For You Piano Cover by Smyang (Listen while reading)

There was a newly built mini theme park for children in my neighborhood almost six months ago. My mother brought me there once and it was enjoyable. They had a carousel, haunted house, pirate ship and the highlight of all rides-the Ferris wheel. It was all built in sizes suitable for children aged five to fourteen but the rides are open for all below eighteen years old. But let’s accept the fact that teenagers would obviously prefer even better amusement parks than this.

It was one morning when I noticed trucks carrying boxes and furniture arriving to the house just next to mine. It had been vacant ever since I was born in this neighborhood and I was pretty nervous about who my new neighbors would be. Are they nice people? Will they cause troubles? I didn’t know.

That evening, I decided to visit the theme park again. My mother allowed me to go by myself as it was safe enough in her perspective and she had some work to do at the moment. Unfortunately, I was only given half an hour of enjoyment if I were to go alone.

There are plenty of stalls selling candies, light snacks and cute souvenirs that served to attract the attention of children, and that includes me. I was just walking around when I felt a shove suddenly from behind and I fell, scraping my knees and hands on the pavement. Turns out, a few boys running playfully had accidentally bumped into me real hard. The boys did not bother to apologize and they escaped from the situation, leaving me behind with bleeding hands and knees. It was painful, but I forced myself not to cry.

“Are you okay?” I heard a voice ask and an outstretched hand. Looking up, I saw a boy with really chubby cheeks and pouty lips. His eyes were filled with worry and at that instant; I broke down wailing like a dying whale.

“D-don’t cry,” he stammered, taken aback by my reaction. “I-uhh…” he fumbled in his pockets and fished out a handkerchief, dabbing on my wounds lightly. Then, he squatted down with his back facing me. “I’ll carry you. Come on.”

Without hesitating, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he hoisted me up whilst supporting my legs with his hands. He walked and called out for his mother many times until he finally found her.

“Oh goodness, what happened Jimin-ah?” I was too busy crying to notice his mother’s exclaim.

“She got pushed by a few boys accidentally and she got hurt,” the boy presumably Jimin, explained.

“Let me take a look,” she said and Jimin put me down slowly. She patted my head and briefly examined my minor wounds. “Shh, it’s okay little one. Can you tell us where you live?”

Sniffing and sobbing, I cried for my mother.

“Yes dear, I know you want your mother but you have to tell us where you live so we can bring you home, okay?” she patted my back gently and smiled.

I pointed to the direction of my house with a finger and said between sobs, “there.”

“Oh my goodness Haerin-ah!” My mother gasped as soon as she saw me when the door opened.

“Mommy,” I cried and crashed into her embrace.

“She got pushed accidentally by a few boys at the theme park and my boy happened to bump into her,” Jimin’s mother offered to explain the situation.

“Thank you so much,” my mother said from the bottom of my heart as she held me and patted my head. They exchanged brief introductions and I learned that they were the ones who moved in this morning. They left first so that my mother could tend to my wounds. In the midst of all the hassle, I heard Jimin ask, “Is she going to be okay?” followed by a slight nod by his mother.

I was only five years old back then when I met Park Jimin.

The next day, my mother brought me over to the Park household with a bowl of freshly baked brownies as a token of appreciation. It only took a few seconds for the door to open after my mother rang the doorbell. There Jimin stood with a surprised look on his face, and then he called for his mother.

“Thank you so much for bringing my daughter home, Mrs Park,” my mother beamed and handed her the bowl of brownies.

“You really didn’t need to Mrs Kim,” Mrs Park said through smiles. “It’s no big deal.” They just kept thanking each other while Jimin and I only looked at each other. I felt a soft nudge on my back and knew it was time for me to express my gratitude.

“Thank you Mrs Park, thank you Jimin,” I bowed.

“How old are you?” Jimin beamed.

“Err...five years old.”

“Ehhh? I am older than you, you have to call me Jimin-oppa!” He practically shouted, probably due to overexcitement and I have no idea why.

