Prompt: “I have no idea where to go next.” -- @challengingwords challenge #38
Pairing: Kim Kibum (Key) x female reader
Genre: fluff / enemies to lovers / fashion au
Warnings: none
Word count: 1196
“I have no idea where to go next,” you exhaled, and your employee Karla glanced at you, soon sharing a sympathetic smile and a nod of her head.
“Me too. Life is hard, but we’ve just got to carry on, Y/N.”
Staring at the younger girl, you soon realised what she meant, and an amused grin crossed your lips. Pointing to the stack of dresses you were marking down, you waited until she noticed what you meant.
Karla merely looked at you for further explanation.
“Thank you for sharing that bit of motivational talk, Karla. Life is hard, but I’m talking about the dresses here. I don’t know why they didn’t sell! I’ve already reduced their price, and now it’s getting dangerously close to the warehouse value. I know some things don’t sell as easily as others, but I had a really good feeling about them.”
Karla made an O with her mouth and then inspected her nails. She was a nice girl, and when it came to fashion, she knew her stuff. But she wasn’t so supportive outside of that. You realised as her boss and the owner of this boutique store, she wasn’t meant to be your sounding board for everything. You just needed to be more assertive to survive in this industry.
And you had done your best with your latest season trends. You had researched daily, keeping up with the hottest styles and accessories. You had sourced out styles that were selling well and ensured the prints you chose were wearable and more unique than the other stores in the local area.
Having a brick and mortar store had always been a dream for you when you first started selling clothes online from within your garage. Now only two years later, you had achieved that dream. The reality was far from the idyllic view you once held of running your own fashion store where everyone loved your vision.
Getting clientele to shop in-store than online was harder than you expected, too.
“That dress is being sold down the road,” Karla suddenly mentioned, and you stopped ruminating over your problem, your eyes narrowing on the spoken information.
“Down the road? At Unlock? Why are you only sharing this with me now? For how much?!”
“Boss, find your Zen. Key isn’t worth getting worked up over. He has a different vision than we do.”
“But he’s selling the same items as us again,” you grumbled, your heckles still up.
Kim Kibum, or Key as he was more commonly known within fashion circles, was your biggest competition in the area. At first, you had admired the man. He had a way with fashion that always left you confused, yet inspired. Everything, even the most questionable of outfits, seemed to work on him, and when he had first walked into your store and complimented your setup, you had been stoked.
Until after his proper examination of your entire vision and layout, he went and opened a store five doors down that had several key statement pieces of your current collection in his front window.
“That thieving man,” you muttered, remembering back to when the dresses came in. You had displayed them in the front window for the first week. You had basically given him the ammunition yourself.
Kibum wasn’t the only one selling the dress, though. You knew of a couple more boutiques nationwide stocking it also. The difference was you were both in the same place trying to make the same dress sell.
And it seemed he had managed that whilst you hadn’t.
“Karla, mind the shop for me, won’t you? I’ll be fifteen.”
“Zen, Y/N! Don’t argue today!”
“Inner peace will come after this, don’t worry!” you called over your shoulder before marching down the sidewalk and right into Unlock. Unlike in your store, where you chose music that suited the tone of your vision, Kibum’s was edgier and the music was louder. You used it to your advantage to slip in mostly unnoticed and moved right to the racks near a wall.
You found the dress and gasped at the price he had it at.
“Y/N, usually it’s always a pleasure to see you, but we agreed we wouldn’t snoop around in each other’s stores personally.”
You grunted at the man who appeared at your side and placed your hands firmly on your hips. “I see your stealth tactics are still ever so impeccable.”
The smirk that crossed Kibum’s lips wasn’t lost on you and was all the invitation you required to scowl at the man.
“Now, Y/N, are you trying to flatter me or insult me?”
“I wish you would play fair.”
“I am. This is my store. What you do in yours is completely your decision. And the same happens here.”
“You know I’m carrying this dress, and you made me look like the price I’ve had it at is unreasonable.”
“Your price mark-up isn’t my concern,” he explained and then gestured to his staff only door. “However, if you’d like to have a coffee with me-”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try to make my boutique look-”
A handsome man approached you both then, and you noticed the immediate unease in your opponent. The stranger glanced between you both before chuckling. “Ah, so this is that Y/N you like, huh?”
“What?”
“I’m Choi Minho, Key’s friend.”
“Ex-friend now,” Kibum muttered, rolling his eyes and letting out a sigh.
“I’m sorry, you’re mistaken. This man has nothing but contempt for me and my business,” you clarified, and Minho frowned, looking at Kibum, who was visibly facing inner turmoil.
Feeling some decency towards him, you backed off. You might dislike the man, but you didn’t like seeing him suffer either.
However, Kibum reached out for your wrist. “There’s a reason for the dress.”
“Which is?”
“It got you in here, didn’t it? You’ve avoided me forever now. You’ve got me blocked on all social media and-”
“Are you serious? You’re going to tell me this was to get me in here so you could apologise for snooping on my boutique and taking my clients?”
Kibum, cringed, shaking his head. “No. Whatever you think I’ve done isn’t something I would do. Having a good business ethic matters to me too, no matter what you think of me.”
“Then?”
