Gift for pandamich

Gift from ???

Title of the gift: A Gift Unopened

Pairing(s): Jackson Wang x OC (Nam Hyerin)

How many words: 5,375

Rating: PG (It's pretty clean, pretty much G)

Warnings: My first one shot, so I hope you will forgive me if you don’t like it. ^^


Note to my giftee: Merry Christmas to you! Hope you enjoy your personalized story!

A Gift Unopened

 

“I’m back, baby!”

A blonde, clearly way too energetic boy busted his way into Gangnam Academy. He performed a Tom Cruise reminiscent slide down the hall, making the clean floor squeak. Students at their lockers turned to stare at him, some ticked off but most of them confused. The boy smiled awkwardly but froze when he felt himself being lifted by his collar to his feet.

“Welcome back, MORON.”

A slightly taller, moody looking dude looked back at him, a smirk on his handsome face.

“Jinyoung-ah?”

Jinyoung grunted.

“It’s been a while... Jackson.”

“Jackson?!”

A smaller boy tackled Jackson to the ground enthusiastically. And a giant boy threw himself on top of them.

Jackson groaned, but couldn’t help laughing.

“Bambam! Yugyeomie!”

Bambam’s puppy like face beamed.

“Hyung! It is you!”

Jackson poked Yugyeom’s side playfully.

“Holy crap, Yugyeom, you’ve gotten huge! But, um, guys, I can’t breathe.”

The two younger ones rolled off of his hyung.

“Sorry.”

It was then that Jackson noticed three other boys had joined the circle. They stood beside Jinyoung.

There was Youngjae, as innocent and bright looking as ever.

“Hyung, welcome back!” He said enthusiastically.

Mark stood beside him, a warm smile on his dimsum face.

And finally, JB, his arms crossed, but the hint of a grin hiding behind his serious expression.

“Nice to see you...finally.”

Jackson stood up and hugged them one by one.

But there was one person missing.

JB eyed Jackson’s wandering gaze.

“You looking for Hyerin-ah?”

“No,” Jackson scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

Jinyoung rolled his eyes.

“Liar.”

Then Jackson saw her. She was walking down the hall, a gigantic stack of books in her arms. Jackson felt his heart stop as she noticed him. Her eyes widened and there was a look of absolute shock on her pretty face. Luckily, she kept enough of her bearings to not drop her books.

“Jackson?!”

Jackson scratched his head awkwardly.

“Hyerin-ah. Hey.”

Hyerin nodded quickly, as if no words could come out of .

Jackson forced a smile.

“Hey, it’s nice to see you again.”

The awkwardness was broken by Mark approaching Hyerin, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder.

“Hyerin-ah, let me get those books for you,” he wrested the books from her before she could refuse.

Jackson watched in jealous surprise as Hyerin flashed Mark a grateful smile.

“Thanks.”

Mark shifted the books around in his arms until he secured a firmer hold.

“I’ll walk you to your next class. Physics, right?”

Hyerin nodded.

Mark reached out and punched Jackson lightly in the arm.

“Nice to see you again, bro!”

Hyerin caught Jackson’s gaze and she smiled hesitantly.

“See you, Jackson.”

The two headed down the hall.

As Jackson’s brain tried to register what had just happened, Bambam decided it was time to explain.

“Well, uh, hyung, you see... when you left and all, um, Mark and Hyerin became really close.”

“Are they dating?” Jackson tried to act like he didn’t care. But he knew it wouldn’t do any good. They all knew how he felt about Hyerin.

Youngjae shook his head a little too quickly.

“No, they’re just friends.”

“Well...”

Bambam’s sentence was cut off by JB’s shut it idiot glare.

JB sighed.

“I don’t really know what to tell you, Jackson. As far as we know, they aren’t dating. I mean, Mark never knew about how you felt for her anyway. You still like her, right?”

“Yeah, I guess I do.” Jackson raked a hand through his blond hair, a rueful smile curving his lips. “But it looks like I’m a little late to the game.”

*****

(After school...)

“You sure you’re okay walking home by yourself?” Mark asked teasingly as he and Hyerin stopped outside the high school gate.

Hyerin snorted.

“I would hope so. I’m 17 for goodness’ sake.”

Mark chuckled.

“Okay.”

