http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9ayN39xmsI

Christina Perri- A Thousand Years

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The director informed Haewon that her aunt would be arriving any minute now. She sat on the steps of the front entrance and waited for Inhee to arrive.

Haewon planted her elbows on her legs and rested her chin on her palms. She blew a bored raspberry. *I thought auntie was on her way. What’s taking her so long? I wonder what we will do today. She always takes me out of the institution, thinking it’s the best for me. But I like it. I want to be here.* Haewon thought of Luhan, and her eyebrows knitted together. She knew what he would say in this situation.

“Your aunt loves you. You should be grateful she’s coming to visit you.”

Haewon sighed and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. *Look at me. I sound like a spoiled brat. It’s embarrassing. It’s not like I love my aunt, because I do. I’m so thankful for her. But I wish she wouldn’t take me away from the school for too long. This is my comfort zone, and I don’t like leaving Luhan oppa for too long.* She sighed again.

Haewon heard someone sit by her side and slightly turned her head. She wondered who had suddenly appeared beside her.

The person took her hand and held it out straight. She waited as he wrote on her palm.

“Be happy.”

Haewon scowled and yanked her hand away. “I knew you would say that.”

Luhan laughed.

Her expression softened. She thought he had the most beautiful laugh ever.

“Do you see my aunt yet?” Haewon asked.

Luhan checked the gate and saw no sight of her. He put her hand on his cheek and shook his head.

“She’s always late.” She sighed.

“Still, she’s coming. You don’t know what I would give to see someone I care come visit me.” Luhan wrote on her arm.

Haewon softened. She could tell his spirits were slightly dampened. She held onto his hand and wrote on the back of it, “I would come visit you.”

Luhan smiled a little. He was grateful for her comfort. He squeezed her hand. “You don’t count. You live just down the hall from me.”

“Fine. Then I won’t come visit you.” Haewon stuck out her tongue and turned the other way.

Luhan laughed and slung his arm around her neck. Closing his eyes, he smiled and leaned in closer to smell her hair. It always smelled like lilacs, and he was drawn into the sweet, powerful scent.

Luhan opened his eyes and looked up. He straightened up when he saw a figure ambling towards the institution. Luhan pulled away from her, and she looked back at him. “Do you see my aunt?” He put her hand on his cheek and nodded. Then Luhan swiftly got up and went to greet her aunt.

Sweating and cursing, Inhee struggled to walk with ten shopping bags in her hands.

Luhan jogged over and took some of the load. “Oh, thank god it’s you. I needed some help.” She sighed. She looked up and brightened immediately when she saw her niece. “My darling Haewon!” Inhee ran towards her.

*Oh boy.* She struggled not to roll her eyes.

Her aunt enveloped her into a tight embrace. “I missed you so much!” “I missed you, too, auntie.” Haewon patted her back.

The doors opened, and the children and staff came out.

“Welcome, Inhee.” Director Nam smiled sincerely.

“Hello everyone!” She beamed. “I brought presents for all of you!”

“All of us?!” The children asked excitedly.

Inhee laughed, “Yes, every single one of you.”

“That better include us.” Mr. Song huffed. Ms. Lee smacked his arm with a look.

Inhee chuckled, “Of course I didn’t forget the lovely teachers.”

“Help her with the bags.” Director Nam instructed. The teenage boys took the bags and went inside.

“Let me get a good luck at my niece.” Her aunt pulled back and examined her face. “You get more and more beautiful every day. You got skinnier though. Have you been dieting?” She frowned and touched Haewon’s pale cheek.

“No, auntie.” She assured.

“Hmpf.” Inhee huffed. Luhan chuckled by the side.

Inhee turned her head and looked at him. She had only met Luhan whenever she came to visit, but she felt like she knew him personally. Haewon never failed to mention him in every conversation they had. Inhee had never understood their relationship.

“I see you’re still sticking to her side like glue, Luhan.” She softly chided. She was grateful that he took care of her niece, but she was wary because even though Haewon might not know how Luhan looked at her, she did. Inhee noticed how softly he gazed at Haewon. Hearts were spilling out of his eyes. He looked like he would take a bullet for her any moment, and being an aunt, she thought that was too extreme for such a young man.

Luhan smiled good-naturedly and nodded. *I always will be.*

“Where are we going today?” Haewon changed the subject. She brightened suddenly, “Or are we staying at the school today?!”

“Nonsense! We’re going to tour the island today and go ride the ferry! It’s going to be a lovely day! Just you and me!” Her aunt cheerfully squeezed her.

*Joy.* Haewon thought dismally.

“You’re ready, right? Let’s go.” Her aunt took her hand and led her away.

Haewon glanced back. She couldn’t see Luhan and didn’t know if he was waving at her or not.

Luhan watched until they disappeared. *Good-bye, Haewon. My heart will be cold until you come back.*

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Inhee kept Haewon away from the school until late at night. Haewon was a bit grumpy that she didn’t get to hang out with Luhan. She hadn’t been able to see (of course, not literally) him since her aunt had kidnapped her in the morning.

Now, it was time for bed, and her aunt would sleep over.

Haewon was sitting on the bed listlessly while her aunt rambled on and on about random topics. She could feel clothes being flung in all different directions. “And oh sweetie, if you can only see this sweater! I made the pattern, and my boss complimented me for it! This is the sample just for you!” Her aunt beamed as she held out the irregular, gray-and-white v-neck sweater.

“That’s nice…” Haewon replied absentmindedly.

Her aunt didn’t even notice that her mind was a thousand