Thirteen (Bonus Chapter)
Unsent LettersIts a few years later when Mingyu finds himself all alone in his apartment. He had graduated from university a year ago and is currently a well-known athlete. He had participated in competitions here and there and managed to get a high rank in each one.
When he's not busy training for a competition, he makes himself busy by training other people instead. He has a part time job as a coach at the elementary school nearby.
Mingyu's job isnt really that hard but somehow, he comes home everyday feeling exhausted. Dont get him wrong, he loves his work and the kids alot (he finds them very endearing) but when they start misbehaving, thats when he starts to question his choices.
During other times when he is work and training free, he stays at home and laze around. And today happens to be that day as he flips through the channels while eating a cup of instant noodles. Its been like this for the past two weeks and he's seriously so bored, he might go crazy.
Times like this is when Mingyu misses him the most. If only you were here, he couldnt help but think. If Wonwoo was still here, he wouldnt be so bored and he would actually look forward to mornings everyday. If Wonwoo was here, maybe he wouldnt feel so out of place in his own apartment. Everything has changed ever since he left.
Mingyu no longer wakes up with someone beside him. He prepares and eats his meals alone. He has movie nights on his own. And he's the third wheel whenever he hangs out with his friends.
Mingyu's in the kitchen to dispose his trash when the doorbell rings. He rushes to the front door and opens it to see Seokmin standing there with a broad smile. Mingyu doesnt greet his friend and throws him a displeased look instead, "What?"
When Seokmin ignores him and continues to smile at him, Mingyu rolls his eyes, "If you're here to rant about how much you miss Soonyoung hyung, then forget it. I have my own problems right now."
Seokmin raises his eyebrows in amusement, "Oh? That's not what i'm here for but awww, does someone miss Wonwoo hyung?"
Mingyu widens his eyes and he feels his cheeks heating up as he says, "Shut up."
Seokmin laughs at him before he teases, "But its only been two weeks, bro. This is so cute, I have to tell Soonyoung hyung about this later."
Mingyu immediately glares at him, "Two weeks is a long time, doofus. You're used to it because Soonyoung hyung is invited to places all the time. This is like, what, the second time Wonwoo hyung abandons me for some dance competition."
"Its not just any dance competition though. I heard participants from other countries are participating too and the prize is huge. One of the judges is Shinee's Lee Taemin."
"Isnt Shinee the team who swept all the prizes for five years straight?"
"Exactly. So, for Taemin to be invited as a judge, it must be a very high-class and tough competition. I know Soonyoung hyung's team is really good but i'm kinda surprised they made it to the finals."
"Well, so am I but enough of that. Why dont you tell me why you're here instead." Mingyu demands as he leans by the doorway.
Seokmin's face lights up before he holds up his hands and a small black envelope comes into sight. "I found this in my mailbox this morning and Soonyoung hyung told me to pass this to you."
Mingyu's a little confused but he accepts it anyway and thanks his friend as they greet each other goodnight.
Mingyu settles down on the carpeted floor in the living room and lowers the television volume. He feels a little anxious the moment he sees it but he smiles anyway, recognizing the handwriting.
Dear Mingyu, being with you for the past fifteen years have been the best part of my life. Remember when we met for the first time at the neighborhood playground? I was only thirteen years old that time and you were only twelve. Each time I was there, you were always there with your group of friends too. And for almost three weeks, we never shared a single word to each other until one day you marched towards my direction and smiled at me. I was in a pretty bad mood that day but because I didnt want you to end up crying (mom always told me to be nice to kids), I smiled back and said hi. Immediately, you turned back to your friends and yelled, "See? Emo hyung is not scary!" And I have to admit, for the first time in few weeks, I went home with a smile on my face.
After that day, we just started talking to each other more and you ended up ditching your group of friends. Our friendship only got stronger when you attended the same middle school as I did. I remember your mom telling me they let you skip a grade because your results were so outstanding and the next thing I know, we were in the same grade ever since. We were attached at hip and we had no one else but each other. During that age, we were still running around in the fields, tackling each other to the ground and sharing a straw was gross. We didnt care about anything back then. What was there to care about anyway?