Kibum glanced at his friend, who subtlety gave him encouragement with a raised fist. Returning his focus to you, Kibum’s confidence was back together. “Coffee. I want to have some time with you. Not as a fashion store owner. But as the person you are.”
“I don’t drink coffee,” you blurted out immediately, mostly from the shock. Kibum’s expression didn’t falter, but his eyes grew guarded. Waving your hands around, you laughed sheepishly. “I like tea, though!”
“Tea,” he echoed, his lips curling up. “Tea, juice, heck, even water is fine by me. Just give me an hour of your time.”
“Deal. And about the dress?”
“I’ll pull it from the line and tell people where to find it if you really want me to,” he offered, which surprised you.
“You’d do that?”
Kibum grinned wickedly. “Sure, it’s online. Everyone can find it there.”
if unicorn does exist, it would puke candies and fart rainbow
I’m happy knowin’ that you are mine
The grass is greener in the other side
The more I think the more I wish
that we could lay here for hours and just reminisce
On the good, the bad, the ugly
the smiles, the laughs, the funny
Oh, the things we put each other through
It’s for you
– Happy (Never Shout Never)
***
The day when winter is not that cold finally is coming. My super busy fiancée is off schedule and got two free days as a reward after he made an exquisite works at the hotel he works as executive chef. He told me how the hotel owner praised him on his idea to serve traditional fusion food as Christmas treat. Beyond any expectation, many families around the world stayed at that hotel enjoyed their visit and gave extra attention to the meals preference.
And I’m way more proud, if it’s not jubilant, when he called last Sunday that he would be able to do our regular movie marathon with some snippets of dishes he chiefly prepared for the upcoming Christmas supper with my family. Pre-tasting he said.
“I must have done some good deeds.”
“Why is it so?”
“Take a look at this. It’s Tuesday, I got no schedule until next Friday and you got breaks, the movie is ready and something’s progressing on the kitchen!”
Kibum walks to the living room with a basket full of neatly chopped fruits, drops it on the bench, before flops his butt next to me on the couch, “Hmm. You must have skipped two PMS session two times in a row, that’s why we got such a prize.”
A lovely slap precisely landed on his tummy followed by adorable grimace on his pale face, “I’ll make sure the next one is including your sore ears and tears dealt with the Maleficent.”
“Nope, thank you!” he said as if shiver started crawling under his skin imagined how it would be a major disaster, “What we got here?”
The piles of DVDs moved in a speed of lights to my hand, head on his chest, I lifted my hand a bit higher so he could easily choose over my head, “We got Vantage Point, Ever After, Bolt, Tangled, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka, Catching Fire, Star Trek, and How To Train Your Dragon One and Two.”
“What an odd combination. I love Ever After, though.”
“Yeah. The only stuffs left after Taemin and Jonghyun cruelly robbed this unit with their lost and found personality.”
“Dammit, I wouldn’t let Jonghyun and his filthy hand intruding our apartment again! Put the movie, I’ll go get the nachos and hummus and check the Moroccan Chicken to feed the little monster inside your tummy!”
I am so ready to pitch him a bundle of cuss but he cut me right away with a kiss on my right cheeks. Forced to get up since my arm pillow needs to stir pot on the stove, I walked to the DVR reluctantly, “Remind me to kick your sassy ass some other time.”
“You love me because my sharp tongue, right, honey?”
“You wish! If only that tongue works as magnificently as when it curse during make out!”
“Are you sure? You can lie but not your body, hon!”
“Funny how you said!”
“Need some proofs?”
Firm arms wrapped me from the back all of sudden. Back facing his direction gave him some advantages to sneak in behind me and pressed his vivacious breath right on my neck. My oversized worn out t-shirt is no help either when he gave me a soft kiss on my shoulder. I turned my body just to find this devilish smirk all over his face which I can’t help but laughing at it so hard. Both my hands automatically parked behind his neck when he trailed down his long fingers to my waist.
“Just show me how it works and… maybe we can verify later..”
Kibum cuts the distance by pressing his pinkish lips on mine and swiftly I forget that we’re in the middle of winter because my heart burnt inside my chest and some explosions of fireworks claimed my sight. Four years together and this man before me has never disappointing in the matter of affection. The soothing touch of fingertips graced my back, in rhythm with passionate movement on my lips. Right when he trailed down my jaw, the door banging furiously.
“Who’s punching on the door like that in a fine morning?” feeling interrupted, Kibum stretched his neck away.
One look from you girl and it’s too hard to get by
But excuse me girl, I’ve been watchin’ you
All night’ that’s right, I’d like to
Take this night over
What I’m tryin’ to say is you should be mine
– Be My Girl (JYJ)
***
“Which one do you prefer?”
Taemin put the shoe in his hand back to the display, head tilted to the right, and brows knitted together in question, “What’s the different between them?”
“Are you kidding me? On my left hand is loafer and on the left is moccasin.”
“I’m not that idiot, you know. I mean both are coffee color, why bother chose side?”
I rolled my eyes back and placed the moccasin to the former rack, since I think the loafer looks better on me and Taemin is not the right fashion police at time, “Oh boy, you really need some education. Dragging you outside the library is the rightest thing to do.”
“Don’t be funny! I’m here because Minho’s busy at the first place.”
