F I N A L

f i n a l

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Our Walk

| Bae Aeri x Zhang Yixing |

AERI'S POV

"C'mon, Bae Aeri, get over it," I whispered to myself as I looked around the room filled with my friends, taking a sip of my drink. I could see one of my best friends, Kang Nara, on the corner of the couch next to her boyfriend, Oh Chihoon, as they cuddled together, commenting the movie that was playing in the room. My other best friend, Ahn Kyungmi, next to her boyfriend, Ryu Hyun Jin, smiles brightly painted on their faces as they talked to our other friends. I sighed for the umpteenth time, waiting for it to turn 10 PM so I could go home. I had been at the party for less than hour and I had already regretted coming.

Sure, I loved my friends. I just didn't really expect to be the girl that ended up sitting in the corner of the room on her phone, complaining about the couples. I mean, I'm happy that my best friends are happy with their boyfriends, hell I set them up, but it would be nice if they would detach themselves from their partner and actually come talk to me. The most we had exchanged was a hug of greetings and a few other words. I looked at my phone screen. 'Only a minute has passed,' I thought, mentally screaming. Everyone in the room was happy.

Everyone but me, that is.

Yes, everyone was jolly for the Christmas season but not me. I was always cranky around this time of year and never was one fond of the holidays. Yes, I enjoyed spending time with my family, but it got annoying after h and the stories about wearing the same stories of whose cousin was getting married or whose friend was pregnant over and over again.

I was near my nerve's end and I decided that I didn't care anymore. I would come up with some excuse as why I had to leave all of a sudden. I mean, not that anyone would notice I was missing. And if someone did miss me, they could text me. I quickly finished my drink, slightly cringing due to the alcohol that was mixed in and stood up and I brushed my black pants, brushing off pieces of any lint that might of been on me, and I grab my leather jacket and purse from the pile on the chair. I walked to the door and slipped into my combat boots and walked out without looking back to see if anyone noticed and started walking away from the house.

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I had been walking for about 30 minutes now before I decided to take a break. The night wasn't cold, and I was thankful that I wasn't freezing to death this faithful December 23, 2015. It was actually very warm this year and I know that it would be foolish to even think of a white Christmas this year. I sat down on a bench and pulled out my phone from my pocket. I was welcomed by a text message from my mother, asking me how I was, and not surprisingly, nothing from my friends. I knew that I wasn't on the invite list; I had overheard them talking about their party and they had invited me out of pity. I wasn't exactly on their agenda for the party plans, so they must have been glad that I wasn't there.

I texted her back, letting her know not to worry about me and to go back to her weekend getaway with my father, my aunt, and my uncle. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and sighed. I would've never imaged that this would be my 24 year old self: lonely the night before Christmas Eve and my birthday in a park, sad and even slightly jealous of my best friends in the manner that I had no significant to spend my night with.

But, I wasn't going to sit on this park bench for the rest of the night, upset. 'Bae Aeri, you are not going to stoop that low. Who cares about a boyfriend. You don't need a boyfriend when you have a bestfriend - who happens to be with her boyfriend,' my thoughts began to falter and fade away, just like they never happened. "Who cares?" I muttered, trying to keep a smile on my face. My parents had sent me quite a bit of money just for spending on myself as they felt bad I was going to be alone on Christmas Day. I had the money neatly kept in my wallet and well, I was going to spend it. Smile on my face, I started walking away from the bench.

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Or attempted to spend the money, at least. Almost every shop had closed early tonight and the only things open were restaurants, and I had no appetite whatsoever to eat anything. Pout on my face, money still in my wallet, I sat on a bench on the middle of the area I was in. There were many other people there under the trees decorated with Christmas lights with their families, friends, and significant others with bags from shopping. I sighed for the umpteenth time that time. It was only 10:15 and I was drained from the day as I closed my eyes and slouched on the bench. My brown hair dyed with a pink ombré in a braid was slowly coming apart but I had no plans on redoing it, and just pulled my hood over my head. It covered my face and messy braid and I stayed that way until I felt someone tap me.

"Aeri? Is that you?" I opened my eyes and looked up to see Zhang Yixing, my neighbor, childhood friend, and yes the old cliché, my crush from the last who even knows how many years. I automatically form a small smile and nod at him, confirming his thoughts. "What are doing out here alone? It's getting very dark, and it isn't be safe to alone," he said in his very proper voice and formal voice. I slightly flinch at his formal tone with me, but answer him.