“Don’t shout Jimin!” He earned a twist on the ear by his mother and he yelped in pain dramatically. I couldn’t help but giggle slightly.

“Thank you, Jimin-oppa.” He flashed me a grin.

Ever since then, we got really friendly and close to each other. My mother would only allow me to visit the theme park again if Jimin will tag along. We visited each other’s house often and had fun together. Eventually, we became really close.

“I’m bored,” Jimin huffed and laid flat on the ground.

“Should we go to the theme park again?” I suggested.

“But we just went yesterday,” he scowled.

“But you like it,” I said. As a matter of fact, he did. Even though we frequent that place a lot, we just don’t seem to get bored of it. Jimin would always scowl when I suggest that we go there again, but in the end, we still do despite his complains.

That day, we only went for the Ferris wheel. The structure was relatively small so the ride only takes one minute. We would always be displeased when the ride ends and Jimin would try to threaten the person in charge of the Ferris wheel to let us have a few more rides by taking me as a hostage. But of course, the guy never bought our dumb threats but was kind enough to grant us a few more turns. We do this solely for one purpose-to witness the dazzling sunset.

“It just so beautiful,” he said as we both admired the sky painted on orange, gold, yellow and tinges of blue and pink.

“I know right,” I nodded in acknowledgement.

“We will be best friends, am I right, Haerin-ah?” he grinned so much his eyes literally disappeared. “Pinky promise?”

“I promise!” I exclaimed and locked our pinkies.

Apparently, that didn’t happen. Our so called ‘pinky promise’ kind of…went down the drain.

Park Jimin had the chubbiest cheeks when he was young. We went to the same elementary school in our neighborhood. We were always together no matter where we went, be it during recess or after school hours.

Many were impressed by the bond we shared and they wished they could be like us with the friends they had. We were just happy that we had each other to rely on. Everything went well till a day when someone asked a question that swept us off our feet.

“Are you both a couple? You guys look really cute together~” The class clown, Kim Taehyung cooed.

“I know right!” Jungkook nodded in acknowledgement. “You’re always together where ever you go! It’s so cute! I’m jealous! Do you love her, Jiminie?”

I didn’t expect that kind of question being asked, neither did Jimin. Does it really mean that if a boy and a girl are close to each other they are considered a couple?

“I uhh…” I stammered.

Jimin only grinned and wrapped me in a headlock. “She’s like my younger sister! Of course I love her!”

Hearing that, I felt both warm and unpleasant at the same time. Jimin loves me, I’m happy. But then he sees me as his younger sister, and I thought I was something special to him….

When we went to middle school at the age of 13, our bond started falling apart. It’s not that we had arguments or anything but we both had different classes and joined different sports. Homework and assignments piled up and we didn’t have much time to spend with each other anymore. Even so, we tried to make time to visit the theme park as often as possible, but as time goes by, we realized that we can’t keep this tradition up anymore for the sake of our futures.

A few years later and we’re freshmen at high school. This was the time where puberty hit Jimin like a rollercoaster. He grew a lot and he no longer had his cute chubby cheeks anymore. He grew to be more muscular and manly with that defined jawline of his and eventually became the ‘face’ of the school. His popularity soared considering his outgoing character and sociability and not to mention- being the captain of the basketball team.

As for me? Well, I’m just those ordinary girls doing well academically with a small group of friends and not being a fond of sports. I don’t really talk much then unless if it was necessary. Aside from those popular girls who rave over fashion and trend, I was those relatively submissive ones, preferring to be low-profiled.

Being well known amongst juniors and seniors in school, girls can’t help but swoon and flock around Jimin wherever he went. Some girls even tried to flirt to get his attention but it wasn’t necessary to be honest, because Jimin is just generally friendly to everyone.

Everyone except me. Why? I personally have no idea.

Maybe because he thinks I’m lame or without popularity? I really do not have the slightest clue.

“It’s funny how we’re still doing this,” Jimin chuckled as he rested on the seat casually looking out at the sky.

