13^th April 2009

Well since my little visit to see Dr or Aunt Lee – as she prefers me to call her – yesterday I finally got the ‘ok’ to go out as I please. And so today, I woke up just a tad bit earlier than usual to enjoy my special time outside just a little bit longer. Maybe it's because I was confined inside my home for too long but I stepped out with such a warm and fuzzy feeling. I was more than ready to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

And oh! Well look who's suddenly decides to pop up out of nowhere...

As Eunmi emerges from the top of the hill, a certain figure perks up his head, watching as she makes her way down with light steps – each with an added soft little bounce. Her every movement, along with that soft little smile on her face beaming with delight.

Someone is definitely in a good mood today.

Seeing her innocent, carefree self made that person completely forget his previous thoughts and feelings. Whether he was a little angry, disappointed, worried or just being downright stubborn. Somehow seeing her in such simple bliss, all thoughts were wiped away and all that is left is that idiotic smile that had spread along his lips. And as she gradually comes into better view, a mischievous glint suddenly lit up his eyes.

On the other hand, Eunmi was too caught up in her own little world. She had no idea who or what was awaiting her at the bottom of the hill…well, that was until she made the slightest turn of her head.

And there he was.

Frozen on the spot, just a step away from her – might we add that he was standing in a rather peculiar position as well?   

Just that very sight of him had the poor girl parting her lips in complete utter bewilderment. Baekhyun parted his lips also, though he looked so much more awkward in a ‘crap…that didn’t work out very well’ sort of way, which then leads that rare moment where his voice gets caught in his throat. Speechless he is.

Slowly, Eunmi eyes his right arm and then his left.

Both were held up, hands slightly curled in as if he was imitating some sort of big, grizzly bear.

Baekhyun followed her eyes as she observed his stance questioningly – with every reason to do so.

And with such poor timing, “…boo?”

Eunmi could only respond with raised eyebrows. Her reaction – or lack of – so unamused and cold, he could practically hear the tumbleweed rolling by.

Finally dropping the bear act – clearly aware of how embarrassing it is – out of nowhere, “Ah-ha-ha…!” He sheepishly scratches that nonexistent itch at the back of his head, attempting to laugh off the awkward silence he caused.

But quickly realising that this isn’t working, he immediately drops his arm down to his side as he bows his head in apology.

“I’m sorry”

A light giggle, almost inaudible to the ears, is heard. A giggle so gentle, it tickled his inner senses.

It took a while to sink in…but once she had finally taken in the whole scenario that had unfolded, Eunmi couldn’t help but to find the whole situation so funny. That failure of a prank to scare her and the boy’s reaction that followed. To be honest, she was so eager to just get out and about that she had completely forgotten about him, to think that he’ll appear in front of her like that. He sure is an amusing guy.

Baekhyun slowly lifts his head up, surprised to hear such melodic laughter from her. And as he looks up, he catches a glimpse of the small smile that was directed right at him. Just like that, he finds himself grinning like an idiot again. Taking it as a cue for him to start a proper conversation this time.

 “So...are you heading down to the beach?”

Eunmi nodded in answer to his question but suddenly stopped upon realising something. “Ah...” covering with one hand, she glances up at the boy with her big round eyes, whilst he stared back at her, confused.

“Hm? What’s u-...oh. Ohhh~~!” the look in his eyes changed, as though his playful nature suddenly took over “how could I have forgotten about that? …well isn’t it about time you showed up?” he complained with a cheeky smile, slightly nudging in the her arm.

Though he didn’t actually seem to mind all that much, it didn’t stop Eunmi from looking at him with those guilty, big round, puss in boots eyes. And with a snap of the fingers, his behaviour immediately changed again. Oh the effect she had on him.

“Hey hey! No need to give me that look…like it or not, you’re gonna make up for it now anyways, hehe~”

Again with that goofy smile of his.

“Come on, let's hurry up!” suddenly dashing forwards, he comes to a stop having lengthened the distance between them by several meters and turns back around. “Hey! Come on, slow poke!” He shouts, waving her over like an excited little kid.

That smile of his. Strangely enough, it feels…strangely~…addicting to look at. So blinding and warm, so cheeky and childlike…o-or....or it could have just been the effect of the sun behind him...yeh that must be it. Phew~

“You know, I’ve been thinking…”

"Hm?" Feeling a pair curious eyes on her, Eunmi turns and lock eyes with the boy, signalling him to continue.

“…I never got your name did I? …nor did I tell you mine.”

