“I’ve decided. I’ll be moving away.”

It was as if someone gradually turned the volume dial first to a medium then to a high or as if one has just come up from the water after staying under it for a while. The busy sidewalk filled the stillness that hung in the air—the passing cars with their engines, the clacking of shoes on the pavement, the faint music playing from somewhere nearby—and the sound of life waltzed in and filled Wonwoo’s blanked out mind.

“What?”

You sighed through your nose. The confused smile on his face told you that there would be an awful lot of explaining needed on your part tonight.

“Hey, Jeon," you said, meeting his eyes. “Wanna go to the playground?”

The coarse gravel crunched under Wonwoo's shoes as he followed you from the ground. You were up in the fort, right at the low bridge that connected the yellow curvy slide and the tower. Fortunately, the playground was empty and you had the place all to yourselves. A child's dream, isn't it?

It would have looked like any trip to the park with the content smile you had on your face but it wasn’t. Why were you so calm? Didn't you just drop a bomb on him out of nowhere?

“It’s been a while, huh?” you said, pulling Wonwoo from his train of thought. “The paint's new. There’s a new set of swings. The churro stall’s gone though.”

Wonwoo followed your words with his eyes and hummed in acknowledgment. “Too bad. The lady there was nice,” he said, looking at the empty spot where the stall used to be. "We haven’t been here since what? The start of the school year?”

“Before I changed schools,” you said with a nod. “A lot of things happened then.”

“I’d say. It’s been a wild year.”

“I did expect changes to happen but…” you stopped in the middle of the bridge to sit down at the spaces between the ropes with Wonwoo following suit, letting your legs and feet dangle a couple of inches from the ground, “I don't know..." you shrugged. "I’ve realized a lot of things since.”

“Like what?”

“Like how we basically lived the same life? It’s mostly me clinging to you all the time but...we’ve been in each other’s lives for so long that when I transferred, I realized how much you were part of mine.”

Wonwoo his lips and sat uncomfortably in his spot until he heard the rest of it, his expression gradually changing from flattered to disbelief.

“Like when I’m in school, I unconsciously apply your studying habits or I’ll remember random facts and sayings. I’ll even think of puns and song references while having conversations with Soeun. Like dude, we’re not together physically but you’re always somehow there.”

“Hey. Are you low key attacking me?” Wonwoo asked faking offense and dodging when you tried to hit him on the arm.

“I’m trying to compliment you, . I’m just saying, you’ve influenced me a lot. And…well…I wanted to…I wanted to tell you that...uh…” You bit your lower lip. You willed the words to come out. You wanted him to know...that is until you caught a glimpse of Wonwoo with an amused smile on his face.
 
“It’s okay cupcake,” he started. “A little honesty from time to time would be nice. Go on. Thank me.”

Your cheeks grew hot. “Forget it. Looks like you already know so why should I say it out loud?”

“Oh c'mon. It’s a rare moment.”

“I hate you. Please know that,” you said, throwing him a look but Wonwoo only laughed.

“But really,” you continued after a while once the laughter subsided, “I was so used to having you by my side that the thought of switching schools scared me so bad. I know I say things like I’ll be fine alone but you’ve always seen past that, haven’t you?”

By the tone of your voice and how you were barely patronizing his antics, Wonwoo knew it was one of those rare moments where you let out your worries unfiltered.

"I mean, I could live with it but it doesn't mean it's fun."

“Of course. But you know,” Wonwoo said softly with a smile, “you did well by yourself. I’m serious,” he added quickly after you frowned at him. “I was really surprised when you came over talking non-stop about Soeun and Wooshin. I thought I was talking to your doppelganger.”

“Well, yeah. I did survive on my own,” you laughed before it too, like the light atmosphere in the air, slowly dissolved. “But Wonwoo, that’s the thing.”

“What is?”

“Remember my birthday? When you all pretended you were busy and can’t celebrate with me?”

