Reaching for You
Just wait for me.
[ Listen to Kimi Ni Todoke by MAYS ]
- - -

 

That door.

 

To think everything started with that silly door to the rooftop. From the first time I cried at the school, to the time where you accidentally slammed it opened and I was unfortunately in the pathway (which can count as our first meeting, I guess?) and the time when my feelings were returned because I was probably the only girl who didn't give you chocolate for Valentines Day. Finally, it was the same door to the roof top where I told myself and you that I would wait for as long as I could...

 

The first year without you, I came here and waited, but you never came.

 

The second year without you, I came here and cried, but you never wiped those tears away.

 

It's now the third year without you, I'm standing right in front of that same door that's held so much history between you and I. And I've came to this decision.

 

If you're not here.

 

I'm giving you up.

 

---

 

Another routine-ish day at Gwangtae High school. The sun, high above and radiating it's warmth through the windows as a third year student quietly continued to type away on the computer. English. Probably one of the only subjects she really excelled in. Well, then again, it's only been half a year since she first flew in from the United States.

 

Constant clicking could be heard behind her. But she didn't need to look away as to who it was, especially since this person was a bit infamous for such clicking. A small smile appeared on her lips as she decided to take a small break before she pushed her chair back, only for it to bump into the person behind her.

 

The bump didn't affect the person though, especially since he was so absorbed in his game. Turning her head, she managed to catch a glimpse of what he was playing this time. But then again, he only managed to get away with downloading one game, which was the reason why he always fought to get that computer. Blinking, she shifted so that she could see the game he was playing. And he was so engrossed with the game, he had yet to notice her face literally right next to his.

 

“Starcraft, right?” she questioned out of nowhere.

 

A stiff nod was his reply, his eyes still glued to the computer monitor as he clicked around and started typing away. Pushing her lip to the side, she nodded gently before pulling herself away from his bubble and returned to her paper. Some may have found that rude, but she was used to it. She was just glad to be so close to him like that, even if he ignored her for his video games. But then again, it's not like they were dating.

 

A soft sigh escaped from her lips, a rather dreamy look in her eyes as she thought about him being with her and not in that friendly way. But to be in love with one another, like those silly graphic novels she sometimes read. Oh, to be in love like that... Something she always wondered about and perhaps to even feel such an emotion.

 

The rather hard bump of his chair colliding with hers caused her to break away from her thoughts, her head jerking forward and her hair getting into her face. She turned around sharply, only to blink several of times, especially when she found him practically running out of the computer lab in such a frantic yet really comical way. A light giggle came from her, before she shook her head and went to print out her assignment.

 

Much to her displeasure, the stupid printer was right next to her computer. The girl who loved to torment her because she was a foreigner. Just because her Korean wasn't the very best and there were things that she still had yet to learn, she still knew enough to live by.

 

“... And she wears the same stupid hairstyle everyday,” Jessica continued with her snobby tone of voice, “Ugh, seriously... She's horrendous to even look at!”

 

“Oooh, watch out, she's here and she can probably hear you~” one of Jessica's followers giggled as she eyed Hazel.

 

“So? It's not like she can understand a word I'm saying!” came the leader's comeback, causing her friends to laugh and high five her. Hazel merely stood there, staring at her assignment for a moment before she awkwardly grabbed the sheets and attempted to make a dash for it. But someone held her back, causing her to blink back tears as she looked up to find him standing next to her, his arm out next to him and stopping her from running.

 

When did he get back...? she wondered to herself.

 

“Really Jessica?” he questioned with narrowed eyes, which the said girl couldn't help but flinch at, “This coming from the same girl who flaunts about knowing one stupid sentence in English? Hello, how are you? Which isn't all that hard to learn... Pleased to meet you. What's your name? My name is- Whatever.”

 

“Kyuhyun...”

 

“Just shut up,” Kyuhyun continued as he turned away to face Hazel properly, “God, I hate girls like them...”

 

Hazel couldn't help but swallow hard, feeling Jessica's hard glare burning holes in the back of her head. But she quickly ignored them as she and Kyuhyun went back to their seats. And the bell had just rung the moment they started to pack up. There was a bit of an awkward air between the both of them, though it seemed that Hazel was the only one showing it.

 

“U-uh... Thank you... Again,” she smiled gently and bowed a bit.

 

“Well, what are friends for?” he answered with his own relaxed but sincere smile. Swinging his bag over his shoulder, he gave her a mock salute before leaving her to stand there in the computer lab, alone and smiling like an idiot.

 

Just a friend? Well, if that is all it has to take to just be by your side, then I rather it be just that than nothing at all...

 

Valentines Day. It was everywhere and the main trend in school. Posters were everywhere, hearts decorated the halls and classrooms and the student body was practically running around, trying to get a Valentines Day date. Hazel continued to just trug along, offhandedly watching people ask one another about their plans and such. It wasn't long until she pushed opened the doors and found herself at the front gate. Inhaling the fresh air, she stretched out her arms and continued to make her way home.

