P R O M I S E

Park Sanghyun    |    Choi Sunye

requested by ChunsaAngel21

"Wait what?" I sat up in the grass of our usual hangout place in a clearing, deep in the woods.

Cheondung cleared his throat, and repeated his previous words. "I said, I'm transferring schools.” I stood up completely, in protest against an inevitable truth.

"No! You can't! Why?" I objected. He ran a hand through his hair.

"My parents hate that I have to commute so far to go to school every morning, when there's a middle school right down the street from my house." He said bitterly. "There's nothing I can do really, I already begged them but they refused."

There was a long string of silence that settled around us. I plopped my back down on the ground, and picked at the blades of grass. "So we probably won't get to see each other as much huh?" I said, feeling my heart grow heavy. Cheondung had a quick look of disappointment, but replaced it with a smile and an endearing laugh.

"Are you kidding? You're my best friend, and nothing is going to change that Sunye." He threw a handful of dirt at my legs, and I quickly retaliated by tackling him to the floor.

As I had him pinned on the damp grass, I held my pinky finger in his face. "Promise?" I asked.

"Promise what?" Cheondung looked confused, and I rolled my eyes at his stupidity.

"Promise we'll always be best friends." I said, my squeaky preteen voice filled with joy.

He nodded, and linked my pinky with his. "I promise." He vowed, and the two of us drowned in our laughter.

                                                                                                       •••

Sunye’s POV

I was walking down the sidewalk, to the convenient store around the corner from my home, when he entered my thoughts again. The name Cheondung had not rolled off of my tongue in years, however the name always resided in my head.

I grabbed a cup, and filled it up with coffee. After purchasing my drink, I made my way back around the corner to my home.

As I neared my house, I noticed there was just a boy, around my age, standing in front of it. I squinted my eyes to see him clearer, but his large winter coat, and hat covered his face. Deciding to ignore it, I walked up the steps to my house and took out my keys to unlock the door.

"Hey, Sunye!" I heard my name, and whirled in the direction of the voice. I came face to face with the man standing in front of my house, as he began taking off his hat I recognized him immediately, I mean of course I did. Who would forget their childhood best friend?

"Cheondung?" I asked into the winter air. The boy nodded, and walked up the steps to my home. “Please, uh, come in.” I stuttered, unlocking the door, and gesturing him to enter. He bowed his head and smiled as he shuffled past me.

Once inside, I told him he could have a seat down on the couch, and asked him if he wanted some tea.

What the hell is he doing here? It’s been forever since we’ve talked, and now he thinks he can just waltz into here and everything be fine?

The thoughts raged inside my head, questions that deserved answers. I glanced over at him sitting on the couch. He observed the interior, the only thing that hadn’t changed around here. I walked over and brought him his cup of tea, and took a seat on the loveseat opposite him.

“Not to be rude but, what are you doing here?” I asked, he smiled into his mug, and set the cup down, wiping his chin with the back of his hand.

“Well, I was in the neighborhood, and thought I should stop by. Is that a problem?” He furrowed his eyebrows, and I shook my head vigorously.

“No, of course it’s not a problem. We just haven’t talked in a while, so it was shocking to see you here.” I said, stumbling over my words while trying to look him in the eye.

I’m pretty sure that he wasn’t supposed to look so attractive right now, but I couldn’t help it! He got really hot these past couple years that I hadn’t seen him.

Cheondung nodded at my words, and leaned back a little further into the cushion. “So how are things with you? How’s your mom?”

“Things are pretty good, I mean we’re getting by, and I’m working an extra job so my mom can stay home. She hasn’t been feeling herself lately.” I said, remembering the day we went to the hospital a few weeks ago, and they told us the dementia was worsening.

He nodded sadly, “Well if you ever need me to look after her while you’re working, feel free to ask..”

“You live too far away, I don’t it to be a burden-”

He cut me off, “It’s no issue, my family moved here only a block away from your house.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Wait, you moved back? Does that mean you’ll be going to my school again?” He nodded with a smile.

Deep down I told myself that I shouldn’t be happy. That it shouldn’t make a difference because the two of us weren’t close anymore, but I couldn’t help myself but smile brightly, and express my excitement.

After Cheondung’s visit, he left saying that he would see me at school tomorrow, and to tell my mom he said hello. The only thing I could really gather from that encounter was that no matter how much the two of us had changed as different people, and no matter how awkward the conversation is, there is always a connection between the two of us, that neither he nor I could understand.

There was one thing I was sure of. And that was, that I was super excited to see him at school tomorrow.