Grin crossed my face while Taemin only scoffed and turn his back to the hanging set of jacket. Well, I’m caught guilty by making him the second option every single time Minho’s too captivated by his basketball team. Jonghyun is always outside catching some girls to flirt with and the left out one is Taemin who’s never questioning anything as long as he got at least five bottles of banana milk and a box of pizza.
“Is this looks good on me?”
Eyes locked to the grand mirror in front of him, a jet black vintage leather jacket wrapped his limb firmly, making such a great picturesque human being out of five years old pouty boy.
“Where the hell have I been this time?” I rushed to his side and straighten his body and fold one sleeves of the jacket up. Pull away for a second, I leaned closer to ruffle his hair.
“What are you doing?”
“Lee Taemin, I pronounced you as my new part time model. Minho might be sexy but you’re multiples time hotter. Raw hot.” He stunned before me, but lips failed to hold not to purse up. Best part of being photographer assistant is to scout hidden talent and enjoying them admiring their new look, “How about dyeing back you hair blonde?”
“I will kill you at the first attempt.”
Cracked by his innocent rage, I drag him to the cash desk, “Come on. I’ll buy you this.”
“Really?! Quite expensive even for me!”
“Let’s say it’s an early Christmas present and seal our agreement to be work partner.”
“It’s just October and I haven’t said yes!”
We’re arguing each other about how things would work for the next couple issues of magazine when a young woman passed by us, face red in anger, hair jumbled out it place, and mouth cursing unstoppably. Taemin’s definitely shocked by that view and I just wonder what kind of lost put her in rage.
“Welcome.” The girl behind the cash desk welcomes me groggily and I started undressed the jacket from Taemin.
“I want to take this, please give me the new one with this size,” she nodded and gave her coworker a cue, “Can I use this card?”
I flashed my employee card and she stiffened by the name of company written on it and changed her expression immediately with the gleeful one, “Of course.”
“What exactly happened to the lady just now? She looked like came back from a world war,” Taemin leaned to the counter and waiting for the answer in a distress look. Oh, boy, not that detective expression, he watched Sherlock too much.
“She just had fought with a man over there.”
Taemin and I are driven to the direction she pointed to just to find a dark haired guy, big red tote bag hung on his wide shoulder matched so well with his dark jeans and white tee under the oversized blazer, sharp eyes checking the coat in his hand.
“That was the last coat. They caught it almost at the same time. She said it’s ladies apparel but the guy over there shrieked right on her face insisted that said coat is unisex.”
Well, well, what a familiar scene. Few days ago, when I picked some outfits from a boutique for a photoshoot, I saw him yelling over a teenager who happened being his rival on a limited comic tee. And the other week when I was waiting for the receipt after I brought back the borrowed items at the other store, he slyly snatched pair of last boots placed aside by another customer which turned out initially soon-to-be-purchased and innocently said that he placed dib first.
Indeed, he has some senses of high fashion judged by his appearance.
“Thank you for your purchase,” the girl at the register casually hands me the jacket pretends that we’re not just finished gossiping about someone.
Taemin takes the shopping bag and leads me to the front door. When we passed the alley near him, the said man just glanced over the fabric making those slanted eyes more intimidating, sending me sudden shiver all over the skin.
He smirks. I shake my head off and clenched tighter to Taemin’s arm.
“Miss _______!”
“Yes!”
“You stuffs are here.”
Collecting papers around me, I get up from my seat to approach the owner of pretty voice just now. The owner of the boutique struggle with some boxes in her hand, her face almost fully covered by the stacks.
“Let me help you.”
“Thank you,” the weight swiftly moved to my hand and I quickly put it down the sofa near me before I fall ridiculously, “Can you wait a bit more? There’s another bags you need to take but my assistant is called off sick today, so ––”
“It’s okay! I have enough time!”
Smile adorns her small face and she dashed to the stockroom behind her. When I’m about to sit at the chaise, I heard someone’s almost screaming for her dear life.
“That’s mine!”
“You left it on the bench!”
Oh my God, not that man again. Enough drama for today, the fighting models at the studio already boiled my brain to the highest rate. I don’t need another people yelling at each other.
“I’m going to try it later. It was placed nicely next to my bag and you stole it!”
“How dare you accuse me for such a thing! And how can I know that was your bag?!”
“I don’t care I want it back! Now!”
“Founder keeper, loser! Excuse me! I want this too! Put it together with the other stuff!”
A young shopkeeper rushed toward them. Before he managed to move the said apparel to her arm, the other girl cut him on the way. Here we go another round of chicken fight. The boutique suddenly loses her luxury and turned into traditional market where middle age women could battle out over potatoes.
“What the heck is this?” the boutique owner rushed out the stockroom and I welcome her with shrug and enjoy the scene behind me, “Oh my God! Mr. Kim! What’s happened?!”
Another player’s entering the battle ground, seems like I need to wait for a little longer. Why I had to agree picking the wardrobe today? Oh, yeah, the models riot. What had I done to deserve another riot after leaving one? As expected, after almost fifteen minutes shouting I can’t take it anymore. They need a smart referee to end the brutal game.
“Excuse me, Miss.”
“Shut up or I kill you!”