"I was out with a few friends earlier, but I felt like walking around and well, here I am now, talking to you," I say, the smile slowly shrinking. We were left in an awkward pause, as most of our conversations always had this pause that I absolutely hated. Our relationship - or whatever we had - had been like this since I had confessed my feelings to him last year.

I sat there on the bench and he stood in front of me for the next few moments before I decided that this had to end. "Well, I think I'm gonna go now," I say. I hesitate asking if he would like to come over, but in the end didn't say anything. "Good night, Yixing," I say, and I stand up brushing my pants as I tried to locate the nearest bus stop from my current location. I wasn't planning on walking alone anymore; it wasn't fun unless you had someone with you.

"If you would like, I can drive you home," he quickly said, and I turned around. He cleared his throat before speaking up again. "I have my car and I have nowhere to be. Come, I'll drop you off,"

Not bringing myself be able to say no, I made my back towards him, and together we walk towards his car.

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The car ride was silent, the only sound was the music playing from the radio. I was quietly humming along to the song, GOT7's Confession Song. The windows were rolled down and I was looking out, the wind blowing my hair. I inhaled deeply and let it loudly.

"Is something the problem?" I heard Yixing ask me. I turned my head to see him staring intently at me, the red of the traffic light reflecting on the side of his face. I shake my head no and turn back around before he can see the blood rushing to me cheeks. "Your face is red. Are you sick? Here take my coat," he said, leaning over to place his baseball jacket over my leather one. "Where would you like me to drop you off?" he asks me. I think about it but nothing could come to mind. I live alone in an apartment, my family was out of Seoul, and my best friends were at a party. "Can you stop in front of that shop over there?" I pointed to a liquor store. Yixing pulled over and patiently waited until I came back with a bag containing a bottle of red wine.

"You can just take me back to the building now," I answered.

"Are you having a party tomorrow?" he had quietly asked.

"Ani," I sighed. "I'm lucky enough to be born on Christmas Eve, but I’m celebrating it alone this year. I'll have this bottle to keep me company at least," I bitterly laugh.

"You shouldn't be drinking. You'll ruin your body," he started, before going into detail about how I would destroy my body. I was hearing him but I wasn't listening. I was too lost looking into his dark brown eyes. I didn't care that he was telling me what would happen to me if I was drinking at an early age; I was glad for the fact that hey! A boy that I was interested in was actually talking to me! "Are you listening to me, Aeri?" I heard him ask.

I quickly shake my head, looking away from him. "Huh? I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I say. 'How can when you're so good looking but invest all your time in medical school, you idiot?' I think to myself. Ugh, the alcohol from my previous drink was slightly getting to me now.

"You shouldn't drink all that alcohol yourself," Yixing repeated.

"You don't worry about me," I say as he turned left into the parking lot of our apartment building. "I'm a big girl now and I can handle myself," I slightly chuckle. 'Oh who I am kidding?' I once again think. "Thank you for the ride," I say and open the door, looking back once to see him staring back at me, a foreign feeling painted on his face as I walked away from his car and into the apartment building.

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It was past midnight now but I wasn't over the legal drinking limit. Tipsy? Very much, but I had a little control over what I was doing. I blink my eyes repeatedly and turn my head to look at out the window filled with stars. "Merry Christmas Eve," I whisper to myself, "and happy twenty-fifth birthday, Bae Aeri," I smile to myself. I laugh loudly, thinking how slightly sad my current situation was. I stand up, knocking down a few items that were on the couch next to me, including Yixing's jacket. "Let's go return you to your rightful owner," I say to the jacket, holding it in my arms and unaware of the fact that I was still dressed in my pjs that consisted of shorts and a tank top, I slipped into my ugg boots and walked out of my apartment and into the elevator.

YIXING'S POV

It was around 1 A.M. and I was in my apartment's living room, reading a book, drinking hot chocolate. I had tried falling asleep but nothing but thoughts about my neighbor, Bae Aeri, came to me.

I had known Aeri since I had moved to Seoul from Changsha, China. When I first moved here, I lived with my cousin, Chang Hwei Ru, who happened to be close friends with Aeri. Her personality was always bright and vibrant, although the days when she was upset always matched the skies; dark, gloomy, and rain pouring down. The memory that always stuck, though, was from a year ago.

She wrote me letter.

I remember getting home late one night and Aeri was also entering the elevator at that same time. She was searching through her purse while she on the phone with my cousin, and I was looking through my mail that I grabbed from my mailbox when I came across an envelope with a familiar characters of my name, 张艺兴, in Aeri's handwriting. I looked over at her as she slipped her phone into her pocket, taking out her keys from her purse. The idea of leaving a note like a high schooler was slightly cute to me and I couldn't help but smile.