“Hey Sunye!”  I turned around to see my best friend, Misum, scurrying in my direction. She halted in front of me, gasping for breath. “Did you see the new guy? He’s a looker!”  She wrapped her dainty hand around my wrist, and pulled me towards the school.

We came to a stop peeking from behind the corner of a wall. She pointed to a tall boy putting things into his locker. When he closed the door, you caught sight of his face, of course, as you suspected it was Cheondung.

“I know him.” I said, simply. Misum looked at me with agape.

“You know him?! How?” She asked, I laughed at her utter shock.

“I was best friends with him in grade school, but he moved to another school, and we sort of stopped talking.” The truth that I had lost my best friend sent a pang to my heart. I shook the feeling off and shook her off my shoulder to go talk to him. I could feel her eyes staring at me as I retreated away from her.  I approached his locker and tapped his shoulder.

Cheondung turned around then smiled when his eyes met mine. “Hey newbie.” I said, simply. He adjusted the strap from his bag onto his shoulder, and chuckled.

“Hey. Are you part of the welcoming committee too?” He asked.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “We don’t have a welcoming committee.”

“Well, a few girls approached me this morning saying they were the welcoming committee, and they wanted to show me around school.” He laughed at the thought now that he knew they must have been random girls flirting with him. I laughed a little with him, and tried to banish the feeling of jealousy.

The bell rang, signaling for everyone to head to their first class. The two of us said goodbye, before heading in opposite directions. I glanced back at his retreating figure, and saw he was still watching me. The moment our eyes met, both of us whirled our heads the other way. I moved my head so fast, I thought my neck would snap.

Arriving in first period, all I could think about was Cheondung. The way he laughed, how our eyes met just moments ago, everything seemed so different between us. Our relationship changed, but it didn’t seem to really decline. What used to be a brother sister relationship, seems, I don’t know, different.

My thoughts were interrupted my Mr. Jang starting the lesson. So I decided to banish Cheondung from my thoughts for a while so I could focus on class. Ha, as if…

After my classes that took place at the beginning of the day, it was lunch, and I was on the lookout for Cheondung. I grabbed a seat at an empty table in the back corner, and it wasn’t long until Misum joined me. She told me about how her teacher scolded her for painting her nails in class. Honestly, I really didn’t care about that story. I was too busy looking for Cheondung.

He finally came into my sights. I turned back to Misum as I realized he was walking to our table.  She continued with her story as if I was actually listening, and I watched her until I felt a presence sit next to me. Misum stared wide eyed over my shoulder at who I already knew was Cheondung.

He smirked as I turned to look at him, and his smile was contagious as one found it’s way onto my face as well. Misum cleared from behind me and I leaned back so he could see her.

“Cheondung, this is my friend Misum. Misum, this is Cheondung.” The two of them politely bowed their heads at each other, and Cheondung redirected his focus back onto me.

“So Sunye, what do you say we hang out after school? Like old times huh?” He smiled childishly, and my stomach flipped.

“Oh, yeah sure! What do you want to do?” I asked. I would suggest we go to our old spot in the woods, but it’s the middle of winter and it would be way too cold. Cheondung shrugged his shoulders, and I thought for a moment. “How about coffee?” I  proposed.

With a quick nod, Cheondung patted my head, stood up, and exited the cafeteria.

I waited by the front gate of the school for Cheondung to meet me.  After a few minutes, he surprised me by putting his hands over my eyes. I immediately knew it was him, so I stood up, letting his hands fall to his sides, and turned to face him. “Ready?”

He put one hand in the pocket of his uniform pants, and walked beside me to the coffee shop.

Upon arriving, we grabbed a table by the window, and he went up to order. I asked for my usual caramel macchiato, and Cheondung decided on a mocha cappuccino. I watched the busy cars buzz by on the streets as I waited. Soon enough, Cheondung returned, and sat down in the chair opposite me. I tapped my nails on the table, and he let out a loud sigh.

“So is Misum your new best friend?” Cheondung asked. I immediately looked at him. His eyes were down looking at his lap, and his hands folded on the table. He looked like a sad puppy, and it broke my heart.

“No, I don’t need a new best friend.” I spoke softly, watching him drag his eyes up to look at me.

“Really?” He asked, baffled.

I laughed and held out my pinky finger. “We promised, remember?” I said, a childish smile taking place on my face.  He stuck out his pinky and hooked it around mine. He smirked and nodded once, before getting up and grabbing our coffee.

I sipped my drink, and continued to watch the cars as the silence dragged on. “So do you have a girlfriend?” I found myself saying. Immediately, I regretted that decision when his cheeks grew a shade of pink. I nearly slapped myself.

