Down the Aisle

Rosé was visibly tense as she stood outside the double doors. Lisa, her maid of honor, just went inside the chapel and is now walking down the aisle. The same aisle that she’ll be walking down in a few moments. She closed her eyes and smiled as she could already see the silhouette of the love of her life on the back of her eyelids.

“Loosen up, sis.” Jinyoung was laughing as he approached his sister, who glared at him as soon as she opened her eyes. He was going to be the one to give her away.

“I’m getting married, Nyeong. Married.” She emphasized the last word which made Jinyoung laugh harder.

“I know, Sé. I’ve been dreading this day since I saw you bloom into the beautiful lady you are now.” She couldn’t help but to roll her eyes.

“Oh yeah? And when is that?”

“Honestly? You just turned beautiful in my eyes today.” Rosé punched her brother playfully on the arm. “Kidding. Of course you’re always beautiful because you’re my sister. Though I wish I could ruffle your hair right now.”

She glared at him again and he put his hands up in a gesture that says, ‘I’m not going to do anything’ and grinned widely at her. She shook her head. “You’re awfully extra annoying today.”

“It’s because I’m about to give my sister away to the love of her life.” Rosé was glad that her brother was joking about her getting married. After he made every suitor of hers do stupid things so that most of them gave up, she was scared that she was going to be an old maid.

“Stupid. I’m your only sister.”

“I know.” Her brother’s smile was warm and it eased her nervousness. Deep down she knew that he was only trying to calm her nerves down by making the mood light.

He was about to say another retort when the wedding organizer appeared from the side and signaled them to take their places. Jinyoung took her arm and put it in his. He felt Rosé tense up and he whispered to her words of reassurance.

“Nyeong?”

“Yeah?”

“Please don’t let me trip.”

“Don’t worry, klutz. I got you.” And the double doors opened.

Everybody turned to look at the bride. Jisoo smiled at her husband as soon as Jinyoung found her in the crowd. The rest of them had their eyes on Rosé, but the bride had her eyes trained on one man at the end of the aisle. They locked eyes, and for a moment, it felt like the world stopped. Everything was suddenly blurred out and all she could see was him.

Her greatest first love. Jackson Wang.

She took a step forward while still keeping her eyes on him, their memories flooded into her mind. Rosé wasn’t sure if this was because of the wedding jitters, but she can’t stop recalling everything.

“You’re such a slowpoke.” Jackson told Rosé as soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She stuck her tongue out at him which made him shook his head at her. “Your brother already left us. You know how much he hates waiting.”

 

Why did Rosé even think that her brother would hang-out with them again when she became a sophomore? She snorted at his statement. “More like it’s because he can’t wait to be all lovey-dovey with his girlfriend.”

 

“Aw. Why the bitter tone Rosie-posy?” She punched him hard on the arm, bid goodbye to her mother and dragged Jackson out of the house. The latter just chuckled at her.

 

For a while they were both quiet, until Rosé suddenly spoke. “I am so not bitter.” Her statement made Jackson double over with laughter as they walked to school. A frown appeared on the younger’s face as he did so. She considered walking faster to leave him there.

 

Jackson wiped his tears from laughing too much. “Okay so you’re not bitter because your classmate, Mingyu, turned you down.” He turned to look at her face and couldn’t help but laugh again when her expression turned even more sour.

 

“First of all, he did not turn me down. I only said that I kinda have a crush on him. He’s the one that went all, ‘I’m sorry but I like somebody else’. He’s so cocky. I’m glad my crush on him never developed. Second…” She continued to rant about her brother and everything else as they walked. Her companion took up all his will to not laugh at her anymore because he knows that she’ll walk fast and leave him alone.

 

“What on earth is an undeveloped crush anyway? Why do you only have those?” He asked as soon as she finished talking. Rosé keeps saying that she has a fair share of crushes, but they were only half-crushes as she claims that she doesn’t actually full-out like them.

 

She was silent for a moment. Jackson was about to ask if there’s something wrong, when she spoke. “It’s because I like someone already.”

 

“What? Really? Who? Is it from our school?” He bombarded her with questions, but she only shook her head.

 

“No way I’m telling you.”

 

“And why not?” Rosé turned to look at him and instantly regretted it when she saw his puppy eyes looking at her.