"Miss Bae?" I ask, a smile on my lips, as I slightly raised my voice so she could hear me. She looked up for a minute, blinking her eyes a few times before confirming that it was indeed me that called her.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang, you asked for me?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips, as we entered the elevator together

"What would this be?" I ask, holding up the envelope in my right hand, raising a brow, the smile still present. Her face went pale for a second or two, her smile beginning to falter, before she regained herself, slightly blushing.

"Looks like you're gonna have to open it yourself and see," she smirked slightly. "Good night, Zhang Yixing," and she quickly exited the elevator after we arrived at the ninth floor just like that. I shake my head as I couldn't help but think how adorable she looked at that moment. I waited until the elevator arrived at the eleventh floor, exited and walked towards my apartment. I unlocked my door and took off my coat and shoes. I put the letter down on the table along with my phone and keys. I walked into my bedroom, grabbing the clothes I needed before I go walked into my bathroom and took a shower.

I walked out of the bathroom 15 minutes later, rubbing my hair with the towel around my neck to dry it. I sat down on the couch, the lamp, and once again looked at the letter with the familiar characters of my name. I opened it and read the words that I wasn't exactly prepared to read:

Dear Yixing,

I know that putting my words and feelings into a letter is slightly cliché, but it was my only way to tell you without backing out like a chicken.

I like you. A lot.

It took me awhile to realize that I like you but now I know that I like you. I'm not asking for you to return the same feelings to me. I had to let this off my chest and tell you.

I hope that this changes nothing between us and we can still be friends.

Bae Aeri

I sat there, shocked. I had known Aeri for so long now and I had often heard her talking to my cousin, Hwei Ru, about her crushes but she was never serious about them. I was probably like one of those crushes. A fling.

I bitterly smiled to myself. A fling? That's all I was to her. I grabbed a piece of paper from my desk and a pen as I started to write.

Dear Aeri,

Now is not the time for the like and the sort. I am busy with medical school and you are also busy in building your career to become a fashion designer. We must concentrate and not be distracted.

Let's proceed with life as if this encounter didn't happen. I hope this letter wasn't too curt.

Zhang Yixing

I folded the letter three times, and placed it in an envelope, writing the characters of her name, 배애리, in front of it. I walked out of my apartment and into the elevator, pressing the "9" button. I slid the envelope underneath her door and knocked very lightly, almost inaudible. I turned around and without another glance, I walked away from her apartment door.

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I sat on my couch, lost in my thoughts of that day involving Aeri, that I had not realized that my book lay on the table next to my now cold cup of hot chocolate until there was a knock at the door. I looked at the clock on the wall; 1:21 A.M. Confused, I walked up to the door and looked through the peep hole, allowing me to see the girl that was lost in my thoughts, Bae Aeri.

"I came to /hiccup/ return your jack - /hiccup/ jacket," a red faced, unfocused Aeri greeted me. She was clad in a tank top and a pair of short shorts along with a pair of ugg boots. Was this girl crazy?! Did she want to get sick?!

"What are you doing here so late? And did you drink all that alcohol? You're putting your body in much risk for cancer. Did you know that every two units alcohol consumed every day - " I was cut short when I heard the girl in front of burst into laughter.

"You're so serious, Xing-Xing," she said, poking my cheek before laughing again. 'Xing-Xing? She's so drunk,' I think to myself. "Even in situations like this, you're so studious and preaching everything you're learning in medical school," Her cheeks were a light shade of pink and she was clinging onto my jacket, shivering as she leaned against the wall.

"Why don't you come in?" I said, leaning over to bring her inside. "You're clearly in no shape to take care of yourself," I said quietly to myself as she walked into my living room, leaving me at the door.

She had welcomed herself into the couch, smiling at me with her big brown doe eyes, her face leaning into her hands.

"How drunk are you?" I asked.

"I’m not drunk. I’m just very tipsy," she smiled, showing me her teeth. 'Just great,' I think to myself, sighing. I couldn't just tell Aeri to go back to her apartment, where she lived alone, when she was in this condition.

"You can sleep on my bed tonight," I suggested and picked her up from the couch. She was standing up, but her body leaned into to my own and I supported her body as I led her to my room. I placed her on the queen sized bed, underneath the warm blankets. I opened the window slightly, knowing she might feel hot later on. I went back into the living room to settle into the couch as my makeshift bed for the night when I noticed something on the table. I walked closer to it and picked it up, realizing it was Aeri's phone. It was an iPhone 6 with a pink glitter case on it. I pressed the home button to see there was a message from her parents: Happy 25th Birthday and Merry Christmas Eve.

