P A R T  I

T A E C Y E O N ' S  S A G A

All the art of living lies in a mingling

of letting go and holding on.

- Henry Ellis

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile,

the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand."

 C H A P T E R  O N E

It’s too fast and yet, too many things happen at once. My chest

fills with butterflies, my eyes bulge out, it feels like my heart’s

about to come out from my chest.

       Is it…love?

               He stepped into the house, taking a peek and having an intention to scare her but never did he expect he would be consuming ten minutes sharp to register where she’s at without moving from the place he’d been standing at since he first arrived, at the main door of her apartment. He jerked his head more, and if his body was painted with a green colour, people would mistake him as a giant tortoise with puffy cheeks since that was how he exactly looked like. He’s too absorbed at trying his very best to find where she was, not prepared at all to get his clothes changed when he found himself was drenched.

                He closed his eyes for a moment, waiting for her to finish pouring all the water from the flower pot before slowly turning his body to the other round, not realizing he looked hot in her eyes. But obviously she’d kept it shut by keeping a cool expression on her face. He laid his eyes on her hazel eyes, tried to tell her that her action’s not good since it’s officially evoked his anger, and it can be proven when his eyebrows knotted together and his hands were shaped into fists. He tried to tell her how angry he was, but he was stopped when he felt her fingers hummed next to his, pinching his puffy cheeks.

                “I know Wooyoung, you’re mad but you look so hideous when a devil possesses you. Smile a bit, since these mandoos look absolutely good when you smile.”

               He couldn’t help but rolling his eyes after interpreting her whole statement. He grabbed her hand and freed his cheeks which had turned red because of her pinch, but at the same time it felt good, hot and cold at the same time. A thin smile was formed on his face seconds after that, and that’s when he said,

                “Satisfied now?”

               She let out a small laugh, before hooking her arm with his, “You always come when I cook delicious things.”

               He smiled and said, “Well, that’s the use of best friend, isn’t it?”

               She nodded and kept the bright smile of hers on her face since she felt it was so good smiling like this and she didn’t remember when the last time she ever smiled like this. Probably two weeks ago, since Wooyoung’d had to go for an outstation and she found it a total bore. She found it way too exaggerating and irritating knowing the fact that only Wooyoung could make her smile so bright since whenever she tries to ask herself why and what’s so special about this guy that could have this kind of ability, she couldn’t come up with other answer other than,

               “He’s the only man in your life, other than your dad, grandpa, brother and male cousins.”

               Of course, she’d got admit, it’s the dumbest answer she could have ever come up with after questioning herself for almost fifteen years. And of course, Wooyoung’d been her best friend for almost fifteen years. And yet, she’s amazed to find out the fact that neither both of them were tired of each other.

               “Hello….I’m not a wall. I’m a human with a mouth, talking to you, expecting a best friend of mine to lend her ears to me when I’m talking to her.”

               She got back to her senses and couldn’t do anything other than jerking her body to the back when he waved his hand right in front of her face. She blinked her eyes for a couple of times, and tried to recollect all the things that he had mentioned just now but too bad she couldn’t remember anything.  It’s her fault, for not listening to him at all.

               “I’m sorry but I didn’t really get what you say. Mind telling me again?”

               Wooyoung released a sigh and rolled his eyes in annoyance before leaning his body in the chair, while having his both arms crossed against his chest.

               “Never mind. You’re not interested to listen to my story though.”

               He stared at her, waiting for her to give him a reply or to be precise, he’s waiting for her to coax him but instead, he found her doing something which he would never ever dare to imagine. Not even for his pleasure as an imagination. But it’s happening, in real— in front of him.

               She couldn’t help but keeping her eyes on him, finally realized how good looking this man was after being friend with him more than ten years since she’d already set her mind, Jang Wooyoung is a ssanti and he’d always be and there’s no way she would find this man attractive— never— ever— forever. And that’s why, she couldn’t help but keep staring at her own best friend, not realizing how dumb her action was since it led her jaw to drop open.

               Out of the blue, she felt her eyes bulged out in surprise when she found out that was stuffed with the kimbap she made earlier this morning by Wooyoung. She tried to ask why he did that, but of course it’d be impossible considering how full was at that time. Instead of spitting it out, she chewed it and swallowed it hard and then she finally found her energy to scream at the top of her lungs,

               “Yaaa, what did you just do?!”