He touched her shoulder lightly.

“Text me later, k? I won’t be out of dance practice until eight though.”

Hyerin smiled.

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Mark headed towards the car his father had sent to pick him up.

Lucky, I wish my mom would send a car to pick me up.

Hyerin began to head down the street towards her house. She pulled out her phone and considered listening to music. However, her thoughts were interrupted when someone stepped in front of her.

“Jackson?”

Her long lost best friend stood with his arms crossed, his handsome face slightly flushed from the cold.

“Hyerin-ah, you haven’t changed at all, huh?”

Just dyed my hair golden brown and got my braces off, but other than that, nothing.

Jackson moved closer and caught a strand of her hair in his fingers.

“Did you dye your hair?”

“Y-Yeah.”

Something had changed. All witty quips and quick insults that had been natural to her years ago didn’t seem to want to come out. After all, he had changed too. Gone was his short and messy black hair. Instead, his hair was now a bleach blond and was styled in a surprisingly trendy cut. He wore the traditional school uniform, but now his toned arms could barely fit in the sleeves. Hyerin tried to keep herself from staring.

Not this again...

She attempted a smile.

“What’s going on, Jackson?”

Jackson fidgeted.

“I heard you needed someone to walk home with you.”

Mark, dang you.

“Oh, no, that’s okay, I can-

Jackson slipped her backpack from her shoulders and hefted it onto his rather broad back. He turned around and began to walk away.

Hyerin rolled her eyes.

Guess he hasn’t changed that much.

They walked a couple minutes in silence until they came to the pet store that Hyerin and Mark visited every day after school. She began to enter when Jackson grabbed her wrist.

“Isn’t your home that way?” He pointed out.

“Just come on,” Hyerin pulled him inside.

The owner greeted the pair with a cheerful smile.

“You’re back again, Hyerin-ah!”

Hyerin bowed.

“Good afternoon, ajussi.”

“She’s awake today,” the owner said. “She even ate some food!”

“Really?”

The owner pointed to a room off to the side.

“You want to see?”

Hyerin nodded eagerly. She followed the owner into the room with Jackson trailing behind curiously. A bundle of black fur greeted Jackson as soon as he walked inside.

“Minnie!”

Hyerin scooped the puppy up in her arms. Minnie whined happily, Hyerin’s face enthusiastically. After a few more seconds of cooing, she held the puppy out to Jackson.

“Do you want to hold her?”

Jackson took the puppy in his arms tentatively. Minnie stared up at him with adoring eyes, and immediately Jackson could feel himself falling in love. Before he knew it, he found himself fussing over Minnie. Minnie reached up with a paw and touched Jackson’s face gently.

“She’s petting you,” Hyerin giggled.

Jackson chuckled and set Minnie down regretfully. Minnie knocked her head against Jackson’s legs, a friendly smile on her puppy face.

Hyerin looked at down at the dog with the face of an affectionate mother. She patted Minnie on the head.

“What I would do to bring you home with me right now,” she sighed.

Jackson was confused.

“Why can’t you?”

Hyerin’s lips stuck out in a little pout.

“Don’t you remember, my mom is deathly allergic to dogs. I can’t take her or Mom would be sneezing and wheezing for the rest of her life.”

“Oh.”

Jackson looked down at the dog thoughtfully. Hyerin waved goodbye sadly.

“Bye bye, Minnie. See you tomorrow.”

The owner escorted them outside of the store and thanked them for coming to see Minnie.

“So you’ve been coming to see Minnie everyday?” Jackson asked as they walked together.

“Yeah, ever since I found her abandoned one day. I took her to Ajussi’s pet store and he agreed to take care of her until I could find a home for her. It’s been two months and I haven’t found anyone who can take her in.”

Jackson was touched by her actions.

Wow, she really hasn’t changed. She’s still the girl I fell in love with...two years ago.

He cleared his throat.

“I don’t think I told you, but the reason I’m walking you home is also because I live in your neighborhood.”

Hyerin’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“Really? Where?”

Jackson frowned.

“I can’t remember the address exactly. To be honest, I’ve never seen the house in broad daylight. We arrived last night and I left this morning early because I had to work out before school.”

Hyerin shrugged.

“Guess we’ll find out.”