“What do you mean?” I asked and yawned at the tiredness overwhelming me all of a sudden.

“We’re already fifteen and yet we’re still coming to this theme park,” he laughed.

“I don’t see why we can’t,” I shrugged. “We both love the sunset anyways.”

“True,” he hummed and scooted closer to the front, taking a closer look at the view. He turned to look over his shoulders, at me. “We’ll keep coming back right?”

I stared at him for a while, adoring how the sunlight expressed his uniqueness and charms and smiled. “We will.”

Yet again, this became an empty promise and it was the last time we ever saw the sunset together, but the first time I realized that I have fallen for Park Jimin.

Walking along the hallway of the school whilst hugging the books in my arm, I sighed. It’s a shame, really. I was to occupied being in my own world until I heard distinct chatters coming up ahead and lifted my head up, seeing Jimin and a few girls walking at my direction.

We passed by each other, and neither of us looked or even battled an eyelid.

“Hey Jimin, isn’t she that childhood friend of yours?” I heard one of the girls ask. Jimin only smiled and nodded.

I used to be the girl always by his side, but I guess now I’m just another face in the crowd to Park Jimin.

It’s funny how we’re both at the age of 17 and still living next to each other but no words are exchanged between us, be it a simple gesture of hello. Even though time may pass and things change, but one thing remained the same ever since the last ride we both had-I still loved him. It though, knowing your heart is attracted to someone but your whole physical self is just gazing from the sidelines, not being able to get anywhere closer.

“Prove sec x minus tan x multiplied by cosec x plus one equals to cot x,” I mumbled while looking at my math homework. It’s the final question of the homework I have today and my brains decided to malfunction at this point, not being able to do its job and finish the question. With a sigh, I closed my book and headed downstairs for a snack.

“Hungry?” My mother asked as she stirred the batter evenly to make cupcakes later on when she saw me rummaging through the fridge.

“Yeah, math is making me hungry,” I yawned and poured out some milk and walked to the kitchen counter, sitting on the chair available.

“Chocolate cupcakes will be ready in half an hour, you can have it later,” she said.

“Okay,” I answered and took sips of the milk I poured out. A flyer laid on the kitchen counter grabbed my attention so I took it up to have a closer look.

“Oh I forgot to mention,” she said suddenly when she saw the paper in my hands. “The theme park is going to be demolished at the end of this week.”

It struck me like an arrow when I heard her say that. True to her words, the paper verified everything she said.

“Time flies huh,” she said. “You used to go there so many times with Jimin when you guys were kids.”

“Yeah,” I could only mumble.

“You should go again with him though,” she suggested. “For the last time before it closes down. It’s been 10 years.”

My mother knows we’re not that close as before, but she is still real good friends with Mrs Park. She understands though that Jimin and I just so happen to drift apart like total strangers, and she believes that it’s because of hormones progressing in different genders that probably made us both feel awkward around with each other for being too close. But I guess he’s just awkward with me and not other girls then. 

“We’re just…not that close anymore mom,” I said. “Besides, I don’t think Jimin is interested in this kids’ stuff anymore.”

“I know,” she said. “But it wouldn’t hurt to ask right?”

Why ask though, when it’s so obvious that Jimin will decline? But my mother’s suggestion somehow sparked hope in me as it granted me a purpose to talk to Jimin after all these years. Thinking real hard about this, I relented. “Okay, I’ll go over to his house for awhile.”

I stood in front of the door of his house, the flyer in my hand. My finger rose to the doorbell, but it just wouldn’t obey my orders to press it.

‘Kim Haerin, what is wrong with you? Just press the doorbell for goodness sake. It’s not like you’re committing a crime!’

I couldn’t understand why I felt nervous all of a sudden and my palms became really sweaty. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to jab on the doorbell. Instantly, I regretted doing so. Before I could run away and hide, I heard footsteps shuffling and the door flung wide open, and there Jimin stood, with a baffled expression, totally not expecting me presence.