 

“Ugh can you stop acting like that.” She covered his eyes with her hand which Jackson swatted away. “And it’s because I know you’ll tell my brother and he’ll go to overprotective mode. So yeah. No thanks.”

 

“But I’m your bestest friend.” His sad puppy look was complete because he added a pout after his statement. Rosé stopped herself from face-palming.

 

“Oh really? I thought you were just Jinyoung’s annoying friend and classmate who happens to live next door.” She peeked at his face and laughed when she saw that his expression went blank. Her laughter doubled when he ignored her and walked faster.

 

Rosé composed herself and caught up to him. She tried getting his attention by poking him, but he pointedly ignored her. She tried again by latching herself onto his arm. “Sseunie! I’m sorry. C’mon. Don’t ignore your cute best friend.”

 

Jackson stopped and looked at her. “You’re not cute though.”

 

“But am I your best friend?” She gave a pity pout and he ruffled her hair. Once again, the tables have turned as Rosé was back to being the annoyed one because of his gesture.

 

“Unfortunately, yes.” She pinched his side. “Ouch! My best friend who loves picking on me.”

 

“Excuse me, but I do not.” She playfully rolled her eyes at him. Jackson shook his head and put an arm on her shoulders.

 

“Yes you do, but don’t worry. I love you for it.” Rosé was glad she didn’t tie her hair up for today so that her long locks framed her face and hid its pained expression from her so-called best friend.

The Park siblings rarely went out of their house to meet new friends, but that was until they moved and became neighbors with the Wangs, who warmly welcomed them to the neighborhood. In a quick span of a day, Jackson had already made them come out to play.

He was more on the annoying boy-next-door side, but by some miracle, he got along with the siblings just fine. Growing up with him was easy for Rosé, but that was until she entered her first year in high school in the same school that he and Jinyoung were attending.

For the first part of that year, it was always the three of them. Walking to school together, during breaks, and afternoon study sessions or just goofing around in the café across the street. The two made it their mission to stay by her side, ever since Rosé started getting attention from the boys at their school when she performed at the first week fair. Jinyoung’s overprotectiveness for his sister dragged Jackson along, not that the latter was complaining anyway.

The set-up was okay with Rosé, until Jinyoung and Jisoo became a couple. Her brother left her in the hands of his closest friend and spent more and more time with his girlfriend. It would've been fine with her, but spending too much time with Jackson made her feel things she never imagined she'd feel for the person she thought she only consider as another older brother.

She tried convincing herself that it was just a mere crush, and that it'll pass by quickly. But as the days, weeks, months dragged on, she saw more and more endearing things about him that she came to love. No matter how much she tells herself that he's too annoying for her, she still finds herself smiling whenever he tries to irritate her. She tried to like other guys, like her brother's soccer teammate, Mark Tuan, or her annoying classmate, Bambam, but her heart always goes back to the boy next door.

Unconsciously, a smile tugged on the ends of her lips as she remembered the day that she knew she had already fallen for Jackson Wang.

"I told you to take a rest from cheerleading practices. When will you ever listen?" Jinyoung dabbed her forehead with a wet cloth. Rosé rolled her eyes at her brother and weakly pushed his hand away. They were at the school's clinic where her classmates rushed her after she fainted. Since she joined the cheerleading squad in her junior year, she had been exhausting herself and maintaining the standard body for a cheerleader, which her brother didn't like. She had almost just woken up when Jinyoung started chastising her. "Where's Jackson anyways? He's supposed to be here. I told him to look after you. Tsk."

 

'Probably somewhere, still swapping spit with our head cheerleader.' Rosé thought to herself. She couldn't help but make a face when her brother mentioned his name, which made him raise his eyebrows at her.

 

"Did the two of you fight or something?" She wasn't sure if it was because of what she saw earlier or the fact that she's tired and Jinyoung's questions are pestering her, but she couldn't stop herself from lashing out on her brother.

 

"Can you just shut up and go?!" They were both taken aback by her sudden outburst, even the nurse peeked at them behind the curtain and asked if everything was alright. After promising that they were okay, the nurse left them once again and Rosé immediately apologized for yelling at him. "I'm sorry Nyeong, but I just want to stay here for a while and take a rest. I'm really tired."