They walked for about fifteen minutes in companionable silence. Finally they reached Hyerin’s house, a modern and neat looking white house. On the bottom floor was an office and Jackson remembered that Hyerin’s parents had their small, prestigious interior design company down there. As they stopped in front of the house, Jackson took a look at the house next to hers. He snorted in surprise.

“What?”

Hyerin turned to look at where he was looking.

“That house has been empty for about a year. No one lives there.”

“I don’t think that’s the case anymore,” Jackson mused. “Is that my house?”

“Jackson! Help us move these boxes inside!”

A pretty, older woman had a massive stack of cardboard boxes in her arms. Somehow her hair was still in perfect shape, not a strand out of place. Even her white pencil skirt seemed unaffected by all the dirtiness of moving.

“It’s your mom!” Hyerin gasped.

Jackson couldn’t help a laugh.

“I guess... I do live here.”

Another woman popped her head around the corner. Her hair was pulled up in the most embarrassing bun Hyerin had ever seen and her shirt was covered in dust and weird looking stains.

For an interior designer, you’d think she would be able to clean herself up a little better. Hyerin groaned.

“And...that’s my mom,” Hyerin sighed.

“Hyerin-ah! I guess you’ve heard that Jackson’s family is moving in next to us. Come and help!”

“O-Ok.”

*****

(Later that night..)

Hyerin lay down on her bed, studying a small box. It was wrapped delicately in the traditional red and green wrapping paper only attributed to Christmas. On the top sat a pretty golden bow, fastened neatly with identical golden ribbon.

Hyerin smiled ruefully.

I still can’t open it.

*Flashback*

A younger looking Jackson shows up to his best friend Hyerin’s house. He knocks on the door, keeping the present hidden behind his back. A younger Hyerin opens the door, her expression confused.

“Jackson...what are you doing here? I thought you left for America today.”

The tone of her voice is quite dejected and immediately Jackson feels the need to comfort her.

But he tries to hide his own sadness and smiles brightly.

“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to my best friend. And I wanted to give you this, you know, before I leave.”

Hyerin, again, looks confused.

“A present?”

“I can’t give it you yet. There’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

Jackson shoves the present into her hands.

“You can’t open it until the next time you see me.”

“Jackson? What-”

“Promise?” He holds out his pinkie. Reluctantly, Hyerin wraps her pinkie around his, a sad smile on her face.

“Okay.”

Behind him, a waiting car honks to let him know that he needs to hurry up. Jackson turns back and finds Hyerin watching him, a single tear streaking down her cheek. Heart throbbing, he pulls his best friend into a hug, her head falling against his chest. The present falls to the ground. He holds her close for a time, trying to hold in his own emotions. Eventually, she draws away from him and picks up the gift. She gives him one last smile before saying,

“Goodbye, Jackson.”

Hyerin closed her eyes and pictured Jackson as he was now. A blush reddened her cheeks.

Jackson...I think I might still like you..

(A week later...)

Jackson waited anxiously outside the gates to Hyerin’s house. He regretted the jealousy that churned in his gut whenever he saw Mark and Hyerin together. They ate together and even had several classes together. To Jackson’s dismay, he even heard other students ask each other if the two were dating.

Why can’t you be happy for them? You freaking idiot...

Jackson admitted to himself that Hyerin would be better off with Mark. He was kind, quiet, and mature where Jackson was loud and childish. The sound of the gate being shoved open started Jackson out of his thoughts. It was Hyerin who stared at him with a mixture of alarm and curiosity.

“Jackson? What are you doing here?”

Pushing his uneasiness away, Jackson forced a smile.

“I thought I’d start walking you to school today. We officially live next to each other now anyway. My parents unpacked their last box yesterday.”

“O-Ok.”

As they walked, Jackson couldn’t help but noting what she wore, how she smiled as she greeted neighbors she knew as they went down the street. His eyes strayed down to her hand that was shoved casually in her jacket pocket, and the urge to take her hand in his was suddenly very real. He shook his head vigorously to clear it of any more of the poisonous thoughts.

I need to talk to Mark, like today...

They reached school quickly enough, and the rest of the guys were there to greet them. However, Jackson was once again jealous of how quickly Hyerin’s attention fixated on Mark. He approached them first, a bright smile lighting up his handsome face.