Taken aback I just gulped down the air stuck on my throat. What’s so special with this clothes that people voluntary being a mass murderer?
“I’m coming to help you. You said you like that white outer right?”
“Who are you?!”
The boutique owner, two shopkeepers, a young man from the register, and even the said Mr. Kim snapped quiet and focusing on me straightaway. I take a deep breath one last chance just in case she poked my neck later.
“A photographer assistant and personal stylist. May I recommend you something better than that?” when nobody’s trying to attack me after, my confidence gained up all over my chest, “Yes, that outer is magnificent. But, no offense, judged by your body shape, it would cover your beauty. How about the one displayed at the front? It came in two color choice. I’m sure that would frame your body perfectly. And after it appears in our magazine, people would hunt them down and you couldn’t have it anymore.”
“It will be inside the magazine?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Where is it now, tell me!”
A shopkeeper catch my eyes and she volunteer herself before the storm started again, “Please escort this lady to the front.” She nods and helps the young woman gather her belonging.
“I owe you one.” The boutique owner held my hand as if it were something precious. The crowd slowly back to their respective place, “I’ll get your stuff as soon as possible. Stay here.”
Only weak smile able to hang on my face, I’m too tired giving another respond, so I sit down at the nearest stool and reach my phone, can’t wait to tell Jonghyun what just happened here five minutes ago.
“How can a woman do stuff like that?” someone’s muttering on my left.
I cocked my head left and tall man came to my sight. His cheek bones and pale skin caught my attention at once, it looks unreal, I would believe he’s not from this universe. Wide back’s waiting to be trailed down, dark locks are ready to be stroked. When he shakes his head whilst curling his bow lips up to make such a smile, I almost forget that he’s the same guy who’s childishly fight over clothes just now. From the side, I can see his jawline perfectly carved under the cheek to the chin and wonder how many blocks of cheese he could slay with that sharp thing.
He caught me red handed scanning all over his built when he turned his back facing my direction. Slowly I drift my eyes to my phone just to curse myself internally.
“Nice shoes, by the way.”
Even his voice different from what I’ve heard before and sound unreal.
“Eh?”
He just pulled out his cold and simple beam to me then continues walking coolly passed me to the register.
***
“Do you know any quite striking Mr. Kim around you who happened to be inside this fashion industry?”
The question rolled out my mouth abruptly when Jonghyun and I are hanging on the rooftop of our office after lunch. It’s outrageously non sense that in every store I visited for these past months, at least two times in a week I encounter this uber cool human being who’s cold as first snow yesterday.
“He sits right beside you, idiot.” Jonghyun moves his eyebrows up and down playfully.
“Ugh, gross, I forgot to tell you that this Mr. Kim is tall–– OUCH!! ARE YOU NUTS?!!??!”
My arm stings by Jonghyun’s trademark slap and he stayed calm munching his sloppy joe as if nothing’s just happened.
“Did my forehead read information center?!”
“Where Tiffany’s lived?”
“Green Apartment near your favorite bagel shop. Floor 12.”
“And what’s Luna’s favorite underwear?”
“Everything blue. Especially the sky blue one. And she would be more thrilled with the la––“ he glanced at me who leaned front the wooden table and placed both hand under the chin, “Fine! You win!”
“That’s my buddy.” I pat his fluffy hair lightly which reminds me of Taemin’s dog.
“Two people. First, the older one. He owned a fashion line who recently started using eco fabric and the world’s gone insane. Second, th––“
My phone’s flashing Minho’s face and I knew it always be good news once he called because if nothing’s important, he didn’t even text me. I raised my hand to Jonghyun and pick it up without ado, “Yes, _______’s speaking!”
“I saw your dream coat but I don’t have my wallet with me!”
“Where are you now?!”
“The small indie boutique near intersection. The only yellow building among––“
“––the dull ones. I got it! I’ll be there in,” I peek at my wrist watch and bite my lips, “Forty minutes?”
“No freaking way. I need to catch an interview, drive faster!”
“Mind the traffic, idiot! Wait until I came, thirty minutes top!!”
I ended the call and bid Jonghyun reckless farewell. The latter dumbfounded by my moves and shouted desperately to my back, “Do you want to know or not?!”
***
When I reached the said store, Minho’s nowhere to found. I managed to cross the road in twenty five minutes but that anxious little bastard is too selfish to keep the coat for his best friend. My eyes graced all over the store to search the existence of wine colored coat which I saw it on a mannequin and someone’s trying to take it down.
“Waaaaaiiit!! That’s mine!!”
All eyes under that roof travel to where I stand. Five meters across me, a tall man with feline eyes stops his hands on the air and stays mute when finally I reach him. Left hand firmly placed on the soft dark red fabric, I darted my gaze to the speechless man before me, “It’s mine. I want to buy this. It’s mine, my friend supposed to hold to this until I came but he’s such a jerk and left, you can’t take this one. It’s mine.”
Bemused with my rants, he chuckles in chirpy voice I didn’t know he had, “Slow down girl.”
“Please, you can’t do this to me.”
“Do what?”
“Take this coat away just like you always do in every single fashion stops I know. Please, I want it so bad for a long time you can’t take this away.”
