Ma’am!”
They burst into laughter then. And seeing Jinki's standing there with eyes almost gone, pushed by his full cheeks, while his skin’s glowing caused sunshine started seeping to the room and landed on his naked shoulder, she knew her weekend is secured, safe and sound.
***
last one! hope you like this fail crack fluff you name it hahaha. i’ll see you very very soon! XOXO
Gwiboon half running half breathing, struggling with box on her right hand and a cardigan on the left one. Her high heels are no help, they kept piercing her feet while she’s sprinting on the pavement. Once finally a taxi pulled over, she opened the passenger door and threw her belonging inside before she ducked her head.
What’s not in her expectation before is, from the other side, a man did the same exact thing with her and things getting a little bit awkward when they’re slamming the door closed at the same time. Or a little bit annoying.
“Excuse me? Who are you?”
“That’s should be my question. This is my cab, why are you here?” the man beside her tossing his bang up, looks exhausted by the sweat drenched on his temple. His side view looks amazing but it could wait later. She needs to go right now.
“Your cab?” Gwiboon chuckled cynically, “I’m the one who called first.”
“No, you didn’t,” he shifting a bit so his face right now completely facing Gwiboon, “I’m chasing down this cab from that coffee shop!”
He pointed to one particular direction Gwiboon doesn’t even care. She’s in hurry and has no intention to back off even a tiny.
“But you don’t call. People might mistake you for being sugar rush in the morning and need some exercise to tone it down. I was particularly crying in help howling this cab so the driver can pull closer.”
“Did you just say I was wasted?”
“Are you deaf? No one say that!”
This girl is indeed pretty, with long legs and smooth hair curled at the end, eyes both innocent and sharp like a fox, but her tongue and minds are not coherent to each other. Definitely screwed.
“Look, I’m not in the mood to argue, I’m in a hurry.”
“So am I. I suggest you to head out and find another cab. Thank you.”
“Why should I leave this cab? You’re the one who stole it from me!” he took her box and cardigan and placed it onto Gwiboon’s lap, “Here you go. I need to catch a party.”
Gwiboon’s eyes almost popped out and her cheekbones getting sharper, “Stop being an asshole and get out of this cab. Party whore and drunken man like you need to get your sense first before claiming people’s cab.”
“What? Listen you wild witch! I saw this cab first and put dibs on it! How dare you stealing my cab and accusing me a jackass?!”
Before Gwiboon able to slap the man with her purse, her hand hung on the air by the sound of the driver’s yawning.
“Are you done there? Mind telling me where are we going?”
“Sir, please tell this delusional young lady here that you saw me running to you first!”
“If I’m being delusional, this taxi wouldn’t pull over on the side of my road!”
“Every car supposed to stop at the left side, idiot!”
“What?! Sir, please! I’m the one who called you first, right?”
“Calm down both of you! I didn’t see anyone, I just pulled over and both of you get in at the same time! Now, where are we going?!”
“Get off now!” Gwiboon finally leashed out the inner devil she got.
“I’m staying! You, get out!” the latter turns out not as innocent as his look. His sharp jaw is obviously stiffen even though his eyes still as calm as before, “Please going to St—“
“Dude. I’m not ruining my heels for such episode like this. I’ve been sprinting like a dog and I am already 20 minutes late. So please. Leave this cab because clearly I’m the one who get it first!”
Speechless, the man next to her just locking his gaze to her eyes, boring through her soul like he tried to dig every single sin she ever did. Her pristine skin suddenly felt like burning, intimidated by his stern look.
“Spoiled bitch!”
Gwiboon still can hear he grumbled under his nose when he stomped out the taxi. Outside the car, he got stunned seeing the vehicle head off right away after he close the passenger’s door behind him.
“Unbelievable!” he picked this phone while walking to the nearest bus stop, “Hey, where’s Taeyon? I think I’m gonna be late. Tell her I’m so sorry. I got stuck.”
“Are you alright?”
“It’s okay, an obnoxious girl just snatched my cab.”
Hateful laughter’s ringing on his ears, making him sulking more, “My bus’s coming. I’ll see you soon!”
***
Lots of kids in the living room but indeed, Jonghyun’s the cutest baby ever. His huge eyes and puffy cheeks are making everyone on this room surrender themselves to him. And Gwiboon’s not an exceptional.
“Both of you should have another baby soon. So I could take Jonghyun with me!” she sounds so jolly, almost forget that an hour ago she had fight with a stranger.
Minho looked so excited while his wife’s rolling her eyes, taking care the other guest on their kid’s birthday party. Some toddler need more milk, the others gotta use the toilet immediately.
“If only this man right here replace me to carry the baby for 9 months,” she said when finally flopped next to Minho.
“How could a man got pregnant?!” Minho raised his voice making Jonghyun jumped a little bit on Gwiboon’s laps.
“Exactly.”
This time Gwiboon burst into loud laughter seeing Minho’s smile falter a bit. His wife couldn’t help but join teasing Minho.
“My Jonghyun’s not usually quiet.”
He doesn’t care with his friends running around, throwing toys here and there. The three years old baby is busy munching the carrot cupcake on his hand, cream cheese is all over his face, making him three times adorable.
“Thanks to Auntie Gwiboon for her delicious treat.”
“Sorry I ruin almost half of them. An ungrateful jackass stopped me on the way.”
“Words, Kim Gwiboon. Words.”
Gwiboon bites her lips and muted ‘Sorry’ while covering Jonghyun’s ear. Fortunately, not many kids are around them. What do you expect with inviting some babies to a party? They’re going to be busy with their own problem.
“He just stacked the box on my laps without checking what is inside. The frosting that I worked so hard this morning wrecked without any mercy.”
“Where’s your car, by the way?” Minho’s wife asks her, looking confused, consider she’s always on the road with that black car she cherished a lot.
“I forgot to ch—“
“Where’s the birthday boy?!”
A loud voice breaks the fine day and hearing the familiar sound, Jonghyun’s sprinting right away to the front door.
“Papa Jinx!”
“Jonghyun, be careful!”
“Gosh, finally he’s here. Now we can blow the candle,” Minho’s wife left to the pantry to take out the cake from the fridge.
“Papa Jinx you late!”
The toddler’s crashing a tall man who opened his arm wide to grab his nephew. He kissed all over’s Jonghyun’s face just to smear the cream cheese to his own cheek.
“I’m sorry, big boy! Look at you!” he wiped Jonghyun’s cheek and licked the excessive cream on his thumb, “God, what’s this? It’s delicious. There’s no way your mom made this, Lee Taeyon can never even making fried egg.”
“Eat!”
Little Jonghyun stuffed his uncle’s mouth with the cupcake and the latter almost choked, overload with his favorite nephew’s cuteness. He scooped Jonghyun in one arm, other hand used to eat the cupcake.
“Really, who made this wonderful cupcake? Is there new shop near here?”
Minho who’s now busy setting table pointing to the couch with his chin, overwhelmed with a little chaos near his feet, twins fighting over a plushy.
“What? I don’t get it.”
“That’s not for sale. Minho’s friend made that,” Taeyon bring the box with some cupcakes left in it, “Left some for Jonghyun, though. He loves it so much.”
“Minho! Tell your friend this is super good! I can eat three in a time easily! They should start selling this!”
“Why not telling her yourself?”
“Hmm?”
“She’s over there!”
Following Taeyon’s gaze, he almost dropped the baby on his arm. Gwiboon’s face’s mirroring the same horrific expression. Her mouth gasping for air while on the other hand, Jinki bites his lower lips to control himself.