 

All he did was nod in response. She knew they were okay, but she still felt guilty for yelling at her brother. Jinyoung kissed her forehead and tucked her in. "Don't overwork yourself with practices again. Alright?" Even if she knew that it wasn't the exact reason, she promised him that she would follow his instructions. He left after telling the nurse not to entertain visitors for her.

 

With Jinyoung gone, she was alone with her thoughts. All that could be heard in the room was the nurse's clicking on the keyboard. Rosé pulled the sheets closer to her face and turned to the side facing the wall. As soon as she did that, tears started falling from her eyes. She was in the last bed, but she was still worried that her sobs might escape so she put a hand to to block the sounds out. Her other hand gripped her shirt to her chest, like she was trying to block out the pain, but it still took full control of her.

 

The image of him kissing Jennie Kim filled her head.

 

It was during second period and she went out to go to the restroom. She was on her way back when she heard a girl's giggle, whom she recognized immediately as Jennie's, followed by kissing sounds. The two cheerleaders were close and Rosé was just going to find out whom Jennie had been canoodling with so she could , but she got the shock of her life instead. They had been carefully hidden in the hallway, but she knew Jackson's back anywhere.

 

She was frozen for a minute or two, but neither of them seemed to notice her as they were busy with one another. With quiet steps, she backed out of the scene and ran. As she neared her classroom, she slowed down. All she could think about was how he was holding her in his arms, how his lips never left hers, how he talked to her in that low husky voice of his and how she was giggling at his words. Her eyes were dry, but she felt as if her heart was being torn into pieces.

 

As she stepped inside the room, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea and black spots danced around her eyes. She felt her legs gave away from under her and the last thing she remembered hearing was a voice of her classmate yelling to help carry her to the clinic.

 

Her tears kept flowing, and soon enough, the clinic's blanket was soaked with her tears. It was more than just mere jealousy. It was heartbreak. It was the pain of realizing that the boy she loves will never see her beyond a little sister, and that she will continue being there to witness him fall for other girls. The pain was so intense and it tugged at her heart violently.

 

Exhaustion from crying took over her and she fell asleep.

 

She woke up to someone brushing the stray strands of her hair away from her face. Jackson's worried eyes welcomed her and she felt another pang of pain in her chest. He was shocked when he saw her eyes b with tears. "Bad dream?" She couldn't answer him and she couldn't stop the tears from streaming down her face.

 

"Hey, hey. Shh. I'm here, Rosé. Calm down. It was just a dream." He pulled her to his chest and her hair. She cried harder.

 

'I really wish it was just a dream, Jack. I really do.' She thought.

 

They stayed like that for a while. Rosé emptied her tears out to the chest of the person she was crying about. 'How ironic.' She thought bitterly.

 

When she pulled away, Jackson still looked at her with worry. He was reluctant to let her go, she felt that, but if she'll let herself stay in his arms for long, she'll just fall more and more deeper. She had to get out while she still can. "You okay?"

 

She mustered a fake smile. "Yeah. I'll be alright. Don't worry about me."

It was a sad realization for her. Something changed that day between the two of them. She wasn't sure if Jackson noticed or not, but she couldn't exactly do anything about it. Their time together lessened, Rosé started hanging out with other friends, and the thing between him and Jennie became official. Jennie was the first one to tell her after one of their practices and she had to swallow the bitter tang of jealousy as she told her that she was happy for them.

It took Jackson a little while to tell her, it was a week or so after the gossip had already spread, and it was mainly because of Jinyoung. The three of them were together at the Park's house and the latter kept nagging him to tell the truth and confirm if there was really something going on between them. Jackson looked reluctant to tell them, especially Rosé. He reasoned that it was because he was he didn't want to make her feel like he was going to leave her out like her brother did, revealing out all her rants about her brother.

Since then, it was back again to the three of them plus Jisoo and Jennie. The two boys frequently for being the only one single, resulting to them frequently setting her up with Mark, the only guy Jinyoung likes for her. She grew closer to the two older girls, even if seeing Jackson and Jennie together hurts her. She promised herself that she'll be happy for them, for him, and that she'll continue to love him until she doesn't feel that way anymore.

As she shifted back to the present, Rosé's eyes darted to bak on the man at the end of the aisle. Jackson really stood out as he looked sharp in his suit. 'Damn. He never fails to look good in a suit.' She thought to herself. Another memory flashed through her head. One filled with glitters, sequins and tears for the bride.