“No, no I don’t.” He stuttered. I felt a feeling of relief wash over me, though I didn’t know why. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and I kept sipping my macchiato until the cup was empty. “Did you want another one?” He asked, and I shook my head.

“No no, I don’t need that much caffeine. But I should probably get going.” I grabbed my phone to check the time. “Yeah, my mom is all by herself, and I should probably go check on her.”

“Okay, I’ll walk you.” He said, putting his coat back on, and slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“No, you don’t have to.” I objected, but he waved his hands in front of me and shook his head.

“My house is on the way, it’s really no problem.” Cheondung said, smiling. He stuck his arm out to me properly, and I took it. With my arm linked with his, we made our way out.

It was colder outside than I had remembered, and Cheondung must have heard my teeth chattering, because he removed his arm from my grasp, and wrapped it around my shoulders. He pulled me closer and rubbed my arm, trying to warm me up. I looked up at him to see him smiling to himself. He wasn’t looking at me, or anything else, he just looked…happy. He must have notice my looking at him, because when he looked down at me, I dragged my eyes away. Something told me the pink in my cheeks definitely wasn’t a side effect from hypothermia.
 

“Mom, I’m home!” I shouted into the quiet house. I heard some rustling from the kitchen, and walked in to see my mother trying to re-organize the spice cabinet. "Mom, what are you doing?"

"I was looking for cinnamon, and I noticed that it was a mess in there. So I am organizing it." She smiled brightly, and I sighed.

"Mom, please get up off the floor." I went to her, and helped her up from the floor. "I'll clean this up and make dinner, why don't you go fold the laundry?" She smiled again, and kissed my forehead. I nudged her into the living room, and retreated back to the kitchen. I prepared rice, tuna, and kimchi.

When dinner was finished, I called for my mom to eat. She emerged from the living room, and took her seat at the table. I brought the food, and sat down.

In the midst of eating, she began speaking. "How was your day, sweetheart?"

I swallowed my food, and replied, "It was good. You know, I met Cheondung yesterday." I already assumed she wouldn't remember him.

Her eyes widened, and her voice went up a few octaves. "Oh? This is the boy you're seeing!"

I choked on the food in my mouth, and reached for my water. "The boy I'm what?!" I exclaimed, heat rising in my cheeks .My mother nodded giddily.

"Yes! The boy. He's your boyfriend, right?" The look on her face was so bright and happy. She'd been wanting me to start dating for a year now, and now that I've mentioned a boy, forget about it.

Of course she didn't remember him as my best friend from grade school, so it's easier for her to just assume. I closed my eyes, and let out a sigh.

For mom.

"Yeah, mom, he's my boyfriend." She practically jumped up from her seat.

"Yes! My darling Sunye finally has a man who loves her!" She stood up, and did a little dance.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" I shouted. She paid no mind to my anger, as she was too happy to care. I shoveled the rest of my food into my mouth, and got up, taking the dishes to the sink.

"You can wash these." I said, walking out of the kitchen. I heard her protest from the kitchen, but I kept walking back to my room.

After finishing my homework, I laid down to sleep. I turned my light out, and crawled into bed, but my mother walked in right before I could close my eyes. "What mom?" I asked bitterly into the dark.

"When are you going on a date?" She asked. I rolled my eyes and answered her.

"We actually went on one today, to the coffee shop. But I think we're going out on Saturday. Now can you go? I'm tired."

She squealed from the doorway, "Okay sweetie, sleep tight!"" and with that, she shut the door, and left me in the dark.

I whispered to myself. "Cheondung is going to hate me."

I met Cheondung outside of the school on Thursday. I contemplated how I would tell him, but I decided I would just say it how it is. He approached me on a bench by the front entrance.

"What's up buttercup?" He teased, ruffling your hair.

"Ugh, you know I hate that." I said, shooing his hand away, and fixing my hair.

"Sorry...So why did you tell me to meet you out here this morning?"

I cleared my throat. "So, yesterday I came home and told my mom about our day yesterday, and she thinks we're dating." My voice became more and more quiet with each word. His face remained calm and collected, which confused me a bit. I gave him a look asking him to say something, but nothing came. I cleared my throat and spoke again.

"So, can I ask you a favor?"

He nodded, "Yeah of course, anything."

"I need you to be my fake boyfriend." I blurted. He raised an eyebrow, and swallowed hard.

"Okay." He said it so simply, I almost thought he said no.

"Okay? You'll do it?" I asked, blinking in surprise.

