Shinhye…

Hwajinpo Beach…

Shinhye looked at Yonghwa’s hopeful eyes. His eyes were a storyteller. The way his eyes were holding hers and waiting for her answer. She kept replaying his confession to her…”nan johahaeyo”. Of course, within herself and heart, she was happy he did feel the same as her. Her heart was doing somersaults, but her brain was going a million miles per hour overanalyzing everything.

She watched him as he suddenly sat up but kept his eyes on hers. She naturally followed him. Staring in his eyes, she knew he could read and know what she was thinking. His face became serious and pleading.

“I know you’re thinking about the time we have left to spend together and the fact that my home is New York.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “I will… no, we will figure out New York later.”

Her heart fluttered more that he wanted to include her in his decisions. But she was still speechless and thinking about their little time.

“But, I also don’t want to waste any more time not being with you. I want to go on actual couple dates with you. Hold your hand everywhere we go. Laugh about anything with you. Enjoy yoga with you. And even simply sit with you in my coffee shop drinking rich tea.”

Shinhye let out a soft laugh. He truly was an unbelievably convincing person. But his heartfelt reasons were her undoing. She wanted to experience all these beautiful moments with him. He was the only man to make her heart flutter and feel something more for. She never had a boyfriend because she was busy with school and coping with the passing of her parents. He was her special person who could heal her heart.

“Please say something.” He had a worried look on his face. She stayed staring at him as if he was regretting his confession. “I’m sorry if I’m rushing things or pushing you into something you may not want. I understand if you don-”

Without thinking and only feeling what was right to do, Shinhye shushed his sudden doubtfulness with a surprise kiss. She felt the warmth and softness of his lips. Her lips gave him a lingering peck of a kiss before pulling away rather quickly.

She felt the heat in her cheeks from her sudden boldness. But she was happy to see the surprise look on a humble Yonghwa. He gulped a little soundly before meeting her eyes. She watched him blink his eyes a few times. But as soon as his thoughts came back to him about what just happened, his lips formed a mischievous smile.

“Was that a ‘you-like-me-too’ kiss? Or a ‘sorry-lets-stay-friends’ kiss’?”

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes while releasing a soft chuckle. This time her face became serious. She met his gorgeous eyes.

“As much as I’m wary of our time, I do want to share as much beautiful moments with you. I can’t deny my feelings for you no matter how much my brain is trying.” Her eyes wavered to his hand that was resting on their blanket. She softly caressed the back of his hand with hers. With a simple touch, she felt the spark they shared. She met his eyes again. “Nado johahae.”

She could see relief sweep across his face followed by pure humbleness and something indescribable. She felt exactly the same. She suddenly felt Yonghwa pull her in for a hug. His bulky arms embraced her as if he was protecting her from everything. The warmth and his natural masculine scent was heaven for her.

“I’m so happy right now. Happier than I’ve ever been.”

She could feel his smile on her shoulders and his embrace tighten just a little more as if he didn’t want to let her go. They stayed in their own happy embrace for a while longer. Until, she felt Yonghwa slowly pull away but never removed his arms.

“Geundae, I don’t really call that a kiss.”

He gave her a playful smirk, making her blush out of embarrassment and anticipation. His playful smirk disappeared, giving her a serious and loving look. Her heart beat very rapidly when he leaned in closer to her. Naturally, she closed her eyes and could feel the intensity and the warmth of his lips brush slightly against hers. She swore she felt a zap from the simple brush of his lips.

Just then, she felt the fullness of his lips massage against hers. She felt an intense electricity form at her lips and run through her body. His lips skillfully and beautifully danced with hers. Her lips moved in natural synchronization with his. She slowly slid her arms up the sides of Yonghwa’s ribs, leaving them resting near his diaphragm.

Her first kiss… their first kiss was beautiful in every way. It was beautiful because they both shared a deep connection when they first met and it managed to intensify over the course of their friendship.

♦

Shinhye couldn’t help but keep a stupid, happy smile on her face while she prepared for her yoga class. She touched her lips constantly as she replayed her first kiss with her first boyfriend. She cutely giggled to herself for labeling Yonghwa as her boyfriend now. She blushed at the thought and cutely waltzed across the floor as she lay out yoga mats.

She smiled at the memories of the end of their kiss and blooming of their new relationship. After their perfect kiss, Yonghwa lay them both back down on their blanket with his arm around her neck as a pillow. They continued stargazing the perfect beach night while interlocking their hands. On their drive back from Hwajinpo Beach, Yonghwa never let go of her hand as he drove only when they stopped for a break. He was perfect and loving.

She was caught up in her happy thoughts that she didn’t notice nor hear Semi, her other best friend, call her attention. Semi stood right in front of her as Shinhye hugged a yoga mat with her stupid happy smile plastered on her face.

“Yah! I’ve been calling your name for forever.”

Shinhye quickly cleared and turned serious. She laid out the yoga mat she held but her smile returned.

“Yah! Why are you smiling like that? Did something good happen?” Semi had a questioned as well as investigative look on her face. She gasped. “Yah! Neo-“

Shinhye wiped the smile off her face when she realized Semi might have figured out what had her smiling. Semi raised her eyebrows that silently told her to explain.

“Wae?” Shinhye tried playing it off.

Semi smirked. “So, is Yonghwa the reason why you’re all smiles and giddy? Dancing around your studio, not even aware of who might see you like this and think you’re weird?”

Shinhye couldn’t believe how right Semi was. She wasn’t going to deny her new relationship with Yonghwa. If anything, she would like to shout to the world for that matter.

“How’d you know? Am I that obvious?”

Semi laughed to herself. Shinhye felt a little offended. “Mianhe. Jamkkanman.”

Shinhye was growing mad now that Semi was laughing at her happiness. But Semi must have sensed Shinhye growing mad. She stopped laughing and gave her an apologetic smile.

“Mianhe chingu. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just…” Semi smiled widely now. “I just came from the coffee shop after redirecting a lost student to the shop. And I saw Yonghwa act the exact same way as you. He was whistling a catchy and happy tune I didn’t recognize while sweeping the floor. Out of curiosity, I stayed a while longer and he was happily greeting every customer… in English.”

Shinhye couldn’t believe Yonghwa would act like that but then it made her feel even happy. Because it only meant how sincere and happy he was, just like her. Her stupid smile came back but then she became a little sad because she suddenly missed him.

Semi shook her head and waved her hands in front of Shinhye. “Aigoo. Both your emotions are insanely crazy. And exactly the same. What will I do with you?”

Shinhye’s smile slowly eased into a straight line. “Mianhe Semi-ah. I’ve been a bad friend.”

Shinhye didn’t think about her friendship with Semi