It was the morning of their graduation and Hye didn’t understand what was there to make such a deal of. It wasn’t as if this was prom though they were similar in many ways. Sure they were going to a fancy banquet which came with a dinner and dance but why spend money on a dress you’re probably going to wear once in your entire lifetime?

The homeroom teacher had finally given into the class clowns and let them have their ways of creating a light and happy atmosphere. Jongin, though enjoying it all, still stayed beside Hye Seon and only left her side for brief moments to join in on short games with his other friends. Everyone in the graduating grade were wandering the halls, visiting their teachers and dropping off presents on the way. Elementary never bothered Hye Seon that much since it never seemed to be significant in her mind. However, if there was one thing she missed, it would be Jongin. She couldn’t help but feel there was going to be a possibility he might leave her once they entered high school since there were going to be a lot more people who would click well with Jongin.

“Yah. Hye Seon. What are you thinking of? ” Jongin bent over the desk and snapped his fingers. She looked up and shook her head.

“Nothing much.” Hye Seon ruffled his hair which he most cared up. Quickly backing up, he fixed his hair while yelling “Not my hair!” which made her laugh. Seeing her rare smiles, Jongin gave in a little, immediately forgiving her.

As the day ended, Hye Seon took her time packing everything just so that Jongin could have a little more time saying his goodbyes to the others before catching up with her. The two walked home side by side as always, their backpacks bouncing off their backs slightly whenever they took a step.

“So what are you going to wear tonight?” Jongin asked.

“I…don’t know. Maybe I won’t even attend.” She replied, waiting for the lights to turn. In truth, Hye Seon did in fact want to go not because she wanted to look dazzling in a dress but because she didn’t want Jongin to be the only one without a ‘date’. However, Hye Seon didn’t have a choice since she didn’t have any skirts or dresses except for a knee-length pencil skirt her mom had left for her. The closet thing she had to a dress was soft light grey shirt with short sleeves that covered her mid thigh but that was too casual for such an event. After she made it to her front door steps, the door swung open and her mother pulled her inside.

“Umma! What’s the matter?” She asked at the rough action. Her mother had a joyful expression and she quickly urged Hye Seon to come inside. On top of the table was a large gift wrapped box with her father standing proudly beside it.

“What is that? Don’t tell me you bought another suit again.” Hye Seon looked at him which earned her a slap on the shoulder.

“This, Hye Seon, is something your father ordered for you. Well, of course I helped customize it or else who knows what disastrous thing would he come home with?” Her mother explained.

“I didn’t think I did such a bad job” His father argued

“Well unless you wanted her to look like a bride.”

“Wait, did you get me a dress? I told you not to! Why would you waste money on this!?” Hye Seon didn’t know if she felt happy or not. She didn’t want her parents to spend money on something useless though at least now she could go with Jongin.

“It’s fine. You have to go at least once right? And graduation is only once!” Her father replied and nudged the box towards her. She looked from her father to her mother and nodded, heading towards the bathroom.

After sliding off the ribbons that held the box shut, she lifted the cover. There was a light pink, almost white dress neatly folded inside.

Here goes nothing

She slipped on the smooth fabric and smoothed out any creases. Fortunately, there was thick translucent fabric straps that covered both shoulders and a subtle sweetheart neckline embedded with crystals. The waist line also had a short thin line of crystals in the front that separated the top from the bottom.

“…wow” She breathed, turning her back to the washroom mirror to take a look.

Knock Knock

“Are you done?” Her mother asked between the door.

“Yea.” Hye Seon opened the door and stepped out. The smooth fabric swayed with her footsteps. Her mother beamed and pushed her to show her father how she looked. Giving a thumb up, he patted her shoulder proudly.

For the next hour, her mother had her sit down while she had all sorts of things slathered on her face. Her cousin had arrived as well and was most likely here to do her hair. Finally, when everything seemed to settle down, she opened her eyes and looked in the reflection. Her eyes looked bigger and darker, her eye lashes were longer. Her hair was curled very lightly and she had to refrain from touching it just in case she might ruin them. Hye Seon couldn’t think of a day where she looked better than this. Her lips were painted a soft pink to match her dress.

“Hye Seon, stop staring and get ready. You’re ride is coming in less than ten minutes.” Her mother pulled her downstairs and shoved a clutch into her hand.

“What ride? Aren’t you going to drive me?’ She asked her mother who was now looking for her shoes.

“No, one of my co-workers volunteered to drive you. Her younger cousin goes to the same school as you.” Her mother replied and dropped down a pair of white wedges in front Hye Seon.  Lifting an eyebrow, she measured the heel and felt relieved it was only about a pinky finger tall.

Hearing the doorbell ring, Hye Seon quickly slipped on her shoes and waved good bye to her family before opening the door.

“Luna sshi!” Hye Seon saw the familiar face.

“Come on! Jongin kept telling me not to come since you weren’t going to go. That little brat doesn’t even know what he’s talking about.” Luna laughed as they headed towards the care.

That means Jongin’s inside right now.

She felt self conscious all of a sudden and hesitated to open the door. Even without pull on it, the door opened by itself and Jongin stuck his head out.

“Come on.” He said, edging back to give her a space to sit. Hye Seon stiffly sat beside him, her dress sitting a little above knee.  Even though she had worn shorts under, it still seemed a bit uncomfortable.

“Well… I thought you really weren’t going to come…” He said quietly.

“…You look… different. In a good way I-“ Kim Jongin! Shut up!” Luna couldn’t stand the awkwardness.

The night was lively and barely anyone cried. Everyone was running around laughing and eating as if they were always going to be together. Not a lot of people danced with the opposite gender which was a shame to the teachers. However, as the slow songs came up, more and more people stepped into the center with either their partners or their close friends.