He casually tousled his hair back and keeps gleaming until I can’t process the view in front of me, how could be this cold vampire heir looks so attractive?
“It’s been here for almost two months, for your information.”
He sounds loosen up and way far from his tight atmosphere he always carried whenever I randomly bumped into him.
“It can’t be. I passed this road several times and I hunt that color down in every single place I know even to the damped flea market but no, no way.”
“Have you ever come inside before?”
My brain hit a thick brick wall and it shut down in one go. The interior is so foreign for me and yes, I admit it, I never be in this place and take a look what’s inside. Now, can I say, heaven on earth? Everything in this store is like magic. The display is as wonderful as the clothes, shabby but edgy and modern at the same time. And when I process it a bit longer, all the clothes sells here are made in one piece only, means no one would had the same item with you once you outside this sanctuary.
“Well, I guess it’s the first time you came here.”
“Guilty. But please, please, let me get what I want this time.”
“Did I just hear one of The Smiths’s hit?”
“Excuse me?”
He cracks loudly. Again, “Sounds like that band for me. Anyway, what makes you think I would snatch this away from you?”
This kind of delicacy doesn’t suit him. We met few times before and those times are not good times and I’m pretty sure he’s just being cynical and ready to explode like the other time. But this time I feel he’s so real, being a warm passerby and had no intention wrecking up someone’s day.
“No offense, but you always ended up in a cat fight over an article of clothes.”
“I would never do that to you, girl.”
He’s beaming again. And just now I realize, he has this sincere eyes and prettiest smile alien – still not sure he’s from the earth – could have. He only had old ripped jeans and black sweater on him but I’d bet my right hand on it, it will work out in the magazine and pleased so many reader outside.
“Here! She wants this coat.”
Before I could register what just happened, someone works inside the store walks closer, and he’s gone among the display.
“I’ll help you, Miss. You want to try it first?”
I mutter something as consent, eyes still all over the corner and heart skips a beat by the thought of missing the earlier guy.
***
Someone’s kick me from the couch, ruining my dream when I fell down to the rug underneath. Minho’s long leg is the only thing I suspect as the criminal and yes, I’m fucking right because when I glance up, victory smirk is all over his flower boy face.
“Move to the bed. Don’t drool over here, I’m going to watch some movies.”
“You can be less rude.”
“Your stupid bed head had tempted me.”
Towing my hair into messy bun, I slouched myself beside him because my drowsiness attacks me back.
“Did you get the coat?”
“Thanks to your impatient being, Choi. But yeah, I got it.”
“Really?!”
I just hum and try to focus at the television. Something’s flickered inside my chest when I remember how that long pale fingers hold the red material and give it to the worker.
“Where is it now? Show me, show me!!”
My head turned side, mouth gapped, “What are you? Five? Right there. I’m tired and sleepy!”
“You are no fun!!”
Minho pushes me until the edge of the couch. Regardless his bad habit, I walked to the dining table and pick the brown shopping bag. I haven’t check it yet because when I get back to the studio, the art director terrorized me until the end of the day with his horrorized face, one of the model got panic attack and unconscious on the waiting room.
“Try it and I’ll tell you if it worth the wait after all this time.”
Since high school, I’ve been dreaming owned a wine colored coat that dazzling enough to fight winter chills. No certain reason, I felt that maroon works better on my skin. Or that’s how my late grandmother told me. Getting obsessed after she passed away, I found myself looking for it these past years just to prove it to my parents she knows me better than them.
The coat wasn’t fully pulled out when I spilled something looks like shred of paper. Whatevs, I just carry on and try the longing coat and thanks God, it seems made especially for me. The lining, the cutting, the flow of the rear, everything’s just perfect.
“Still, you looked like an otter.”
By the bright expressions reflected on Minho’s face, I know he just made fun of me and agree that this coat is worth to wait. I stick out my tongue and he yelled over me, saying that I was blocking the television. So, still with the coat on, I scoop the shopping bag and the piece of paper I thought just a purchase receipt.
I’m not ready at all to find what’s scribbled on it.
How can I snatch stuff from my own store?
Nice to meet you again.
Call me! :)
– Key
Under it, some numbers written neatly, waiting to be dialed. I smack Minho thigh which lied on my bag and grab my phone from it. My roommate looks worried with my sudden change and more worried when I suffocated him with a tight hug.
“Hello?”
I can feel my hand’s trembling, struggle to securely hold the phone, “Oh, hi. I’m the earlier at the shop. Uh, well, hi again, I guess.”
Whole heartedly laughter sounds like a Sanctus in my head, makes my legs turned into jelly, “What took you so long?”
“I’m only able to try the coat just now.”
“I bet it looks good on you,” he sounds relieved.
“It does.”
“You like it?”
Face pale with toothy grin flashed on my mind. Minho’s judging me so hard across the room so I just let stupid giggles out. Seems like I’m not gonna back to sleep any soon.
***
Gaaaah, I can’t think any other possible plot line for today. I hope this one is fluttering enough, though me myself not so sure about it. Well, at least I made it, yaaayy! It’s not my best, but I hope this is worth the wait. :D
Enjoy, little freaks! XOXO!