“Yeah. What about it?” Wonwoo asked.

You looked down at your hands and started to play with your fingers. It's been months since then but you can still vividly remember how you felt. “Before we saw you guys, I told Joshua how scared I was and it was for a different reason. I realized that, yes, I survived on my own and that I was getting used to it but at the same time we were starting to get busy with our own things. I was scared that we were all growing apart. And yeah, you were just pretending but, you know, it's the truth. It's our reality now. The different schedules, the different topics, me being out of the loop from you guys—”

“Wait, wait, wait.” The frown Wonwoo had deepened as disconnected thoughts presented themselves one by one. “Being out of the loop?”

“You know, me being the only one from a different school. I hardly know what you guys are talking about sometimes. I need time to catch up and you guys are terrible at giving details.”

“Y/n, I thought us hanging out after school with the guys made up for it? And while we don’t see each other as often compared with when we shared the same school—”

“Wonwoo,” you laughed, not being able to take it any longer although the disapproval on his face told you he didn’t appreciate it. Wonwoo was starting to ramble and he only does that when he’s getting overwhelmed. “I didn’t mean anything bad. At first, yeah, it was a bit disheartening but like I said, I got used to it. It's part of life. I realized that it was okay. What was that quote that you liked again? The one about welcoming change as the rule?”

“But not as your ruler?”

You nodded and by the way he kept silent, you knew he was starting to figure it out. “The reason why I’m making such an effort for college, why I'm moving…it’s because I don’t want to be crippled by my fear of change forever.” 

You took a deep breath. It wasn’t something you’ve thought of for a long time but it wasn’t an overnight decision either. There were too many things to consider. You needed time to make sure of them. But being able to openly talk about it now, there was a certain lightness, a feeling of freedom stirring in your body. It was as if you’re finally able to turn the last page of a chapter that you've held open for so long.

“At the beginning of this year, I had no choice but to take the first step which was to switch schools. And I was scared at every little change I was encountering. It was pathetic,” you said laughing at yourself. “But this time, I want to take a conscious next step myself. That's what I realized while I was surviving, or at least trying to survive, on my own. I told you, Wonwoo. I want to grow. And this, college, I think it’s the best opportunity for that.”

You turned to look at Wonwoo and found his eyes fixed on you. Once again, his eyes that were like thin half-moons spoke thousands, more than any verbal conversation you've had. You held his gaze for a little while longer before noticing the small smile on his face.

“What is it?” you asked, patting his knee. “Why the sad smile, Jeon?”

Wonwoo only shook his head but the smile he had on his face stayed.

“Tell me.”

“I already did,” he answered. “I told you that it's alright if you take things slow and that I'll be there with you. But after what you said, it's like I’m the one that’s taking things slow while you’re moving fast. I don’t…I feel like I’m lagging behind,” he laughed bitterly.

“What? No! Wonwoo, it's me trying to keep up. I've always felt like everyone's been looking out for me, you especially. And although I'm thankful, I didn’t want to just always be at the receiving end.”

Wonwoo turned his gaze to the night sky. Just like it’s vastness with its bounds unseen in its entirety, so did your plan seem to him. It wasn't like he thought that it was impossible or too difficult. “I just wasn’t expecting this,” he said almost in a whisper.

“Hey. Why are you being so soft all of a sudden? Do you really want me to stay that bad?”

You expected him to scrunch his face in disgust or maybe mess your hair. At most, you expected him to brush it off and pretend like you didn’t say anything or do something to alleviate the cheesy thought. He always did. It was your thing. But he didn’t. What he did next was worse. He looked at you with a look you’ve only seen once on the day Jeonghan and Joshua broke into his house. It was the look he had the day you found out that he liked someone, the look he had while he was describing Hyein.
 
You couldn’t help but avert your eyes. How can he show that kind of face so easily towards you?