"Happy 25th indeed, Bae Aeri," I silently say to myself. I walked back into my room and placed her phone on the bedside table, thinking she might look for it in the morning. I was about to leave but something wouldn't let me move from beside the bed. I looked at Aeri to make sure she was comfortable. She was curled up in a fetal position, buried in my blankets with only her face and brunette-pink hair popping out. In that moment, I couldn't help but think about how nice it felt to help her out. She must of felt alone as it was not only Christmas Eve, but also her birthday and her family wasn't here to celebrate. I also couldn't help up think how adorable she looked. My heart was pulling on the strings of feelings that had been for since my childhood that had never left.

"No, Yixing," I whisper. 'She's probably over you now. She thought of you as a fling anyways,' a voice in my head spoke up. 'But you never directly confessed to her! You made an assumption. Maybe you were different. Maybe she did really like you. Maybe she still does like you!' another voice spoke up.

I shook my head in confusion at my feelings. I looked at Aeri once more quickly and without another thought, I pressed my lips against her forehead before turning around and walking away towards the couch.

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AERI'S POV

"Why does my head hurt so much? This is the worst way to start my birthday," I complained, massaging my head with my hands as I tried to figure out what happened in the last few hours of my life before I went to sleep. I looked around the room, but it wasn't familiar to me. I instantly was alert and stood up on the bed the second I heard footsteps outside the room I was in. I picked up Yixing's jacket from last night that was next to me and held it in the air, and threw it the second the door opened.

The figure who opened the door froze as the jacket lay on his face, slowly removing it. "Yixing?" I whisper, falling down. 'Great job, Aeri,' I pout to myself, 'I'm so proud of you,' He had a blank expression on his face, but I could've sworn I had seen a smile being suppressed.

"Why don't you go shower and clean up? Here are some clothes that Hwei Ru left that I think would fit you," he offered, holding out a towel, toothbrush, and a pile of clothing. I quietly thank him, taking the pile and grabbed my phone and walked into the bathroom, hitting my head lightly.

"Aish, what are you doing, Bae Aeri?!" I mutter to myself. I had probably embarrassed myself enough last night in front of Yixing and I just about made it worse. I shake my head, hoping nothing bad happened and checked my notifications. I had text messages from my parents, wishing me a happy birthday, and my Facebook timeline had been filled with birthday wishes. I was disappointed to see that none of friends had texted me, posted something on Instagram, or even comment on my Facebook timeline. "Not today," I say, looking at myself in the mirror. "Who cares? You don't need them. You've had birthdays without your friends, this is one of them. It's your 25th birthday and it will be the best day ever," I smile at my reflection, hoping I can live up to what I said.

I walk out of the bathroom 30 minutes later dressed in the clothes Yixing gave me - a pair of light denim jeans and a beige sweater with a dark brown scarf. I put my hair into a loose messy bun after lightly drying it with the towel I was provide. I walked into the living room to see Yixing, dressed in light denim jeans, a royal blue long sleeve shirt, and a white jacket on top, sitting on his couch, reading one his medical course books. 'Even when you're not trying, you look so good,' I think to myself, smiling slightly. I clear my throat to make my presence in the room known. He looked up, a confused yet blank expression on his face before he broke into a smile. "Happy 25th Birthday, Aeri," he smiled, holding out a small box towards me. "It's not much, I just bought it this morning, but I thought you might like it..." he said, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, the other moving into his pocket as I held the box in my own hands. I removed the lid of the box to reveal a fashionary, with a note on top:

Happy 25th to the girl with big dreams - 张艺兴

"Thank you, Yixing," I smile brightly at him. Now that I was sober and my body was closer to his, I could see the height gap between us. He was 5'8" and I was a good four inches shorter than him. 'Height gap, perfect for us to be a cute couple,' I think to myself, being shaking my head. 'Stop Aeri. You know there is no chance whatsoever, do get these thoughts out of your head NOW,'

I was immersed trying to get rid of my thoughts that I had not even noticed that Yixing had been calling me until I felt a shock on my shoulder where his hand was touching me. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" I shake my head and look up, Yixing faces a mere five inches away from mine.

"Your face is pink," he commented, feeling my forehead. "Your face is a little warm. Are you okay?"