“Hey, guys. Get to school okay?”

Hyerin nodded. She looked up at the large clock that was built into the main school building and a small gasp escaped her lips.

“Crap, I have two minutes before my first period!”

Mark’s eyes widened.

“It’s with Mrs. Moon, right? That’s all the way on the other side of campus!”

Hyerin nodded again, gaping.

“I gotta go!”

She broke into a full on sprint up the hill and towards the science building on the very north side of the campus. The guys watched her push her way through the crowds of students, not dissimilar to the way Moses probably parted the Red Sea.

“She’s a cute one,” Mark commented, smiling amusedly.

Jackson decided it was time to speak up.

“Hey, Mark. Can I talk to you about something?”

The older boy nodded, an intrigued expression on his face.

“Sure, meet me after school wherever.”

“Great, see you there.”

*****

(At lunch...)

“So, what’s up?” Mark sidled up next to Jackson.

Jackson hesitated, suddenly apprehensive.

“How long have you and Hyerin been such good friends?”

One of Mark’s eyebrows raised.

“We became closer a little after you left, why?”

“Well, um-

“You like her, right?”

Jackson was taken aback by the older boy’s straightforwardness.

“Ye-Yes, I do.”

Mark nodded understandingly.

“I figured as much, seeing all those dirty looks you gave me whenever I was near her.”

Jackson flushed red.

“Sorry.”

Mark laughed.

“Love is love. I know it’s not really me, you would be jealous of any guy that was close to Hyerin.”

True.

“Hyung, do you like her ... too?”

Mark shook his head.

“Can’t say I do. She’s always been more like a little sis to me.”

Jackson let out a big sigh.

“Besides, I’m about 99% sure that she likes you.”

Jackson almost choked.

“W-What?”

Mark frowned.

“You don’t believe me?”

“Um, hyung I-

“I’ll prove it to you. Come with me.”

He led the way down the stairs and began texting someone as he walked.

“What are you doing?”

“Texting Hyerin. She said she would wait somewhere around here for me.”

As they reached the end of the stairs, Jackson spotted a girl running toward them. Hyerin halted right at the bottom for the stairs, a look of surprise on her face.

“Jackson? What are you doing here?”

“Hyerin-ah...”

Jackson found that no more words would come out.

Luckily, Mark spoke up.

“Jackson and I want to go out for tteokbokki during break, you want to go with?”

*****

Hyerin stood on her tiptoes outside of the tteokbokki shop, searching for Mark and Jackson. It was a week before Christmas. The winter air was so bitter, that the occasional breezes bit at her reddening cheeks. Hyerin pulled her jacket closer to her body and studied the crowd earnestly for a familiar face. She recognized a blond head of hair moving towards her in a sea of dark colored heads. It was Jackson, wrapped up snugly in a scarf and puffy coat.

“Hey, Hyerin-ah,” he paused in front of her, clearly uncomfortable. “Um, Mark wanted me to tell you that he was busy today.”

“Oh.”

“If you don’t want to have tteokbokki, it’s okay, we can just do it some other time when Mark is here.”

Hyerin shrugged, trying to hide her nervousness at the thought of the two of them together.

He used to be your best friend, calm the heck down. It isn’t a date. It’s just like, a friendly outing.

“I don’t mind if it’s just the two us,” she managed to get out.

Jackson nodded quickly, “Yeah, me neither.”

Something had happened to Jackson since he’d gotten back. They used to exchange insults like stay at home moms exchange recipes, but something had changed. It was like they weren’t comfortable around each other.

Hyerin cleared in an attempt to break the awkward silence.

“You want to go inside?”

“Oh, sure!”

The two walked inside the tteokbokki shop where the jolly owner greeted them.

“Hyerin-ah, it’s been a while!”

The owner looked Jackson up and down.

“Is this your boyfriend?”

Hyerin’s brown eyes widened with surprise. She shook her head furiously, her cheeks lighting on fire.

“N-No, ajumma, don’t you remember Jackson? My best friend from a long time ago?”

Recognition flickered in the owner’s eyes and she laughed.

“Jackson? Is that really you?”

“Y-Yes, ajumma.”

“You’ve really filled out well,” the owner commented, her eyes approving. “You’ve become very handsome and muscular.”