Then high school came along and we ended up in the same school again, to our delight. During this era, lots of things had changed. Puberty probably hit you hard because you kept growing and growing and growing and the next thing I know, you ended up being taller than me. You lost your baby fat and bro, all the girls were fawning over you. But unlike most of the guys, you never bothered about the girls. That may have been a good thing but because you had always turned them down and we were always seen together, rumors about us dating started going around. But the funny thing is, we never even tried to deny it.
Somewhere along the way, we met Seungcheol hyung and the other guys and up to this day, the squad is still going strong. We werent exactly rebellious and we werent that innocent either but it doesnt matter because together as a thirteen member squad, we did alot of fun stuffs which made high school life worth it. And somewhere along the way, we somehow became the coolest kids in school. I will never understand how this happened.
Apparently we were cool enough for playboy Doyoon hyung to take interest in me, out of all people. And I stupidly fell for him, even after knowing what kind of reputation he had but trust me, Mingyu. If it wasnt for you, I would have blindly chose him over our friends. But if I have to tell you the entire truth, I was afraid to lose them but I may or may not have been more afraid of losing you. That's why I forgave you for breaking us apart.
The thing about you is, you're an amazing friend but you always doubt that. You always try to find and point out your flaws. The fact that you had no confidence in yourself, the fact that you kept doubting yourself hurts me. You said you've been selfish, but you were mostly selfless. You had always put other people waaaay before you and it upsets me. I've seen the way you shoved your problems aside just to listen to someone else's. I've seen the way you smile and laugh like nothing's wrong when inside, you're actually hurting. I've seen the way you covered up your anger to avoid saying hurtful things. I've seen the way you ignored your feelings and let someone else win over the person you liked. I've seen the way you tried to fix someone else, even when you're too broken to do so. You think you're selfish and self-centered but you're far from that, Mingyu. In my eyes, you're the most selfless and altruistic person i've ever known. I had always liked you for who you are, not who the person you tried to be. I had always adored you.
People had always told me I liked you each time I explained this to them and each time, I would deny it. Back then, it felt normal to me because you were my best friend. Dont everyone talk about their best friends like this? Well, later I found out they do, but not like me. Sometimes I even question myself. Was I really inlove with Mingyu? Do I really like my best friend? But at the end, I would always shove away the thought and told myself to stop stressing over things like this.
But Seungkwan and Junhui werent going to let it rest and so it happened, the kiss under the mistletoe. Wow, that was like almost ten years ago but its still so clear in my head. That was the day I realized my feelings. That they were right. I do like you and that threw me off guard. And I ended up avoiding you for almost twelve months. (How embarrassing). But just like what you said in your confession letter, thanks to Seokmin, we came to this. But I would like to take this opportunity to thank Seungcheol hyung for coming up with the brilliant plan and also took part in making you jealous (and also Jihoon who allowed him to).
When my mom found out (you told your mom and she told my mom), she kept me up all night with her questions but thank goodness they werent mad. Maybe they planned this all along. Maybe they knew this was going to happen. But either way, I'm glad it happened. I'm glad we cleared up all the misunderstandings and got together. Though honestly, nothing's actually different besides the kisses and *cough cough* since we basically still treat each other like best friends.
We had our first huge fight over some dancer from the other team, who you claimed he was trying to take me away from you and being the stupid me, I defended him and told you to stop being so dramatic. But when I attended one of the parties he threw, to my utter dismay, you were right. He kissed me and even tried (and failed) to get into my pants. Because I was ashamed of what you'd say, I decided to let it slip and not tell you. But of course, stupid had to tell his friends and his friends had to tell one of your friends and that friend of yours just had to tell you. I still remember how pissed you look when i walked through the front door that night and i swear, i was trembling so hard. We ended up fighting and screaming at each other. But soon, your expression softened and i could see how vulnerable you were and it hit hard. That moment, I could feel everything slipping out of our hands. I kept thinking, "this is it. This is how we'll end."
But somehow we were okay. We talked it out the next morning and eventhough it took a few days for us to be back to normal, we were okay. We managed to break through an obstacle.
Mingyu, you have no idea how thankful I am towards you. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for all the love and support you've gave me. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for everything. My life has been brighter ever since I met you and just to let you know, i'm never letting you go. Fifteen years of friendship and love, believe me when I say I'll hold on to you forever.