'I would be if your handsome face - BAE AERI!' I think once again. At this rate, I'll die at early age. "Yeah," I smile, moving slightly away from his touch after forcing myself to. "Just perfect," I add. We stood there for a few moments in that awkward silence again. "Would you like to go out with me?" I ask suddenly, and instantly regretted it. "I mean like would you like to go out for brunch? Well, it's already 1 P.M. so it be more of a lunch, I mean if you have haven't eaten yet and would like to. My treat because you did help me when I was drunk. Not a date go out but like - " I continued blabbing until I heard his chuckle. I look up see Yixing with a smile, a smile I fallen in love with a long time ago.

"Sure," he smiled. We walked to the entrance of his apartment where he put on a pair of sneakers and I slipped into my ugg boots, when I felt something on my shoulders.

"It's not much but it's small on me, so it should fit you and it's cold outside," he said, referring the brown leather jacket he placed on my shoulders. I nod and smile at him in thanks and we walk out. The elevator had broken down, so we had walked down the staircases and I was tired by the time we made it to the main lobby. We walked to his car and I sat in the passenger as he went to the driver's seat. He cranked up the heat in the freezing car and I the radio. "Any particular restaurant?" he asked, turning on the GPS.

"Songgane Gamjatang," I answer after a minute of thinking. He nods and enters the name into the GPS, before picking the location in North Seoul. He drives us out of the parking lot and I look out the window, enjoying the scenery. Yixing turns up the volume on the radio and starts humming along to the song, Sunny by Boney M. I smile as this was my favorite song despite it being an old song, and also join in the humming. The humming soon turned into the both of singing along as the car was filled with our loud voices.

Sunny, yesterday my life was filled with rain.

Sunny, you smiled at me and really eased the pain.

The dark days are gone, and the bright days are here,

My Sunny one shines so sincere.

Sunny one so true, I love you.

The song ended and we both burst into laughter. As the song changed to One Black Night by the Wonder Girls, our laughter died out and my smile began to falter at what I was thinking. 'Only couples do things like this, not girls with the guy who rejected her...' My thoughts were getting the best of me and I was trying very hard to ignore them, but they kept pulling on the strings of my heart, not leaving my mind. "We're here," I heard him say and I looked out the window to confirm it. I unbuckled my seat and got out of the car and together, we walked to the entrance of the diner.

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YIXING'S POV

We had been seated after a few minutes of waiting and already given our order to the waiter, but Aeri was lost in her mind since the car ride. She was absentmindedly tapping her fingers over on the table, looking past me but not focused intently on a particular thing. I placed my hand on top of her tapping fingers, feeling a slight shock but I ignored the feeling. "Are you okay?" I asked for maybe the third time today.

"Huh?" she looked up, dazed a little. "Yeah fine, just.....thinking," she quietly finished. "So..." we were in awkward silence. We were never super close to each other as we had such contradicting personalities and everything between us changed since the letter last year. I was about to speak up a few minutes later, but the waiter arrived with our food. "Eat well," he said and left the table after placing the plates of food on the table.

Aeri and I looked at each other and started eating right away, the awkward silence filled with the sounds of our chopsticks against the plates and bowls with our breakfast. We finished eating a half hour later and I was full in a satisfied way. "That," Aeri started, "was one of the best meals of my entire life," she foolishly smiled, all her teeth showing. I couldn't help but smile back at her, big enough for my dimple to show. "Check please!" she called, popping the case off her phone, to reveal her credit card there. "I always knew there would be a benefit to not carrying a real wallet," she said to no one in particular, looking back up at me. The waiter arrived with the bill, but I took it from his hand before Aeri.

"As a gentleman," I started, "I cannot let the lady pay for the meal,"

"But I said it was my treat," she pouted, leaning on top of the table towards me and I held the bill further away.

"But it's your birthday. Consider it a present from me," I smile, counting the money from my wallet.

"You already got me a - Yixing! Just let me pay!" she insisted.

"Too late," I playfully smile at her, handing the money and a tip to the waiter. She stood up, the pout still there, while placing the credit card back in its spot between her phone and it's case. "Aww, don't make that face. C'mon let's go to the park," I say, placing my arm around her shoulder, leading her out.

"Omo, I'm so sorry!" I heard a male voice say moments after someone bumped into Aeri's shoulders. I looked up and recognized the couple in front of us as Aeri's friend, Ahn Kyungmi, with her boyfriend, Ryu Hyun Jin, next to her. "Oh, Aeri-yah! Hi!" she greeted smiling at her before giving her a hug. "What are you doing here with Yixing?" she whispered and then proceeded to say something into Aeri's ear, causing her blood to rush to her cheeks.

"Aniyo!!!" she exclaimed loudly. She noticed the looks some people were giving her. "It's not what you're thinking, Kyungmi-yah. Hyung Jin-ah, please explain to your girlfriend," she said, turning to the male figure.