Rosé walked around the garden of the hotel, staring at the stars from time to time. She was trying her best not to cry. Her night was spent dancing with different guys, except for the one she was looking forward to the most.

 

Jackson was supposed to be her date for her first prom, just like they promised before the school year started, but when Jennie came into the picture, she knew that the promise wouldn't be able to happen anymore. She pushed him to go with his girlfriend, since she believed that was the best thing to do for the both of them. It was his last prom. She felt that it would be a shame to waste it on her, instead of going with the girl he actually likes.

 

It was a stupid move. She now realized that while the cold night breeze hit her bare shoulders. The couple told her that it'll be okay if Jackson went with her, after all that was the promise between them, and Jennie trusted Rosé enough, but she still insisted that they went together. Now she spent the event just watching them dance with each other from afar. She wanted to just slap herself right then and there as she sat on one of the benches.

 

She was still mentally punishing herself when warmness enveloped her as a coat was drapped over her shoulders. She turned, hoping it was him, but the solemn face of her partner greeted her instead. "Thought I'd find you here." Mark sat beside her and clasped her cold hands in his, to thaw them out.

 

"Sorry if keep leaving you." He sheepishly said as he scratched the back of his head. She couldn't blame him. With his good looks and oozing gentlemanliness, he had alot of girls swooning over him. They rarely spent time together, save for their first dance, because he was constantly dragged by different girls. She just smiled at him and assured that it was okay.

 

"At least I have an excuse to get out of the stuffy room to enjoy the stars." She looked up to stop the tears from falling. She really wished that it was Jackson that was with her right now.

 

"Hasn't your brother ever told you that you're a terrible liar, Roseanne Park?" She looked at Mark with surprise. He was staring at her with so much intensity that she averted her eyes. It felt like he could see through her and his eyes burned into the lies wired inside her head.

 

"I don't know what you're talking about." She faked a laugh, but it felt like acid inside . She hated lying, but the past few months made her a liar to herself. She stood up and pulled Mark's hand along with her, but he continued to sit. "Let's go back inside, Mark, so I can give you your coat back. You're probably freezing."

 

He didn't say a word, but he stood up and pulled her into an embrace. Rosé was shocked and stayed still. She didn't know how to react. "I know you're hurting, Roseanne. Let it out. I got you." With his words, she couldn't keep her tears in anymore, and they spilled out like a dam. She clutched his shirt, not even thinking if she'll get her make-up on his chest. All she wanted was to let it out. The pain of seeing him dance with someone else, the pain of seeing him smile because of someone else, while she can't do anything but to watch.

 

She cried out loud, venting out everything that she had been holding in for months. Mark closed his eyes as he felt her pain through her sobs and held her tighter. He whispered her words to remind her that she isn't alone right now and it made her cry even more, for she had been feeling lonely for the past months and it was the first time someone had been there to see through her mask and tell her that they were there for her. Even though they weren't remotely close, she was immensely grateful for his company.

 

When she finally calmed down, she pulled herself from Mark and saw that she stained his shirt. "Argh, I'm sorry about that."

 

"It's fine. What's important is that you've vented it out." He patted her head and smiled at her. She remembered Jackson through the gesture and she mentally kicked herself for thinking of him. "Do you feel somewhat better?"

 

"Somewhat better?" She asked him and couldn't help but let out a small laugh, but he just nodded at her.

 

"You don't get to be suddenly okay just because you cried it out. It takes time to heal." She was silent because of what he said and allowed herself to be escorted inside. "I'm yours for the rest of the night. Like I said, I got you. Okay?"

 

She gripped his arm tightly and nodded at him. She thanked him once, and a thousand times over his head. It was the first time she let everything out, and she was glad that she was with him when she did so.

 

Before entering the ballroom again, he paused and turned her to look at him. He wiped her tear-streaks and fixed some of her loose strands by tucking them behind her ear. "My partner still looks the best." She thanked him again and he smiled at her before leading her back inside.

 

By the time they entered, it was time for the last dance. They went straight to the dance floor and stayed near the edge of the dancers. Mark was careful enough not to let her get swarmed by the sea of bodies and held her closely to him. When he saw her eyes dart around, he started to tell her random stories to keep her attention on him. He didn't want her to get sad anymore. He already saw enough of that earlier.