***
Jinki keeps looking outside while talking with Minho and Taeyon on their kitchen. A long haired girl seemed to outcasting herself after seeing him, she is currently playing with talking to a young mother with two kids.
“I never saw you stalking so hard like this. Finally, Lee Jinki turns into human,” Taeyon sing songs nonchalantly on his left, at last having moment to enjoy her meal.
“How can she’s here?”
“Who?” Minho turned his head following where Jinki’s gaze locked into, “Gwiboon?”
“Yeah, Gwiboon. Whatever.”
“She’s my high school friend. And currently we’re working for the same company.”
Through the window, Jinki can see wide smile almost all over her glowing face. Her hair placed in one side, making her long neck a great view from where Jinki sit. The first time he saw her in the cab few hours ago, he already realized those cheekbones are there for a reason. Even when she’s furious, her pretty foxy eyes can’t be hidden. She is indeed beautiful, he thought.
“Honey, where did you keep the first aid kit? Last time you used it when you cut your finger.”
“On the second cabinet. Are you injured somewhere?”
“Nah, it’s for Gwiboon. She said she got some blisters on her feet. Her heels scraped her off while she was catching a cab.”
Jinki choked on his ice tea. So she’s not lying when her feet were in pain?
“Yah! You need to be careful!”
He wiped the table with his hand before finally Minho hand him some napkins. When he saw Gwiboon sitting alone at the backyard, he jumped off the stool right away.
“Let me give that.”
Both Minho and Taeyeon perplexed with his words. He made an awkward grin before snatching the box from his sister’s hand and dashing outside.
“Well, your brother really a human now.”
“Who knows she does magic into lump of rock like him. You should introduce them sooner.”
***
Gwiboon almost jolted out from her daydreaming when a clear box suddenly appeared before her. And yes, she twitched a bit on her seat when she shot her head up and saw who’s holding it.
“Taeyeon said you need this.”
“Err?”
“The blisters?”
“Oh, yeah, the blisters. Thank you.”
She accepted the box and there’s complete silence hanging on the atmosphere even though not far from them bunch of toddler, including baby Jonghyun, running around.
“About the earlier..”
They can’t help but chuckled when they tried to break the ice at the same time.
“You can go first,” she gave him the sweetest smile he ever got from stranger.
“If I knew we were heading to the same place, I would never yell at you like that.”
“Me too.”
“And you wouldn’t need band aid like that,” he pointed to her feet which now perfectly taken care.
“I would need this nevertheless, what do you expect with running on the street like a criminal with heels?”
He laughs on that, remember how she said he’s the criminal one, a drunken master who stole her cab.
“I’m sorry I said you’re an asshole.”
“I think I was being one. I’m sorry I said you’re delusional.”
“I couldn’t think straight when I’m in hurry, just so you know. I’m sorry I said you’re party whore.”
“I’m sorry I said you’re spoiled bitch.”
“I don’t recall you’re saying that to me.”
“Well, I said that after I slammed the door and you ran away with your cab.”
Gwiboon cracked right away with his innocent confession. And seeing her laughing whole heartedly, he stretched out his hand to her direction.
“Lee Jinki, by the way.”
“I’m Gwiboon. Kim Gwiboon.”
His hand felt so warm when they wrapped hers, suddenly something flutters inside her chest, making it hard not to blush right away.
“I’m not really a fan of bunch human under six years old and honestly, I’m kind of freaked out right now. So. Would you like to have coffee and continue this conversation somewhere?”
She’s beaming into something blinding, he thought he was talking to the sun.
“I would like to.”
A year later, she would still not believing that the man that (almost) stole her cab is proposing to her right after she got inside the cab where Jinki’s waiting while picking her up from work.
***
this one kinda sucks, but yeah, i’ve tried T___T enjoy and thanks for reading! your comments are all very welcomed! XOXO
It came over me, in a rush
When I realized that I love you so much
That sometimes I cry, but I can’t tell you why
Why I feel what I feel, inside..
– In A Rush (Blackstreet)
***
“Please, Gwiboon-ah! You’re my only hope!”
“I said I don’t want to! Why do you need a makeover anyway?!”
“Because he has a date.”
Jonghyun calmly answered the question directed to Jinki which the latter rewards him with a good slap on his arm.
“Ouch!”
“It’s not a date!”
“Then what?!” Gwiboon snarls at him.
“Umm. We just hang out together! There would be other people too!”
“Hang out is hang out! Not a fucking fashion show!!”
“But I would look ridiculous among them! Minho and Taemin are like gods, have you seen their spread on the magz?”
“For Chanel’s sake! You’re good as they are! You’re beautiful, Jinx!”
“Aaaww, smooth confession. Nice..,” Jonghyun’s eyes focused on the TV in front of him but his ears stand by all over the room. Gwiboon couldn’t help but smack him with the cushion.
“Why did you throw me?!”
“Because you and your humongous mouth couldn’t stop being annoying!”
“Gwiboon.., please!!” Jinki tries to get her attention back, “I’ll buy you new adidas supercolor!”
“You think you could buy me?!”
Jinki got startled on the spot. He had experienced angry Gwiboon before, but never this enrage.
“It’s not like that, Boon! Why are you so upset?!”
Gwiboon is too tired to give Jonghyun any respond. She just kept her mouth shut and folds her arms neatly, pretending Jinki isn’t there.
“Gwiboon-ah..”
“Hmm.”
“Please?”
She’s mad and not really in the mood but she still hasn’t had the heart to push Jinki away.
“Can I talk to you there?” Gwiboon points the kitchen with her chin.
“Right, right! You need some private after you confess. Brave move!”
Honestly, Gwiboon really wants to kick Jonghyun and his shit. But it’s his house and she needs to take a good grip for the sake of politeness. But Jinki followed her anyway. Once they got to Jonghyun’s Mom beloved marbled counter, Gwiboon couldn’t hold her thought.
“Jinki, have you lost your mind? You are fine! Just because you don’t wear fancy apparel like me doesn’t mean you are ugly!”
“I know. But I want to feel I belong there! Graphic tee and washed jeans? Come on, Boonie, you must be against them!”
“What’s wrong with graphic tee and washed jeans?”
“It’s not fashionable enough and I feel dumb when she came to me last week while I wore my old sweater!”
“You don’t need to be fashionable to be fun and smart! I agree that your attire options are boring but it doesn’t make you less adorable!”
“Wow! I never heard you this romantic, Gwiboon-ah!” Jonghyun shouts from the living room, apparently has not finished eavesdropping.
“Get lost, Kim Jonghyun!”
“Kim Gwiboon, I beg you, please.”
Gwiboon never saw Jinki being this sad. And it hurts. But Gwiboon doesn’t like him being this stupid, “Lee Jinki, I am the one who beg you. Please drop it. I’m not gonna help you. It’s not because I don’t love you—“
“Of course you love him!”
“Shut up, Jong!!” Gwiboon’s both annoyed with Jonghyun’s futile comment and amused by his hearing ability, “Listen, Jinx. You are more than okay. You don’t need to change. She came to you because she found you’re amazing. Does she ask you to wear something particular?”
“Nope.”
“Then you don’t need to make a fuss about this. She’s too nice to judge a book by its cover.”
“You think I’m good?”
“Better than anyone,” and with his smiling eyes, Gwiboon knows he wouldn’t rant again about this. At least for a day or two, “Now help me to crush that dinosaur!”
“With my pleasure!”