You forced a laugh. “It’s not like I’ve already been accepted in that school. I’m just planning ahead, you know? And besides, even if I do get accepted, it’s not too far. And we still have the rest of the school year and a couple weeks of vacation. I’ve got time to hang out with you guys.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Are you kidding? I’ll be living on my own, away from family and from all of you in a place I’ve never been to, and its college we’re talking about.” You lowered your head and took a breath. “Of course, I’m scared.”

And in the silence, given time to think, Wonwoo's mind was drowned in an understanding of what you were saying. Not only that but he also sensed that you were different now from how you were before. A good different.

“I guess I'll just have to support you the best I can then.” Wonwoo pushed himself from the bridge and hopped down to the ground. “Let’s go.”

You sat rigidly on the bridge, staring at the hand extended towards you. Wonwoo was offering his hand. 

“What?” he asked with a smile that wasn't teasing nor fake. “Let’s go home.”

You clenched your hand to a fist against the floorboard. It was so easy to just reach out but there was one thing, one thought in the way. “Hey, Jeon?” you called out, your eyes watching his hand. “Do you still like Hyein?”

“Out of the blue?” Suddenly, the smile on Wonwoo's face faded. He forgot. And it was such an important thing too. He forgot that you still think he liked Hyein and went through an immediate rejection. He clenched his teeth knowing he had two options. One is to give you a full explanation. The other was to lie through it until everyone forgets. He liked the first option better but with the way things are now, it was probably best to tell you once things settled. For now, he wanted to clear up the most important thing. “I don’t. She’s a friend. Just a friend.”

All that came out from your mouth was a small ‘oh’. Maybe, it was okay.

You hopped down and took his hand, surprised at how cold it was. But as he laced his fingers with yours and gave your hand a squeeze, it felt reassuring to hold his hand after that talk. It was if the things you've considered for so long, the things you've put off until it was made clearer were slowly disappearing. And even if it weren't the case, you knew you had people, people like Wonwoo, who had your back.

You looked up to see Wonwoo smiling softly. He was staring at your hands. At once, your cheeks flamed. “What?” you asked accusingly. 

“Nothing.” And for a moment, it seemed like there really was nothing until he looked up at the sky. “Hey y/n?”

“Yeah?”

Wonwoo lowered his gaze and met your eyes. “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

You wanted to hold his gaze a little bit longer but his sudden thought made you curious so you looked up. The moon was there but half of it was hidden by the clouds. “I guess?” you answered, looking back at Wonwoo. “Why do you keep on smiling like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like that,” you said, poking the corner of his mouth.

“Can’t I?” he asked smiling widely before tugging your hand. “Let’s go.” 

He pulled you along with him and started on your way home, the underlying tranquility of your surroundings spreading throughout your body and with it, setting your heart and mind at ease.

“Is this really for y/n’s going away party or are you using us for free labor?”

Seungcheol sighed. “Seungkwan, just please finish vacuuming the floor. I can’t put the furniture back until the floor’s been cleaned.”

“Seungkwan, we’re literally just cleaning the living room. Also, I call it hitting two birds with one stone.” 

Wonwoo grinned as Seungkwan got back to vacuuming the rest of the living room and resigned to keeping his observations to himself.

It was a little after four in the afternoon. A bunch of the guys came over to Wonwoo’s house to prepare for your going away party that they arranged a few days ago. Another team, including you, went out to buy groceries for the food and drinks.

“Why do we always party at Wonwoo’s house anyway?”

“Cause we’re broke,” Minghao answered Chan with a little laugh.

“And his house is spacious.”

“That’s ‘cause the rest of his family hasn’t moved in yet.”

“Yeah, but not for long, right Wonwoo?” Joshua asked.

Wonwoo nodded. “They’ll be here next week but their stuff will arrive earlier that’s why I needed to move things around. Bohyuk’s stuff alone will need tons of space.”

“I told you all,” Seungkwan said, sticking out his tongue at Wonwoo after he finished vacuuming. “Free labor.”

