fifteen
certanty 

       One minute or a whole lifetime, I don’t know and I don’t care, honestly. I just know Eun Bi is in my arms and she’s come to me, that answer I desperately wanted to hear finally came and now I don’t know what else to do.

What’s the next step in this situation?

The embrace is only broken because Eun Bi pulls apart, but I still keep her at arm length and I don’t need to look at my reflection to know I’m grinning like a fool, just like she’s preciously smiling at me, all shy and adorable.

It’s as I’m staring at her that a question comes to my mind.

“Did you talk to Han Yi An about this?”

Bi Eun is obviously surprised that I’m asking that instead of other more important things. I like to think I’m the first she told this, but at the same time, it scares me she hasn’t told Swimmer Boy yet.

“I did, actually,” she answers and I’m both disappointed and relieved. “A few days ago.”

“A few days?” I echo, tensing. “Then why are you just telling me now?”

“Because I wanted to be sure,” Eun Bi states with a fond smile. “I wanted to make sure that no matter what he said I wouldn’t change my mind or be swayed.” I blink in surprise that she actually thought of that possibility. “I thought you didn’t deserve an answer when I still had lingering feelings or doubts. I can confidently tell you that chapter is closed. Yi An and I are just friends and even if he says he likes me, he understands that no matter what, it’ll never be clear between us and that can never lead to a healthy relationship. Plus, I could never be with him when you make my heart flutter already. And above all, he’d always stand between us and as I told you, I can’t really give up on you.”

I don’t want to grin like the biggest fool out there, but I can’t help it when she’s saying those things. I know it’s not perfect, she’s not saying she’s as madly in love as I am, but she’s accepted her feelings and chosen these, allowing them to grow. She’s given me the chance I always wanted and now it’s just my job to cherish her forever and make sure she falls for me.

Still smiling, I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs rubbing her cheeks and just loving the way she smiles back at me, content and at ease. I look into her eyes and I have no doubt that she might regret her decision. She is certain she chose right and that confidence is the most reassuring thing I could ask for.

With a still racing heart, I lean in and watch her tense, but she doesn’t pull back nor does she look panicked, she’s just nervous. I know she is allowing me to kiss her when her eyes flutter close and for a second I’m tempted to not kiss her, just to mess with her and embarrass her, but let’s be honest, I’m the one dying to finally kiss her.

It’s when my lips are brushing hers that we hear the call from her mother, loud from downstairs.

“Kids, dinner is ready! Come down!” 

We stay frozen as we are, lips almost touching, but now Eun Bi opens her eyes. Three heartbeats later she bursts out laughing at the impossibility of the situation. I mean, couldn’t it be at a worse timing? I end up laughing too, incredulously, because what else could I do? But it doesn’t really matter when Eun Bi looks at me with a dashing smile. I realise in that moment that it’s okay,