***
It's just an ordinary day which Gwiboon's making another page of her fashion clipping, both ears plugged with earphone, and Jonghyun's reading his book under their favorite old elm tree where they can observe almost every corner of the campus. Best spot indeed, and Gwiboon made a good move by placing dibs on it at their freshmen year. And no one can argue with Gwiboon. The perks of being Jonghyun and Jinki.
A young man joined them and stops for a while to mess with Gwiboon’s hair before sit across Jonghyun.
“Stop it, Lee Jinki. Do you think I'm five? You ruined my hair!”
“Therefore you won’t get a boyfriend! Good for you!” Gwiboon’s eyeing him so bad which the latter replied with blowing a kiss.
“Why so sad?”
“Huh?” Jinki turned to Jonghyun whose eyes not leaving the book, “Sad? Who?”
“You. I’m talking to you, dude. Don’t you see Gwiboon plug her ears already? It means she’s invisible!”
Jinki took a glance to her and couldn't be more agree with Jonghyun, “I'm not sad, just well.. Not that in the mood.. You know, project, workshop, some other writing stuff..”
“Girlfriend..”
“What girl friend?”
“Don’t joke around me. You think I just met you yesterday? Your face keeps typing all of your concern right now!”
Jinki sighed, there's no need pretending in front of his best friend. If Gwiboon's not that busy, she might as well catch him lifeless like this.
“I don’t have girlfriend. I do want one, though. And my chance to get one might have blown away since I would show up in front of the possible candidate looking awful by my choice of shirt.”
“Oh, please, not about how-do-I-look again! It’s enough to have Gwiboon complaining about dress cutting and type of jeans we should wear!”
Jinki glance to Gwiboon who totally immersed with her stuff. Look at how beautiful those neck line and cute bow lips. Must be great being her, she would never worry about what to wear every day because she's already perfect.
“Seriously, Jong, I’m getting more nervous. It’s only next weekend and still, I haven’t figured out what to wear.”
“I hate being less supportive, but I think Gwiboon has her point when she yelled at you. You don’t need to be someone else! She invited you because she likes you for who you are.”
“But you know, first impression matters, remember?”
“She got it before she came to you.”
“It’s because I be friend with Taemin, unless a pretty girl like her won’t even notice that I’m exist.”
“Gwiboon would notice you.”
“Yeah, and lectures me about how I failed matching my shoes with my shirt.”
“Well, you have your point. But at least she would love you unconditionally.”
“It’s because we’re best friend and she’s a nice girl.”
Jonghyun only shrugs and continues reading his book. Jinki rests his head on the table using his arm as pillow. At that position, he had a great angle of Gwiboon in his sight.
Her hair fell over her shoulder, framing the glowing face which kept ducking since he arrived. Why I'm not as wonderful as Gwiboon? It would easier for me if I had an accurate sense of fashion. Gwiboon would never fail to dress like today. Medium length high waist grey pants and simple white shirt? That outfit wouldn't be as beautiful as that if it were on others.
Jinki’s phone went off suddenly, waking him up from his daydreaming, “Jinki’s speaking!”
“Oh, yeah! What’s up, Tiff?”
“My next class is not until three.”
“Okay! I’ll see you there!”
Jinki put his phone inside his pocket. Jonghyun watched all his action not amused.
“Gotta go, Jong! See you in my house at seven!”
“Hey! Aren’t you promise Gwiboon to go to that ceramic house together?!”
“Ugh, right. Can you cover me?”
“I don’t have my car with me an—“
Jinki already thrown his key to Jonghyun then pats Gwiboon’s head, “Baby, I’m sorry I can’t go with you. I love you!”
Jinki dashed out before Gwiboon could say anything. So she just got back to her scrapbook without any words. It was silence between them until Jonghyun broke it, looking tired as if he just finished solving a crime.
“Come on, Boonie, stop pretending you had your music on.”
Gwiboon maintains her calm atmosphere by simply focusing her work and not responding at all.
“You think I couldn't see you clenched your teeth when you heard him talking non-sense comparing her with you?”
No sounds coming from her pursed lips. Jonghyun shook his head at his final words, “Let’s see how long you could stay cool like this before breaking down. Jinki’s having girlfriend? Who’s going to cry? Definitely not me.”
Gwiboon silently takes care of her supplies and unplugs her earphones before threw it recklessly inside her bag. She checked her reflection with her black screen old iPod, her birthday present from Jinki which recalls some memories of the moment he gave it to her.
Just about three days before her 17th birthday, they fought. Like the biggest fought they ever had since they knew each other back in elementary. They weren’t talking to each other. Or even tried to look at each other. The class just dismissed and emptied itself, leaving them alone there. Jinki already had her present since he bought it two weeks before and Jonghyun was sick making it more awkward because he didn’t know how to give it to her. So he just kind of dropping it on her table while he was heading out, blurted happy birthday on the way without looking back at all.
What Jinki didn’t expect at all was Gwiboon cried out loud on her chair. Jinki ran to her side and she ranted about everything, about how sorry she was, how she hates their fraud, and totally missed him. So Jinki just beaming and hug her tight, rolled out his thought which pretty much the same with her. They were hugging for about ten minutes before laughing so hard on each other.
Suddenly she feels old. Her feeling feels old.
“I’m going!”
Gwiboon stood up and heads to the studio where she usually hides whenever she shattered apart.
“I’m not done! What about Jinki?”
“Jinki, what? See you at Jinki’s!”
She didn’t care at all for Jonghyun shouting like a mad chicken. One thought crossed her mind, it would be thousand times better if Jinki said he loves her without apologizing before.
***
“Just say the color, the cutting, or the item, anything, Boon! Anything! I’ll find the stuff by myself!”
Jinki has been lingering around Gwiboon since half an hour ago. From her sketching desk, to the fabric wardrobe, and now on the sewing machine.
“If that’s what you want, go to the front of the campus and find bunch of fashion magazine at the kiosk and you’ll be fine! Now leave me alone!”
“I don’t trust the magazine! I need your choice!”
“Since when my opinion matter?” Jinki is not ready with the question so Gwiboon push her gas pedal deeper, “You don’t even consider my advice to let this stupid thing go. Why now you need me?”
“You know what’s good for me!”
“What’s good for you is just be your fuckin’ self, for God’s sake! How many times do I need to explain?!”
“You’re the only one who talked gibberish stuff about me and Jonghyun dressed like beggar and now you don’t allow me to change into something decent?”
“Gibberish you said?! Go fuck yourself, Jinx! I don’t need more people trash talking about my job!”
Jinki’s taken aback when he saw Gwiboon’s eyes and found something inside torn into pieces. His hand flew to Gwiboon’s arm, stopping her for whatever she does to distract her mind.
“Kim Gwiboon, listen. I would never insult your love on fashion, remember that. The second thing, because I know you’re so good at this, I’m asking you a favor to help me and my condition. So, please?”
“I appreciate the way you support me but can you also listen to me? You don’t need any changes, you’re perfectly fine! And my ability is not for this kind of sh—“
“Gwiboon-ah!”
Their attention drifted to the source of sound which apparently is the lecture assistant for Gwiboon’s advance studio class.
“Yes?”
“Have you got the porcelain sample for the mid-term project?”
She shook her head half-heartedly. Jinki found it strange since as far as he knows, Gwiboon always take care of her tasks earlier than anyone.
“How come? Didn’t you say you already had an appointment with the ceramic house owner?”