I stared at him for a moment, tongue frozen.

“H-hey,” he stuttered.

“Hi,” I hesitantly nod. Hi? HI? Wow, great job dear me.

“Is…” he paused. “Everything all right?”

“Oh yeah,” I interrupted. “I’m just…” JUST WHAT? COME ON KIM HAERIN GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF. “wondering if you knew about the theme park that’s gonna be demolished by this week.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

Okay, now what?

“Oh,” I looked at him awkwardly. “Okay.”

For a moment, I thought: Screw this, I’m going home now. Just as I was about to turn and leave, Jimin spoke.

“You want to go tomorrow?”

Huh? What?

“I know we’re both grown up and all but…yeah,” he shrugs. I looked at him for quite some time, not really sure if my ears we’re betraying me. “So….”

“Yes!” I almost shouted. “I mean, yeah, sure.”

“Cool,” he gave a small smile. “I’ll meet you at your front door at four.”

“Okay.”

As soon as he shut the door, my legs lost it and I fell to the floor, my heart hammering in my chest. After all these years, I finally spoke to Park Jimin once again.

I have never experienced the most nerve-wrecking and toughest decision-making situation in my entire life. For almost an hour now I was rummaging through my closet, literally breaking it apart, in search of what to wear. In the end, I fished out a long-sleeved shirt and denim shorts. The weather is approaching Autumn so I figured it’d be slightly chilly outside.

I proceeded to the mirror, debating if I should tie my hair or let it down. I gave up deciding either way and let it be as it is. Dabbing on some foundation and lip gloss, I glanced at the time showing 3:58pm. Just in time.

I peeked through the door hole, wondering if Jimin had already arrived. Apparently, he did. He was leaning against the pillar on the porch and I couldn’t help but gasp at how stunning he looks even though he just wore a plain t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It was only now I noticed how define his body is; the way his shirt hugged his figure perfectly, teasingly boasting his arm muscles and toned abs.  

With an exhale, I opened the door.

“Hey.”

He looked at me, then his watch. “Just on time.”

“Well, you’re early,” I said. He smirked. ! He knows I was staring at him through the door hole now. Great job killing yourself, Haerin.

“Let’s go then,” he said and gestured towards the theme park with his head.

“Oh my gosh!” I squealed with excitement as soon as we reached the theme park. “The haunted house and the pirate ship! Everything is still here!”

At the corner of my eye, I swore I saw Jimin grin. “Which one should we go first?” he asked. I gave him a mischievous smile and pointed to the direction of the carousel.

He gave me a poker face look. “You know I’m too big for that right? I’ll probably break it before I get on.”

I forced him on anyway despite his excuses. And fortunately, nothing broke. Children looked at us with weird gazes but I didn’t care because what was more important is that I’m finally back here with Jimin.

Due to today being a Saturday, the theme park was quite crowded by children and their parents. There was mild pushing and shoving as we shuffled through the crowd and I was falling behind Jimin a little bit. He turned over his shoulders to look for me. Just then, he grabbed my hand.

“So you don’t get lost and I have to call a search party to rescue you,” he said when I looked at our interlaced hands as he guided me out of the crowd.

I was surprised by how large his hand had gotten. Back then, our hands fit each other perfectly when he always brought me running around the place. His firm grip on mine made me realize how time really flies and how much we have grown throughout these years. He was no longer the chubby and brotherly Park Jimin I knew, but the Park Jimin who grew into a fine young man and made me fall in love with.

“Pirate ship next?” He asked as we both stood in front of the big swinging ship. Okay, it’s not that big anymore considering that we’re no longer small kids like last time.

“Sure.” I answered.

It wasn’t as thrilling as it used to be but it’s still bearable. The whole time on the ride, me and Jimin just screamed and shouted even though it wasn’t that exciting. I guess we just did it for fun since the other kids were yelling too.

After the Pirate Ship, we headed to the Haunted House. But before that, Jimin stopped by a souvenir shop.

