| Chapter 1 |
Ordinary Day [Temporary Hiatus]
I walked out of the house after slipping on my shoes. The clouds hovered over the city menacingly, giving it a gloomy feel. I quickly got to the mart, bought what my mother had asked of me, and speeded back home before the rain started pouring.
This was pretty typical for every week in my life. And while some might find reassurance in routines and stability, I couldn't help but sigh in annoyance. I was getting bored of everything, of my lack of excitement in my so-called life.
I go to school, take notes, chat with my friends, walk home, do chores at home, then the homework, and the day's over.
I was exasperated at the lack of "life" I had. I couldn't help but remember yesterday's conversation with my friends...
"Did you hear? Lizzy got accepted into Starship! Do you think she could get me a signed copy of Boyfriend's album? Or a date with Kwangmin!? Eeep!" Minhee squealed excitedly.
Nana flicked her forehead before shaking her head, "Silly, she's only a trainee. Plus, just a few weeks ago you said you hated her guts!"
Minhee pouted and murmured something about 'feelings changing' when I noticed that Nana kept on checking her phone, an obvious sign that something was on her mind.
"Nana," I nudged her softly, "What's up? What's on your pretty lil' head?" I winked and she let a soft chuckle.
She looked at the both of us before taking a big breath. I knew it was serious, then. "Girls, you know how I've been working after school?" We nodded, knowing that she had to ditch Pizza Tuesday with us last week because of her part-time job. "Well... I never told you, exactly, but I got hired by SM. They're waiting 'till graduation to put me in full-trainee schedule, but I've already started doing some photoshoots and classes..."
Nana looked scared for a second, as if we were going to explode. Wait, I thought, Minhee might. I smiled at her, genuinely happy, and grabbed her hand reassuringly. I knew she wanted to be an actress for a while now, and this was the start of her dream career.
"Congratz, sis. You deserve it. But just know that if you get a gig that has Kim Kibum somewhere in it, expect me at your door for a meeting." I grinned and she giggled. She knew I wasn't really boy crazy, but Super Junior's Kibum was my kryptonite. We looked at MInhee, who had kept quiet until now. Right then, I was really worried she might explode from her "feels".
"Minhee... Minnie?
...
Minnie-yah.. "
We looked at each other, silently counting... 1... 2... 3... "MINNIE!"
"KRISUS, WHERE'S THE FIRE?!" Minhee jumped.
"You ok?" I asked
"Yeah.. yeah... Nana?" she looked at Nana, who timidly smiled.
"Yes Minnie-yah?"
"I'm really happy for you.. I am.. But.." Minhee's eyes misted and a small tear slid down her cheek, "If you get all famous and forget us I'm never going to forgive you."
Her voice wavered, and we could obviously see that the news had an unexpected impact on the maknae of the group. I personally had expected her to go all "GIVE ME MY OPPARS!" on Nana. I'm sure Nana wasn't too far off from the thought, too.
We all hugged, while Minhee wailed and said incoherent things. After she had calmed down, and Nana had dried her tears, we left the cafe in hunt of ice cream to cheer the maknae up.
"Minnie-yah, you should know better. I would never. Remember, best friends are sisters that destiny forgot to give you. How could I forget my own sister?" Nana said after we picked out our ice cream flavors.
We left the depressing topic and before we all left for home, Minhee dropped the b-bomb.
"Girls, I kinda forgot I had news to tell you, myself.. Erm.. " she blushed, obviously flustered, while playing with the end of her scarf, "I got a boyfriend. He's a college freshman, and no Nana, he's not mean or snobby to me. He's super sweet. Anyways, you guys wanna meet him this Saturday?"
I sighed while re-arranging my rubik's cube. Getting annoyed, I chucked it to the floor.
All my friends, acquaintances, classmates were accomplishing dreams, finding their other halves, doing actual stuff.
Yet here I was. Doing nothing in particular.
I wondered for a while what would happen if I disappeared. Would it make a difference? I quickly shoot my head, and the thought, out of my mind. But my lack of dreams or plans still left me frowning slightly. I sighed and quickly prepared for bed.
