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“Wait, just one moment.”

“What is it again!”

Your aunt sighs in exasperation as you run back up the stairs to your bedroom for the third time in the past 5 minutes, wondering why you’re still not satisfied with your appearance. Sticking your face close to the mirror, you dab a little bit more of the pink lipstick off your lips, finally backing away when you found yourself looking acceptable. With the pink lipstick looking less vibrant now, you breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that your little effort to tone down your makeup was actually working. You wanted to look good, but you didn’t want to overdo it either.

“Are you finally happy with your look now?”

You can see your aunt folding her arms across her chest in the mirror, her lips set in a thin line as you turn to smile sheepishly at her.

“Yes, I think I’m finally presentable now.”

“What nonsense, you’re more than presentable Rachel. You look absolutely stunning tonight.”

“Oh, please don’t say that! You’re only going to give me more jitters!”

“You know that I’m right. Besides, Brian will like you even if you’re wearing a trash bag; I’ve seen the way the boy looks at you. He’s absolutely in love with you.”

Your heart stops for a moment as you process your aunt’s words, your heart breaking a little when you doubt her words.

It’ll be great if he does… but he doesn’t.

Too lost in your own thoughts, you absentmindedly followed your aunt as she guided you by the elbow to the door, giving you a once over before leaving you with some advice that floats over your head.

“Come home safely, and don’t drink too much. If Brian drinks, don’t let him drive.”

“Uh…”

The door to your house is then flung open and you watch as Brian waves to your aunt in greeting.

“Bring her home safe! And don’t drive if you drink!”

“Got it!”

Brian flashes your aunt a thumbs up as he grins at her, but the smile fades after you hear the door shut behind you with a soft thud, the look on his face now one of wonderment. The two of you stand in silence for a few moments, taking time to admire one another.

His hair is done differently today – his slightly longer hair slicked back to reveal his handsome forehead. His crisp navy-blue suit adds an air of youthfulness around him, making him look suave. The sleeves are rolled up till the point just below his elbows, exposing the forearm and hands that were used to protect you.

You had matched him today – upon his request – with a navy-blue dress. It was one with your favourite halter neck, the bodice of the dress covered in sweet lace details. The skirt that ended just above your knees billowed around you slightly as a gentle breeze passed by, causing your hair, worn down today, to flutter around your face.

Both of you simply stand in your spots, wishing for time to stop so that you had all the time in the world to marvel at one another’s beauty. Yet the sun was setting in the horizon, signalling that the wedding will start soon, and that both of you should really get going.

Stepping off the steps of your front porch, and him off the pavement, both of you walked till you met one another right in the middle. You stood there unmoving for a short while, peeping up at Younghyun nervously from beneath your lashes. He remained the same as he was a few seconds ago, still carrying the same look of amazement on his face, his lips parted slightly in astonishment. Extremely self-conscious now under his focused gaze, you tugged your dress lower, hoping to cover more skin and you looked past his shoulders; at the horizon, at the clouds – refusing to look anywhere but him.

With a timid voice, you ask,

“W- W- Why are you looking at me like that? Does it look bad?”

“No! No, it doesn’t look bad at all!”

Startled by his huge response, you turn your head to look at the previously stoic boy, surprised to find him instead with eyes blown wide, a look of seriousness on his face as he waved his hands fervently, trying to convince you that you looked good. In fact – to him – you were more than good. You were absolutely breath-taking – maybe even perfect.

After a few moments of frantic gesturing, he then falls silent again as his hands still, mouth slightly agape as he continues to admire you. His eyes slowly scan over the details of your dress, right down to the silver straps of your high heels. You continue observing him as he slowly takes in the exquisite sight in front of him; his gaze on you not at all predatory, love shining out of his twinkling eyes instead.

The sight in front of you makes your heart throws all caution out of the window and for tonight, you just go where it feels right.

Brian is still beaming at you when his eyes finally find their way back to your face, the shy curve of your lips making him smile. In his mind, he has a grand speech all planned out; he wants to talk about how the navy of the dress brings out the colours of your eyes, or how your loosely worn hair is such a drastic yet nice change from your usual neat hairdo in school. He'll even talk about the perfectly timed moments; about how the soft orange glow from dusk shines upon the planes of your face perfectly, making your usually sharp eyes look gentler now. If he could, he would go on and on about how wonderful you look – yet – you render him speechless and this, is all he manages.

He whispers his next words softly