He nodded, "Of course I would! Anything to help you out." Smiling, he nudged my arm. I laughed, and out of joy, I wrapped my arms around him, and hugged him. I hugged him for the first time since grade school, and he felt different. Maybe it was the way I saw him now. I don't see him as a cute little 5th grader, with chubby cheeks, and messy hair. The Cheondung that I embraced at this moment, was strong, and handsome. I couldn't understand why, or how, but what I feel for him now wasn’t how I should feel about someone who’s just my best friend. Seeing him again made me realize how bad I felt without him in my life. And now that he was here again, I'm never letting him go.

He reflexively wrapped his hands around my waist, and hugged me back. After a moment, I backed arms length away, and pecked him on the cheek.

The look on his face was priceless. Wide eyes, red cheeks, and mouth hanging open. I almost couldn't contain my laughter. I bounded away before he could say anything.

"See you Saturday, pick me up at my place!" I shouted behind me as I hurried off to class, leaving my 'boyfriend' behind me.

Friday was the same as any other day, except for the first time in my life, I wanted to go to school. Scratch that, I wanted to see Cheondung.

My mom hasn’t shut up about him since dinner on Wednesday night. She constantly asks where we’re going to go, what I’m going to wear, what time are we going. I mean, I really don’t mind. Thinking about going on a date with Cheondung brought a smile to my face almost instantaneously, so I let her have her fun.

I didn’t get the chance to see Cheondung before school, instead I walked in with Misum, and headed to my first class.

The first half of the day came, and went easily. A test in Chemistry, and an essay in Literature, not really an exciting day. I made my way to the cafeteria, when someone snuck up from behind me. Cheondung identified himself, and escorted me to lunch.

“So have you decided where you’re going to take me tomorrow?” I questioned, linking my arm with his as we walked through the bustling school hallway. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at me.

“I don’t know, but it has to be romantic.” He looked up and smiled to himself.

“How romantic? A walk in the park? Sailing on a boat? A trip to the moon?” I pretended to swoon at my own ideas, but he only snapped his fingers as he came up with an answer.

“The Arcade!” I stopped in my tracks.

“The Arcade?”  I asked, a disbelieving look plastered on my face. “You’re idea of a romantic date is to go to an arcade?” Was he serious?

“Well I mean, yeah. It would be fun! Fancy dinners, and cheesy romantics aren’t really your thing anyways.” He said, I huffed, because he was right.

I hated cliché, cheesy romance movies, because they were so predictable. There was no spontaneity, or fun. My feeling of annoyance at his childish idea, was now gone. It was replaced with adoration. He knows me so well, and that made him ten times more attractive than before.

I continued to look at him until he began to look uncomfortable. Grabbing his arm, I turned my head to him. “The Arcade sounds lovely.”

I smiled up at him, and with a swift movement, he released my hand from his arm, and placed my hand in his. My eyes met his for a moment, before we both looked away, embarrassed. I giggled awkwardly, and I felt his body shudder as laughter consumed him as well. Then, for no reason at all, we were hysterically laughing in the middle of the hallway, hands still intertwined.

Cheondung’s POV

Today was the day. The day I take Sunye on a ‘date’.

For the past couple days it’s been really hard getting her out of my head.

When I first moved back I was afraid Sunye didn’t want to see me. Maybe she was mad at me for the way our relationship crumbled apart with the separation. So when I waited for her in front of her house, and saw that she was happy to see me, a weight was lifted off of my chest.

Seeing her again, I thought I would feel the same as when we used to be friends. The atmosphere would be playful, and familiar. However, that wasn’t the case.

Instead, well I don’t know if she feels it too, but now the atmosphere is different. The tension between us isn’t the same as two friends should feel. It feels like more. I shouldn’t see her the way do now. I don’t view her as my cute little best friend. I can’t shake the attraction I have for her, and to be honest I don’t want to!

I don’t know if she feels the same way, and even if she doesn’t, that’s okay. Just being graced with her presence is enough for me.

Sunye’s POV

“Mom what am I supposed to wear!?” I shouted from my room. Clothes were flung all over my room in a desperate attempt to find an outfit for tonight. My mother came rushing in, arms crossed.

“ You should have figured this out yesterday.” She leaned on the door, one eyebrow raised.

I rolled my eyes, “Okay mom, I get it. I should’ve listened to you. NOW HELP ME!” Cheondung was going to be here in twenty minutes, and I was not ready.

After my mom looked through my closet, we decided on white pants, and a baby blue sweater. I curled my hair and pulled it up into a ponytail, then did my make up with simple winged eyeliner, and pink lip stain.  