Laying low with our toes in the sea
I’ll be your mermaid, I’ll be your sea queen
It’s true love and I hope you won’t forget our first kiss
Drink ‘til the sun’s up and it twinkles in your eyes
I could never forget how you give me butterflies
It’s true love and I hope your won’t forget our first kiss
– First Kiss (The Aquadolls)
***
“Look at her cheeks! They’re too big almost squeezed her nose and eyes! Hahaha!”
“Who wears tutu with running shoes? She’s so weird! ________ is a crazy girl, crazy girl, crazy girl..”
“Stay away from her or your fingers would never grow and forever short like hers!”
“Look at her scary hair! She would never be a princess!”
“I’m moving! There would be no weird girl like you! I’m free!”
“Goodbye, Monkey Monster!”
***
I woke up with my face completely drenched, bangs damped and stuck on my forehead, cold sweat stream down my back. Another nightmare within this week. The third times to be exact. I clutched the edge of my bed and shook my head, breath still not in usual pace. This can’t be happening.
Hand snatched my phones from its dock and scrolling down to the very number I trust the most.
“I hate you.”
A husky voice greets me after my fourth attempt calling. As soon as he answered his phone, I knew I ruined someone’s dream.
“I need your help.”
“What do you expect from someone who just forced to wake up?”
“So am I!” But again, I sighed too loud and that’s how to turn Jinki’s heart into melted tofu, “I’ll make sure you’ll pay me later. Is it about nightmare again?”
Given the cue, the whole memories of the nightmares since day one continues rolled out my lips. Jinki’s humming some other time and I don’t care he’s currently listening or already drawn another drool on his sheet. I never had such a bad dream since high school. It’s started coming at night right after my Mom told me I’m coming with her meeting the family lived next door years ago.
“It’s more than 10 years, _______! He probably would forget you the first year he was away.”
“Then why I got this nightmares hovering me every single night?!”
“It’s because you’re over thinking about it! Take it easy!”
How could I take someone used to bully me easy? That boy might only a year older than me back then. But his lips, gosh his lips! It’s doubtlessly cursed since the day he was born. I wonder what his mother fed him because never once he lost words telling off me, convinced all the other kids behind him that I was that bizarre.
“Just come over my house later. I can’t think any logic advice right now. Don’t forget to bring at least chicken bucket. Ciaobella!”
He cut the line before I could raise my objection.
***
When I shoved my head passed Jinki’s door, Jonghyun already occupied the couch, his legs sprawled almost the edge. Jinki’s gotta be kidding me.
“What are you doing here?”
“You asked Jinki some help. And Jinki asked me some help. Sit down, peasant. Tell me what you got.”
Running back home is not an option since it would start another bickering between me and my Mom. My last choice is stay away as far as I could from her sight. When Jonghyun hand’s reaching the bucket I brought in, I spontaneously slapping it with all my might. He groans and shouts to the top of his lungs.
“It hurts, idiot! Jinki!! Down here! Now!!”
The latter tripped the last stair before he managed to join us in the living room. He grabs the bucket and pulls two drum sticks, one for him and one for Jonghyun, the bright hair guy here who spent his days at other’s house, from one to another. In a shortcut, a hobo.
“When I called you this morning, I expect some genius to help with my problem!” I pointed my chin to Jonghyun direction which makes him feels offended and put his chicken down. His stares furiously strengthen but I just snarl and move from where I am just to flop between Jinki and Jonghyun, “I am so screwed!!”
Jonghyun’s shoulder firm and warm at the same time when I lunged it with my forehead. My head goes up and down, right and left, following his movement when tortures the chicken. I hate these ignorant boys in my both sides, but they’re the only buddies who can handle my anxious problem.
“Wanna go see doctor?”
“Ain’t no sick!”
“Then why are you being like this? Ridiculous!”
Another slap landed on Jonghyun. This time on his temple, “If you keep slapping me I swear to the whole Jinki’s belonging, I would slay you in every possible way!!”
Jinki and I laugh in sync saw his outrageous outburst. Just for a while, I could forget how it felt waking up with heart almost jumped out my chest and brain shrunk into a small dot inside my head.
“He should be away forever and vanished from this whole universe.”
“Why are you so damn afraid with him?”
“When this guy was born, he named after bundle of evil instead of joy. His tongue is sharper than diamond even he was only six. Due to his innocently harsh words, for whole my elementary years, I used to believe that I was weird and awful and super disgusting and wasn’t suitable for society. Which kept going in middle school since his ‘people’ were too much loyal toward their master although he had gone to the other half of earth. What do you expect from a small town like this? You’ll meet the same people in your next grade!”
Until I found Jinki and Jonghyun in high school that convinced me that everyone has their right to be happy no matter how stupid or ugly they are. Their free souls and vibrant personalities make life seemed easier. And now that Satan’s extended hands is coming back home, ready to start his mission demolishing my existence.
“People change, _______.”
“He needs The Avengers come down here and wipe his shit all over his cute little face to make him changes.”
And Thor might need Loki to help him this time.
***
Not sure whether I lived in a decent house or sunken ship, because right now there’s a huge mess inside my bedroom. My wardrobe looks like just exploded few minutes ago. T-shirt everywhere. Coats spread out on bed. Dresses lie helplessly on the floor.