Eunmi’s eyes rounded as it hit her – how she had always referred to him as ‘that boy’ or something along those lines.

“It’s strange though, that I’ve never actually seen you around in school. You know, I tried to look out for you these past few days...since someone didn’t show up when they said they would” he playfully glares at her, making her smile that awkward apologetic smile. “But it’s proving to be quite the challenge, especially when I don’t even know your name…but you know…now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a uniform before. You look around the same age as me, well…maybe one or two years younger. So you must still be in full time education right? And that school is the only one in town…right? So then…huh~?”

Eunmi silently stood observing his confused expression. It was cute. How the more he voiced out his developing thoughts on the issue, the more befuddled he seemed to get. His brows furrowed and his head tilted to the side as he thought about it more.

A small smile drew along her lips. And it was then, when her eyes caught hold of something in particular.

“...Byun. Baek. Hyun.”

“Huh?!” Jolting up from his little trance, Baekhyun whips his head towards the direction in which that soft voice called out to him only to have the familiar sound of gentle chuckling fill his ears. That was of course from Eunmi who is clearly amused by that look of surprise that had taken over his face in a split of a second.

“Baekhyun, Byun Baekhyun” she wittily repeats.

It was the first time he heard her voice. Soft spoken as he had expected. Despite that small hint of a sly smile that hung at the edge of her lips, coming from it feels as though her words naturally comes out in a refined manner – well these thoughts did indeed cross his mind at the time but even so, he didn’t know how he should be reacting to this. Should he be happy, or should he be shocked? Either way, it looks as though his facial expression had already chosen the latter as Eunmi couldn’t help but to chuckle again upon seeing how he stared at her like she was psychic.

“It says…” she slightly nods towards the left of his chest, “on your name badge”

Within an instant, the look of shock disappeared and instead he looked highly amused, not to mention quite impressed.

“And…about what you were saying,” Though sounding a bit unsure and timid to start with, she calmly looks Baekhyun in the eyes, “…I~ don’t go to school.” His brows raised slightly, but he did not wish to question her and simply let her finish whatever she wanted to say – now that she’s finally willing to speak to him. “I get taught at home”

At that time, I didn’t know what exactly got into me that morning but somehow I just felt the need to just make that little effort to talk to him. Afterall it was always him who did all the talking. It was always him who approached me. And it seemed like he had in fact been waiting for me to show up. So this is the very least I could do, I thought.

“Homeschooling?”

Eunmi didn’t know what to make of his tone, although she had already told him – and honestly it actually felt quite good to let it out. But she didn’t know whether she’s ready to answer any questions he may have about it, so she just nods in response.

“Wow~ people actually have that? …but hey, if you’re studying alone at home, doesn’t it get boring?”

“Huh?” well that wasn’t a question she was expecting. “Mm” she nodded.

"Hmmmmm~" he pulls a sort of pouty face whilst nodding in acknowledgement, when something else crosses his mind. “...one minute missy”

Eunmi stares at him, brows raised at his sudden sass. Did he just call her ‘missy’? 

“This isn't right" he shakes his head disapprovingly whilst the lost little Eunmi cluelessly parts her lips, mouthing 'what?' at him.

"This isn't fair! You already know my name, so it's only right that you tell me yours. An eye for an eye!" he says with a proud nod.

"Ah~" Eunmi tries to ignore that last sentence. “Sorry" biting back the urge to tell him that the saying isn't exactly suitable to use in this context.

"...Eunmi, Park Eunmi-imnida"

“Eunmi?" yeh, it's better for her not to say anything about it right? Just let him be. "‘Eun’ as in grace and ‘Mi’ as in beauty...Eunmi, Park Eunmi...that’s a pretty name” he looks at her and smiles charmingly “it suits you, Eunmi-ah”

A faint shade of pink colours the said girl's cheeks. It wasn't really helping that he had to smile at her like that either, and how he kept on repeating her name.

“Eunmi-ah,”

Is he doing this on purpose? Payback perhaps?

“...you’re younger than me right?”

…Byun Baekhyun.

It’s funny, to think that I’ve been calling him ‘that guy’ or ‘that boy’ this whole time and only now have I managed to get his actual name.

Seems like I’ll definitely be seeing more of him from now on…he sure does seem enthusiastic to ‘go out and enjoy life’ as he would say. Haha, he sure is a funny one.

But I kinda get this feeling that I’m gonna get dragged around by him  a lot now. Though I'm not sure whether this is a good or bad thing. It could be troublesome. I mean if appa ever finds out...

…oh dear lord.