 

Mark wasn't stupid. He knew exactly who she was looking for. During the times that they invite him to hang-out with them, he saw the way she looks at Jackson. He was gifted with the ability to easily see through a person, but he had trouble reading into Rosé. That was until he noticed her glances towards her best friend and everything became clear for him. He was suddenly aware of how she was keeping it all inside. He promised himself that, given the chance, he'll do anything to help her.

 

He was telling some story about his dog, Milo, when Jennie and Jackson appeared next to them. He saw Rosé look at them with pain, and averted her eyes quickly.

 

"Exchange partners?" Jennie said with all smiles. Mark looked at his partner and saw that she was looking down, suddenly interested in the floor. He turned to look at Jackson, and raised his eyes because of the way he was staring at Rosé. He knew that look, and he thought of what might happen if he agreed to Jennie's offer. In the end, he gave Rosé's hand to Jackson's open one.

 

Rosé looked at Mark with surprise and a 'how-could-you-do-this-to-me?' look, but her partner just smiled at her and winked, conveying that he trusts her and that she'll be okay. She had no choice, but to let Jackson lead her into the middle of the dance floor.

 

"Looks like you two are getting along well." He . She was fighting a war inside her head and forgot to answer him so he addressed her again. "Earth to Rosé? Hello?'

 

She shook her head and looked at him. She faked a smile. "Sorry. Yeah, he's great."

 

He let out a squeal that made the nearby dancers to look at them, she bowed her head in embarrassment. "Jack, stop squealing. Don't you care about your reputation?" She jokingly reprimanded him. He chuckled and squeezed her waist lightly.

 

"It's nice to see us back on teasing terms, Rosie-posy." She was taken aback and looked at him. Jackson raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't look so surprised. Did you actually think that I wouldn't notice you avoiding me?"

 

She bowed her head again, unsure of what to say. "It's just that... I don't want to be a third-wheel to you and Jen all the time." She looked at him and acted as if she was upset with him by pouting. 'And also because it hurts when I do that.' She added inside her head.

 

"Silly. You can tell me if it's awkward for you to hang-out with the both of us. I can make time for only the two of us." Another tug inside her chest. She pleaded with him inside her head to stop saying words like those. She must've dropped an expression because he added, "Did you actually think I'll put Jen ahead of you? C'mon Sé, you're my bestfriend. You're my first priority. Always."

 

'But I want to prioritize me as more than just your bestfriend.' She thought.

 

"What?" She stilled. Did she say that out loud?

 

"I said, I know dummy." She rolled her eyes at him, but inside she was panicking. What if he heard her?

 

But it seemed like he didn't as he merely narrowed his eyes at her and said, "Are you front-stabbing me?" She shook her head at him and both of them laughed. They spent the rest of the dance teasing one another. As if her heart wasn't beating so hard inside her rib cage and as if  she wasn't in pain.

 

They slowly went back to normal after that night. The only addition would be her sudden closeness to Mark, which her brother openly approves. The rest of the gang teased the two of them which they both just shook their heads at. Mark was only their to console Rosé and he was the one that helped her with her feelings. He made seeing Jackson and Jennie together bearable.

Soon enough, the rest of the gang graduated high school, leaving only Rosé. Jackson, Jennie, Jisoo and Jinyoung decided to go to a colleges that were far from their city, meanwhile Mark stayed behind and entered a nearby college. This made Jinyoung leave his sister at the hands of Mark, making the latter promise to do anything to keep her sister safe and drive suitors away. She fought with Jinyoung because of that, but her brother stayed firm. Nevertheless, Mark wasn't so uptight with her and he let her enjoy the little things as long as he was with her so that she'll be safe.

Looking back, she probably would've fallen for Mark then and there. Except there was something that happened on that hot afternoon in March.

It was nearly her graduation when Jackson suddenly came home, back to their city. She had been making her graduation speech that time and was alone inside the house when he arrived at their doorstep. His hair had grown out and he hasn't shaved for days. He immediately pulled her into an embrace and she felt her shoulder become wet because of his tears.

 

"Sseunie?" She was shocked to see him, but was even more shocked to be greeted with this. She ushered him inside, where she made him sit on the sofa and poured him a drink. He stared vacantly at the coffee table while she asked what was wrong. They frequently talked on Skype and while she did notice that he was looking troubled lately, Jackson refused to tell her anything and assured her that he was fine. Obviously he wasn't.