"I don't know, Aeri-yah. You know Kyungmi and her thinking," Hyunjin playfully smiled as he wrapped his arms around Aeri before pulling back to ruffle her hair. "Happy Birthday, kiddo," he smiled.

"May all your wishes come true," Kyungmi winked at Aeri, before pulling her boyfriend with her further into the restaurant.

"No you guys have it - UGH!" Aeri shrieked and stalked out of the restaurant and to the car. I shook my head, confused over what just happened. I exited the restaurant and saw her next to the car, breathing in and out, talking to herself.

"Are you okay?" I ask, bending down slightly to meet her at an eye to eye level.

"Huh?" she looked up, her brown eyes widening, and she stepped back. "Yeah, just those two always know how to annoy me and pull that one nerve and you know," she chuckled. She looked very stressed and I didn't want her to feel that way; it's her birthday.

"Hey, come on, I have the perfect place we can go," I said, opening the passenger door for her. Aeri gave me a weird look, but got into the car anyways.

"Where are we going?" she asked, buckling her seatbelt.

"Don't worry about it," I smile at her. "You're going to love it, I think," and before she could ask anymore questions, I turned up the radio. She slightly pouted but she was bopping her head slightly to the song that was current playing, Lovey-Dovey by T-ARA. She was silent for most of the ride and I didn't ask her what her friends had asked her, in fear that she would be upset. When we arrived at the destination, I parked the car in the parking lot before the both of us walked out of the car.

"The arcade? You brought me to an arcade?" she asked, staring at the sign.

"You don't like it? I thou - "

"I haven't been here since the tenth grade," she blankly commented. "Thank you," her lips grew into a small smile. "C'mon, let's go!" she latched onto my arm, dragging me into the building.

The next five hours were filled with our laughter and smiles. We had played multiple rounds of Tekken, many different shooting games, driving games, air hockey, Dance Dance Revolution, and the real competition, the basketball shooting game. Although she had lost, I had let her choose the prize she wanted; she chose an oversized unicorn. It was her birthday, after all.

It was 8 P.M. when we walked out of the arcade. "What do you want for dinner?" I asked her.

She thought for a minute before answering. "Ddukbokki," she smiled. I nodded, and side by side, with the unicorn in between us, we walked together in search of a street vendor selling ddukbokki.

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"Yixing," Aeri grabbed hold of my hand to get my attention. "Over there," she said pointing to a street vendor up ahead. I nod and we walked together towards the vendor. "Ahjumma, can we get two plates of ddukbokki, juseyo?" I asked.

"Nae, wait fifteen minutes," the woman smiled at us.

"Why don't you go sit on that bench over there?" I suggest to Aeri. "You must be tired from today. I'll bring the food when it's ready," She nodded and walked off. I couldn't help but smile watching her figure get smaller and smaller as she retreated to the bench, looking very adorable with the large unicorn she placed next to her on the bench. She leaned in, placing her head on the unicorn's body and closed her eyes, while talking to someone on the phone.

"You and your girlfriend make a very cute couple," the old woman commented, smiling as she was packing the food. I didn't bother telling her that she was wrong, that Aeri wasn't my girlfriend; she was just a girl friend. But I couldn't help but think of us as one. What we did today was what a normal couple did for a date, not a guy and the girl he took care of last night when she was drunk. "Here's your food," she said, handing me the bag a few minutes later. I paid and thanked her before making my way to the bench. The bench's back was facing me, so while I could see Aeri's back, she couldn't see me. I was going to clear my throat, making my presence known but the conversation she was having made me very interested.

"Nara, just ignore everything that Kyungmi told you. I didn't go on a date with Yixing. I mean yes we went out together, but you already know it's nothing serious. I told you what he said a year ago. "Now is not the time for the like and the sort" and the "Let's go on with life as if this never happened". He doesn't think of me in that way and although it's been more than a year, I'm not over him,"

'She liked me....she still likes me. I was never a fling to her,' I realized what she was saying. 'Stupid Yixing! She still likes you! She still has the same feelings! The same mutual feelings you have for her!' my subconscious cheering, my smile growing in size that my cheek was starting to hurt. 'I'm sorry that I put you in pain before, Aeri, but don't worry. I won't hold back now,' I think to myself before loudly clearly my throat, and walk closer towards Aeri.

AERI'S POV

"Yah, Nara, I'll call you back later, arraso?" I say after I heard Yixing clear his throat behind me. I press the red button on my phone screen and put it away in the jacket pocket.