“Ugh, yeah, I couldn’t come last time, well, personal matters. But don’t worry, I’m already reschedule it to this weekend. She would have a whole new day for my concept.”
“Well, I’m okay if you said so. But don’t skip it again. Prof. Lee needs the preview next week.”
“Sure. I’ll get back to you at the soonest!”
Right after he left, Jinki scolded her like a mother chasing her rebellious kid.
“Gwiboon-ah! Are you crazy? Isn’t it difficult to arrange a meeting with that woman?” Jinki accompanied Gwiboon to catch the owner in the middle of her busy schedule after being rejected several times, “How could you throw away your chance like that?”
“Well, like I said before, I had a personal matter that day!”
“What kind of personal matter? Don’t spare me your bullshit!”
If taking care of my shattered feeling is bullshit, why don’t you just kill me, Mr. Lee?
“I have my personal issues and you’re not my mom, so hands off! Don’t acts like a superhero here! You’re the one who ditch me that day for your personal matter, remember?”
Gwiboon emphasize the word remember just to annoy Jinki so hopefully the latter got tired and left.
“I already told Jonghyun to drive you there! Don’t be such a stubborn baby! You can go there without me, you’re not this dependent!”
“Excuse me, you think you’re that important?!”
“It’s not what I meant, come on. Just, you can always count on yourself. I’m not gonna be around all the time.”
“Oh, you don’t. You’re everywhere but around me. So I would be a lot finer if you get lost right now so I can get used to it.”
***
“What the hell, Lee Jinki!!”
Jinki invades Jonghyun’s room, looks like just came out from wrecked beauty shop, and drops a duffle bag on Jonghyun’s bed. He started sorted out everything he was able to shove earlier into it. A sweater, blazer, jogger pants, colorful socks, pair of shoes, snapbacks. A lot of snapbacks.
“Dude, have you skipped your medicine this morning?”
“No time for that, I need to borrow something decent,” Jinki headed straight to Jonghyun’s wardrobe and digs deep for anything that can save his appearance.
“Make a disaster in your own room! My mom’s gonna kill me if she saw this!”
“I’ll clean it up later I promise, now wake up! I need to take care of this unless I’m going as a circus!”
Jonghyun scans Jinki from head to toe, and yeah, he’s ridiculous as hell at the moment. Jonghyun’s not a fashion guru, but he won’t put on a red wine velvet suit on top of white shirt and black pants while wearing a brown belt and a black bow tie. To make it worse, Jinki put his favorite black snapback and navy loafers together.
“You’re a lot of worse than a monkey wearing in a tutu.”
“Any other time I would punch you in the face but not now. What should I do?”
“If I were you I’d just put on my jeans and my sweater. I approve your snapback and loafers, by the way!”
“But it’s Tiffany!”
“And it’s not you! I thought it’s only Gwiboon who thinks fashion matters more than food. Oh, right. I’m calling her right now!”
Jinki’s hand stops Jonghyun in the way. He shook his hand weakly, “She’s not talking to me again. She hates me for sure, so just keep it between you and me.”
“Of course she hates you! How on earth someone can kick their best friend away just for some non-sense reason?”
“She told you she hates me?”
“I don’t hate you.”
Jinki’s back stiffen by a calm voice – unlike her usual tone – came from the door’s frame. Jonghyun feels like there’s no need of him at his own room, he pats Jinki’s shoulder and whispering before he left.
“Well, you still need to tidy my room later, pal.”
Jinki need couple minutes after Jonghyun passed before turning his head, just to find Kim Gwiboon looked tired, a visible dark circle hanging under her eye bag.
“Did you just cry?”
Gwiboon guesses there’s no need to lie since Jinki would find it anyway, “A bit?”
And that’s his cue before Jinki threw his arms around Gwiboon’s lithe body. The latter didn’t see it coming and unsure what to do with her hands. Jinki keeps mumbling on her shoulder where he rested his head.
“I’m sorry, Gwiboon-ah, I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to ditch you or what. You can hate me as much as you want for making you cry again. I’m a selfish bastard.”
Gwiboon promised herself not to shed any more tears when she left her house this afternoon. But with this kind of warmth coming from Jinki who she had a fight with, she feels suppressed and find it difficult to continue breathing. She cursed silently for being this weak in front of him. Gwiboon kept patting Jinki’s back, in a tempo which she intended it to calm herself.
“I said, I don’t hate you. Never do I. I understand that you’re just too excited and anxious at the same time. I’m sorry for not helping you earlier. I think I was too busy taking care of myself.”
“No, no, no. I should listen to you since the beginning. A good outfit wouldn’t guarantee see’s going to like me, a good attitude is. Am I right?” Gwiboon nods weakly under his arm, “As long as you’re not mad anymore, I’m gonna be myself. I promise.”
Gwiboon checked her face and wiped the nearly dropped tears with her right hand before detached herself from Jinki’s bear hug.
“Being yourself doesn’t mean being ridiculous like that. Who wear velvet suit together with loafer?!” Gwiboon’s back to her original pitch.
“Jonghyun said the loafers are fine!”
“You believe a human-dino like him? Seriously?!”
“I heard that!!” Jonghyun shouts from the living room.
Jinki let out a sheepish smile and rubs the back of his head nonchalantly. Gwiboon failed to stay upset and cupped Jinki’s face. She sighed deeply, ready or not, she needs to start letting her feeling go.
“Promise me, after this one, you’ll just be Lee Jinki that I love without trying to be someone else you’re not.”
“You have my words. Now help me, I had only an hour left.”
“Take out your blazer, my hands are way too precious to touch that filthy thing!”
Jinki cracks but takes it off anyway. Gwiboon unties the bow tie and shook her head on the way, had no idea how could he put something like this just for a date, a not exclusive one which will attended by group of people.
“Leave the belt.”
Like a kindergarten, Jinki did as he told. Gwiboon takes his arm and starts rolling up Jinki’s long sleeve, “Rules number one, belt is not a necessary for a casual event, just tuck your shirt and you’re good. Number two, a man gets hotter with rolled up shirt.”
“See? I don’t what kind of mess I would be without you.”
“Ugh, shut up.”
Gwiboon’s observing Jinki once again to check what’s missing from him. And her eyes struck on his feet. For a sensitive person when it came for footwear, Gwiboon almost fainted to see the pair Jinki wears right now. She went for a big paper bag she brought earlier and took a box from it.
“It should be your birthday gift. But your birthday’s still not until December, so yeah, this can be a nice excuse to give you one.”
“What?”
“Take off your shoes and wear them instead.”
Jinki’s eyes almost jolted out its place when he discovered what’s inside. The 80’s Adidas Superstar classic white with its black stripes trademark.
“Are you kidding me? It’s sold out everywhere and you gave me one?”
“I made an online order a month ago and it just arrived last week. Just put it on and thanking me later!”
While Jinki’s busy taking care his feet, Gwiboon searched something inside Jinki’s duffle bag and praise the God of Luck because she found his favorite black pouch. She put Jinki’s phone and wallet which neglected beside the bag inside. When she turned around, she met the new Lee Jinki in monochrome looks and it’s never been this good –simple white shirt, black pants, and pair of brand new shoes.
“Here,” Gwiboon proudly hands him the pouch then ruffles his hair a bit, “You’re ready to go.”
Jinki looks at his reflection on Jonghyun’s large mirror and couldn’t be more satisfied. Gwiboon really does have magic in her hands.
“Gwiboon-ah?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I wear my snapback?”