               “I just stopped my friend from gawking at me, with her jaw dropped open. I think it’s disturbing, very much.”

               She felt her cheeks turned hot. This was embarrassing. Of course it was. How could she be so stupid for doing that and moreover, this guy’s not worth it to be gawking at considering all the bad things he’d done to her. Shoving her face with ice-cream when he’d clearly said he’d share it with her, scraping her knee when they’re playing Police Entry, making her wait for hours in the stinky bathroom when they’re playing Hide and Seek and ended up saw him sleeping on the couch in the living room, using all of her money when he’d always promised her he’d buy her favourite chocolates and of course, making her wear his boxer to school when he’d accidentally spilled his hot chocolate shake on her favourite floral skirts when they’re on their way to school and it’d take thirty-minutes to get to her house to get changed which would cost both of them a detention for four hours.

                And it’s confirmed already that, he— Jang Wooyoung would NEVER be more than a best friend to Lee Shinah— or so they thought.

*     *     *     *

               “,” she muttered under her breath, when she caught a glance of her digital clock— 0324. She wondered who the hell it was calling her when she’s sleeping soundly, inches away from brushing her lips over her prince’s. Without settling herself in a sitting position, she remained in the sleeping position while burying her face on her pillow, the smell of her favourite shampoo— peach while her hand was busy trying to locate where her cell phone was. A minute passed, and yet she still couldn’t find where her cell phone was even though she was sure the sound of her ring tone was situated inches away from her. She cursed for a last time before kicking the blanket off of her and set her feet on the ground, and couldn’t help but rolling her eyes in annoyance when she found her cell phone was inches away from her right foot.

               While scratching her head, she bent and reached for her cell phone and her eyes immediately glued at the name of the caller. She swore to God, that she’s going to kill him right away for waking her up in these wee hours of the morning.

               “Jang Wooyoung, did you know that you’re such an ?” she asked, while clutching her teeth together, and she knew the sound of her voice could easily tell him she’s pissed off. She’s really pissed off that she could rip his eardrum immediately by just screaming on the phone and of course, it’d be the perfect way to kill him through the phone without smothering him or stabbing him to death.

               “Ugh feref frhferjfer… fee.”

               She was feeling weird since for a second, she thought Wooyoung was abducted by the alien and she was actually talking to an alien. She knotted her eyebrows together, feeling curious and worried, totally not aware that she’d completely awaken.

               “Yaaa, don’t play around with me. I know it’s you Wooyoung.”

               Even though a few minutes had past, there’s no answer at the other line and it made her feel worried. Of course, it’s impossible for him to be abducted by an alien since first, he had no telescope and second, he loathed alien which he’d once told her he’d immediately punch its face if ever he’s destined to meet one. She gulped, hard before she asked,

               “Yaa Wooyoung, you—”

               “Hello?” she heard a voice, and she’s completely sure it wasn’t his. It was completely different from his. His was much softer and gentler than this. It sounded manly and of course it couldn’t be him since she couldn’t imagine him— a guy with puffy cheeks and a face of five years old kid having this kind of voice which a true man should have been having. She gripped the phone much tighter than before, and swallowed hard before she asked,

               “Hrm, who is this and mind if know whether this is an alien or what since for all these while I’d been living in this earth, I’d never known a fact stating that aliens actually can speak human language.”

               “Err, of course I’m not an alien since I’m fair and tall and don’t have a green skin and of course, I don’t have any anthenas on top of my head,” it took that guy a couple of minutes to reply— and of course she couldn’t blame him since he might think she’s weird by asking him that kind of bizarre question.

               “Then, who are you?” she asked while at the same time, trying to find where the hell her car key was since her instinct was telling her, go and get him.

               “I don’t think I’ve to tell you my name is since it’s really not important. Well, it seems like this boyfriend of yours is drunk. I think you should come and pick him up.”

               “God, this dickhead mandoo,” she muttered under her breath, while releasing a sigh and rolling her eyes in annoyance at the same time.

               “Excuse me? What did you just call me?”

               She’s frozen for awhile, trying to contemplate what she’d said just now. It took her sharp six seconds to remember the fact that she’d just called her best friend as dickhead, and also mandoo. She lightly slapped her forehead for not realizing the dumb mistake she’d done when she’s talking to a stranger on the phone. He must be thinking her as a weirdo. Not only she did ask him a stupid question and yet, she’d just humiliated herself by saying these words.