"Here's your food," he smiled brightly at me. I smile at him and reach for my plate. He hands it be me, warning me of the hotness before sitting down next to me. We say in silence eating as other people walked by minding their own business whether they were were alone or with someone. I quickly finished eating and I patted my stomach in satisfaction.

"That was tasty," I comment, leaning into the oversized unicorn, wrapping my arms around it. I was content. It was Christmas Eve, I turned 25 I spent the day with the man I had very strong (positive) feelings for, and I actually had fun. Sure, I didn't get to spend it with my family and my friends may forgotten, but at the end of the day, I was actually happy; something I didn't think I would be. "Thank you, Yixing," I said, turning my head slightly. "You made this a pretty enjoyable day for me," I smiled, patting his arm. He flashed a smile at me, his dimple showing sending my blood rushing to my cheeks and heart beating at a hundred miles per second at the sight.

"You're welcome," he said, turning back to look at the sky. Clouds were beginning to form in the sky that was previously filled with millions of stars. "We should head back now," he said and I was slightly disappointed; I didn't want this night to end so soon.

"Can we wait a little bit?" I ask, a pout on my face. "I'm tired," He thought for a few moments, and then bent down in front of me.

"Get on," he said, looking straight forward as if this was common.

"Excuse me?" I questioned.

"Get on my back. I'll piggyback to the car. It's a little far away," he explained

"Ani, ani. I'll walk," I quickly respond, getting up but Yixing was slightly faster. He wrapped my hands around his neck before picking up my legs. "Yah, yah! What are you doing?!" I exclaim. "Put me down," I was lightly slapping his back, demanding that I was placed back on the ground but I didn't want to hurt him.

"Don't worry," he smirked, picking up the unicorn from the bench. "You're not that heavy. Hold onto the unicorn from either side," he said. I made a face at him before sulking, but nonetheless grabbed onto the unicorn. It was silent but it was no longer that awkward silence. I smiled, turning my head so my cheek was pressed against his back, and took a deep breath in and closed my eyes as Yixing carried me on his back, walking to his car.

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I was awoken when I felt someone shaking me. I slowly open my eyes, blinking a few times before confirming the identity of the man in front of me. "Yixing?" I ask.

He nodded. "We're back the apartment. Kaja," he said getting out of the car. I, too, unbuckled my seatbelt and got out the car with my phone and unicorn in hand. We entered the apartment building and into the elevator. Yixing pressed the nine button first and then closed the elevator. I positioned myself next to the wall, leaning my head against the wall, hugging the unicorn doll, closing my eyes for a few moments. "Don't do that," I heard a masculine voice next to me. I opened my eyes to see Yixing right next to me. He gently put his arm around me, placing his hand in between the wall and my head, before looking straight ahead again. I was about to object but the elevator stopped at the third floor, and many people had entered, not leaving enough space for me to tell Yixing to move. I sighed and leaned against his hand.

A few moments later, Yixing had shaken me again, telling me that we arrived at the ninth floor. We excused our way out and he walked me to my door. It wasn't until we were in front of my door that I realized that I only had my phone on me. "I'll call Nara and see if she can pick me up for the night, she has an extra key of mine anyways," I mutter to myself, pulling my phone out.

"Don't bother her," he said, turning around. "Come on. You can stay with me for another night and have the manager open your door tomorrow,"

"Are you sure?" I asked, running behind him. He nodded, flashing me a smile and we waited in front of the elevators. We entered and ten minutes later, I found myself entering Yixing's apartment (sober this time).

"I'll get you the clothing you left here, and then you can wash up," he said. He entered his room and came back a few minutes later with my clothing from the night before, clean, along with a hoodie on top, smelling like vanilla. I entered the bathroom in the main hall and Yixing went into his room to clean up.

I exited 15 minutes later after changing, washing my face, and folding the clothes I was previously wearing. I entered the living room, waiting for Yixing. He had many pictures hanging on the walls; some with his family that I recognized, one with Hwei Ru, one with some of my old friends from high school. But it was a smaller frame on that wall that caught my attention, making me smile as I took a closer look at it.

"It's from our middle school graduation," I heard him say, standing next to me. I looked at him briefly and back at the photo. The photo was candid one, with Yixing, dressed in a white shirt, black pants, blue tie, gasping as his cookie was falling on the floor. Next to him stood a younger me, dressed in a pink and white floral dress, laughing at him.

"Why would you keep this picture?" I ask.

"Because," he paused, hesitantly continuing, "you looked so beautiful laughing," he ended softly. I turned my head, taken aback at his words. Was this the same man that told me to move on in life when I had confessed my feelings to him?