 

"We're done." He whispered. If she wasn't attentive, she wouldn't have caught his words. He kept repeating the phrase over and over again, while tears fell down his cheeks. She had been trying to get over him, with Mark's help, but seeing him break down in front of her made everything that she was trying to lock up come to the surface again. She pulled him to her and craddled his head. Rosé couldn't help but shed tears as well.

 

When Jackson calmed down, she made him drink water and asked him to tell the story from the top. She had always thought that they'd be going strong, but this happened. "She cheated on me. You know how we went to different universities. Communication suddenly became rough for us and we fought often." Rosé suddenly felt the need to punch something.

 

"We had another fight that night, I was responsible for it, so I decided to make it up to her by coming over. Except when I opened her apartment door, I was greeted with her moans and his grunts. I met with her the following day, ended everything. She said, good riddance." He laughed bitterly and she looked at him with pain. "I dropped all my subjects, and took the first bus back here."

 

Rosé was shocked and she understood now why he went straight to their house. He was the Wang's only child and his parents had high expectations for him. Learning that their son dropped out will surely be a shock for them. She didn't know what to do or say anymore. She just hugged him tightly while another wave of tears enveloped him. Though they were friends, she wanted to slap Jennie after hearing the news. She had let go of the person she loves just because she trusts her to take care of him, but she only left Jackson in tears and it made Rosé angry.

 

She offered him to stay the night in Jinyoung's room since she knows that he still doesn't know how to tell his parents. Her own parents were out for a trip, that's why she had the house to herself. She cooked them dinner which Jackson barely touched before retreating inside the room next to hers. She let him be and went to bed after finishing her tasks.

 

Around 2am, she was awoken with his screams. She rushed to the next bedroom and she saw him trashing around her brother's bed. She went straight towards him and slapped him awake. "Jack! Wake up! Jackson!"

 

Tears were in his eyes as he opened them. His eyes were hazy as they focused on Rosé. "Jen?"

 

"No it's me--" She didn't get the chance to finish her sentence because he pulled her down to him. She suddenly felt awake as soon as their lips touched. Jackson Wang, the boy she had been pining on for the past years, was kissing her with such tenderness that it made her weak. She knew that in his mind, she was Jennie, but that didn't stop her from kissing him back. She sat down on the bed, and he pulled her closer.

 

Their kisses escalated to feverish ones. Their tongues battled for dominance as they both wanted to convey how much they needed each other. Rosé weaved her hands in his hair, while Jackson pulled her over to straddle him. They broke the kiss for a moment to catch their breaths. They were both fully awake now and locked eyes with one another. The haziness disappeared from Jackson's eyes and he was looking at her like he's suddenly seeing her just now.

 

He pulled her towards him, but Rosé stopped him short. "Jackson. Who am I?" As much as she enjoyed the kisses, she doesn't want herself hurting again just because his thoughts are filled with Jennie. She promised Mark that she'd guard her heart no matter what happened.

 

"You're my..." He rained kisses down her face. "Rosé." And he sealed her lips with a searing kiss. From there, she forgot all the restrictions that was trying to keep her from diving into him. She whispered to him with 'I love you's  while tears of happiness ran down her cheeks. He continued to own her lips, moving downwards to her neck, leaving open-mouthed kisses. Nothing happened that night, only the fact that they spent the rest of it in each other's arms, until they fell asleep.

 

Rosé woke up soon enough to the sunlight hitting her face, but only to find the bed empty with nothing but a sheet of paper. Fresh hot tears spilled from her face again because of him, but in contrast to last night's tears, this one filled her again with pain.

 

Her tears smudged some of his writing, but the thought remains the same. He doesn't regret kissing her last night, and that he loves her, but that doesn't stop him from leaving her alone in that empty house with nothing but another set of heartbreak.

She met with Mark the following day, who narrowed his eyes at her puffed eyes. She quickly dismissed it and said that she only cried over the fact that she misses him, which was half of the story. The guy just shook his head at her that day, knowing that he can't do anything about her missing him.