The rest of the hour continued with the home team cleaning and starting on the decorations. The energy in the house was about the same with their random parties (mostly thrown by the older guys as a reliever from stress) and looked almost exactly like usual except for a few things:

The living room became more spacious than it originally was with the furniture moved to the sides. There were two long tables for the food moved in the center as opposed to the usual set up in the kitchen. For easy access, you all agreed. The tv and Wonwoo’s consoles were out too along with Seokmin’s sound system, all ready to be used for game battles and karaoke later on. And although you asked them not to make it too cheesy, of course, everyone agreed to put up balloons in your favorite color with printed out group photos dangling from each string. Someone even went ahead with Chan's passing suggestion about a small banner with messages written on them. They would put it up once the party starts. It was a secret group present. A little piece of everyone, if you will.

With all the people in the house, the cleaning and decorating finished fast. All that was left to do was either go home and change or lounge around and wait for the cooking team if they needed help. Most of the team left but a few of them, three to be specific, decided to stay.

“Oh, hey,” Joshua greeted casually with a sweet smile.

Wonwoo stood at the door of his room, amused at how it has been invaded without him knowing. To his right, seated on his chair, was Seungcheol, busily playing a game on Wonwoo’s laptop. On his bed was Jeonghan, sprawled lazily while reading a book that Wonwoo had in his bedside table. Not on it. In it. And of course, Joshua, who was seated on the floor beside his bed with a bunch of mangas he pulled out from Wonwoo’s shelf.

“I’m not even surprised,” was all Wonwoo could say.

Seungcheol, after finishing a round from his game, turned the laptop off and turned to face Wonwoo. “We were wondering when you’ll show up. Sit,” he motioned Wonwoo to the bed as if it were his but Wonwoo stayed still.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m staying over, remember?” Joshua answered.

“I know. But these two?”

“Too bothersome to go back home,” Jeonghan answered, rolling on his side.

“And we need answers.”

“What answers?”

Joshua grabbed Wonwoo’s hand and pulled him to sit at the foot of the bed. “You’ve got to answer some questions if you want the answer to your question.”

“Nice,” Seungcheol grinned.

Wonwoo sighed. It was never a good thing to be left alone with these three. In a normal situation, it’ll be like fourth wheeling in their friendship. The three had their own world which mostly meant trolling on others or on each other, especially on Seungcheol. It was reason enough not to be stuck with them. But with Wonwoo’s specific situation—and he knows that it’s because of that—it meant being interrogated. “What do you guys want?”

“Spill,” Seungcheol started.

“You’d have to be a little more specific for me to answer.”

Wonwoo’s casual response made Seungcheol look at the other two for help. “Please tell me they’re aware, at least.”

“I’m betting 10 bucks they’re not.”

“Jeonghan, you don’t have 10 bucks.”

“Exactly why I’m gonna be 10 bucks richer today, Josh. Thanks in advance,” Jeonghan said, winking at Seungcheol.

“I never agreed?”

Wonwoo sighed again. He noticed that he sighed a lot when he’s with these three. “Guys?”

“Look,” Seungcheol said, getting his attention back on Wonwoo. “You and y/n, we know you’re close to the hip but recently you’ve been getting a little…”

“Touchy?” Jeonghan offered.

“And flirty,” Seungcheol added with a nod.

“It’s just a little more noticeable than usual,” Joshua continued.

“Yeah. As her older brother, I’m disgusted.”

Wonwoo could only frown. They don’t look much like it but they were acting like total gossips, he thought. “We’re not.”

“Uh, yes you are.”

“Half hugs, hair messing—”

“—leaning on each other a lot, playing with her hair—”

“—playing with each other's hands and so much more.”

Wonwoo furrowed his eyebrows. “Aren't you guys too observant? And we’ve always done those stuff. It's normal.”