Now it was Jackson’s turn to blush.

“T-Thank you, ajumma.”

The owner bustled about and quickly sat them down at a booth in the corner.

“Is the normal order all right?”

Hyerin nodded, “Yes, please.”

The owner left quickly, shouting orders to her employees working busily in the kitchen.

As they sat in silence, Jackson noticed something familiar around Hyerin’s wrist. It was simple bracelet with a single charm hanging from it, a pretty blue glass dolphin. He couldn’t help a broad smile spreading across his face.

“Is that the bracelet I got for you in the fifth grade?”

Hyerin looked down.

“Oh, I guess it is,” she laughed in surprise. “I wear it all the time and I suppose I just forgot who gave it to me.”

Jackson pouted playfully.

“How could you forget? Don’t remember where we got it?”

Hyerin’s face lit up with the memory.

“Oh, yeah! We went to that aquarium together. The dolphin exhibit was closed... so you got me this bracelet instead.”

“You do remember!”

Hyerin nodded, her eyes sparkling.

“The bracelet...really made me happy.”

Just then, the owner returned with two huge bowls of tteokbokki that she set carefully down on the table.

“Enjoy, you two!”

They both ducked their heads.

“Thank you, ajumma!”

Hyerin picked up her bowl and took a bite of the tteokbokki. She gasped and forced herself to swallow the scalding hot food. Jackson watched her with a mixture of amusement and concern.

“You still do that?”

“What?”

“Eating before it’s cooled down. You’ve been doing it as long as I’ve known you.”

Hyerin flushed.

“I’m not the only one that had habits. Don’t you still bite your bottom lip when you’re nervous?”

Jackson self-consciously covered his mouth which earned a laugh from Hyerin.

“I do not.” He protested weakly.

After finishing their bowls of food, they thanked the owner and went outside. Hyerin couldn’t help but shiver as soon as the cold winter wind brushed against her exposed skin. Jackson noticed her trembling and took off his scarf.

“Wait, don’t move.”

He carefully wrapped his scarf around Hyerin’s neck.

“Jackson,” Hyerin looked concerned. “I don’t want you to be cold too.”

Jackson snorted.

He took her slender hands in his and held them up to his lips. Then he let the warm breath from his lips heat up her hands for a couple seconds. Hyerin’s face seemed to redden slightly though Jackson couldn’t tell if it was from his touch or the touch of the cold. But she didn’t pull away. Reluctantly, he let go himself, a small spark of hope glimmering in his heart.

Maybe she doesn’t like Mark that way...

Jackson wondered how he could prove if she was interested in him once and for all. An outright interrogation would probably not be the best strategy...

“Do you want to get some hot chocolate?”

Hyerin nodded eagerly.

“Sure!”

They walked down the slightly icy street and Jackson made sure to keep an eye on Hyerin. He knew that ever since he’d known her, she was as uncoordinated as a newborn colt. As they walked, Hyerin almost lost her footing. Jackson grabbed her around the waist in an effort to keep her standing. Unfortunately, he was supporting her so much, that he could feel himself sliding down.

“Oh, crap,” he muttered as he felt both of them hit the icy ground. Hyerin landed with a light thump, and she immediately burst into laughter.

“Jackson, are you okay?” She giggled.

“I-I think so.”

Jackson made a valiant attempt to get up but found himself on the ground again. Passersby watched confusedly, as if they didn’t know if they should offer assistance.

“Are you two okay?” A kind looking grandmother asked.

Jackson bowed from his position on the ground.

“Yes, halmoni, thank you. I think we can get up ourselves.”

The grandmother shot them a skeptical look but moved on.

“Are you ready?” Jackson asked Hyerin. She nodded. They linked their arms together tightly and Jackson began to slowly stand up. Hyerin squeaked when her foot slipped but Jackson caught her by moving his arm to her waist. Very slowly, they both got to their feet and immediately moved away from the icier part of the street. Jackson realized that his arm was still around her waist, but he didn’t want to let go.

Hyerin didn’t seem to notice. She smiled up at him.

“We did it!”

Jackson smiled back.

“Yeah. We did.”

Suddenly, Hyerin seemed to comprehend how close they still were. She looked down and Jackson let his arm fall. But then he took her slender hand in his, squeezing it gently. She stared at him in surprise, her dark eyes as big as saucers.

