Kris and Kyung-mi's Oneshot
★AND SO WE GO★ The Sequel!Date: August 22nd, 2012.
“Now one by one, if everyone on this row could hand in their tests… thank you. You’re free to leave…”
Kyung-mi exhaled nervously and put down her pen. Shuffling to the front with the other hopefuls, she handed in her thick booklet called a test and exited the classroom. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her system. This was it – if she didn’t make it into Harvard, leaving Korea would have been a waste.
Leaving Kevin would have been a waste.
Don’t think about him, she reminded herself firmly. Kyung-mi had gone two weeks without brooding about the events in Seoul and she wasn’t going to stop now. She had duties to fulfill and so little time to do it.
Working out the kinks in her neck, she shouldered her messenger bag comfortably and called her mom, signaling that she’d need a ride back. As she waited outside Harvard’s massive front entrance, it took all her willpower not to be depressed. This is what she wanted – but how far was she willing to pay the price?
A warm summer breeze cascaded against her figure, causing her to shiver a bit but enjoy the sunshine. Even though the courtyard was full of students, she felt pretty alone.
Leaning against a tall pillar, she observed her surroundings. A tall boy, obviously of some sort of Asian descent – stumbled down the steps. The wind decided to pick up again, causing all of his intricate and neat notes to all spill out from his textbooks.
The boy was not so lucky – falling to his knees and scraping the sidewalk harshly, he groaned as he watched his notes flutter aimlessly through the air.
Kyung-mi pitied him – judging from his wide glasses, thick lenses, button-up shirt and his scattered look – he seemed to be one of those people who always hoped for the best but was prepared for the worst.
Slowly, the boy pushed his glasses up farther up his nose and set about retrieving his papers.
Sympathetic, Kyung-mi walked over and crouched beside him. “Here, let me help you with those.”
Startled, the boy looked up and their eyes instantly met - stark blue against deep brown. Kyung-mi in a breath silently – behind the nerdy glasses and disheveled appearance, the boy had really knowing eyes. Almost as if he could stare into your soul and reveal any secret hidden in someone’s irises.
The boy harrumphed and awkwardly glanced away, causing Kyung-mi to blush. Silently she stood up and spotted a few notes about to be trampled by a few second-year students.
“Wait! Be careful!” She shouted, grabbing their attention. She quickly jogged over and gently grasped the pages. “Sorry.”
The students shrugged and went back on their way.
As Kyung-mi walked back towards the boy, she shifted through a few pages. These notes weren’t really notes at all.
“Are you an artist?” Kyung-mi inquired, crouching down next to the boy, mesmerized by the exquisite details on each drawing. Everything from paintings to sketches to impressionistic details scattered the pages. “You’re really talented!”
The boy blushed again, gently removing his items from Kyung-mi’s hands. “Not really.” His voice was surprisingly low.
“Are you studying art here? What’s your name? I’m Kyung-mi.” She knew she shouldn’t really tell a random stranger her name and everything, but something about this boy made her sociable. Kyung-mi wanted to know more.
Together, the two young adults stood up. Kyung-mi’s eyes widened as the boy stood up straight. He was really tall.
He shyly looked down as he tugged his back pack straps. He looked up and gestured to the double doors which marked Harvard’s main offices. “Did you just do the journalist program exam?”
Kyung-mi nodded. “It was really nerve-wracking!” She grinned easily. “What about you? I don’t think you were taking the exam.”
A little more confident and at ease, the boy responded eagerly. “Nah… I wasn’t. I was just coming back from class…” He felt a smile tug persistently on the corner of his lips. “Thanks for your help.”
“No big deal. So you’re a student here? Is this your first year?” Wow, Kyung-mi was really talkative today. Wonder what for?
The mysterious boy was about to respond when a huge car honk cut through the silence.
Kyung-mi rolled her eyes. “Sorry, that’s my mom. I told her she needs to disown the stupid Volvo but she won’t listen to me. ‘It’s a classic!’ That’s what she says.” She started to walk backwards, still facing the boy.
A bright smile erupted on the boys face, causing Kyung-mi to blush again. He really did have a nice smile. “Maybe I’ll…” he shifted his tattered Vans against the pavement. “…see you sometime?”
Kyung-mi nodded as another car honk filled the courtyard. “Maybe!”
She turned back and sprinted over to her mom’s ancient Volvo. A light bulb popped inside her brain.
“Wait!” She yelled over her shoulder. “You didn’t tell me your name!”
The mysterious boy turned back so that they were both facing each other on opposite ends of the courtyard.
“It’s Kris!” he yelled back. He saw her face smile again and his heart beat furiously. What the heck?
But he couldn’t help but smile as Kyung-mi waved back and entered her mom’s ‘classic vehicle.’ Shaking his head, he adjusted his backpack again and set off, an unusual smile lighting up his face.
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Date: September 15, 2013.