Joshua, who’s been slowly growing frustrated, finally decided to end the subject of their debate whenever it gets brought up in their conversations. “Are you and y/n dating?”

It was a simple question. Wonwoo had an equally simple answer. “No.”

“Have you at least told her how you feel?”

“No?”

“Wonwoo, you’re supposed to answer with an answer and not with a question.”

“I mean no. I haven’t told her anything. I just…I’ve been acting on it.”

“And she’s said nothing about it?”

Again, a simple answer. “No.”

A combination of groans, facepalms, and burying of head on the pillow arose from the three making Wonwoo feel the sea of disappointment getting to his chest. “I know what you guys want me to do but the answer is no. I don’t want to rush it. So many important things happened for the past few months and I didn’t want to make things even more hectic. It’s kind of vague now and it’s frustrating sometimes but...I just don’t feel like it’s the right time yet.”

Seungcheol deflated in his seat. “I was seriously going to tease you two about it but…” he shrugged. “What are you going to do now?”

“She’s leaving tomorrow.”

“I know that,” Wonwoo said with a sigh. “Of all the people here, I know that the most.” 

Ever since you told Wonwoo about your plan, it never left his mind. Sure, he was serious about supporting your decision but as days passed by, he couldn’t help but think of how his time with you got short all of a sudden and that made him anxious. Was it okay? Was it really okay to just let things be? He thought of all possible scenarios, arriving at both the good ends and the bad until one day, right after graduation, an idea, unsure as it may be, made its way to him. 

Wonwoo took a deep breath and looked at the trio one by one. “I know she’s leaving but that doesn’t mean I’ll never see her again, won’t I?”

At this, Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. It was faint and it disappeared quickly but he was sure there was something, something hidden behind Wonwoo’s words. “What are you planning, Jeon Wonwoo?”

Your fingers tapped rhythmically against the cold steel bar of the grocery cart. You tried enjoying the cool air from the open display fridge at your left and the funky pop music that was playing overhead but you were growing bored. Mingyu stood in front, examining the meat cuts in his hand with utmost concentration, one would think he was answering a comprehension skills exam in a different language. You sighed loudly in hopes of getting his attention and it worked. Mingyu finally remembered that he was, in fact, not alone.

“What’s with the sour face?” he asked, putting back the pack of pork belly cuts on the stack and picking up another one that looked exactly the same. He had been doing this for five minutes and the meat cuts weren’t his first item.

“Why am I here again?”

“Because you didn’t want to look around?” he answered, his eyes still on the meat. “I told you to go look around with Seokmin and Junhui if you wanted anything.”

“I meant here. It’s a party for me. Why am I doing all the work?”

“You’re not doing all the work. You’re doing approximately five percent of the work at the moment.”

You threw him a look and he must’ve sensed it since he took a peek at you again before frowning.

“Y/n, you said you wanted to help but one, you didn’t want to push furniture and help clean Wonwoo’s house. And two, we all know you at decorating. Might as well take you with me for grocery shopping.”

You couldn’t help but click your tongue at his answer. “You know, you used to be cute.”

“Didn’t you hate it when I acted cute on you?” he asked before a smile slowly grew on his lips. He set the fourth pack of meat he chose down on the cart with the others and walked towards you, leaning close with a pout on his face. “Or do you want me to act cute now? Hm?”

Mingyu didn’t get to hold the fake pout he had as an evil grin took its place and you knew he was playing with you. There were still a good few inches between you but with his eyes doing the thing and with his unapologetic handsome face, it wasn’t difficult for him to make you get as red as a tomato. Heck, anyone in your situation would go as red as a tomato. As the only response you knew, you pushed him away.

“You know,” Mingyu said, laughing as he walked back to the front of the cart, “I could always go back to acting cute around you if you miss it that much. Oh, wait. I can’t.” He turned to look at you and grinned. “Someone might get the wrong idea.”