“Hold my hand, it’s still slippery.”

“O-Ok,” Hyerin agreed.

They walked down the street for a while, looking for a café. Finally finding a small but friendly looking shop, they walked inside. The intoxicating smell of coffee and chocolate wafted through the air. As they walked up to the counter, Jackson felt a tinge of joy when she didn’t let go of his hand. The barista looked up and smiled.

“What can we get for you today?”

“Two hot chocolates, please.”

The barista typed in the order.

“You’re good to go! Can I have your names?”

“Jackson.”

“Hyerin.”

“Ok! It’ll be ready for you in just a couple minutes!”

They waited for their order in comfortable silence. For the first time, Jackson could smell her perfume. Her sweet, floral scent mingled easily with the rich smells of coffee and chocolate. Hyerin noticed his abnormal silence. She nudged him lightly.

“What’s wrong?”

Jackson shook his head.

“Nothing.”

Hyerin smiled.

“Ok.”

The barista called their names and the two received their warm cups of hot chocolate. However, Jackson was disappointed that she finally let go of his hand to hold her drink. They walked down the streets of Seoul, commenting on the storefronts and the delicious smells of the occasional food vendor. Sometimes, a certain store would catch their eye and they would go inside and explore. The time passed so quickly, it began to grow dark before they knew it. Hyerin checked her phone.

“Holy crap, it’s seven?! We’ve been out since noon!”

Jackson laughed.

“Really?”

“Yeah, we gotta go! My mom wanted me home by dinner!”

Jackson gulped.

“Same.”

The two booked it down the street as courteously. Fortunately, Jackson had enough money to snag a taxi and they were home in a matter of minutes. Hyerin leaped out of the taxi and almost tripped over herself.

“Bye, Jackson!” She hollered before running into her house.

Jackson watched her leave, a little smile curving his lips.

Dang, I really do like her...

 

*****

(Christmas Day)

 

Jackson stood at the door to Hyerin’s house, hesitant to even knock. His heart was knocking around in its ribcage at the thought of what he intended to do today. The door opened and Hyerin poked her head out.

“Jackson!” She smiled happily. “Come in!”

Opening the door wide, she backed away to let him in. As he walked inside, he was immediately greeted by her parents.

Her father smiled, not very differently from the way his daughter did.

“Jackson, it’s been a while.”

Her mother touched his arm lightly, a look of warmth in her eyes.

“You’ve grown so much, Jackson.”

Jackson bowed to both of them.

“Thank you for letting me come today, Mr. and Mrs. Nam.”

“Of course.”

The four of them stood in silence for a little while before Mrs. Nam broke it.

“Hyerin-ah, didn’t you have something to show Jackson?”

Hyerin’s eyes widened with remembrance.

“Oh, yeah.”

She beckoned to him.

“Come with me.”

She led him down a hallway and up some stairs. At the top of the stairs was another hallway. Hyerin opened one of the doors to reveal a nicely sized, lavender colored bedroom. She began to rummage around in her dresser leaving Jackson to stare awkwardly at the pictures of her friends and various cute animals. Eventually, Hyerin pulled out a small, very familiar looking box. She held it out to Jackson.

“Do you remember this?”

When he recognized the box, he immediately felt his heart rate speed up.

“Is that the present I gave you... two years ago?”

Hyerin smiled ruefully.

“Yeah. I still haven’t opened it.”

She kept it?

Jackson could feel himself flush.

“Y-You kept it?”

“Yeah...you want to open it, together, just like you said?” She held it out to him.

Jackson hesitated. He remembered what was inside it, and it scared him so bad that he could barely say anything.

My confession...

“W-Wait, there’s something I have to say before you open it.”

Hyerin looked up innocently.

“Yeah?”

Jackson took a deep breath.

“It’s something I’ve been wanting to say for a long time...”

Hyerin cocked her head adorably.

“What is it?”

Jackson took her hands in his and although she looked surprised, she didn’t pull away. He forced himself to look her directly in the eyes.

“I love you, Hyerin-ah.”

(Hyerin’s POV)

What did he just say?

“Jackson?”