“What do you want to buy?” I asked as I followed from behind. He just browsed around the shop and took a plush panda hat and fitted it on my head.

“You used to like cute things like these,” he laughed. I flushed red at our close proximity. “It looks good on you.”

Before I could say anything, Jimin turned towards the salesgirl at the counter and asked about the price, proceeding to pay without a second thought. My heart felt warm and fluttery; this was the first ever gift Park Jimin bought me.

“Come on, haunted house we go,” he grabbed my hand again and tugged me along.

First, I have to admit I’m a wimp when it comes to horror stuff going on, but I don’t know what is wrong with me as I find it terrifically exciting. I love the thrill but I hate it at the same time. I’m a sadist mentally torturing myself.

“Everything’s still here, it’s been so long,” He said as we waited in line.

I laughed. “Brings back memories, huh?”

“Yeah,” he hummed. “Remember how much you cried and screamed when we first tried this out?” He teased and gestured to the haunted house.

“Hey!” I hit him lightly. “You didn’t have to bring that up!”

“Like come on, it wasn’t scary at all!” He sniggered. “Half of the kids came out laughing at how funny the ghosts are inside.”

“Then consider me as the other half of kids that came out crying,” I rolled my eyes.

Jimin chuckled and bent down to whisper at my ear. “It’s okay, you’re cute when you cry.”

“What even, Park Jimin,” I scoffed and turned my head away from his gaze, hoping he wouldn’t notice how red my cheeks became. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine and I’m mentally telling myself that I’ve lost my marbles.

It’s dark as we entered but I remembered clearly where the ghosts would pop out and scare children. We had to walk till the exit, whether you like it or not. There was no shortcuts or the whatnots; if you enter, it just means that you have to deal with the that’s about to happen throughout the whole journey.

“They added fog,” Jimin pointed out. “Something extra after all these years.”

“Makes everything a whole lot scarier,” I said.

“Relax, it won’t be that bad.” Just right at that moment, a toy doll with a hideous face jumped out at my side and I screamed like a mad woman, clamoring behind Jimin and used him as a shield.

“That wasn’t supposed to be there!” I screamed. He laughed so hard till I wanted to give him a good punch in the face.

“Quit laughing you idiot!” I said, clearly frustrated.

“All right, all right,” he threw his hands up in surrender, and then proceeded to wrap an arm around my shoulder. “Stay closer to me then.”

It was then I realized how much taller he was. The tip of my head only reached his chin and I became aware at how he could easily tower over me without breaking a sweat. He smelled of soap and…well, basically Jimin.

The journey ended with my countless screams from many new and surprised attacks. I was glad I made it out alive.

“Everyone’s staring at you,” Jimin teased as we exited the haunted house. “all the kids.”

“Shut up,” I huffed, too busy catching my breath and waited for the adrenaline in my body to decrease. He patted my head and I looked up to see him grinning.

“Here,” he handed me a small plush toy of a cute cat-ghost figure. “This isn’t that scary, at least.”

“T-thanks,” I said and took it.

“So,” he placed his arms on his waist, looking up at the Ferris wheel just a few meters in front of us. “I guess that’s our last ride. Shall we?”

The Ferris wheel- the ride that we shared countless moments in.

After that ride, there will be none left; I would have no reason to stay with Jimin anymore. Deep down inside, I didn’t want it to end. I want to stay by Jimin’s side, even if it’s just a little bit longer. He started to walk towards the Ferris wheel and I tugged on the hem of his shirt, making him stop.

“Can we ride that later?”

We sat side by side on the bench, eating ice cream we both just bought from a nearby stall. I noticed the children running around in joy and laughter and suddenly hit me that this place will really be gone soon and my childhood with Jimin would disappear in time, as if it never existed. We both sat in silence, mindlessly letting our gaze wander about.

“Busan Children Theme Park will be closed in 30 minutes. Thank you for visiting and please come again,” the PA system announced. I glanced at my watch showing 5:30 pm, remembering that it usually closes at 6pm.