Soon enough, everyone knew that Jackson went to the States. She pretended to be shocked when she learned the news from Jinyoung. She never told anyone about what happened that afternoon, not even Mark. Before she was sure that Jackson will never love her the same way she loves him, but the way he held her and kissed her that night confused her along with the letter.

Every night, she would re-read his letter that was tucked under her pillow. She read it over and over so many times that she almost memorized it word for word. Jackson had told her that he loves her. He realized that the moment their lips touched. He felt something for her ever since prom, when he saw her and Mark dancing together, but he loves Jennie and knows that she will only see her as an older brother.

He was sorry for complicating everything between them and left to clear his mind. He said that it wouldn't be fair towards her if he'll suddenly proclaim his feelings for her, especially after he cried his eyes out because of his ex hours before. He promises to be back, but he wants to be sure of everything first and told her not to wait on him and to live her youth as she should.

She wanted to contradict everything he said. She wanted to tell him how much she loves him, and that she'll wait for him, no matter how long, but Jackson cut off all his communications towards them. His last contact with them was with Jinyoung, where he told him that he was in States and to take good care of Rosé.

She was nearing the end of the aisle now, and she could clearly see his face. He was smiling at her with watery eyes. She smiled back at him through the veil as she remembered how they rekindled their relationship once again.

". . ." Rosé stared at the two red lines while she held the test with shaky hands. She cried out for her best friend as she broke down on the bathroom floor. "Lisa!"

 

"Oh Rosie." Lisa held her tight as soon as she saw the test. She was nearly graduating college when this happened. She doesn't know what to say to her brother. It already took her a lot of persuading to let her study far from home, then this? Her breathing became uneven and Lisa guided her out of the small space and into the living room of their apartment. "Rosie, breathe. Calm down. I'll call Jungkook for you, alright?"

 

Rosé just nodded as she tried to calm down. She just broke Mark and her brother's trust. It took her a long time to convince them to let Jungkook court her, and when they finally agreed, this happened.

 

Jungkook was one of her batchmates that was majoring in architecture, while she took up arts. He had openly expressed his interest in her, which caught her attention. She had been moving on from Jackson as soon as she entered college, and Jungkook was the one that made all her feelings fade into the background. They had only gotten together on their third year and pretty much have an on-and-off relationship.

 

He was sweet, funny and reminded her of Jackson in some ways, but he was also very pushy. The first time they did it, she was scared for weeks, especially since her period was delayed, but when they found out that it was just a pregnancy scare, he would often push her to do it with him, otherwise he'd leave her.

 

She had grown to love him, despite all that. Lisa was the one who kept telling her to leave him, but she didn't listen. Mark didn't approve of him, but he couldn't do anything especially when she had already convinced Jinyoung. She was scared and she didn't know what to tell them, all she needed right now was her boyfriend.

 

"That bastard!" Lisa came barging back and she was visibly fuming. "He wants you to have an abortion."

 

"W-what?"

 

"Speak to him yourself." She handed Rosé the phone with Jungkook on the other line. Lisa eyed her carefully as she took the phone with shaky hands.

 

"Jung-"

 

"Get rid of it."

 

"B-but--"

 

"Get rid of it, Rosé. We're both not ready for that." She bursted out in tears which made Lisa grab the phone. She yelled and him for minutes, saying that he was nothing but a coward, then she ended the call and helped Rosé up to sit down on the sofa. Her breathing was uneven once again.

 

"Calm down, Rosie. I'm calling Mark."

 

"Don't! Lisa please." She was crying hard now as she held on to Lisa's sleeves. Tears were relentlessly falling from her eyes. Lisa softened up to the sight of her best friend crying, but she was also firm wih her decision.

 

"You need someone, other than me, knowing about this. Mark's not like your brother. Trust me. He'll understand."  Lisa had been her rock for a long time now. She had only met her their freshman year. They were classmates and both took up arts as their major. For Rosé, it was like finding a lost sister, since they both got along very well. She trusted her well enought to tell her everything about Jackson, even the letter, and Lisa was the one to tell her to follow what Jackson said and live out her college life without worrying about him.

 

She let go of Lisa and allowed her to make the call. The latter moved to the dining room as she spoke with Mark. An hour later, he came barging in their apartment and went straight to Rosé, who doesn't have the energy to move from her position on the couch. He hugged her fiercely and told her to be strong. She held on to him for support. She had already let out all her tears and just needed someone to hold her tight.