Being a senior, everyone talked about pretty much the same: boyfriends, college, tests, prom, clothes, gossip, etc. It bored me to bits.
After school, I was left by myself. Minhee was meeting up with her boyfriend, who I found out was named Changseob and apparently a trainee of Cube, while Nana had to work. I knew that my mother would be working till late, so after dropping my school bag and changing into a loose fitted beige pair of pants, a printed tee and an oversized sweater, I headed out. Taking my phones, keys and wallet, my feet unconsciously led me to the park.
As I walked, I saw many toddlers, couples here and there, and lots of good street food. When I couldn't resist any longer, I shuffled to a small ice cream vending spot and bought a big cup of ice cream. If I was going to torture myself with depressing thoughts like last night's, might as well do it with a yummy cold treat.
While I kept walking aimlessly, I let my mind drift off to my thoughts. Doubts, worries, and many other not-so-pleasant things went through my head, leaving me stressed and with a bitter taste in my mouth, despite the ice cream. I suddenly stopped, noticing that I was in an almost deserted area of the park. And I say almost, because I immediately noticed a guy sprawled on the grass, looking at the clouds. A smile adorned his face, and he seemed like a handsome carefree university student, though his slightly-baby-ish face made me doubt it.
How can he be so happy, I thought jealously, just by looking at the clouds? I shook my head, He must be waiting for his girlfriend, that's all.
Before the young male could notice me, I left with my almost empty cup of ice cream, still pondering over my seemingly ever-present worries.
Weeks had passed. I had received my admission replies, and while I hadn't been admitted to Seoul National University, I had a full scholarship to Yonsei for the major of Litterature & Education. My family congratulated me, my friends and I celebrated in a nearby cafe, and the guy from the park had completely slipped my mind.
I found myself walking back to the park one lonely afternoon, my feet taking me back to the deserted area from last time. With a cup of ice cream in my hand yet again (albeit, a much smaller one), it was as if my unconscious wanted me to check on the stranger I'd seen. What surprised me the most was that he was there again. Watching the clouds, the same smile on his face, and still no girl by his side. I mentally checked to see if it was the same time or day as our last "encounter". Today was a Saturday, so it wasn't the same week day... I was pretty sure, however, that it was around the same time of the day, since it was an afternoon as well.
I was so immersed in my calculations, I didn't noticed that I was staring, or that he had noticed me. I was broken from my trance when he started shouting.
"Hey! Girl! Ice cream girl!" he shouted with a surprisingly deep voice that didn't match his looks at all. I looked around, making sure that it was me he was calling. Still incredulous, I stupidly pointed at myself, and he nodded.
I shyly walked towards him, my cheeks heating up. Not because he was rather handsome up close (which he undoubtedly was), but because he'd caught me staring so openly and shamelessly.
"Um... Hi..." I said in a small voice, awkwardly scratching my neck.
"Hi," he smiled, again with that mismatching deep silky voice, "I'm Chanyeol. You came here a few weeks ago,right? Huuuuuuge cup of ice cream, and a huge frown on your face as well? Am I right?" he excitedly blabbered. He reminded me of a puppy, somehow.
Then what he said sinked in. He saw me?! He laughed, probably reading my face like an open book. He patted the grass next to him, and I cautiously sat down. It was quiet after that. He kept looking at the sky, and I looked at him.
Here I was, sitting next to a complete stranger, in the middle of nowhere (well, not really...). Did this count as exciting? Adventurous? I couldn't be sure.
"So what's troubling you?" he asked, still looking at the sky. I raised my eyebrow, "Oh, come on ! I'm a complete stranger. Vent out, if that's what you need. Don't worry, I'll keep any secrets quiet."
As he winked, I chuckled, then turned my gaze to the sky as well. I quietly murmured an "I don't know", but I don't think he heard me.
"Hmmm..."
He quickly got up, dusted his pants, and offered his hand to me while giving me a slightly creepy grin. I looked at his hand totally confused.
"C'mon. Let's find out, then,"
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