Before you knew it, you’ve already grabbed a big bag of Doritos sitting at the corner of the cart and threw it at him. The other bag of chips seemed to have a dark future ahead of them too as they were right within your grasp. So, you threw another one.

“Ow! Y/n! Why are you so violent whenever you’re embarrassed?” he cried, shielding himself and trying to catch the chips at the same time. “And stop ruining the chips!”

“Then maybe you’d think twice before joking about that.” You huffed, watching as he placed the chips back in the cart. But instead of moving on, Mingyu crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. 

“What?”

“I don’t get you two.”

“What’s there to get?”

Seeing the blank look on your face, Mingyu could only shake his head in disappointment. “Don’t act like nothing changed. We know.”

“Who’s we? And what changed?”

“You really want me to spell it out for you?” Without giving you time to answer, Mingyu continued on. “Wonwoo visiting you at school more frequently, getting touchier when we hang out or on movie nights—”

“Touchier?”

“Yeah! You lean on each other a lot. Sometimes, he’d even have an arm over your shoulder. Y/n, you’re pretty much cuddling each other on movie nights!”

“And? It’s not like I only do those with him. I do that to Chan and Seungkwan too, don’t I? I even hug Jeonghan and Joshua a lot and I’ve never hugged Wonwoo. Even if I do, it’s not like there’s any meaning behind it. We’ve done those things since grade school.”

“Y/n, you only go soft on each other when you need something or when you’re planning something embarrassing towards each other.”

“Hey.”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me I’m wrong,” he dared. “Look. I know between you two, it’s been a normal thing since you did grew up together. But the thing is, ever since, I don’t know, a few months before graduation, it started to get more obvious. And like I said, you only did those whenever you had hidden motives. No one goes red when they’re planning a prank on someone.”

“Hey. Some people do.”

That was it. Mingyu wanted to dive into the display fridge head first. He’s met a lot of stubborn people but he’s never met someone as stubborn as you.

And it was evident from the look Mingyu had. You sighed. “Fine.”

Now was your turn to frown after the immediate change in his expression but you decided to ignore it. “There’s…something…”

Mingyu nodded at you to continue.

“…but I’m not sure what.”

By now, seeing Mingyu’s expressions change just like that started to get amusing that you had to keep yourself from teasing him more. “What I’m about to say is top secret. Do not tell anyone.”

Mingyu raised his left hand. “I swear.”

“There is something but it’s not like there’s a label on it. I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right to suddenly…change…like it’s not yet the right time. He’s busy. I’m busy too and it’s great that he’s there but…yeah. It’s just…that. I guess it’s kind of a mutual thing. Now, we’re simply enjoying the time we have together. We’ll see once things calmed down.”

It was tough trying to get the schedules meet from the start but with college preparations, club activities, personal schedules during vacation, and moving, you were pretty much booked. You didn’t want to half- any of them, especially not the thing with Wonwoo.

Mingyu sighed and it brought a smile to your face. “You’re really supportive, aren’t you, Gyu?” you laughed.

“Of course. You lost me already,” he said, ignoring you as you rolled your eyes at him, “so I won’t accept anyone else for you beside him and you two sure are taking your sweet time. You know you don’t have much left. Nobody knows what will happen next.”

And it was the truth. Nobody knows, “…that’s if nothing happens,” you said smiling and it was no surprise to see the confused look on his face. “Don’t worry, Gyu. We’ll make it work. Somehow.”

It was almost six by the time you got back and although the party was supposed to start at seven thirty, there was no need to worry; there were more people in the house than you thought. 

The food preparation went underway almost immediately and the last of the decorations were up. Mingyu, in particular, went all out with the preparation with Seokmin by his side: pasta, a salad, chicken, pizza, barbecue, and his pride, his new and improved cake. The tables that laid bare in the living room was finally full along with the chips and drinks that you got earlier.

“Is this a party or a feeding program?” you laughed, taking a step back to admire the food.

Mingyu just grinned. “With those guys cleaning all afternoon? I say both.”

