Chapter 24: Short Hair

Minho can’t sleep. He can’t get over the thought that Sulli is going on a date with another man. Who is this man anyway? What’s good about him? Is he her boyfriend or something?

Minho got up and went out. He has to see Sulli.

Minho reached Sulli’s house but the light in her room is still closed. He waited for an hour and then saw a car pull over by Sulli’s gate. A tall man went out. From afar, the man looks like an actor/singer Siwon. And that means trouble.

The man opened the other door and helped Sulli out. Sulli went out and the man hugged her. Minho is going crazy! But just when he’s about to get out of the car to pull the man away from Sulli, Sulli pulled herself away.

In just a few minutes, the man left Sulli by the gate. Sulli sat by the gate. She looks so tired. And then he saw her hide her face on her palms. Her shoulder shaking.

She’s crying

That man made her cry!

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Sulli’s heart is breaking for Robbie. Robbie is her best friend. When they were young, they will play together almost every day. When her Mom left and she has to go to the US, Robbie followed her there. Whenever she is bullied, he will protect her. He was always there. And even when she got to Korea, He will always keep in touch and take care of her. She cannot ask for more. If only life is simpler. If only FlyAir is not falling… If only her heart beats for Robbie, then it would be perfect.

Sulli felt warm hands on her shoulders. When she looked up, she saw Minho sitting beside her. That startled Sulli and almost made her scream.

“Why…Why are you here?” said Sulli breathless

“I wanted to see if your date was able to take you home safe.” Said Minho

For some reason, Minho looks really concerned.

“I don’t know what happened…But if you need to cry, just let it all out. I just want to be here to make sure nobody would disturb you.” Said Minho

“You are disturbing me. My tears just went back up.” said Sulli

Minho had to laugh at that. The memory in the elevator playing on this mind

“Remember the law of gravity?” asked Minho

“Gravity has no hold on my tears.” Said Sulli expressionless which made Minho laugh more

“Stop laughing at me.” Said Sulli “Seriously, stop!” But Minho continued to laugh

“Stop. Stop. Stop.” That drove Sulli to cry. She cried hysterically. Minho patted Sulli’s back

“That’s right…just let it out…” Minho’s heart is breaking seeing Sulli like this. But if she needs a shoulder to cry on, he will be that shoulder.

When Sulli’s crying subsided, she looked at Minho with her swollen eyes.

“What if Belle falls in love with you? And she tells you her feelings? How will you handle that?” asked Sulli

Minho had to stop and think. Belle…he has never thought of Belle on that context.

“Hmmm…that’s kind of weird…Belle is my buddy. We’ve been buddies since High  school…I just never thought of her that way.” Said Minho “But if she does that…I would be shocked, and will be taken aback. I mean…Belle is pretty and she’s very attractive. But my heart…the heart is hard to dictate. If it does not race on the sight of someone, you can’t dictate it to.”

“Same as you can’t tell your heart to stop racing at the sight of the person you like.” Continued Minho

“But Belle will be hurt if you reject her, right?” said Sulli

“Yes…she will…But Belle is a strong person. She has been through a lot. She will make it out stronger.” Said Minho

Sulli thought that the friendship that Minho has with Belle and Carl is just beautiful. And Minho is right, Robbie is also a strong person. He has made it this far in life despite all the challenges. He survived her rejection twice already and he still came out strong.  She has to trust Robbie more.

“That man…is my best friend.” Said Sulli

Minho did not expect Sulli to tell him anything. And he is surprised to hear her tell him about the man earlier.

“He’s my best friend since childhood…earlier…he confessed his feelings for me for the 3rd time.” Said Sulli

Minho felt like a knife just stabbed his heart. His heart beating fast.

“And what did you tell him?” Asked Minho

“I had to reject him” said Sulli

Minho’s heart started to beat less

“Because I can’t let FlyAir fall.” Said Sulli

Minho felt a pang of pain. This is exactly what happened to him years back. He wanted to save SkyRock and had to let go of Di.

“Do you…do you like him?” asked Minho. If Sulli likes the man..he doesn’t know what to do anymore. He doesn’t want Sulli to feel the pain he felt before. But he also can’t let her go.

“I don’t know…I’ve always seen him as my best friend. Even when he confessed to me before, I have never looked at him as a boyfriend…But Robbie is a nice guy…And my heart is breaking now that I know I’ve hurt him again.” Said Sulli

So she’s not sure what she feels for him. That means she might not like him romantically.

Sulli took a deep breath. “Thank you…For going here and listening to me…Oppa.” Said Sulli

Minho’s heart is fluttering. His mind is blank…His eyes are getting wetter…Minho took Sulli’s hand and placed it on his cheek.

“I…missed that…I….” Minho had to stop and place Sulli’s hand on his eyes to hide the tears.

“I missed you…Sulli.” Minho pulled Sulli close and enveloped her into an embrace so tight

Sulli felt Minho’s warm hands when he touched her hand. When he placed it on his cheek, Sulli’s heart starting to beat really fast and she can hear each heartbeat. When Minho placed her hand on his eyes, her heart felt pain, warm, melting and things she could not describe. And then she felt his tears. And her heart just felt like it’s going to explode.

And then she heard him say “I missed you…” and she can’t help but let her tears flow too but this time…the tears are not flowing from pain alone…there is a little bit of…joy?

When Minho pulled her into an embrace, her mind went blank and she could only feel Minho’s heart beating on her chest. His heart…is beating so fast. It’s like their hearts are competing which can beat faster…

Until their heart started to beat in unison….

As one.

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Robbie went home tired and heartbroken. His heart is shattered into pieces. He went to his father’s library and did not realize his father was there. Robbie just sat on a sofa and closed his eyes.

His Dad saw Robbie enter the room and he knows something is wrong. He sat beside Robbie

“Are you going to share what happened or do you want me to call your Mom?” asked  Robbie’s Dad

“No Dad…Why does the 2 of you need to join me on my travel back here?” asked Robbie

“Because we miss Korea of course. What’s with you?” asked Robbie’s Dad

“Hmm…You know that