[Yumi’s POV]

January 01, 2015.

Los Angeles, 12:02 AM.

Seoul, 05:02 PM.

“When it hurts to look back and you’re afraid to look ahead, just look beside you ‘cause I’ll always be there. Happy New Year, Baka.” [A/N: Baka is a Japanese word for ‘fool’.]

But you’re not here beside me right now.

Darn it, Crap.  Your words never fail to make my heart flutter.  And you’re coming back home for New Year.  And I’m not even dreaming.  And here you go again with your countless chats.  And here I am again acting cold because I just don’t have any idea what to do with you.  I like you, jerk.  But I don’t know what to do with you.

*beep*

It’s 12AM!  Are you seeing the fireworks right now?     – Seen

*beep*

Are you hugging Aya-chan right now?     – Seen

*beep*

What are you doing?     – Seen

*beep*

Call me!     – Seen

*beep*

You will rue ignoring the famous Mark Tuan!     – Seen

*beep*

Great.  Keep ignoring me.     – Seen

*beep*

Oi!     – Seen

*beep*

Oi oi oi oi oi     – Seen

*beep*

Darnit.  Call me, Baka!     – Seen

***Yumi typing…

Baka. Keke.     – Delivered

***Calling Crap…

“What took you so long?” There was this weird jolt in my spine as soon as I heard his voice on the other end of the line.

“Fireworks.  You know how amazing the fireworks in LA are!” I answered.

“And Aya?” He was referring to the Japanese spitz dog he gave me during my 18th birthday.

“I was hugging her the whole time, of course.”

“And Dad?”

“Eating downstairs.”

“So cold…” Mark stated.

“In Seoul?” I asked him.

“Nope.  You.  It’s New Year and I haven’t even received any message from you.  Not even a greeting.  Are we even best friends?”

I just let out an awkward laugh. Like, how am I supposed to answer that question? Best friends?

“What?”

“Hey. I need to go downstairs. I’ll just send you a message, okay?” I lied and hung up the phone. I don’t know how to deal with all these weird feelings anymore.

I walked back and forth inside my room at the Tuan’s residence. I’ve spent almost half of my life in this place and I basically treat the Tuans as my second family now. My parents and the Tuans are really close, but there was a time when my mom and dad had to travel overseas often, and I didn’t want to leave LA just yet, and so Mr. Tuan told my parents that I could just stay at their place every time my parents are away… just like today. I should have been in Japan with them, celebrating New Year, but how could I if Mark Tuan is coming home to LA?

After a few minutes of contemplating and over thinking, I decided to send him a message, realizing how rude I actually acted just a while ago.

Yumi Watanabe:  To the guy on the other line.  To the second best guy in the world, next to my Otosan. [A/N: Otosan is Japanese word for 'father'.] To the guy who taught me so many things.  To the guy who left me for Seoul to seek a Great Perhaps.  To the guy I miss so much.  To the guy who will always have a special space in my heart.  To the guy who energizes me by a spontaneous genuine connection.  Thank you. 

And it didn’t even take a minute before I heard a beep from my phone, signaling a message response from him.

Mark Tuan:  I miss you too.

Yumi Watanabe:  Happy New Year, Crap.

Mark Tuan:  I’m coming home.

Yumi Watanabe:  I know.

Mark Tuan:  So don’t be a lazy and fetch me at the airport!  Okay?

Yumi Watanabe:  It’s early morning!  And I’m staying at your house so why bother?

Mark Tuan:  I thought you miss me?

Yumi Watanabe:  But it’s early morning!

Mark Tuan:  But you miss me!

Yumi Watanabe:  But it’s early morning!

Mark Tuan:  But I want to see you at the airport!  Come together with Dad, okay?

Yumi Watanabe:  Aish! Fine.