 

"I'll help you tell, Nyeong. Okay? Look at me, Roseanne." He made her face him. "I promised that I got you, right? You'll get through this. You're strong. I know you'll get through this."

 

Mark kept his promised and helped her tell her brother. Jinyoung was angry, but not because of her betrayal, but because Jungkook had left her all alone with that burden. Mark was the one who held him back from going to the school to beat up Rosé's ex. Rosé kept saying sorry for breaking his trust, but he assured her that while he was disappointed in her, he'll be there to support her, whatever happens.

 

Jinyoung had been the one to protect her from their parents when Rosé dropped the news. They had been shocked, and her father didn't speak to her for weeks, but eventually, with her brother and Mark's help, he came through and told her that he'll support her and his grandchild.

 

Rosé continued her last year, since it was only two months away till she graduated. She told herself that she'll focus on the baby after graduating, before finding a job that would sustain them both. She felt embarrassed, even though her parents and even Mark, told her that they'll shoulder the expenses while she hasn't found a decent job yet. She wanted to raise the baby without relying too much on anybody.

 

A week before her graduation, she received a call from an overseas number. She had been looking at her baby bump in her bedroom mirror when her phone started ringing. Her eyes widened when she saw the digits and with a shaky breath, she answered the call. "Hello?"

 

"Rosé." It was him. Even after years, she'd still recognize his voice everywhere.

 

"Sseunie?"

 

"Yes, Rosie-posy. It's me." Her eyes watered as she heard his endearment for her. It really was him. "Is it true?"

 

She closed her eyes as she realized why he called. Jinyoung had probably went to hell and back just to get any communication that would direct him to Jackson. "Yes."

 

"I'm coming home." His voice was controlled. She wasn't sure if he was angry or what, but she couldn't process his emotions as she realized his words.

 

"What?"

 

"I'm coming home, Rosé. I'll be the father of your kid." Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She couldn't believe what she was actually hearing right now.

 

"Jackson? Wait, wha--"

 

"Wait for me. Okay? He was a bastard for leaving you all alone, but I'll be more than willing to take his place and help you raise your child." She was crying and nodding even if he couldn't see her. She had so many questions she wanted to ask him, but what he said shut her up.

 

"I'll come home soon for you. I promise."

 

"I'll be waiting then."

 

"And Rosie?"

 

She choked back a sob. "Yeah?"

 

"I love you."

 

She smiled through her tears. "Come home, Sseunie."

She reached the end of the aisle, and turned to look at the man that made her cry, laugh and grow into what she is today. He was trying his best not to cry. She gave him a whole-hearted smile, before walking past him and up the to the altar where her groom was waiting. She suppresed a laugh as she saw Mark wiping his tears.

Jackson did come home, but Mark had already promised to stand up to the responsibilities as Sunny's, her child, father. Right after she told her parents about her pregnancy and after her father stormed out, Mark took her out for a drive, where he confessed his feelings for her. He had fallen for her ever since that night in the hotel's garden. He promised to be her savior, her knight, whenever she needed him. He asked for her permission to become Sunshine's father, which she agreed to.

It took her a lot of healing, before she finally allowed herself to love Mark. She knew that he deserves the best kind of love, so she allowed herself to heal from scars before loving him with her whole heart. Mark had been there for her since day one, she was just too blinded with love for other men to notice him.

She and Jackson rekindled their relationship as best friends when he came home. He was hurt that he was too late, but he accepted what happened and gladly took up the role as Sunshine's godfather. Her daughter's nickname was for Jackson. Her daughter was the light of her life, thus the name Sunshine. Sunny sounded close to Sseunie, which made Jackson very happy.

Jackson was also the one who helped Mark propose to Rosé. Mark knew that he'll be able to tell him what would make Rosé the happiest, since he knew his best friend soul and out, and he was right. Rosé loved the yacht proposal.

"Why were you crying, Mr. Tuan?" She as soon as Jinyoung handed her over.

"Because I'll be marrying the one person I've been waiting on for the longest time." She smiled at him. Since they got together, he had been making her fall for him more and more with his lines.

"And I'm here now. I'm yours for the rest of your life"

"Yeah, finally got you." He teasingly said.

She laughed before they turned to the officiating priest. "Yes. You got me, Mark Tuan."