Regrets

“When you’re ready, come and get it.” Tiffany sang as the rest of the group revolved around her in a formation.

They were practicing for a performance in front of the whole school for tomorrow; the prize was a prepaid scholarship to Seoul University, something she had been dreaming of since she was little. Or at least, since she knew what scholarships were.

Water dripped off her body as she poured it all over herself. She was too stressed with the recent tests and exams that she had to study for, and the fact that her best friend Jason seemed a bit distant with her lately.

When they had both arrived at one of Korea’s most prestigious dance schools at the same time, they clicked. They were the two foreigners - outsiders - that no one could talk to. Both had been from the US so they knew how to converse. It only took a year for them both to learn Korean, but that's when the scene changed. Tiffany was a natural when it came to making friends. She had a charming personality and an adorable eye smile, who wouldn't love her?

Jason however, was more reserved. He did try – for her sake – but to no avail, he didn't see the point of making friends when all he needed was her.

Tiffany had made friends so quickly, joined clubs and became Student Body President all within their last year of High School, whereas he was still the bookworm that loved to discuss old English and literature with his peers.

Of course all of this couldn't separate them, they were best friends.

I watched her silently from the other side of the room. It was that guy again; Donghae. He was the one that introduced her to the school dance team, and everything had spiralled out of my control from then on. I still spend time with her, but it’s always cut short.

The bell rang.

I sighed before packing my bags and exiting the room; I doubt she had time to walk home with me. It was always the same routine for her since she became more social, it was always clubs after school, and when she had time, they always found ways to squeeze in extra practices that tore her away from me.

The walk home from school was tedious and long, I didn’t like being alone. But then again, it’s not like she would turn up anytime soon.

It was pretty obvious to me that I had turned slightly obsessive and sour towards Pany during these past days, but what could I do? I needed to tell her something, but there is never time to tell her.

I’m just afraid we’d run out of time.

“Jason!”

I turned my head and smiled at the Tiffany running towards me. She looked gorgeous, with her hair loose and shining, and her clothes that clung loosely to her figure but still make her look effortlessly beautiful.

“Pany!“ I hugged her before she playfully pushed me away from her and scrunched up her face.

“I’m all sweaty” She pouted and wiped some sweat from her forehead.

“Here” I held out a handkerchief that had the initials T and J on it.

“Thanks” She muttered.

This was what our conversations were reduced to – a few simple phrases and an awkward exchange of glances before she left with her dance group again.

“Trust you to be carrying around a handkerchief, Ahjussi”

I let out a small smile. She always called me ahjussi when some of my actions were a bit old fashioned.

“Listen Pany, I have something to say…” I trailed off, hoping she’d be able to cancel whatever she had planned today just for me.

“Is it really important? I might have to reschedule-” I cut her off “Can’t you just make a little time for me? Just this once?  Aish. I thought we were friends!”

I was ready to stomp off before she grabbed my wrists and pulled me towards the park.

“Come on oppa”

 

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My heart thudded in my ribcage as I lead Jason to our little hideout in the park. We’d discovered it when we were new to Korea and it seemed to perfect to forget, so whenever we had something important to say, we’d say it here. It’s somewhere that no one knows of, and it’s so secluded that it’s very quiet so you can’t miss anything the other person says.

We sat down on the soft grass before he clutched my hands and looked deep into my eyes.

“Pany…” He took a deep breath “…Do you like me?”

I giggled, “Of course I like you! You’re my best friend! Why would I hang out with you if I didn't like you?”

He had a stern face on, and he sighed before he repeated the question again “Do you like like me?” He asked putting emphasis on the extra like.

Like like?

Does he mean…

Love?

I leant back a bit on the grass before closing my eyes. I had wished for this day to come for so long… But why did he have to confess after I met Donghae? Why didn’t he say this before I had dance practice, and student body meetings?

Why did he have to make things more complicated?

“Jason...”

I could hear his teeth clench together, as if he already knew what I was going to say.

“It's all right. I didn't think you did anyway. I have to go. Bye.”