The doorbell rang, and my mom answered the door, letting Cheondung inside the house. I heard them exchange greetings, and assumed it was my cue to come out.

I walked out to see Cheondung dressed in black skinny jeans, a white v-neck, and a black leather jacket. He looked really good to say the least. We shared a look, before my mother squealed in excitement.

“Alright you two, head out!” She turned to Cheondung and gave him a stern look, “Now, you have her back by eleven. Not a second later.” Cheondung gulped, and nodded. She smiled brightly, and opened the door for us to leave. As we walked down the porch, she called from behind us, “Have fun you two!”

The walk to the arcade was pretty quiet, and not to mention awkward. When we got to the destination, he paid for a handful of coins, and we let loose on the place.

First, I begged him to play Dance Dance Revolution with me. “Hey, okay let’s try beginner.” I suggested.

“No way! We’re playing Expert!” He selected the ‘Expert” option from the screen, and I gulped.

Crap, I’m gonna embarrass myself.

The music started, and the moves started out easy. After a minute, he moves drastically increased in difficulty. My feet couldn’t keep up, however, Cheondung was hitting all of the moves smoothly.

I frantically stomped on the arrows, but I still lost. I was so tired, for a moment I thought I was going to pass out. When the game was over, I leaned on the handle as Cheondung howled in victory, and wiped his forehead.

“Well that was a workout!” He said, breathing heavily. Without speaking, I just nodded due to my shortness of breath.

In an instant, he pulled me to the air hockey table. We played a few games on there, before moving on the race car driving game.

Game after game, the laughter we shared echoed through the busy arcade. I pummelled him on the race car game, but he retaliated by winning in the zombie shooting game.  

The next thing we knew we’d been playing for hours. Winning, losing, shouting, laughing, and just having the time of our lives.

There would be times when I turn to look at him, and our eyes would meet as if he was already watching me. Then he would look away, and pretend it didn’t happen, but I knew it did.

I smiled to myself, wondering what he was thinking. Was he even looking at me? I began doubting myself, but realized quickly that I wasn’t imagining things.

“Hey Sunye,” Cheondung started, as we walked back from the arcade. Our arms linked again. I began to find comfort in his presence that I hadn’t noticed before. I felt safe. I felt at home. “Can I tell you something?”

I nodded, and he continued. “Well, I’m not really expecting you to feel the same way, but I just want to make my feelings known.” My breath stuck in my throat. “I didn’t know until recently, but Sunye, I’m in love with you. And I know it’s sudden, and maybe even upsetting for you, but I’ve loved you ever since I saw you out in front of your house at the beginning of this week.” He paused, and took a breath, “Call it whatever cliché you want, but I don’t care. I’m not asking you to love me, but I’m asking for you to let me love you.”

I’ve read in stories about how girls react to being told someone is in love with them. They can’t breathe, or think correctly. And I’ve always thought that was a load of crap. Until now.

I couldn’t figure out how to make my lungs breathe, make my eyes blink, or make my lips move. I just stood there, staring at him. The look on his face, was one of rejection. I quickly snapped myself out of my paralyzed state in order to confess my feelings for him also. However, I’ve always been bad at expressing my feelings.

“I love you too.” I blurted it out without a thought. I needed to let him know that I felt the same way. His eyes shot up from the ground.

“What?” He asked, careful not to get his hopes too high.

“I said,” I took a deep breath, “I love you too.”

I hadn’t ever seen so much happiness on a person’s face until now. Cheondung looked so happy, that it made me smile. Without warning, he pulled me into a hug and picked me up off the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and laughed with absolute joy.

When he set me down, we stood arms length apart staring into each others eyes.

“Will you go out with me? For real this time?” He asked, scanning his eyes over my face. I didn’t even have to think before I replied.

“Yes.” I whispered the word into the air.

He closed the small space between us with a kiss. I didn’t fight it, and instead I let myself mold into him. The feeling of pure bliss radiated throughout my body. Breaking the kiss, I stared into the eyes of my best friend, and smiled as our foreheads pressed together, arms holding each other, and love warming this cold, winter night.

A U T H O R ' S    C O R N E R                                                                                                                                                                            

Hello! I just want to do a brief author's note here saying that this is my first oneshot... ever, so I hope it's good!

Anyway, yeah, I'm the new co-author! I'm really excited to start writing with someone_silly_XD! She's really talented, and it was really sweet of her to ask me to write with her:)

Until next time, thank you for reading!!

                                                                                                    ~ ~ ~

                                                                                               siennawells