Aemi's POV

I was completely in my own world, blocking out everything and everyone. Throwing my hands up in the air, I danced in the middle of the dance floor. KRYSTAL was busier than usual. The dim lighting of the club made it hard for me to recognize any old faces, not that I even bother to socialize with others. The blurry dark faces of those around me did not seem familiar. I smiled. I sensed danger. I felt an adrenaline rush down my spine in excitement. No one could stop me today. I could do whatever I wanted!

Taking a momentary leave from the dance floor, I headed to the bar. Harry spotted me as I took a seat and he motioned me to wait a minute for him to serve me. He was a good friend of mine, well actually Sehun introduced him to me, but still I like to think that Harry prefers me more. As I waited for Harry to finish with one of his customers, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“What is a pretty young lady doing here alone? Would you mind if I gave you some company?”

He was an English man, probably not older than twenty with short brown hair. I glanced at him a few times and before I could utter a response, he took the seat next to me without hesitation.

“Would you mind if I bought you a drink?” he asked me politely.

I glanced over at Harry and he immediately rushed over to serve me when he noticed that I had ‘company.’ Harry glared at me disapprovingly. I could hear Sehun’s voice in my mind and I shrugged off Sehun’s warnings.

“And the lady?” Harry asked the man without taking his eyes off of me.

“I would like a glass of beer” I answered.

Harry brought over the beverages in a matter of moments. I could tell from how Harry was pouring the alcohol that he was nervous. Nervous that something bad might happen. Nervous that Sehun would find out about the occurrences that happened tonight. Just as I was about to take a large gulp of my beer, someone grabbed me by the wrist and before I could see whom it was, I was being dragged harshly out of the club. When we reached outside, I forcefully yanked my hand out of his grip.

“Are you crazy?!?! Do you know how worried I was? What would I say to your father if something were to happen to you? Really! You’ve gone too far this time,” yelled Sehun as he ran his fingers through his hair, like he always did, in frustration.

A large gust of cold wind blew over. I bit my bottom lip as I tried to stop my body from shivering. As if I needed another reason for Sehun to yell at me. I stood in silence as I stared at the snow on the ground. Sehun took off his brown jacket and placed it over my shoulders. Zipping up the jacket, he grabbed my hands and placed them in between his. Pulling them toward his lips, I felt his hot breath against the skin of my hand.

“Are you still cold?” he whispered in between breaths as he rubbed my hands together against his.

“… I just wanted to spend the last day… alone” I muttered.

“I know you did which is why I chose to pick you up later” he nonchalantly replied.

“You knew I snuck out?” I asked rather shocked.

“Just this one time. I’m letting this go. Su Aemi, you listen to me. If you do this again… I won’t let it go so easily” Sehun attempted to threaten.

We walked down the street where many lights were lit. The trees were covered in white snow. It was December and many places were already in the Christmas spirit. I linked my arm with Sehun’s and we passed by Five Napkin Burger. I stopped in my tracks and stared at the entrance of the restaurant.

“I’m hungry,” I blurted out.

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I took a large bite of my burger in delight. I always had a preference for junk food. I started to chew slower as I could feel Sehun’s constant stares. I placed my burger down and took a sip of my coke before I spoke.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked puzzlingly as I shoved some French fries in my mouth.

“You look prettier without all that heavy makeup” Sehun commented.

“So you’ve mentioned” 

I finished my burger moments after. Sehun paid and we left the restaurant. We were already past curfew. Not like it mattered. We were always sneaking out during the nights.  I felt pain on the back of my right foot. I figured it was a blister but ignored it. Sehun noticed my pace slowing and he lowered himself, gesturing me to get on his back.

“You’re too old for this Aemi” Sehun muttered as he began to walk.

“You bought me them” I replied childishly.

“You picked those! I chose the flats but you wanted the five- inch Jimmy Choos” he rebuked.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head against his back. It was always comforting. Sehun’s smell, his warmth, his sincerity. Everything about him was one of a kind. The motion of being carried was so familiar to me. It wasn’t the first or the second time. It was numerous times.

I felt my bed underneath me. We must be back. I decided to stay ‘asleep’ a little longer. I wanted to be alone today. A day without even Sehun who I was always dependent on. Just today. I wanted to be alone. My shoes were taken off for me and Sehun shifted my body so I was comfortably on my pillow. He placed the covers over me and patted my head before I heard his footsteps slowly disappear. He was gone. I was finally alone. I opened my eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling.

Today was the last day. The last day, here in England. We leave tomorrow for Seoul. Four years. It has been four years since I’ve last seen Jihyun and Minho. Seoul, the despicable place that caused everything to happen the way it did. I vowed to myself that I’d never go back. That I’d never see them again. It seems I can’t keep that promise anymore. A family vacation for winter break sounds ridiculous to me. Why are they so persistent? Of course, more secrets that I wasn’t aware of. I felt water on my face. I’m crying? I wiped them away furiously. It was annoying to let your emotions get in the way. I turned to my left side and Sehun was seated on the armchair observing me with a close eye. Damn him! He tricked me!

“You tricked me,” I muttered as I turned to the other side.

Sehun walked over and kneeled down next to my bedside. He was leveled with me and I stared at his warm eyes. They were the perfect shade of brown. It was a shade that made you want to pull him closer to you. He patted my head gently, my hair and playing with the lose strands of hair that was out of place.

“You were crying again,” he noted quietly.

“I don’t want to go back. Sehun… I… hate them” I was barely able to mutter back.

“The headstrong Aemi’s vulnerable side… now that’s something I don’t see often” he joked back.

“Your jokes still aren’t funny”

“And yours aren’t either” he said in a gentle voice.

“I just wanted to make you smile again,” he said as he stood up.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

Without having to ask him, he laid next to me on my bed. The cold air from lifting the covers vanished as quickly as it came under. I could feel the warmth from his body. The comforting feeling. He turned to me and we stared at one another for a moment. I don’t know what he was searching for. But I was relieved that he looked away soon after.

“Go to sleep Aemi. Our flight is early tomorrow morning,” he warned.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I drifted off into sleep.

Thank you for subscribing to 'Permanent December'! I hope you stay with me through the end. Anyways I hope to see you in the next chapter! smiles =)