Every word felt forced and sounded almost as if he was spitting them out in disgust.

What have I done?

 

SEOUL UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPETITION! 18:30

Tiffany read the banner that was billowing in the wind at the entrance of her school. It was the day of the competition and she hadn’t heard a single word from Jason, not even a word of “good luck!” or “hwaiting!”. She wasn’t pathetic, but he’d always been there, cheering her on ever since her first performance.

Her eyes scanned the audience hopping to spot the tan skinned boy that was always there to cheer her on during her performances. She felt her mood worsen as the knots in the stomach got the better of her.

I’m being selfish.

However, the butterflies weren’t just fluttering in her stomach anymore. They were kicking and scratching, it was making her feel nauseated. Her ears caught the faint sound of the MC of tonight introducing her and her dance performance.

“Please welcome to the stage… Tiffany Hwang!”

The familiar beats started to fill the great hall as soon as soon as the applause died out. She took a glance at the bright stage in front of her eyes before she ran.

I need you Jason.

She didn’t even make it out of the hall before a large figure appeared before her.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

Looking up, her face paled as she caught the angry look on Donghae’s face.

“I need to visit someone.”

He shook his head before chuckling darkly “You young lady are not going anywhere. Do you hear me?”

“But it’s important!” She whined trying to push past him.

“Do you think I care? You need to go on stage and win this competition for this school.”

The blood drained from her face as she his words sunk in. He doesn’t care about her. She was just a tool that he needed to use. Something that he could brag about to his friends, something that he could boast to the dance groups to.

“I can’t believe I liked you.”

Mustering up the last bit of strength that she had, she shoved past him and ran as fast as she could to the house that she knew so well.

“Jason! Open the door!” She screamed, hitting the door as hard as she could.

There was no reply.

She carried on banging on the door until her eyes landed on a piece of paper on the side of the doorstep, folded up addressed to her.

We’re moving.

Jason.

No! She screamed, turning around and flagging down the nearest Taxi.

“Incheon airport please.”

The driver nodded and sped off, noticing the frantic tone in which she spoke to him in.

When they had arrived, she didn’t even look at the driver, but instead threw down some money in her seat and ran off into the terminal.

“KIM JASON!” She screamed, ignoring the weird looks that other people gave her “DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE ME! DON’T EVEN MOVE! I’M COMING TO GET YOU!”

Tiffany ran, knowing that he wasn’t stupid enough to stay in Korea where she could find him, and headed straight for international departures.

She shoved past many people, and time seemed to slow down for her. As she craned her neck to see if she could see him over the tops of people's heads, or between the gaps that people left when rushing to their gates.

Where the heck was Jason?

Her eyes landed on his familiar figure before she bolted to where he was, ignoring the growing strain in her legs from all the running that she did.

“JASON!” She threw her arms around him before looking up to see…

Well, not Jason.

“Do you happen to be Miss Hwang?” The man asked her in a clear British accent.

She nodded frantically hoping maybe he’d tell her where Jason was.

“Mr Kim wanted me to give you this” He handed her a small note written on a handkerchief.

Pany,

I knew you were going to chase after me as soon as you found out I was leaving. Do you really think that I’m that stupid to leave the day of your competition? I left the day you rejected me.  There was no need carrying on this useless one sided love. If you’d returned my feelings – fought for me – I would’ve done all I could to have stayed. But you didn’t. There was no point in staying.

Why didn’t you fight Pany? Was our friendship not strong enough? Was I not good enough compared to that guy Donghae?

Nonetheless, I have left and you surely won’t find me. Don’t try to either.

It had been amazing to have had a friend like you Pany.

Maybe we’ll meet each other in another life?

But for now,

It’s adieu my friend.

I wish you luck with Donghae.

Jason.

 

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A/N; I think my drama needs a bit of work... But is this dramatic enough? Thank you for requesting from me by the way~ I was listening to Selena Gomez's Come and Get it... Can you tell by the first sentence of this oneshot? ^3^