Jinki’s pouting is one of Gwiboon’s weak spot. Actually, Jinki is her weak spot. So between frustration and happiness, she quickly turned her back so she can control her face, “Of course you can. It’s your trademark, anyway.”
Sudden back hug nearly stopped Gwiboon’s heart. Her head feels so light and heavy at the same time. She definitely can feel Jinki’s face pressed to her cheeks.
“You are the best, Gwiboon! Heaven knows how much I love you! See you later!”
Jinki dashed out without knowing that Gwiboon’s feet still haven’t touched the ground yet. Her heart broke once again. Heaven knows how much I love you, Lee Jinki.
Lately, Gwiboon’s getting more vulnerable. For these past seven years, she perfectly fine hiding her feeling. She successfully passed Jinki’s high school romance and those days when a lot of girls from senior years flirting with him without any problem. Guess she’s too tired right now, moreover too afraid to loose someone important.
But best friend is being called best for a reason. That’s why Jonghyun stopped her with his concern when she came and slouched on the other edge of the sofa.
“Until when you can endure it?”
“Why there’s no good show around this time?” Instead of answering, Gwiboon focused to the boring television.
“It’s been seven years since you knocked my house face drenched with tears couldn’t stop rambling about how you like Jinki and how hurt it was.”
“I’m fine.”
“Oh, really? Then what will you do if Jinki and Tiffany unfortunately being an item?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Jonghyun groans and adjust his position so he could scold her comfortably, “You’re getting on my nerves. Seriously, Kim Gwiboon. Why don’t you tell him that you love him?”
“I told him just now.”
“Come on! You know what I mean!!” Jonghyun started losing his patient and exploded in scream.
“Stop it, Jong! I told him a lot and if he didn’t catch it, that’s his problem! Not me!”
“Oh! Just wait until Jinki’s dating and you’re breaking your heart again, then it’s your problem!”
Gwiboon folded her arms and crossed her legs before turned to Jonghyun’s direction, “What’s your problem?!”
“You! You are my problem! You love Jinki and pretending you’re not. You’re losing your mind here and saying everything’s fine! Which part is fine? Then what’s gonna happen next? You lock yourself inside your wardrobe just like couple years ago when Jinki’s dating that new student in our school?! Or suddenly cutting your hair just because Jinki said he likes his new partner in English debate competition?! You’re not that teenager anymore!” Jonghyun raised his voice and gets up from where he sits.
“You think it’s easy for me?!” now is Gwiboon’s turn to yell around, “I made mistake by falling so deep with him! Have I not tried to shake it off? I’m trying so hard to be fine whenever he had a crush on someone so when finally he’s totally gone with the girl he chose, I’m going to be fine!”
“Your feeling is not a pet! You can’t train it!”
Gwiboon stomped her feet and jumped to make an eye level with Jonghyun, “Of course I can! How do you think I manage to keep standing still like this?!”
“You may stand still, but what’s matter anymore when your heart is crumbling inside? I know you so well, Gwiboon. Too well.”
“It’s not about what happened inside, Jong! Do you think I’m not crushed inside every time he compared me with other girl? Do you think I’m not breaking whenever he ditched me away to see his crush? I’m shattered upside down, Jong,” she placed her hand on her chest, “But this is my way to getting used to. If I’m not doing this to myself, I’m gonna live in a fairytale forever hoping that someday Jinki would realize.”
“How could he would realize if you tried so hard so he wouldn’t notice at all?!”
“Like I said before, that’s his problem.”
“Aish, this is so you! So Kim Gwiboon! Being coward and hiding and running away!”
“What do you expect? Me telling him how much I love him for these past years?! And ruined everything between us?! Get on your common sense! I am the one who draw the line, Jong! I’m not gonna cross it!”
It was her final words before her tears streamed down harder. She wiped it until her cheeks numb.
“Gwiboon-ah. It’s time. I don’t have enough heart to see you like this. You deserve to be hap—YAA!! Kim Gwiboon! Yaaa!!”
Jonghyun keeps shouting but there’s no way Gwiboon turning back. Not now. The only thing she thinks is how to reach the front door without trampling and escape as soon as possible before Jonghyun catches her on the way. But who needs Jonghyun to stop her when someone already did by standing by the door, eyes forlornly stare the empty air before him?
Gwiboon almost choked before she managed to compose some words, “What are you doing here?!”
“I left my hat.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“And my heart.”
There’s a long pause between them. Gwiboon tries to make up some lies inside her head but Jinki’s eyes drills her heart out, vanishing every single excuse came up in her mind.
“How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to realize coming back here to take my snapback is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Tiny hopes bloom in Gwiboon’s heart but she’s too afraid to notice. But it’s not until Jinki close the distance by hugging her so tight for Gwiboon almost feel his heart beats as fast as hers.
“I’ll let you go if you said you don’t love me.”
And Gwiboon’s brick wall fell apart with his soothing voice. The tears she tried to keep finally finding its way to her milky skin. As much as Gwiboon wants to disappear, she didn’t want the clock keeps ticking and unfreeze the moment. Jinki kissed the top of her head when her sobs getting harder.
“You fell in love with the wrong guy, Gwiboon-ah.”
“Like I can choose.”
Jinki’s smile became a grin when he saw Jonghyun rushing to chase Gwiboon but then retreated and leaned to the wall near the stair watching them as if he’s their mom.
“Is Jonghyun better than me that you tell him first before me?”
Gwiboon shook his head against Jinki’s chest. Jinki placed another kiss, this time on her temple. But when Gwiboon’s trying to separate herself from him, his arms didn’t budge at all, even tighter wrapping her.
“What did I tell you? I’ll let you go if you said you don’t love me.”
She chuckles toward his words. It might not look likes how she imagine the moment she told him she loves him. But it’s indeed the best possibility she could ever ask.
“I love you, Lee Jinki. For these past seven years. And for the next following years ahead.”
Jinki’s cheekbones fly up to the sky. He’s too happy to get upset with Jonghyun’s face mimicking a person throwing up after drinking spoiled milk.
“I love you too, Kim Gwiboon.”
“Then what are you going to do if I said I don’t love you?”
Gwiboon shot her head up and met Jinki’s gleaming face. Her hands placed beautifully around his waist.
“Let see. Letting you go just so I could cup your face and give you the best kiss in the world?”
Both of them cracked together with such amount of cheesiness. Jonghyun left the crime scene the next second he heard those words, couldn’t help but cringe on the way.
“Wow, I did fall in love with the wrong guy.”
And later at that night, Jinki did kiss her when he drove her home. For the first time in the last three weeks, finally Gwiboon can sleep without crying.
***
Here you go! Not as good as I expected but at least I managed to finish it. I love the ‘I left my hat – and my heart’ part so much! Haha! Which part is yours?! Hope you like it, guys! Thanks for reading! I’ll write another one soon! XOXO
You can find me on the edge tonight
You could talk me off the ledge tonight
If you wanted to
Don’t you want me to
Please don’t find another love
Please don’t find another love
Please don’t find another love when I’m away
– Don’t Find Another Love (Tegan and Sara)
***
“You guys need to hear this!”
Jonghyun flee into the room from the opened window right beside his chair.
“You do that again, I’m so kicking your face,” his chair-mate, Minho, spat his trademark words, “When will you stop doing that and being an adult instead?”
“Right after you stops lecturing me about life!” Jonghyun shoved his postman bag under the table and slam the desk behind him, “Wake up you, little shit!”
Jinki groans in between dreams and muttering some words considered curses. His slanted eyes are seeking for help, definitely need more sleep. Minho just shrugged and turned his head back to Jonghyun.