Everyone arrived pretty much at the same time. Soeun and Wooshin brought mini poppers with Chan and Hansol on the ready if ever Seungkwan starts nagging at everyone for making a mess. Spoiler alert: he didn’t. 

It was much like any other party that they did in the past except that it was more personal. Seungcheol held a toast in the beginning and gave a short message for you, Seungkwan started a game of charades with Jihoon, Wonwoo, and Wooshin ending up in a triple tie for their impersonations of you, and finally, the journey of discovering little messages behind the photos dangling from the balloon strings and the well-kept banner that may or may not have made you tear up a little bit.

As it always is when you’re with them, time flew in the blink of an eye. It was time for everyone to go home but not without tight hugs and a few tears from those who won’t be able to send you off tomorrow, Jeonghan in particular.

“I’ll finish cleaning up,” Joshua said after seeing everyone out from Wonwoo’s front door, leaving the two of you alone.

“Good thing Joshua’s taking the same train with you tomorrow.”

You watched the shadows of your friends disappear from your view. “Must be exciting for him. He’s only in his second year and yet he’s up for an internship in their main branch.”

Wonwoo nodded. “Are you ready?”

“Are you?” you said, looking up at him with a cheeky smile.

From months to weeks, and now, hours, the time to start the next chapter of your life is slowly pulling to a stop right in front of your eyes.

The weather app on your phone said sunny but the faces in front of you said otherwise. Soeun, Mingyu, Wonwoo, and your mom all stood by the platform barrier to send you and Joshua off. Except for your personal and daily items, your other belongings have already been set out in the apartment that you will be sharing with a roommate. All that was left was you yourself.

And while Joshua and Wonwoo had smiling faces, the other three found it hard to do so.

“Newt and Snuffles will miss you,” Soeun said, showing you a video of her dogs whimpering as she told them about you leaving. “They’ve grown quite attached to you from your visits. You have to come home when you can okay?” she said, giving you a hug before you moved on to Mingyu.

“I’ll miss you, Gyu,” you said, giving him a quick hug.

But the other just pouted and returned your hug tightly. “Why are you acting like that? It’s making me sad.”

But his sadness couldn’t compare to your mom’s. She’s been quiet about it but there were times when you caught her zoning out or sighing deeply on the days she went with you to help you get settled in your new place.

“Mom,” you said, laughing lightly. “It’s just two hours away. I can always come and go, you know.”

But despite knowing this, your mom could just nod with tears b in her eyes as she hugs you without a word. “Take care.”

“I will.”

And then there was your best friend from childhood up to now. Wonwoo didn’t say a word the whole ride from your house to the train station. He just stood silently on the sidelines, watching everyone with a content smile on his face.

“What? No parting words of wisdom? No tears for your best friend?”

Wonwoo laughed before messing your hair and ignoring your protests. “If I didn’t know better, you’d probably be texting me the moment you get there. Maybe even on your first day of class.”

You resigned and let him have his way knowing he'll continue the more you resist. “ that you know me too well.”

“Just don’t miss me too much,” he said grinning.

It was a good thing Wonwoo was acting this way. If he had acted otherwise, you were sure that all your tears will show up, making your mom worry even more. “You know, I actually had a dream before.”

“What was it?”

“We were somewhere and we both had luggage with us. Then we went on different directions. I thought it was literal but now, I guess it meant us going our own ways.”

“Well,” Wonwoo said, watching as you fixed your hair, “it’s not like it’s forever.”

You looked up to him and saw his smile. It wasn’t playful. It wasn’t false hope. It was Jeon Wonwoo’s genuine smile, a smile you’ve seen so many times by now yet still gave you the same warmth over and over again.

Wonwoo took you in his arms for a quick hug. “See you soon, cupcake.”

“Y/n,” Joshua called after he himself said his goodbyes to everyone. “Time to go.”

