EPILOGUE

[Byun Baek Hyun’s POV]

I stared at Hanna’s back as she continued to walk away.

Smaller and smaller, her figure became until she finally disappeared after riding the van.

They left.

“Y-You’re dating her,” I heard Taeyeon spoke from behind me, making me look around.

She has her eyes on me and she’s starting to cry. I didn’t say a thing.

“Y-You’re in a relationship with her,” she said again and it sounded more like an accusation.

Tears continue to fall from her eyes and I could see how mad she is towards me.

I decided to answer, “Not anymore”.

Taeyeon took me by full surprise when her hand connected to my face in a really strong slap. It made my vision blur for a moment.

“ you,” she spat before stomping away. I know it ought to hurt me but it didn’t. I listened as her footsteps grew fainter, until I finally heard her drove away.

I touched my cheek. This is the first time I’ve been slapped this hard. I deserved it.

I turned around and took a few steps before kneeling. I stared down at the small shimmering object stuck between the rocks of our pebbled pathway – the key.

I remembered Hanna letting go of it, letting it fall. It was quick, clean, and effortless – our breakup. Just the thought of it almost made me chuckle humorlessly.

With a sigh, I picked it up and headed back towards the dormitory where the members remained huddled up in silence around the living room.

Everyone’s in low spirits right now. Most of all, me.

I ignored them and went upstairs. I entered my room and plopped on my bed but it felt wrong, uncomfortable. I sat straight, realizing this isn’t the place meant for me.

I left my room and entered the one right next to it – Hanna’s.

She hasn’t been here for three days but every part of it still radiates with her presence. The scent, the clean arrangement of things, the ambiance – it’s her, all her.

I sat on her bed and looked all around me.

“I better say goodbye to this room now,” I whispered to myself. “I don’t have any reason to be back here anymore.”

My eyes caught sight of Hanna’s vanity mirror and the numerous papers and pictures inserted all around it. Automatically, it filled my eyes with tears.

I left the bed and slowly walked towards it.

There I saw, her family pictures, all the post-it notes I used to leave inside her room in secret, and among all of it, the only printed photo we ever had – the one taken by Sehun using a Polaroid camera during her birthday celebration.

With my hand shaking wildly, I picked it off.

And that’s when I began to cry.

We looked so hap