“You better had something important or else I need to borrow Minho’s leg to screw your big mouth.”
“Why are you always sleepy?” Jonghyun snapped back to Jinki instead of defending himself.
“Try dating my girl.”
“I would but no thanks, I found one ten times better than her this morning.”
“No fucking way.”
“What do you mean by that?” Minho tries as hard as possible to stay cool, but Jonghyun noticed the twitch on his eyebrows and he only smirked to his best friend.
“I was in the teacher office because Mrs. Choi caught my uniform un-tucked. Then I saw a transferred student in the teacher office. Mr. Park mentioned our class when talking to that girl. Her smile is definitely something you want to see after a week full of exam!”
“No one can beat my girl’s smile!” Jinki raised his objection while checking his phone.
“You should check it by yourself!!”
“She could be placed in other class. Don’t be so sure!” Minho tried his last attempt to bring Jonghyun back to earth.
“I’m 100% sure. She’s gonna be here in a minute! We lost two students last semester. They should do something about it and..”
“Morning, people!”
It should be English at the first period. But instead of the respective teacher got into class, it is Mr. Park who greets them this morning.
‘I told you so!’
Jonghyun’s mouthing to Minho which the latter only scoffed and rolled his eyes. Jinki at the back startled and throw his phone aside.
“Sorry to interrupt. I already asked Mrs. Jung to spare me some times here. As I told you before, there’s a new student transferred from abroad. Ms Lee, come inside!”
A girl with medium wavy hair walked inside the room and suddenly everyone needs to put the blinds down. Her smile is radiating and Jonghyun can’t take his eyes off of her. Her bangs fall smoothly on her face, making such a beautiful view when she pulled a smile across her face.
“Good morning! My name is Taeyeon. Lee Taeyeon. I moved here last week. I really hope we can get along! Nice to meet you all!”
Her voice is as bright as her eyes. Jonghyun and Minho couldn’t stop slapping each other arms, feeling ecstatic with the sight in front of their class.
“Which seat is vacant?”
“Right over here, Sir!” Jonghyun shrieked while pointing the table next to Jinki.
“Idiot! It’s not vacant!”
“Your girlfriend wouldn’t be here in less than a week! Let me have my Christmas present earlier!” Minho begged with his huge pleading eyes and no one in this world, even the super logical person like Jinki could escape from that.
“Okay, then. You’ll sit over there, Ms. Lee. Kids, be good to your new friend! I’ll see you later!”
Mr. Park left and Taeyeon walked the direction she’s been told.
“Hi, I’m Jonghyun!”
“I’m Minho!”
“Hi, guys! I’m Tae! Nice to meet you! And you?”
Taeyeon turned toward Jinki. He just flustered and forgets to shake her hand until Jonghyun flail before his face.
“Ugh, oh! I’m Onew. Nice to meet you, too!”
Taeyeon just smile and pull her note book while Jinki’s judging both of his best friends so bad. They’re just grinning and giggling at each other.
‘I’m so killing you, guys! If it’s not me, then my girl will do.’
Jinki whispered while Taeyeon busy checking her stuff. This is too familiar.
***
“As you can see, today we have a new transferred student. She’s coming from London. Her father got a new position at his company so they moved back here.”
Minho slammed the table where Jinki laid his head on, waking him up from his glorious dream. When he opened his eyes, pair of feline eyes struck with him. And within a second, Jinki was captivated by the owner of those smiling eyes.
“Okay, where’s the vacant seat?”
“Right here, Sir!”
Minho raised his right hand while the left one pointing behind him. Jinki’s eyes bulged out right away but when he tried to raise the protest it was too late. Mr. Park already left and the fallen angel is on her way to the back of the class where Jinki spent his time mostly by sleeping.
“Hi! I’m Minho and this is Jonghyun!”
“Welcome, welcome!” Jonghyun took her hand and shook it hard.
She laughed at his dorky new friend, “Hi! Nice to meet you! And who is this?”
Jinki couldn’t compose any word. His jaw almost dropped when he heard her voice. After two hard slapped on his arm, Jinki finally find the right answer for the already sit girl.
“It’s Onew! Hi! I’m Onew! Onew your new chair-mate! Ugh, yeah, eng.. nice to meet you. Really nice. Ugh, I mean, welcome!”
She shook his hand and Jinki swear it was the best moment of his life. As expected, her hand is as warm as her smile. Fortunately, Minho and Jonghyun weren’t facing him anymore so they had no reason to mock him who’s red all over his face.
Jinki pulled his hand quickly then started to dig his bag to find something to read.
“Who is Jinki?”
“What?”
His new chair-mate leaned closer and pointed to the name written on his book. Her lips pursed, multiply her cute presence.
“Jinki. Right here. Who is he?”
Jinki scratched his not-so-itchy head, “Ugh, it’s me. It’s my real name, Lee Jinki.”
“It’s beautiful! Better than Onew! I’ll call you Jinki then!”
“But no one call me Jinki anymore since elementary!”
“I’ll be the one then!”
And with one smile, Jinki completely head over heels to his new friend.
***
“Taeyeoniee..~~”
“Yeah?”
Jonghyun's gleaming from where he sits. The class just finished and he turned right away, two second quicker than Minho who quite unsatisfied with that fact.
“What are you doing after this?”
“Hmmm. I don't know yet.. Maybe grab some food or get ice coffee,” she then turned to her left, “Onew, where are you going after?”
“What?” The said boy seems didn't expect it and sloppily dropped some books. He snatched it quickly and kept it haphazardly inside his backpack, “Well, ice coffee sounds good.”
“Okay, then! Let's go guys! It's my treat!”
“Then let me buy you a strawberry cake as return!”
Jonghyun didn't see it coming from Minho. The tall boy just continues smiling toward the girl next to him and led her to the door leaving Jonghyun and Jinki behind.
“Jong! When will you tell her that someone already in her seat?!”
“Later, dude! Later! I need to rush before Choi Minho confessing his feeling!”
The next second Jonghyun's disappeared from Jinki's sight, making him let out another groans.
“She's going to kill me.”
And by the thought crossing his mind, a message popped on his phone's screen.
“Perfect.”
***
Jonghyun jumped right away through the window after the class dismissed. A bit classier, Minho ran to the door quickly to catch his basketball practice.
“What are you doing after this, Jinx?”
“Jinx?”
“Is that okay? You know.. Jinki's beautiful name but it sounds like there's huge distance between us if I kept calling you that.”
“Oh,” surely, Jinki didn't know what to say. He's immersed too much in her warm voice.
“So, what's your plan?”
“Jonghyun has a date and Minho has a practice. Maybe I'm strolling the downtown before catching up with them later at night.”
“How about having some coffee?”
“Coffee? With you?”
Jinki must be failed controlling his excitement because the girl in front of him just chuckled.
“No, with my granny. Of course with me! How?”
“Uhm, okay.. Ice coffee would be great to cool down my brain.”
“Let's go!”
She pulled Jinki's hand without realized that someone's electrified under the touch. Jinki felt his heart swell and there's no more space inside his chest for some oxygen.
“Oh! Can you go with me picking some sweater after that?”
“Fine by me.”
“Great!! And then a new sling bag and some accessories?”
She bit her lower lip and Jinki's mind exploded by that sight, “I think I have plenty of time before dinner.”
“Awesome!!”
She jumped a bit before linking her arm to Jinki's and led him to the coffee shop.
'This is normal in London. This is normal in London. This is normal in London.'