My Mom finally made her decision, come with her or she cancelled the family holiday to Prague next year. She definitely knew how to be the queen of a household.
“I have nothing to wear!”
“Absolutely. I can hear from where exactly I sit right now, your wardrobe cries for some lucid people to put them back together,” and I can hear Jinki’s munching something between his jaws, “Just take some jeans or cargo and put it together with any outer you could find!”
“I’m not going to make fun of myself!”
“You already make fun of yourself by obeying your mother!”
“Oh, looks who’s talking? Right! The best mama boy in town!”
I put the call in a speaker phone before throw it to my bed and trail down anything left in my wardrobe.
“Mama boy is still sane enough to make his own decision not to attend some ridiculous lunch!” I heard Jonghyun storms out behind Jinki.
“Hah! Heard that?! Even Jonghyun got smart this time!”
“Can you be a bit more supportive for once?”
“We are! Never once we told you off! You’re just fine! You’re not odd at all! Stop fussing around!” Jonghyun took over the conversation right now.
“But I still got this baby fat under my cheeks! I still wear my dress with running shoes! I still obsessed with monkey! And banana! And my hair! Oh my dear Lord! My hair is like mockingbird’s nest above my head!”
“Yeah, the last one’s pretty awful.”
“Kim Jonghyun!”
“_______!!”
“What?!”
“Just go. Choose whatever. When he throws some negative comments, Jinki and I just a phone call away. Our Minho needs some practice on his kick boxing, anyway.”
***
Like a huge television, the giant window shows me people wandering around bundled with colorful coats to prevent the wind blows even harder. Meanwhile, I stuck inside this fancy restaurant, Mom doesn’t stop ranting by my side.
“You should put more decent clothes on.”
Nothing I can do besides spare her a questionable knitted together brows. Like, more decent than this? Excuse me, I’m not having lunch with Prince Harry. Midi pencil skirt should be enough. And surprisingly, Jonghyun’s idea to wear a statement top came out really well.
“This is proper outfit, Mom.”
“Flare skirt or maxi dress would be better.”
Seriously? Maxi dress? On a very windy day? No, thank you. I’m not putting something that less warm than my parka which the waiter told me to discard it ten minutes ago when we entered here. Now I feel naked sitting among full dressed people, button up shirt, perfect lining suit, tweed blazer, formal dresses, long sleev-
“Oh I’m sorry, dear! I didn’t think the traffic would be this bad! Ah, it’s _______, isn’t it? Who knows you grew up into a beautiful young lady!”
A chatty lady appeared abruptly, cutting my spacing time right away with her chirpy voice. She took the chair in front of my Mom after they hugged and few light slaps on each other arms. With her eyes locked straight ahead, my Mom’s elbowing me to show the guest some manner she taught me.
“Oh, yeah, Mrs. Kim. It’s been long time, nice to meet you!”
“Look what a decade can do to a small girl who used to cry on her way home!” she’s quite royal in praising, making my Mom proudly rolled her eyes back, “Kibum.”
“Mrs. Lee, nice to meet you! It’s almost fifteen years and you’re still the same beautiful woman!”
“Ah, you’re flattering me!”
Sitting next to Mrs. Kim, there’s a young boy with flawless pale face and a pair of feline eyes who just flirted with my mother. His lips curled into a cute smile. While his right hand held tightly by a woman I’ve been called Mom for years, his free left hand tousled back his dark auburn locks. His high cheekbones can’t hide rosy shades under his eyes that appeared after my Mom said how gorgeous he is.
He might just now realize an intense gaze came from across him, because he finally cocks his head to me right away. His eyes soften in so many possible ways. He waves his hand and stretches it in front of me.
“Hi, Monkey Monster!”
***
During lunch hour, as usual earth should be, the street almost cramped with people buzzing off from one to another, keep me sane and safe. While sky as cloudy as my mind, wind as chill as my heart, I can feel those stares stab my back and crushed my bones.
Okay, I know I was over reacting. But I didn’t expect to be greeted by warm words and a sincere smile. Where that filthy cussed head gone? It’s too late to regret, anyway. I don’t have any face to turn around and back to sit inside that restaurant and innocently eat my steak as if I didn’t do anything stupid.
“Hey! You’re going to get sick!”
Someone’s shouting from behind. Of course. I know I would get cold if I wander around with only tee and skirt on in the middle of winter.
“I said.. stop..”
A tall figure blocks my way. He bends his torso, hands on knees, and I can hear he’s panting for the dear life from sprinting away.
“Are you nuts?! What’s with running outside without any coat in such weather?!”
No words came out my stiff lips. I’m not sure what caused this, the weather or the heart attack I experienced a little while ago which now is hitting back again.
“Here, put this on.”
My favorite parka firmly held by long fingers and once again, I’m unable to speak.
“Oh, Jesus Christ..” he rolled his eyes and spread out my jacket and then he stepped closer, let that clothes hanging loosely on my shoulder. My ribcages almost burst out with such limit distance, my face almost touch his chest and mixed of musky, mint, and vanilla scent wafted my nose.
“Was that considered rude? Leaving while other’s talking?”
“Why are you coming back?”
He placed his hand inside his pocket and I bet people would believe he came out from the window display from male boutique at the end of the road, “Because my Dad got transferred here for his job.”