From the back, Jongin was watching Hye Seon with wishful eyes. He had thought about it many times already but couldn’t find the courage to ask her.

“Seriously. Just go. You’re pathetic face is killing me.” Taemin said and nudged him hard so that he took a step towards Hye Seon.

“Dude!” Jongin whispered loudly at his friend. Straightening up, he sighed and took a step towards Hye Seon who finally noticed him and turned towards Jongin as well. The two froze in place and Jongin’s friends came from the back to drag his forward. Hye Seon’s supportive classmates stood beside her as well, telling Jongin to ask Hye Seon for a dance.

Soon, the whole grade, including Hye Seon and Jongin, had at least once proper dance before the music stopped. It was then people began to cry since they knew that today might be the last day they ever got to see each other. Hye Seon insisted Jongin went to Taemin since the two seemed to be such close friends.

The night was tiring there and especially on the journey back. Jongin had fallen asleep in the car and Hye Seon tried to keep herself from poking him awake by looking out the window.

“Hye Seon ah. Jongin and his family are going to England for the summer. He’ll be back before school starts but I don’t know when exactly.” Luna said quietly. Hye Seon turned to Luna in shock but the older didn’t say anything more. It was then Hye Seon finally felt a bit teary eyed.

Summer break was back to how it was before when Hye Seon would help out at the book store while her father would leave for a few weeks on a business trip. It felt a bit more empty and boring without Jongin but Hye Seon was fine with it. She did feel upset at how Jongin didn’t tell her personally and how he made her feel a bit lonely. Nonetheless, summer break passes in the blink of an eye. There was never really anything much to do since there were no friends she could spend time with.

“Bye” Hye Seon exclaimed with her backpack over her shoulder. She gathered her hair up in a ponytail as always and headed out the door. Jongin should be back now and they had talked a few times when he finally came back but they never got to see each other since he was busy unpacking and all that. There was not even a present but at least he had said happy birthday to her which was enough to make Hye Seon feel content.

Her watched showed the time 8:20 and it was usually the time they would walk to elementary. Hye Seon waited at the intersection for a while but Jongin never came.

I guess he might have left already. It could be he might be late too

Hye Seon finally crossed the road without him.

Everyone in the entire school was bustling about, trying to find their friends and their homeroom. Hye Seon had never felt so left out in years. She stood in the freshman’s line to collect her gym uniform and other necessities as she surveyed the sea of students all around her. There was probably not a single person who didn’t have a friend accompanied with them.

Shrugging it off, she bowed politely to a staff member who kindly asked for her size and handed her a gym uniform. Hye Seon was about to leave when she spotted a familiar looking jacket with a familiar looking hairstyle.

Jongin!

She stood at the side to prevent being in anyone’s way. Jongin was not too far from her but she would probably have to yell to get his attention which she definitely would not do. Hands fumbling, she waited for Jongin to turn around. Finally, the tanned boy turned around and met eyes with Hye Seon. Shocked for a second, she quickly waved and smiled a bit. She had expected him to walk towards her or wave back but instead, he seemed to ignore her and turned back.

… Did he just ignore me? Maybe he didn’t see? No, that can’t be. I’m sure he saw me

She kept looking at him a little displeased. Then after a moment of observing, she saw another figure standing beside him, a girl. The two were cheerfully talking, the girl laughing along while showing a bright smile. Hye Seon felt herself getting more and more irritated by the second and her heels. The exit was just a step ahead of her with a clear path.

One step

She was finally out. The image of the two chatting merrily somehow annoyed her.

Why do I feel so frustrated? Kim Jongin, just because you were talking to someone doesn’t mean you should ignore me. Is she really that important to you that you can’t even spare a second to wave back?

Two steps

“Oughhff” Before she could think anymore, she felt herself collide head first into something. Someone.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Hye Seon quickly apologized, a little too stunned to look at who it was.

“Oh, Hye Seon sshi” A familiar voice brought her head up. It was Do Kyungsoo, the boy from her math tutor. The boy gave her a polite smile though she could tell it was a very awkward one. A little shocked for words, Hye Seon continued  to stand in front of him, thinking of how to answer. “…Um. Yea?”Finally she managed to say.

“Do you know where the auditorium is?” Kyungsoo proceeded.

“It’s right there.” Hye Seon turned halfway and extended a hand at the door she just came out from. He nodded as his large eyes darted from her to the entrance with a embarrassed look on his face. “Okay, thanks”

Strange. But he seems nice… or at least I hope he is. Since Sehun goes here I suppose he’ll be hanging out with him and the rest of Sehun’s ‘crew’ Oh please I really hope he doesn’t turn all high and mighty and conceited.

Hye Seon could see the little light in her mother’s room as she turned into their street. The rain was a disappointment to her since she expected to have a big shower. However, at least she didn’t have to explain to her mother why she was or would’ve been drenched when she had a perfectly fine umbrella in her backpack.

Unlocking the door, she greeted her mother and father before heading upstairs. The front pieces of her hair were slightly damp and stuck on her forehead like an octopus. Letting out a sigh, she grabbed a towel and flung it over her head while soullessly lying down on her bed like a doll. The day was too tiring to take a shower.

“Hye Seon ah, Luna asked if you wanted to go over for a barbeque next week. Do you want to go?” Her mother shouted from downstairs.

“No umma, it’s okay. Tell her I said thanks though.” Hye Seon mustered up enough breath to shout back without having to get off of her back.

“I might have considered if you asked me, Kim Jongin. But now…heh.” Hye Seon let out a short airy chuckle. “Now I’d…I don’t know. It’s all your fault.”

It’s all your fault Jongin. 

Sorry for the delay! 

By the way, the plot takes place in the present. I didn't expect to drag on the past for so many chapters

Next chapter will be the lest chapter about their past!

:)