               “No, it’s not you. So you don’t have to worry and well, give me the address then.”

*     *     *     *

               Ten years ago, when they were twelve, they always spent their times together. Always, that they’d gotten a nickname, Glue and Paper. Glue is Shinah and Paper is Wooyoung since he stated that Paper suits him because of his fair skin. Because of his statement, he’d experienced how painful it was having Shinah’s fist being placed right on his nose. It hurt her, way too much and it’d made her to run like a cheetah to the shop nearby, and used $20 which she actually had to use to buy the materials for the upcoming project of their biology class, just to buy different kind of facial foams. Her eyes were blinded whenever she looked at her reflection on the mirror, not realizing she actually owned a fair skin- but of course, it still couldn’t beat Wooyoung’s.     

               Because of that incident, it caused both of them not talking to each other for two weeks— straight. She did find her hard time to go to school and do everything that she always did with Wooyoung— alone. She found it hard to do and yet, she couldn’t let herself talking to him since it’d make her feel she’d lost and look desperate. And she knew the best that it’d make Wooyoung feel so special.

                One day, she walked back home, trying to think what she’s going to do for the entire evening— playing Barbie? But she’s way too old to play it and Barbie’s so outdated. Reading romance novels? But she couldn’t stand reading the corny scenes between the hero and heroine or to be precise she couldn’t stand having butterflies flying across her stomach. She’s too busy having too many things in her mind, not realizing he was waving his hand at her— while hanging himself on the light pole in front of her house.

               Of course, she couldn’t help but letting her eyes bulged out in surprise since first, she thought it’s really bizarre for someone to actually let himself hanging on the pole and second, why the hell did he look so tanned? In the end, Wooyoung ended up having a tan skin for two months sharp, in a way to say sorry to her for being so spontaneous of what he’d said the other day. She found it ridiculous and yet, it’d made her smile— probably the biggest smile she ever had after two weeks not having curved upwards. And at that time, she felt so right— so good not realizing how important he was in her life.

               And now, with her jaw dropped open, she couldn’t take her eyes off him when her vision was packed by a scene of him— doing the pole dance, with some obscene movements. She had no idea what’d been up with his mind but he looked like an idiot. Indeed, he did. She got back to her senses when she saw him fell on the floor, while having his sticking out and the first word crossed over her mind— gross. She shook her head while rolling her eyes in annoyance, stepping forward. When she’s finally a step away from him, she set her eyes on his face— his sleeping face.

               “Jang Wooyoung, what are you doing?” she asked, as if he could hear her.

               “Thank god, you’ve come. You never knew what he’s trying to do few hours ago.”

               She turned her head to her right side, and it’s actually the guy—the same voice whom she had talked to just now. She looked at him from head and toe and was mesmerized by seeing how tall he was, how good looking he was but there’s something that led her to say in her mind that he’s weird. Probably his big nostrils.  

               “As in?” she asked while furrowing her eyebrows.

               “He’s trying to do the pole dance, with no clothes on!!” The guy even had ended his line by shaping his eyes into big ones and lifted his both hands in the air. Shinah lifted her right hand and brought it over to her face— brushing it over her face while letting out a sigh in disbelief.

               “He’s insane. Thanks for taking care of him,” she stated while giving the guy a small smile altogether with a bow.

               “No problem.”

               Once more, she let out a sigh and that’s when she settled Wooyoung’s body onto her. Truth to be told, he weighed like a pig. She took a moment to keep their bodies balance. Before she walked pass through the guy, she bowed for a last time to him. When she’s a few meters away from the main entrance of the club, her tracks were stopped when the guy suddenly called out.

               “Hey mandoo’s girlfriend.”

               She’d been living in this earth by the name of Lee Shinah for almost twenty-three years and truth to be told, she’d been asked out five times by her admires and of them was her crush. She’s happy knowing this, but she’d never accepted their requests except the first guy, after experiencing a bad date she ever had in her whole entire life. Obviously, Wooyoung would never give her a peace when it comes for her to be with other guy, other than him since he said it’s unfair, considering that he’d never been out with any girls, other than her. Of course, she knew he lied.  

               But that’s years ago, or to be precise, when she’s seventeen. But now, she’s twenty-three and she’d no idea what she should be reacting when a person asks her out. She’d no idea how to react, after leaving the teenage life for years.