“Why are you coming back?”
“Geez! I told you my Dad..”
“Why are you trying to ruin my life once again?! It’s enough for me to spend my teenager years convinced that I was weird! Your friend told me off and mocked me every single day after you left! I cried during my puberty because no one wants to be my friend! Because people believed what you said! Because people saw what you said! Because people treat me like how you used to tr..-”
Soft lips cut me on the way. It’s more than shut-up-or-I-can-do-more. It’s more than I’ve-changed-and-I-miss-you-now-moron. It’s more than every single new words Minho used to come up with. It was considered quick peck, but enough to cut 10 years from my life time.
His cheek bones still as high as sky when he finally pulled away, “I came back for that, Monkey Monster.”
“Did you just..”
“Yeah.” He got cocky and all. A smirk appeared on his face but instead devilish, it’s a quirky cute one.
“Why?”
“Why?” his broken eyebrow raised a few millimeter.
“You hated me back then. And probably still. You blow out those rumors. You made fun of all my physical appearance.”
“So other boys would think that way. And leave you alone.”
“You did really well. Because not only boys, girls thinks that I’m ugly and I can’t sit with them because I am not a princess! Is that what you want!?” here you go, things I want to ask him years ago.
“You have no idea how cute you were! Those little fingers looked so adorable every single time you cover your face! And that drove me insane! Come on! I was not so smart when I was a kid and I was only 6 years old when I got that thought to shoo the other boys away!”
The red blushes now look so obvious on his pale cheeks. No matter how low he ducked his head down, the way he bites his lips perfectly pictured the innocent 6 years old boy I used to afraid of. I remember now how he slipped his lower lips between his teeth right before he ran away every single time he yelled at me.
“I am sorry, I was childish. What do you expect from spoiled six years old boy?”
“You have no idea what kind of nightmare I’ve been living in.”
“I didn’t know I was causing such heartache. I didn’t mean to hurt the cutest girl I like the most.” Here comes another heart attack. The thumping sound marches in fast rhythm that my breaths barely catch it up, “Am I forgiven?”
My head snapped upright. No matter how the person before me grew up into a heartthrob with super gorgeous coat and hair, it’s always that little boy with cute curled up lips and full cheeks who stole my heart. Years ago and right now. He’s already let off such a long time ago. Jonghyun is not really an idiot when he said I have unfinished business with this man and actually can’t wait to meet him after such a long separation.
“For what? Making my life such a horrible comedy show or steal my first kiss just now?”
People started staring when he cracks into a huge laugh and embarrassing not only him but also me, “Sorry, what did you just said? Stole your first kiss? You mean this is the first time a guy ever kissed you? Seriously?”
If I’m not in a public I might just cry and weep in place. He hasn’t changed at all.
“No.. No! Don’t cry! I’m sorry, okay?! I just.. I’m just super glad! You really put me at the top of the world!”
“What?! By making fun of me? By making my first kiss an experience I would hate the most?”
“Your second, honey. Second.”
“What second?!”
“I’ll tell you later. Now, let’s go back to the restaurant. I’m thrilled but not my tummy!”
He grabs my wrist and put it inside his pocket’s coat. I’m not surprise that I don’t fight it and realize the butterfly or everything inside my stomach just flipped back and forth in happiness. When I tilted my head up, I saw his face’s gleaming and smile doesn’t leave any second.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I told you I’m happy! So contented finally coming back home, _______.”
A huge nail dropped from heaven and plastered my feet to the ground. Kibum released my hand in instant, “What? Did I hurt you?”
“You.. you just.. called my name..”
He rolled his eyes and drowns in lark, “Of course I called your name!”
“No more Monkey Monster?”
He shakes his head and put his eyes on my level, “The Monkey Monster is gone. It’s ‘Kim Kibum’s’ now.”
I got stoned twice. First, because the new nick name he gave me. Second, because he lands another peck, this time on my lobster cheeks.
***
A little girl sits on the stairs in front of her house. Her little head throws small and quick glances at the house next to hers. Her longing eyes are following the movement of a boy with a sulky face and red eyes. From his porch, to his front yard, to his gate, and finally to her gate.
“Hey!!”
He dropped himself next to the little girl, tried to act as natural as he could. But the little girl keeps her gaze down. When finally she lifted her head up, the boy can’t hide his urge to cry.
“Are you going somewhere?”
Afraid to spill tears, the boy just nods in silence.
“Where?”
“London.”
“Is it far?”
“I don’t know but Dad said it’s.”
The girl starts weeping. Her little fingers balled in fist wiping the tears drenched her face. After five minutes and she’s still crying, the boy beside her grabs her shoulder and put them face to face. The little boy pulls her hands aside and brushes her small lips with his own.
“Keep this. Don’t cry. I promise I’ll be back and take it again. Understand?”
The girl nods and the little boy forced a broken smile before patting her head half-heartedly.
“Good. See you, Monkey Monster.”
***
Sorry for the late post! Just finished my evening run! This one is for all little freaks out there! Hmm. I think this one is better than the first, isn’t it? Haha. Anyway, enjoy! And I’m sooooooo excited to challenge myself for another buttery and sugar coating words! XOXO!