Jinki kept chanting that mantra inside his head because with this limit of distance, he could perfectly smell her vanilla shampoo and it's a bad idea right now. Really bad idea.
***
“You need to collect the paper by next Monday!!”
“Yes, Sir!”
Mr. Park left the class and bunch of kids are heading outside.
“Taeyeonie, let's do the essay with me!”
Jonghyun and Minho turn their back at the same time and blurted out even the identical question. Jinki laughed to the scene before him.
“Seriously, guys. You creep her out! Leave her alone!”
But Jonghyun doesn't budge at all, he keeps grinning while Minho do the eye trick to convinced her.
“I want to do it with Onew.”
“Why?!”
“What?!”
Jonghyun and Jinki shout at the same time.
“He seems to be the smartest, no offense guys, but I need to catch up as fast as possible.”
“Fine, if you changed your mind, call me first instead of Jonghyun. See you tomorrow!” Minho pats Taeyeon's head and left to the practice. She's smiling as usual, making Jonghyun unable to complain again.
“What a bummer! I'll do it myself then. Or with Minho, or whatever, ugh. You're so lucky, dude!”
“What so lucky about this? Besides I..”
“Oh, please. She's not here and you need to complete it before Monday. What are you waiting for?”
“She.. Who?”
Taeyeon suddenly asks with her eyes so huge they could drown a little kid inside.
“Ugh, let's drop it. I think I’ll help you to catch up. When should we start?” Jinki fix his snapback and slung his bag in one shoulder.
“Will tomorrow be okay? We need internet and stuffs, so my house?”
Jinki's gulping by the question. His mind goes blank. How could this happen to me?
***
“Mr. Park really is a cruel. A 10-pages essay in three days? Like what am I? A robot or something?”
Jonghyun constantly nagged from the third period until now, when the class just dismissed. He had no date and Minho was too tired to go to the track. So four of them just hang around at the back of the class.
“Shut up. It wouldn’t finish with you grumbling around like that!”
“Dang it, Choi! Find your own partner! I’m over you!” Jonghyun turned his back to face the desk behind him, “Dude, you’re with me! Screw Choi Minho!”
“No, he’s with me!”
Both Jinki and Jonghyun taken aback with the chirpy voice came out from the girl who casually pulled out a pocket mirror from her bag to check her bangs.
“What?!”
“I said, he’s with me, got a problem with that?”
“Seriously?”
“Kim Jonghyun, you’re quite handsome but not your brain. How many times I should tell you that he’s doing the assignment with me?”
Minho burst out loud and ran away from his chair because Jonghyun started chasing him off like a vampire hunter. The class suddenly went silent. Like no one care to make a sound, let alone it was only two of them inside.
“Jinki Jinki Jinki.”
“My name became Jinx and now Jinki Jinki Jinki?”
She laughed whole heartedly, making Jinki’s heart skipped a beat, “Are you always this funny and cute?”
That was the cue for Jinki to go red, as bright as his sweater that day, “Nope. Err, are you really going to do this with me?”
“Of course I am!”
“Why?”
“Isn’t obvious?”
“That I’m not gonna have a partner for this task?”
She shook her head, couldn’t believe the boy before her is hopelessly clueless, “Because you’re smart as hell. And Jonghyun would only tag along with anything you write without any contribution. He’s funny and kind, but he really does need to stand on his own feet.”
Those words were too pretty for Jinki. To strange, weird, but beautiful at the same time. He only saw her as a teenager who frantically making fuzz about makeup and so, but she’s different inside. She really cares. Not only for him, but also to his friend. Maybe Jinki thought too far, but surely if it said so, he didn’t want to walk back.
“Jinx, are you there?”
“Ugh, yeah! Okay, then. When will we start?”
“How about tomorrow?”
Tomorrow is Saturday.
“Tomorrow is perfect.”
“Great. We need internet, books, some cookies..”
“..and chickens.”
She laughed. Her eyes drowned by her cheekbones. Her dimple couldn’t more obvious making her lovelier. Jinki got familiar with her laughter and enjoyed every second of it.
“Alright. And chicken. Well, my house at eleven. Is that okay?”
Jinki couldn’t agree more. Even though he keeps repeating ‘it’s not a date’ hundred times silently for his own good.
***
“Jong!”
Jinki shouts in the hall way, sweat all over his forehead.
“Whoaa!! Easy, Tiger!”
“Where’s Taeyeon?”
“As much as I want to be with her right now, I don’t know where the hell she is. I’m not her bodyguard!”
“Why are you so upset? I’m just asking!”
“And I’m just answering!”
Too much inside his head, Jinki just rolled out his thought without any intro, “I don’t think I can do this anymore.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll let you being in the same group with her for Mr. Park.”
“What the hell? Are you insane? I know you love your girl but it’s just a simple essay! It’s not like you’re cheating or something else!”
“It’s not simple anymore if I kept having nightmare this past couple days! It’s like betraying someone and I feel sick. It sucks.”
“Dude, you really have condition.”
“How should I tell her? I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“For God’s sake! It’s not a big deal. Just find her and tell her you’re not comf.. WHAT THE HELL!!! What are they doing?! I’m killing Choi Minho right now!”
Jinki follows where Jonghyun’s eyes struck on to. And there they are, Taeyeon and Minho were giggling at each other making a good picturesque to be envy at for the other students.
“Right on time!” Jinki’s sprinting to them, still could heard Jonghyun complaining, “Taeyeon-ah!”
The said girl stopped talking and looking to her surrounding and waving ecstatically toward Jinki when she found him rushing her direction.
“What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Go on.”
Jinki’s eyeing Minho for a while before decided he doesn’t need Minho to be present, “Like in private?”
“Ugh, okay..,” Taeyeon regretfully walked two steps away from Minho, “What do you need to talk about?”
“Hmm. The essay for Mr. Park’s class.”
“What about that?”
“I don’t think I co--”
“LEE JINKIIII!!!!!”
Jinki sure it’s his name being called. His brain proceeds a bit slower than usual, but when finally it pulled the right string, he knew what’s going to happen with him.
A girl with auburn locks is approaching, feline eyes as beautiful as midnight star. Those usual cute lips pursed, matching with her sharp cheekbones which jutted out with no mercy, ready to cut every positive vibe flowing to life. Her pale skin perfectly stand out in the crowd, making it’s easier for everyone to make a way for her walking. Or in this case, half sprinting.
“Gwi..boon..-ah?”
Behind her, Jinki could catch Jonghyun’s out of breath screaming ‘I’m sorry, dude!’ almost inaudible.
Nevertheless, huge smile still arose in Jinki’s face. His arm both ready to wrap her in a hug, but a stiff hand cut in the middle, pushing Jinki’s chest away.
“Baby you’re here!”
“Yes, I am here and I am not pleased!”
Gwiboon stomped her foot to make sure Jinki’s aware that she’s upset. Taeyeon amost frozen up in the scene, thanks to Minho who walked closer to pat her shoulder and spread warmth through his hand.
“Aren’t you supposed to arrive next week?”
“So you could hang out with this whoever random chicks?” she’s pointing straight to Taeyeon face and the said girl stoned right away.
“Let me explain to you,” Jinki tries to reach Gwiboon’s hand but she refused him.
“This explained enough!”
She’s ready to break down. Crap! Jinki cursed himself but then something snapped his brain and he looked up his wrist watch. By anything showed up there, he just sighed and pulled out another smile which just worsen Gwiboon’s mood.
“Kim Gwiboon, baby, listen.”