As she looked up into his eyes, Hyerin found that the look in his eyes made her breathless. There was no trace of insincerity in those eyes. He meant every word. Hyerin looked down, feeling her heart thumping crazily. Slowly, Jackson let go of her hands.

“Now, you can open the gift.”

Hyerin tentatively lifted the lid off of the small box and found a folded piece of paper. She unfolded and read...

 

Hundreds of confessions without success

I feel so unconfident should I just go back

I say I’ll confess for sure

but it’s pointless with no actions in the end

Can’t keep my head up in front of you

I’m in love with you, why are these words so hard

I keep hesitating to say over and over again

Why is it so hard just to write a simple letter

I keep writing and tearing it over and over again

 

You may not feel the same way as I do

I may never see you again,

that’s what I’m afraid of

Don’t have the courage to tell you

With this song let me

open my heart to you

 

All day long I wait for your reply

I keep writing and erasing to make sure

there’s no mistake in my words

I accidently say things that I don’t mean

The dramatic lines

that I practiced in front of the mirror

Are all forgotten when I stand

in front of you, flustering me

My hands hesitate in front of yours

 

My heartbeat sound getting louder,

you might hear it yeah

You may not feel the same way as I do

I may never see you again, that’s what I’m afraid of

Don’t have the courage to tell you

With this song let me open my heart to you

 

My heart beats like a DRUM

My arms just wait for the day to hug you tight

My calendar just waits for the day marked red

My confession just waits for my courage

Though I am still a timid fool

I hope this song I wrote for countless nights

Deliver my sincerity

Take one side of the earphone in your hand

Shall we?

By the time, Hyerin finished reading, she could feel herself choking up.

He loves me? He loves me....oh my gosh

She looked up at Jackson to see that he was watching her with apprehension in his eyes. Hyerin couldn’t help a smile. Shyly, she took his hands in his and squeezed them gently.

“Jackson. I love you too.”

Then, standing on her tiptoes, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. When she pulled away, she found that Jackson was staring out her openmouthed, his face as red as a tomato. Hyerin could feel her own cheeks flaming.

“D-Don’t look at me like that,” she mumbled.

Suddenly, a smile as a radiant as the sun spread across Jackson’s face. He reached up to touch her cheek gently. Hyerin blushed even hotter.

“J-Jackson?”

Jackson only smiled more broadly as he leaned in to kiss her. Unfortunately, it was right then that Hyerin’s parents decided to check on them. Jackson and Hyerin jerked apart. But her parents seemed unfazed. In fact, Hyerin’s father could barely hold back from laughing.

“Just as I thought,” Hyerin’s mom teased.

“It’s a good thing we came in before anything else happened,” her father continued, a playful smirk on his face.

*****

(One year later...)

Hyerin leaned on Jackson as she lazily opened another present. When she threw the wrapping paper aside, it was immediately captured by a rambunctious fluffy black dog. The newest member of Jackson’s family darted away, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Minnie!” Jackson reached out and tore the paper out of the young dog’s mouth. Minnie seemed offended at first, but that quickly disappeared when Jackson’s mom walked into the living room, a plate of cookies in hand. She set them out of the dog’s reach before returning to the kitchen. Minnie gave up and settled on chewing on one of Jackson’s father’s slippers. Jackson’s father lay snoring on the couch, clearly uninterested in opening presents and unaware that his slipper was in peril.

Hyerin pulled a long slender jewelry case out of the box.

“Jackson, what is this?”

“Open it and find out.”

Hyerin flipped the case open and gasped in pleasure.

It was the matching necklace to her dolphin bracelet. She embraced her boyfriend of a year warmly.

“Thank you, Jackson.”

When she went to pull away, he dragged her back playfully. Jackson kissed her deeply, his hand cradling the back of her head. Hyerin smacked him lightly on the arm when he finally let her go.

“Jackson! We’re in your parent’s house,” she protested.

Jackson leaned in and stole another kiss.

“So?” He grinned mischievously.

Hyerin rolled her eyes, a little blush rising in her cheeks.

“Whatever, it’s your hide, not mine.”

Jackson looked at his sleeping father and peeked to see if his mom was still in the kitchen. Then he drew Hyerin to him again, his arms pulling her tight against him.

“I’ll take my chances,” he whispered before his lips met hers once again.

The End