"Ri Sa! Good morning~!" called Mina, your best friend. You were walking down the streets of your neighbourhood towards school, when Mina came up from behind with a gummy smile. "Mina~good morning!" You greeted her happily and immediately linked arms with her.  Since both of you lived in the same neighbourhood, walking to school wouldn't be so nervewrecking everyday by having her walk alongside you.

"Can you believe we are almost at the end of junior year? And soon we'll be seniors!" Mina jumped giddily. "We'll have to think about prom! What dresses are we going to wear and most importantly, our dates to prom!! HOW EXCITING!" she continued to gush.

 

Both of you attended an All-Girl's high school together. So, for prom, you are free to ask anyone as your dates. Usually, girls will ask out guys from neighbouring schools as their dates since there are some co-ed schools as well in this area. This actually gives the girls a shot at having any form of interaction with boys since that's the only way we get to communicate with boys our age.

"Mina, you know I don't do well in those kind of events. I'd rather just stay at home and binge watch K-dramas or animes." you said softly. You imagined yourself sporting sweat pants, baggy t-shirt and hair tied in a loose, messy bun. Thoughts of lazing around and tucking yourself into bed with the plushiest blankets and pillows, your laptop set up right infront of you to binge watch all your favourite shows. Now that sounds like the most amazing thing ever.

Now, prom? How bout, NO.

 

"Nawwww but Ri Sa! It's senior year! This is our chance to be free and do things we were never brave to do before. It's all about taking risks and challenging new things! I won't be having fun if you're not there to experience it with me. You're my best friend!" she pouted. 

"Ughhhhh....well i'll think bout it. Don't get your hopes up though," you gave in. "I'll be waiting, Ri Sa!" she jumped excitedly and continued to chat with you till you both reach school. The both of you dashed for your respective classes before the morning bell rings, and the day plays out as normal.

 

You don't have that many friends, and Mina is your only best friend here in highschool. Believe it or not, you weren't always like this. Back in middle school and pre-school, you had been a completely different person than you are now. You were bubbly, always the one taking the first steps, made many friends and wasn't afraid to try new things. But halfway through middle school, things starts to change when you realise how harsh reality can be.

Trusting people too easily, letting your feelings get the best of you.

There's bound to be some consequences to that.

And you learnt it the hard way.

 

 

 

---

 

 

(Flashback)

4^th January 1999, First day of middle school

 

“Alright class, please settle down. I’m going to take your attendance for today. But, before that, I want you to introduce yourself one by one in front of the class. Since everyone is new here, we should get to know each other first right? Alright! Why don’t we start with you first?” Your class teacher had her eyes on you.

 

You bravely stood up and went right up to introduce yourself.

“Good morning everyone. My name is Jung Ri Sa. My hobbies are dancing and swimming. My amibition….is to be a doctor.” you bowed politely. “Let’s all be good friends in the future.”

“Ri Sa? Very good. You may seat. Next up?”

You took a seat and the boy next to you stood up and went up in front.

 

“Good morning, my name is Byun Baekhyun. Singing is my passion and swimming is my hobby. My ambition is to be a lawyer. But if that fails, a professional singer would be great too.” That earned chuckles from the whole class even from the teacher too.

 

“Let’s make many good memories together.” He smiled happily and took his seat back next to me. He flashed you a smile and asked “Was that cool enough? Short and sweet but impactful?” You looked at him and said, “Definitely made an impact out there.” While flashing your thumbs up. Both of you went into a fit of giggles and from then on,  you knew we’re going to be best friends.

 

 

28^th October 1999, 10 months of middle school

 

“Hey Ri Sa, let’s get going slowpoke!”

“Where are we going Baek?”

“Just shush already and follow me okay?”

“Ugh fine! Just slow down a little, Baek!”

“We don’t have time! Come on!” He ran over to me and grabbed your hand.

“Yah! Byun Baekhyun!” You let yourself get pulled by him to wherever he wanted to lead you to.

 

“We’re here!” He stopped abruptly, making you bump into him. You regained your balance and looked around. “Woah…” you gasped in admiration. He brought you to a narrow alley at the back of the school where tons of graffiti about couples being in love, love confessions were scribbled all over the place. You moved closer to the walls and read one of the scribblings,

 

 “Love may not last forever, but at least it gave you the satisfaction of being appreciated and cared for, even if it’s just for a moment.”