To: Wu Fannie (102-304-5068)
From: Kyung-mi Walters (123-456-7890)
YOU . WHERE ARE YOU HIDING MY BACKPACK.
I SWEAR IF I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, YOU’LL CEASE TO EXIST.
I’LL… I’LL TEAR UP ALL YOUR DRAWINGS!
AND I’LL DISOWN YOU FROM BEING MY BEST FRIEND.
To: Kyung-mi Walters (123-456-7890)
From: Wu Fannie (102-304-5068)
That’s for you to find out sis…
Anyway lunch @ the usual spot?
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Date: May 24, 2014.
To: Crazy Woman (123-456-7890)
From: Wu FUNNY (102-304-5068)
Alright, now you’ve done it…
Can I not have one day of peace without you barging into my studio?!
You know the neighbors are going to sue me if you keep preaching world peace non-stop every day, 24/7.
By the way, congratz again for your graduation (next time, you need to avoid the grapefruit punch at all costs)
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Date: November 6th, 2015.
To: Kyungie (123-456-7890)
From: The Gayest BFFL Ever (Who isn’t really gay) (102-304-5068)
Hey, I know it’s late, but we need to talk.
Can you meet me at my studio?
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Date: April 17, 2017.
To: Hubby (102-304-5068)
From: Kyungie (123-456-7890)
Just got back from the wedding planner – blue or white invitations? Also, the invitee list is all set.
Btw, Lu Han called this morning. Says you need to pay for the airplane tickets or else he’s not coming to the wedding.
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Date: November 16th, 2021.
To: Hubby (102-304-5068)
From: Kyungie (123-456-6789)
Don’t forget to pick up Kelly from pre-school! Also, pick up a Subway sandwich. Like just the bun. I’m craving (ACTUALLY THE BABY’S CRAVING) that damn good bread.
HURRY!
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Date: December 31st, 2025.
Kyung-mi Walters, 35 and grown up, stared at the reflection from the mirror. A middle-aged, blue-eyed face watched amused back.
She squinted at herself. Was that a grey hair?!
Oh, I feel old, she groaned inwardly.
After getting changed into her pajamas, she curled up beside her husband on their king-sized bed. It was late, too late for their children to be up. The TV, on mute, was displaying a New Year’s countdown – five more minutes until 2026.
Kyung-mi snuggled into her husbands neck, smiling.
“Our daughter is going to be just like you,” Kris mumbled, his lips against her hair. Chuckling, he elaborated. “She joined her school volunteer club.”
Kyung-mi chuckled too. “Next thing we know, she’s gonna travel to some third-world country and spend her days there, being a humanitarian.”
“Probably hook up with some volunteer hunk,” Kris added.
“How are we gonna visit them? Plane tickets are getting expensive now.”
“They’ll have to come to us. We’re getting old.”
Kyung-mi smiled and threw the blankets over them. She lay down on Kris’s chest, taking in his face. It seemed like her husband entered puberty very late. Gone now were the overly-thick glasses and nervousness. Instead a handsome and calm man gazed at her evenly.
“Did you ever wonder, what it would be like, if I stayed in Korea?” Kyung-mi murmured, her head resting on her hands.
Kris rolled his eyes. “Not again Mi. Every year, you say-”
Kyung-mi gave her husband a playful shove. “But seriously! What if?”
He shrugged. “We wouldn’t have met. You would have probably married some sort of KPOP singer who had an angelic face with actual fashion sense.” He was teasing. Yet he knew how close it would have been a reality.
Kyung-mi remained silent as Kris un-muted the TV.
“… tonight’s a real special night ladies and gentleman – this day is the day that Earth will embark on a new year, a new beginning. What does the future hold? Wait a moment…” the announcer checked his watch. “Get your champagne and soju ready, because we’ve got 10 seconds left on the clock! 10… 9… 8…”
Kyung-mi suddenly spoke up. “Do you hate me for talking about a guy I dumped 14 years ago?”
“7…”
Kris furrowed his brow. “Of course not. Stop worrying hun…”
“6… 5… 4…”
“No matter what happens, we’ll stick together, right?” Kyung-mi muttered, her breath warm against Kris’s neck.
“3…”
“Do you remember what I said to you on our wedding day?”
Kyung-mi nodded... it was the same phrase that Kevin said to her, 14 years ago. “Two divided by two…”
“2… 1…”
“…equals a lonely me, and a lonely you,” Kris finished.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
What the heck. Kyung-mi was worrying for no reason – you couldn’t change the past, nor could you change the future. What was done was done – and couldn’t be undone. With that thought in mind, she secretly prayed for Kevin’s happiness, and with that, expelled all thoughts of him from her mind.
Kyung-mi then kissed her husband, pouring as much emotion as she could.
“I love you,” she whispered between kisses.
Kris gently removed Kyung-mi off his chest so that he was somewhat on top of her.
“As do I,” he whispered, closing the gap between them.
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