Your birthday is coming up soon and i probably wont be back on time to celebrate with you but i'm sure the athlete team (especially Seungcheol hyung) will drag you out to celebrate.
I'll see you soon, Mingyu. I love you.
Yours truly, Jeon Wonwoo.
And true enough, a few days later, he ends up being dragged to his own surprise party at Hansol's cafe by Seungcheol but he doesnt mind. Just because Wonwoo isnt here, doesnt mean he cant have a good time, right?
Its his fifth plate of cake when the door swings open and a group of guys enter with loud cheers as one of them held up a trophy. "WE WOOON!"
Mingyu grins when he recognizes and identifies them as his friends before congratulating them. He looks around, searching for a particular person. When he feels a tap on his shoulder, he turns around so fast, he almost lost his balance and fell forward.
"Hi." The male says with a wave and Mingyu grins wider because the person he's been missing so terribly is standing in front of him. He doesnt wave or greet back, but goes in for a hug instead. The older male stumbles backwards as he chuckles, "Woah there, calm down. I know you missed me."
Mingyu doesnt pull away but Wonwoo doesnt mind. In fact, he's been missing the younger a lot too. "Happy 27th birthday, baby." He wishes softly against Mingyu's ear.
Mingyu finally pulls away a few moments later before he smirks, earning a raised eyebrow from the older. "You're right, Seungcheol hyung actually dragged me out here."
Wonwoo frowns, clearly not understanding what the younger had just said. "What?"
Mingyu breaks into another grin as he says teasingly, "I got your letter, hyung. I'm very honored and touched by your effort."
Wonwoo spaces out before it finally sinks in. He widens his eyes in surprise as he shrieks, "So thats what Soonyoung was enthusiasticly searching my backpack for. No wonder I couldnt find it!"
Mingyu's smile softens, "But really hyung, thank you. I really appreciate it. Its the best birthday gift, ever."
"Oh no, thats not all. Wait." This time, its Wonwoo who grins as he fishes something out from his jacket. And before Mingyu can comprehand whats happening, Wonwoo gets down on one knee as he holds up a small box (and wait oh my god, is that a ring?)
"Mingyu, will you marry me?"
Mingyu blinks because wow, is this really happening? I must be dreaming, he thinks. Of course Wonwoo didnt just propose to him. After pinching himself and making sure he's not asleep, reality sinks further and he proceeds to gape at Wonwoo.
"Well dont just stand there, say something!" He hears someone yell from across the room.
Wonwoo's heart is beating so fast right now. What if Mingyu says no? What if Mingyu rejects him? All the what ifs are flooding his brain and he's so nervous because Mingyu is still gaping at him and -- his knee is starting to hurt.
After awhile, Mingyu grins widely as he says, "You're so stupid and I really want to punch you for abandoning me for two weeks but yes! Yes, oh my god, yes! I will marry you!"
And everything falls into place after that. That night, before Mingyu hits the hay, he makes a phone call to a particular friend.
"Hey Seokmin."
"What do you want? Its like, ing three in the morning." Seokmin doesnt sound mad, but maybe a little annoyed.
"Yes, I know and I'm sorry but I just wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" Seokmin sounds more awake now and he hears a soft 'who's that' in the background. Probably Soonyoung. Well.
"For finding my box and giving it to Wonwoo hyung. If it wasnt for you, things would probably turn out way differently and maybe even worser. Thanks man, I owe you." And Mingyu means it. Wonwoo may be first, but Seokmin is number two on the list.
"No need to thank me. Just doing what I need to do. Oh and Mingyu?"
"Hm?"
"Remember that diary you had before you started writing your letters?"
"Yeah, I lost it. Why?"
"Just so you know, Junhui hyung found it the other day." Well .
"....And?" Mingyu is sure he's not going to like what he's about to hear.
"I told him to give it to Wonwoo hyung."
Sigh.
"Lee Seokmin... JUST YOU WAIT I WILL GET MY REVENGE AND END YOU!"
And they lived happily ever after.
SO I GAVE IN AND WROTE A BONUS CHAPTER because i wasnt ready to let go of this fic yet but now i think i am? huuuuuu. i hope this ending is okay and satisfying. (i dont really know how to end my fics without it being/sounding awkward) but well once again, thanks for reading and comments are appreciated! its been fun writing for you all! :D
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