"Bwo?" I ask, confused as to maybe I had heard him wrong.

"You looked beautiful. Albeit you were laughing at me, your laugh was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard. Our entire childhood, you were always laughing or smiling at something. Even days you were frowning, you still looked beautiful and adorable," He was looking intently into my eyes with his own deep, chocolate ones. I felt my face burning up and turning pink, but I couldn't stop my words from leaving my tongue.

"Then why'd you tell me to move on in life?" I whispered, almost inaudible, looking away from his eyes.

"Let's take a walk," he said, ignoring my previous words. Not knowing what to say to him, I walked to the front door quietly, slipping into our shoes and out of the apartment.

It wasn't until much later when we were in the middle of the park near the apartment building that he spoke up.

"Because I was scared," he said, pausing in his steps. "I was scared that I was one of those boys that you like for a couple weeks, until another boy came along and you liked him. I didn't want to be someone like that; I wanted to be someone that never left your heart..." he paused, stopping in his steps, "...the way that you never left mine," he whispered.

If had not been holding my breathe in and not moving, I wouldn't have been able to hear his last seven words to me. A short gasp left my lips and I looked up at him. The distance between was slowly shrinking, but I made no effort to move back as he got closer. Our eyes both closed, our lips met, our finger connecting, and I could hear a firework go off inside my body. We both pulled back at the same time, our eyes slowly opening as we looked at each other.

"I've waited almost 11 years to kiss you," he chuckled. I giggled, my face still pink, as l leaned my head on his chest.

"That's longer than I've liked you," I say, smiling.

I felt our hands moving apart as his hands moved around my waist. "Yet you were the one brave enough to confess," he said, leaning in so our foreheads were against each other. "You're short," he commented.

"You’re just tall," I complain, although a smile was on my face. I gently push him away, and walk to a bench. I heard him shuffle after me, hugging me from behind.

"It’s cute. The height difference makes us look cute together,” he commented, slightly laughing, as he tightened his arms around me. “I'm going to have to hug you and keep you warm so you don't freeze to death," he said. I scoff at his words, but don't do anything to push him away. "So does that make us official?" he asked.

"Ani," I smile slightly. "You rejected me, remember?" I said, turning around to face him.

His face turned solemn and he stood. I was going to question him, but he got down on one knee, taking out a black box from his pocket.

"Hey, I was just joking!" I nervously giggle. "Zhang Yixing, what are you doing? It's too early - " I was cut off when he opened the box. Inside were two necklaces. When put together, they formed a heart, with the engraving ALWAYS FOREVER.

"I realized today that that book would be helpful to your career, but it wasn't conveying my feelings to you all these years. I never thought that we would ever get together in this manner," he paused, chuckling, "but hey. It'll be an interesting story to tell others one day," he smiled, his dimples showing. He got up and took one of the necklace and clasped it around my neck, placing the other one around his own neck. He put one arm around me, as I leaned in against the side of his body as we watched the sky. It was slightly snowing, and I couldn't be happier.

"This was probably the best birthday present I have received," I say, rubbing the pendant against my fingers. I remember Kyungmi's words from earlier today: "Hope all your wishes come true today". I couldn't help but chuckle at how my wish did come true. I put my hand out, feeling a snowflake melt on my fingers every now and then.

"Merry Christmas Eve, baobei," Yixing said, placing a kiss on top of my head.

"Baobei?" I smiled. I had picked up a few Chinese words after all these of friendship with his cousin, Hwei Ru. "We're already on nickname basis?"

"Whatever. It's better than the one you have for me, Xing-Xing," he smirked, causing my face to fluster as I remembered the night I knocked on his door drunk.

"Yeah yeah. Is that how you treat your girlfriend on her birthday?" I pouted. I felt Yixing wrap both of his arms around me, and I placed my head leaning against his chest. "But, Merry Christmas Eve, to you too," I said, smiling up at him. "Let's head back, before it starts snowing more," We stood up and hand in hand, started making our way back to the apartment.

"Happy 25th Birthday," He pressed his lips against my forehead, before placing his cheek on top of my head.

"Thank you for making this one of the best days of my life," I thanked him. We once again stopped, making eye contact, and my stomach filled with butterflies flying; it was feeling that was getting more common whenever I was with Yixing, but it didn't matter to me. Our lips met once again and I couldn't help but smile widely at him when we pulled back.

As the snow slowly fell around us, we smiled and laughed at each other, before once again interlacing our hands and walked together.

Walking is always fun when you're with someone.