 

“Wow, that’s pretty accurate don’t you think?” You admired it.

“Meh, love is a just a mess to me. It just complicates things rather than feeling all special and tingly inside.” He shrugged and kept looking at the other graffiti on the wall.

“Yah, Ri Sa come over here! I found an empty space!” He called over brightly.

“What about it?”

“Would you just come here already?” he huffed.

“Alright alright! Now what?” You stood next to him and he grinned sheepishly.

 

He took out what seemed like a permanent marker and smiled excitedly. “It was said that whenever you write your wish here on this wall, your wish will come true! Of course even I think it’s nonsensical but no harm trying right?”

“Baekhyun-”

“Loosen up, Ris!” He ruffled your hair while chuckling and went over to the wall. He wrote something on the wall and stepped back when he finished writing. “Tada!!” he showed you what he wrote,

 

“Reeesseee, you’re stuck with me for a long time. Sorry not sorry :P -Bacon-"

 

“See what I did there? I used food as our names so that it wouldn’t be obvious to anybody but it’ll be like our secret code and message!” He grinned excitedly.

“Tch, wow Baek. Good job!” You replied sarcastically.

“Yah! I actually took the time and effort to commemorate our friendship.” He pouted. You couldn’t help but having this silly grin on your face while you kept reading his wish. “May our friendship last forever, Baek.” You smiled softly at him.

“So, ice cream maybe? Last one to reach the café has to pay for the other!” He smiled widely and dashed off first.

 

Before you started chasing after him, you took the marker pen he passed to you, wrote your own personal wish and couldn’t help but feel butterflies in your stomach.

 That’s just it. His smile simply brighten things up and that’s exactly when you start having your very own first crush. A crush on your own best friend,

 

Byun Baekhyun.

 

 

                                                          

15^TH February 2000, Second Year of Middle School

 

“Morning baek!”, you greeted when you met him at the school gate where he was waiting for you.

“Morning!,” he slung his arm over your shoulders. As soon as you realised your feelings for him, you can’t help but feel your heart skip a beat when you're close to him. But you did a considerably good job at making sure your feelings weren’t shown.

“Want to eat a sandwich before we get into class? My mum made us some Nutella sandwiches and packed 2 chocolate milk drink.” He grinned playfully, while dangling a huge lunchbox in front of your face. “Sounds good!”, I chuckled at him.

 

---

 

As the both of you made your way to class, both Baekhyun and you came across a lost girl who was wandering at the corridor of the classroom.“Hey there, do you need help?” Baekhyun called out, being the helpful and friendly person he was. “Y-y-yes. I can’t seem to find which class I’m suppose to be in. It says here I am suppose to go to class 2-1.” She managed to mumble, a slight rose tint appeared on her cheeks. Well, who can blame her? Baekhyun was very handsome and his friendliness is another charm to add.

“Oh, here! You are in our class.”, he smiled. “T-thank y-you.” She bowed and entered the class behind the both of us.

 

The class was already packed with the students. The only empty spot left was the one behind mine and Baekhyun’s. “Hey, you can sit behind us.” Baekhyun gestured cheerfully. She nodded and moved silently to the seat. “I didn’t get your name. My name’s Byun Baekhyun,” he held out his hand for her to shake. She paused momentarily, shook his hand briefly and let go.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Kwon Jo Ahn.” she spoke softly.

“My name is Jung Ri Sa. Hope we will be good friends,” you chimed and smiled at her. Her eyes landed on you and for a second you could have sworn her smile faltered and her eyes lost the timidness I saw a few seconds ago. But nonetheless, she managed to put her friendly face back on and smiled at you, “I hope so too.”

 

 Year 2000, The rest of the school year

 

Weeks have passed and so many things have changed already.

Baekhyun-Ri Sa were no longer a duo since Jo Ahn came into the picture.

