The next afternoon, I went for an extended walk. I avoided passing by Sunggyu’s house at all costs, taking the trails that led away from his general direction and deeper into the high country. I wasn’t all too familiar with the area—I think there was a small lake nearby and I hoped to stumble upon it—but that was the least of my concerns. My only thought was to walk as far as I could and climb as high as I can, until I put enough distance between myself and my worries that, maybe, just maybe, I would be able to see things a little clearer. I needed to make a little bit of sense out of this weird situation, filled to the brim with an ugly mix of unidentifiable emotions.

Imagine my surprise when, after a couple of hours of walking, I ended up on a high ridge that gave me a perfect view of that familiar field of tall yellow grass, marked with that atrocious house at its far end.

“What the?! Really??” I said out loud. No matter what, it seemed I couldn’t get away from that stupid house and its stupid owner. I scoffed and haughtily took a seat, feet dangling over the edge of the ridge. Crossing my arms, I stared intently at that ugly brown building. It sat there tauntingly, staring me back.

Just then, I saw movement. From my very distant vantage point, I could just make out a boy with dark hair exit the home and make for his car. He got in, woke the engine, and pulled out into the narrow lane.

Strange, I thought. I don’t remember Sulli saying she had plans to meet up with Woohyun.

Then, I saw a second figure emerge. Under the sun, his hair glinted that weird orangey color as he stepped out into the lane and started heading down the trail. He disappeared into the treeline, when suddenly, I realized something.

He was on my same path. Headed in my general direction. And I suddenly had two options. One, I could sit here and hope he doesn’t get this far up the hill.

Or two, I could double back. And meet him head on.

I didn’t have to think twice about it. I stood up, brushed the dust off my jeans, and headed back the direction I came.

Choa, what do you think are you doing??, a small part of me yelled out. I really didn’t have an answer. I don’t know what I expected to happen once I met him. All I knew is that this time, unlike any of our other encounters, I was choosing to stand before him. And this alone… it just might lead to a different situation where I wasn’t made to feel so inferior by him.

I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

There’s only one way to find out, I thought as I walked purposefully down the trail, the rocks crunching loudly underfoot.

I continued thinking to myself. Maybe it’s high time I apologize. ‘Sunggyu. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.’ Yeah, that sounds good. But how would he react? He might make me feel dumb. But I’m already expecting that. He might insult me, and that I could manage. But…what if…

I halted suddenly in the middle of the path. What if he doesn’t even talk to me. What if he does not even listen to what I have to say?

That… that I would not be able to handle.

As I stood there, the seconds ticked by, and I realized with a jolt that he could show up any moment now. Suddenly, reflexively, I shot into the treeline, nearly tripped on an exposed root, and crouched behind a thick bush. I could see the path, but I knew that in the dense growth of the trees and brush, I was perfectly hidden from his view.

DAMN it!!, I cursed at myself. What the hell am I doing now?? I was such a coward! I couldn’t believe that I was here, squatting on the dusty ground like a freaking moron, eyes watching silently for any hint of movement.

But the truth was that I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t meet him head on.

Not if he wasn't going to forgive me, at least.

I waited with bated breath, scanning the path fervently. I strained my ears, trying to listen for the sound of his footsteps on the trail.

But I was met with an entirely different sound altogether. And the unexpectedness of it nearly made me jump out of my skin.

“Na jigeum neoege ganda!...Jogeumman gidaryeojwo nal…
Neo animyeon andwae nan andwae nan andwae
Neo animyoen andwae nan andwae nan andwae
Nan neoege ganda…”

He was singing. He was really singing! I craned my neck to see just over the bush, and finally spotted him through the thick. He had his iPod on and was bobbing his head ever so slightly as he walked.  He finished the stanza, and then started humming the tune. And I could only sit there, mouth agape, watching and listening. He had the slightest smile on his face, and I could tell he was deep in thought. Weirdly, I found myself wishing that I could see what he was thinking of too.

Then, all too soon, he passed me on the trail, and disappeared around the next bend. And I just sat back on my heels, letting the memory of his voice replay over and over in my head.

Because contrary to what I had wanted to believe, he was really, really good.

--

Filler chapter, filler chapter la la la la more fun stuff in the next :)

Also, I was going to use 60 seconds, but I didn't think it fit the mood. So I picked the song I'm currently obsessed with (x)
Hope you don't mind.