“Never!”
“Baby, please. Would you listen to me?”
Gwiboon chewed her inside cheek and this time, she let Jinki takes her hand, “First, I miss you so bad, I was going so dumb when you’re away. I almost turned into Jonghyun.”
“Oh, please, don’t.”
Jinki’s smirk bloomed wider.
“Second, it’s not yourself, it’s your monthly alarm. So you need to find your inner peace and believe me, I’m exist just for you.”
Minho almost threw up listening to his best friend.
“Third,” by this time, Gwiboon’s hand relax inside JInki’s and both of them already inside their own lovey-dovey bubble, failed to care that Minho and Taeyeon are still there, watching every single detail of this hot high school drama you couldn’t miss at all, “I love you so much to hang around with random chicks like you said.”
Gwiboon’s hand driven closer to Jinki’s face and the next second the warmth of his full lips landed perfectly on her smooth skin. This time, Jonghyun who feels like throwing up.
“But who she is?! Why are you talking with her like so intense? I can see your eyes! Something happened when I was away, didn’t it?”
“Sorry to interrupt, but who are you?”
“Young lady, you don’t ask who Kim Gwiboon is, she asks who you are,” Minho leaned a bit closer to whisper into Taeyeon’s ear.
“Excuse me?! Are you my boyfriend? Am I talking to you?”
Jinki could only mouthed ‘sorry’ before he get back to his girl.
“Honey, I’m here, okay?” Gwiboon’s giving him a look, and it’s not the kind of amusement he hoped for, “She’s the new student in our class. She came last week and.. she currently sits.. nex-next to.. me?”
“WHAAT?!”
“Boonie, calm down.”
“You asked me to calm down when a girl try to seduce my boyfriend while I was away?! What kind of logic is that?!”
“I’m sorry.. But nob--“
“Sssh!! I’m not done with my boy! Stay closer cause you’re next!”
Taeyeon startled, back in her school no one really this harsh, not to mention a fine lady like Gwiboon. Her eyes got teary but she’s too scared to leave.
“Gwiboon! It’s not her fault! I was gonna tell her earlier that she’s not supposed to sit there and cancel the work group because you’re coming next week. But you’re here earlier. I lost my chance!”
“She’s doing work group with you?!”
Now Gwiboon’s turn to get teary.
“Ugh, baby, no, no.. She’s not. I’m going to ask her to make another group.”
“I was away only for three months and you already had a new girl as my replacement! In my seat! In my spot as your study buddy!”
Jinki’s at lost. Her PMS hit harder this time. What should I do? Gwiboon started ranting and both Minho and Taeyeon could do nothing but watch. They must be awkward bei- wait. WAIT. Minho and Taeyeon?
“KIM GWIBOON. Enough.”
She choked in instant. The tears stopped suddenly, but not the stream on her cheeks. Jinki’s smile back to his face. He took a deep breath before let it out in a loud sigh and run his hand to her damped face.
“You just missed me so much, didn’t you?”
She nods shyly and Jinki’s beaming and glowing and everything you can explain how sunshine looks like.
“Look at you ruining your face.”
“You ruined my face!”
“Did I say I’m finished?”
“……”
Ugh, God, forgive me for selling my friends out.
“Honey, do you know why Taeyeon sit next to me and ask me to do the group work with her?”
“You tell me!”
Gwiboon shot a strong glare toward Taeyeon and put her arms in her middle. Jinki shook his head and unfold her arms securing her hands inside his sweaty ones.
“Look. What will you do if you like a boy but too afraid to tell him straight?”
“I told you I like you.”
“Ugh, okay, alright. Almost forget I’m dating a queen bee.”
“Shut up!”
Gwiboon’s back to her usual chirpy voice and it means Jinki got half successful handling this mess.
“Okay. You liked me and you sit with me. But what happened if the only seat available is behind him?”
“Then I sit behind him.”
“Right. And if you want to know about him, who do you ask?”
“Him, isn’t it simple?”
“Okay, I’m stupid enough to fell at the same hole. Imagine you’re not Kim Gwiboon and just an ordinary girl.”
“His friend?”
“Exactly! That’s why Taeyeon sits there and ask me to be her partner! She likes Minho!”
“WHAT?!”
“HOW DID YOU KNOW?!”
Gwiboon and Taeyeon shout at the same time. Jinki and Minho exchanging gaze while Jonghyun’s jaw dropped to his chest at the background.
“Oh, my gosh! I’m so sorry! What’s your name again? Taeyeonie? I’m sorry! Oh, my good God! Minho’s a good boy! Both of you will make a good couple!”
While Taeyeon looks embarrassed as ever, Minho got confused with the situation and kept wondering whether he did good deeds recently.
“Dude, we need to talk,” Minho walked closer to Jinki but the latter quickly grabbed Gwiboon’s arm as his shield.
“Can’t do, bro! I have something to finish.”
“Don’t you think you started something here too?”
“I swear to every single God exist, I don’t know! I just kinda blurted out and voila, it was true after all. I’m sorry, but good for you, Choi! Taeyeon, fighting! Gwiboon-ah, let’s go!”
“He hates cold! He loves soccer! He eats a lot! You need to.. Jinx, wait, I’m not done!”
“Later, honey, later! They need to sort some stuff..”
“He works out like a machine!!”
Jinki and Gwiboon left the crime scene, arms linked together. Minho and Taeyeon fight the awkwardness in the air with their face in pale and pink combination. Jonghyun still has his mental breakdown and has no idea what just happened.
***
Later on that day, Jinki and Gwiboon are having dinner at their favorite bistro. While waiting for their meals, Gwiboon does a small press conference about her exchange experience to LA. And as usual, Jinki just enjoying the beauty in front of him.
“You know, those kids are so friendly! At first I thought they’re gonna bully me or something just because of my pale skin! But they’re not!”
Jester smile crossed his face seeing Gwiboon is real in front of him, no more screen between them.
“Anyway, why don’t you tell me there’s a new kid in our class?! Not to mention sitting on my desk!”
“I don’t know I’m afraid to tell you..”
“I’m the one who were afraid more, Jinx! Taeyeon is so pretty and she seems nice! I’m nothing compare to her!”
“Kim Gwiboon,” Jinki squeezes her hand, his voice softer than ever, “You know I love you, right?”
The said girl just pout her lips cutely, couldn’t contain her feeling right at the moment.
“Then you’re better than her.”
“Because you love me?”
“Because you chose me over Minho.”
Gwiboon couldn’t help but crack to his statement. Her boyfriend smiles sheepishly, his hand busy rubbing the back of his head.
Thanks to Jinki who picked this sofa table instead the formal table, so Gwiboon can easily reach up Jinki’s lips for a kiss to tell him she loves him more.
***
Hi! Finally! My first onkey fic after so long put them as the side character! Hahahahaha! So happy! But let me apologize first if you guys don’t like it. And also for the length. I’ll try better! Thanks for reading! XOXO!
Judul : We’re Special A (Minho – Menghargai)
Author : 1314JinKibum
Genre : Friendship, School Life, Romance Comedy
Main Cast : Lee Jinki (Onew), Kim Gweboon, Lee Taemin, Lee Taeyeon (Taemin’s Yeoja), Kim Jonghyun, Choi Minho, Jung Jessica
Other Cast : Kim Kibum, Lee Eunseok (Onew’s Yeoja), and Others (mentioned)
Rating : G
Length : 10 of ?
Disclaimer : FF ini diadaptasi dari manga Jepang berjudul…