You patted Wonwoo’s back before breaking away and waving goodbye to your mom and friends before going after Joshua. It was an unusual sight to be at this end of a scene where you were the one leaving. Just like what Wonwoo said on the night you told him about your plans, it wasn’t what you expected. Who would have known that this will be the course you would pick for your future?

As you dragged your luggage into the train, you took one more glance at the family you were leaving for a while. It’s not the end of things. Rather, it’s the beginning, a start of a new life.

True to his words, you couldn’t help but send him a message on your first day of class. He replied but that was it. Not a peep from him after lunch. Thankfully, having no one to talk to made it easier for you to listen and observe.

Using the information you overheard from their conversations, it became easy to pinpoint which people to hang out with and which ones to politely ignore, a point your roommate, Minseo, found hilarious.

“Are you serious?” she asked after meeting up with you in front of the main building. She lived near the area but like you, she wanted to be independent which was why she moved out from her family’s house. She promised to take you on a short food tour after class and that was where you were currently headed. “I thought you were trying to be more open-minded?”

“I am. I did have lunch with them. And because of that, I know now which people I can vibe with and which ones I can try to tolerate.”

Minseo just sighed until you saw a smile growing on her lips and her eyes widen. “Hottie alert,” she said, cocking her head into the direction of the campus entrance.

You followed the direction she pointed at with your eyes and froze with only one word making its way to your lips. “Unbelievable.”

A guy in a white shirt and jean jacket and pants stood at the entrance of the campus and shouldered his backpack as he approached you. His eyes twinkled behind his round glasses and his smile rivaled that of an excited child. “Hey, cupcake.”

“What are you doing here?”

“No 'hello' or 'I missed you'?" he said, faking a pout. "Class is over. I figured I'd visit.”

“Isn’t your class supposed to have ended 20 minutes ago?”

“That’s right,” he nodded, his stupid smile now back on his face.

“Then how are you here?”

“Took the bus?”

“Jeon Wonwoo. You need at least two hours to get here, not twenty minutes. And that's by train.”

“I guess I forgot to tell you.”

“Forgot to tell me what?”

“Uh…” Wonwoo pressed his lips into a thin line as he took a deep breath. “I got accepted in Kookmin U.”

“Isn’t that the private university near here?” Minseo quipped, her voice making you jump as you forgot that you were with her.

“That’s the one,” Wonwoo nodded at her before looking back at you. “I’m here with Soonyoung although he’s in a different department.”

“I’ve never heard of this?”

Minseo cleared and nudged you on the shoulder. “Hey, y/n. Mind introducing me to him?”

“Oh…right. He’s…he’s my…” 

Best friend that was supposed to be back home? The traitor that left you on read for the rest of the afternoon? A ridiculously handsome person you have something with? Wonwoo was a lot of things. 

“Wait. Is he your boyfriend?”

Well, that was enough to pull you back from your thoughts. “What? No!”

Your eyes darted to him. It wasn’t too harsh, was it? But what you said was the truth. He isn’t.

“Well,” Wonwoo’s voice came low but it wasn’t that that surprised you, not even the fact that he took your hand and held it tightly in his. It was the fact that he said, “not yet.”

To say that you stopped breathing may be an exaggeration, not to mention, a seriously dangerous situation but it’s exactly what happened. Your cheeks grew hotter every second the distance between you decreased.

His eyes surveyed your every detail, slowly, carefully, like one who just found something important that they’ve lost for a time and not having any intentions of losing them ever again.

And maybe that was the case for both him and for you. 

As you stood there looking at Wonwoo, drowning in the softest gaze that you haven’t seen in a while, you knew; the things that have been left hidden and unsaid, through the jungle of unfavorable situations, wrong turns, quick fixes, and big decisions, have finally found their place and their time. 

Wonwoo mirrored the smile you didn’t know you had on your lips. “I guess no words are needed anymore, right, y/n?” And the distance that has been there for the longest time finally disappeared.