Whenever we were about to go off somewhere together, Jo Ahn would magically appear out of nowhere and join the both of you. You didn’t know if you were the only one annoyed by her presence, but Baekhyun was an expert at hiding his feelings because he didn’t seem at all bothered with the idea of Jo Ahn tagging along. The reason why you are annoyed was not because of your growing feelings for Baekhyun, but rather the fact that Jo Ahn kept sticking next to Baekhyun like glue, taking all of his attention.

You, on the other hand, would be completely invisible and ignored. You were completely sick of her presence.

What triggered your annoyance even more, was how she treated you so differently without Baekhyun around. She would be completely nice infront of him, but turn into a devil otherwise.

She slyly threatened you to stay away from Baekhyun by shooting angry glares every now and then, borrowed some of your stuffs and never returned them back, spread bad rumours about you around school and so much more.

Soon, other students believed her lies and loneliness overwhelmed you. Everyone trusted her faux innocence and was convinced that she was the kind of person that would never lie. They started giving you weird glares, discriminate you, teased and laughed at you for no apparent reason, even go as far as sending hate letters and leaving it under your desks.

Strangely enough, Baekhyun seemed to be oblivious to the rumours surrounding you and stayed by my side like nothing was wrong. Maybe because you were always quick to hide your sadness and any of those hate letters that you get whenever Baekhyun comes up to you.

 

But everything’s wrong and you've had enough.

 

 

 

---

 

 

“Hey Baek, can I talk to you for sec?” you tugged at his shirt.

“Sure Ris. Anything?” He answered, concern filled his eyes.

“Let’s go to our favourite hang out spot?” you linked my arms with his and he nodded. It must be your lucky day because finally, No. Sign. Of. The. Devil. Anywhere!

We were talking about random stuffs on the way there when you heard that dreaded, shrill voice of hers.

 

“Baekhyun-ah!” Jo Ahn called out.

 

“Hey Jo Ahn,” he smiled at her. “Where are you guys going? Can I come with?” she batted her eyes innocent-like.

 

“Sure-"

 

“NO! We’re busy. Next time.” you cut him off,tightened your arms around his and dragged him away. You trudged away quickly, disappearing from her sight. As soon as we made it there, you let go of his arm and looked away from him. "Hey, what was that all about? It's a rare sight seeing you so worked up like this. Is something bothering you?" He tilted his head to look at you in the eyes.

"Don't you get it, Baek? SHE'S the reason!" you huffed, clearly annoyed. 

 

"No, I don't. Make me understand." He crossed his arms, confusion written all over his face. You took a deep breathe and sat beneath the shady tree where both of you spent so much time together right by the school field.

"What do you think of Jo Ahn?". He slumped next to you and said,"Jo Ahn? Hm, she's a pretty girl. Smart and chatty too at times. Overall, a kind girl. Why?"

 

You nodded silently and continued, "Have you heard any rumours about me recently?"

"None! What are the rumors about?", he put his hands up in surrender. You shook my head and sighed, "Baekhyun, clearly, she has a thing for you. And CLEARLY she hates my guts. Why? Because I am your best friend and will always have you by my side. She HATES the fact that you and I spent so much time together, thus, the reason why she suddenly kept clinging onto the two of us wherever we go. Have you not realise at all?".

 

He remained stoic and a frown was formed on his lips. "Not just that. She treated me horribly whenever you're not around. But you wouldn't know that and you'd probaby think that I'm being ridiculous. Obviously, why would the goody-two-shoes Jo Ahn do anything like that? She's a nice girl." your voice trembled.

"WELL! Reality check! She was the one who spread those bad rumours about me, convincing everyone to discriminate, tease, laugh at me. At first, I couldn't care less about those measly things. But I have feelings too and I am so sick of putting up with all of this nonsense to the point where I almost believed that I am the person they've been talking about. ALMOST."

 

Tears welled up and your voice cracked. "Do you believe me Baek?" you looked at him, vision blurred.  It took him a solid 5 minutes to comprehend whatever you had said before he reached out to take your hand in his. He wiped the tears that streamed down your cheeks with his thumb softly, his gaze fixed on you.

"Of course I believe you, Ris. You're my best friend." he smiled. "And I'll see to this for you. I will never let anyone hurt you." 

 

And you couldn't help but believe everything will be alright.