“Okay,” Jimin ate the last bit of his ice cream. “Ferris wheel we go~”

The queue wasn’t long as people started leaving the theme park already. The guy in charge of the Ferris wheel smiled as we climbed aboard.

Sitting opposite of each other, the cabs ascended. Sunlight poured in as we reached the top and Jimin turned over his shoulders to look. I stared at his silhouette as the sunlight shone brightly, painting everything in gold and orange.

He was beautiful.

From every angle and perspective, Park Jimin was perfect. The sunlight shining on him mesmerized me, rendering me in complete awe and fascination. I could feel that tug in my heart, the tug that made me feel all sorts of emotions.

A minute flies by fast when you’re too preoccupied with something else. Before we knew it, the ride came to an end. We exited the cab and I trudged slowly.

It can’t just end like this.

“Do you want to-“ He interrupted before I could finish.

“Let’s go for another time.”

Without hesitating, he pulled me along and we rode the Ferris wheel again.

“We’re exactly how we were last time,” he laughs. “a minute really isn’t enough for one ride.”

We reached the peak again and before I could even say something, tears fell.

“Oh my g-gosh,” I stuttered and frantically wiped the tears away. “I-I’m sorry, I just don’t know what came over me.”

He looked at me with a stoic expression, then pulled me towards him and inched his face to mine.

“Err guys, you’re time is up,” the guy in charge of the Ferris wheel said and broke our attention.

My legs ran without my orders. I just left the cab as fast as I could, overwhelmed by unexplained emotions.

“Haerin!” Jimin called as he grabbed my hand from behind. “Come with me!”

At a loss for words, I mindlessly followed him as he pulled me back to the Ferris wheel.

“Here’s all the money I have,” Jimin says to the guy in charge of the Ferris wheel. “Please give us a few rides with privacy.”

A surprised look etched on the guy’s face. “O-okay.”

“I’m sorry about that earlier,” Jimin said. “I guess I should clarify things first.”

I just looked at him, not knowing what to say exactly.

“I love you, Kim Haerin,” he swallowed. “I’m sorry for telling you after all these years.”

An emotional wreck came over me and I hit him uncountable times on the chest. “You idiot!” I screamed. “Do you have any idea how much it having to look at you from a distance and not being able to be by your side?! What took you so long, you jerk?! Why’d you keep me waiting for all these years?! You’re always hanging out with a bunch of girls! Did you know how painful it was for me?!”

He pulled me into a tight embrace, resting his chin at the crook of my neck.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It took me a lot of time to gather up my courage to tell you this. I wasn’t sure at first about how I felt about you and I didn’t want to leave the wrong impression and hurt you, so I thought maybe the feelings will go away if I spend my time with other girls. But it didn’t. I only came to realize that you’re the only one burned in my heart. Damnit, you don’t know how much you drive me insane, Kim Haerin.”

My tears soaked his shirt as I couldn’t stop crying.

“Say now,” he pulled apart and wiped my tears with his fingers. “Should I apologize for my confession or would you gladly be mine and mine alone?”

“Option two,” I sobbed. “But under one condition!”

“What is it?” He gazed into my eyes and smiled.

“You’ll have to buy me cotton candy and give me a piggy ride on the way home.”

Chuckling, he nodded. “Anything for you.”

He dipped his head and pressed a kiss on my lips, and we both savored the moment together under that dazzling sunset.

“I hate you, you know,” I grumbled into his neck as he gave me the piggy-back ride as promised in the dimming sky.

“That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard,” he laughs. “you love me. Period.”

“I don’t,” I retorted.

“You do,” I could sense the smirk from him.

“No.”

“Yes, you do,” he said and turned his head to meet my gaze.

Defeated by everything about him, I surrendered. “I guess I really do.”

And then our day ended with countless of childish bantering, just as we were when we were kids.

Finally done with this! Seriously I swear Park Jimin is the, THE (theeee), most precious kid in the world. My ovaries can't take this anymore! 

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