                Please, don’t let him ask me out. She prayed while closing her eyes. We’ve just talked on the phone and I asked him stupid question and of course, we both didn’t know each other so please don’t let him fall for me at the first sight.

                She could feel her grips tightened on Wooyoung’s shoulder, and it could be proven when she heard he groaned.

               “Miss.”

               She took a deep breath, and slowly turned her body to the other round to let their eyes meet. She kept her eyes on her face, trying to compose herself by keeping a cold look on her face while at the same time— admitting how good looking he was. opened, tried to ask why he’d called her but it’s stopped when he said,

                 “You’ve got booger.”

               At that time, she felt nothing— but wanted to kill this guy or maybe herself because it’s her fault after all. What was she thinking? Of course he wouldn’t be asking her out! He didn’t even know her!  She bit her lips hard and couldn’t do anything to get the booger off her eyes since her both arms were currently supporting Wooyoung’s body. She swallowed— hard and said,

               “Hrm, thanks and…I’m not his girlfriend.”

               “What are you then?” he asked while crossing his both arms against his muscular chest.

               She couldn’t help but rolling her eyes and that’s when she answered, “His mom.”

               “LIKE SERIOUSLY?!”

               Once more, she rolled her eyes, and she was right. He’s weird. And that’s when she walked out from the club, together with her best friend.

*     *     *     *

               Back when they’re five, she still remember how irritating it was to bring his bag all the way back to his house for every single day on her back, since she’d always lose whenever they played Rock, Paper and Scissors. He’s the one who’d suggested that. He said it’s fair for both of them since he said it’s impossible for one of the party to win for most of the times. And yet, he always won and she always lost. And she had no idea why it happened like that way. Whether he used a spell or what, she had no idea.

               She really had no idea what he always put on his bag since she doubted his bag consists of books since it weighed nearly a tan. It’d be okay if she’s destined to only sling his back on her back, but considering that he’s an when it comes to be a gentleman, he’d never show some mercy to her by lending her a hand to bring her bag on her behalf. Instead, he’d be walking without anything slung on his back, while eating his favourite food ever, mandoo. She also hated him for being able to stop her from scolding him by always feeding the mandoo especially for her, and it’s able to make her smile and forget for awhile the fact that her backbone’s nearly broken.

               And now, she couldn’t help but rolling her eyes in annoyance and she’d had to admit, it’s like a dejavu. The scene of her— trying her best to walk as fast as she could to reach her house, to reduce the weigh she’d had to carry when she was five seemed had replayed— in the 20^th century. There she was, having him on her back, trying to catch a couple of breathes and she found it like a kilometer to reach the elevator which was actually situated not more than hundred meters from the point where both of them were currently standing at.

               “You better pay me back, you ,” she cursed and added with, “I swear Jang Wooyoung, I’ll kill you in real after this,” and also, “WHAT THE HELL DID YOU EAT, YOU PIG!!!”

               She kept on cursing, as if he could hear them. Finally, she reached her house and quickly opened the door, trying her best to reach the couch as soon as she could— and that’s when she threw his body on the couch, and within a second she felt like she was a bird being freed from a cage. Even though it sounded so exaggerating, but that’s how she felt. She landed her eyes on his sleeping face— and she wondered why he’s drunk since she knew the best, how much he hated the taste of alcohol.

               She felt like slapping herself when she found her fingers, trailing his jaw line. Truth to be told, she’d never found his jaw line attractive. Never. But she wondered why, it stood out the most— underneath the moonlight. She didn’t turn on the lights, since she had no energy left to turn it on when she’s on her way towards the couch considering that she’d had to use her energy stored to keep him balance with her. But his jaw line mesmerized her. She’d completely gotten back to her senses, even stating how stupid she was— but she was blown away, not realizing she hadn’t taken her fingers off his skin, as she thought she already did. When she realized that she actually didn’t, she tried to break it away but that’s when she was stunned, when his eyes swam into hers.

               She was frozen at the same position, not being able to move— not even a nudge. did open to explain the whole thing by saying— it’s not like what you think but it’s too late when she found was sealed— her body had completely gone numb when she found her lips brushed over his. Still freezing, she felt him breaking away and their nose no longer touched, then she saw— a light smile was formed on his face.

               He, Jang Wooyoung had kissed the girl whom he’d never dare to share the same cup of drink with. And yet, he had obviously kissed her— when he’s having her in his perfect dreamland, which he’d always wanted to have since he was a kid.

               What a perfect coincidence.