 

“Hi Hazel.”

 

“Gah?!” the girl gasped, almost jumping five feet in the air. Standing next to her was no one other than Cho Kyuhyun, his blazer , showing off his uniform shirt, bag slung on one shoulder and a soccer ball in that same side, “H-hi Kyuhyun.”

 

For the love of—When did he get here?!

 

“Going home?” he randomly asked as he started to casually toss the ball.

 

“Yeah...” was all Hazel could say, her face rather flushed while the two of them walked side by side. Once again that awkward air appeared, causing the both of them to be quiet.

 

“You doing anything tomorrow?” he suddenly spoke, causing her to look up at him.

 

“N-no... Why?”

 

He shrugged, still tossing the ball, “Nothing... Do they celebrate Valentines Day in the States?”

 

“We do,” she answered, “It's like this, all about love and romance, but White Day isn't celebrated as often.”

 

He nodded as the both of them came upon a crosswalk. Looking down at her, he stopped tossing the ball, “I'm going to the park with some friends, wanna join us?”

 

Hazel found her heart skipping a beat and her face flush the moment he asked her that. He had a genuine look on his handsome face, that practically had her on her knees. But as much as she wanted to accept his offer, she had other plans.

 

“Thank you for inviting me,” she bowed quickly before standing straight again, “But I have to go to the store and cook.”

 

“Mmm, that's fine,” he waved his hand and started to make his way over to the other direction, “See you at class, Hazel.”

 

She smiled and nodded happily, “Yeah!”

 

And with that mindset, she hurried over to the little store near her place and went straight for the baking isle.

 

For the next three hours of the night, she spent it making chocolate. All the bite size star pieces were made for some friends who didn't attend her school, but lived nearby and these special heart shaped ones made for a certain someone. Not only did his take the longest, she also made a special editable heart shaped, chocolate box. Instead of using regular chocolate, she decided to use white chocolate instead, while decorating it with milk and dark chocolate. It wasn't a big box, just enough to stick in a handful of her mini heart chocolates inside. And for the final touch, she added a flower, which was made out of sugar and food coloring.

 

“I just hope he likes it,” she smiled at her finished work. She then attempted to pick up the sugar flower off from the center and seeing as it was still sticking onto the cover, she now knew that the chocolate had dried. She then went to pick up the bite size hearts she had made, which she added the hangul characters, if placed in the right order would spell out saranghaeyo and placed just enough to have an even amount of the characters to spell out the confession she wanted to tell Kyuhyun for a long while.

 

After fitting the hearts inside the chocolate box, she then carefully placed the cover on, which turned out to fit perfectly. Hazel couldn't help but just admire her work, well then again, she practically slave drove herself to make it perfect. With a light laugh, she took some clear plastic and designed it so that it looked like a mini pouch before she tied some red, white and pink ribbon to secure it. Once she finished curling the ends of the ribbon, she then tied a little name label around it as well. To Kyuhyun was all it said, but he'd know because she would personally give it to him herself.

 

She was jittery throughout the entire morning. Anticipating her confession, Hazel carefully took out the gift from her bag and practically made sure no harm was done to her gift. Her eyes practically sparkled when she saw that everything was still intact and nothing had cracked either. Nodding to herself, she hurried out of her classroom before before the bell rung and made her way over to his. She waited near his locker, the gift rest in the palm of her hands until he finally showed up.

 

“Kyu—”

 

“KYUHYUN!” a group of girls shouted from down the hall and hurried over to his post. Hazel shrunk away, a blush appearing on her cheeks as she peaked around the lockers again to watch what was going on. The girls pushed another girl out from their little group, a shy look on her face as she timidly confessed her feelings for the boy and presenting him with a gift.

 

Hazel's heart sank and practically drifted away when he smiled and lifted his hand to take the chocolate. At that moment, the bell rung, the stampede of students rushing out their classrooms and completely ignored her presence. She was so dazed that she didn't realize someone had roughly bumped into her, causing the gift to fall from her hands. Breaking from her trance, Hazel's eyes widen, but she was took late. Her hard work broke into multiple pieces before some random student kicked the gift, tearing the plastic wrap open and kicking away the card. Hazel instantly fell to her knees and started to crawl; pitifully pleading for her peers to stop, but of course, her voice didn't reach them and she was practically walked on like a doormat.

 

It had been a long while since the last time she cried like this. Her eyes were a bit puffy and tears still fell from her eyes as she stared at the destruction in her hands. A broken chocolate box with most of its parts missing, there were only four pieces of the bite size hearts left and the sugar flower had a leaf missing, the petal chipped or even broken off. It was all she managed to save... Along with the crumpled and shoe imprinted card.

 

She wasn't too sure how long she had been there, but she was so distraught that she didn't hear the rooftop door open and a familiar figure stood before it.

 

“I figured I'd find you here,” a comforting voice chuckled quietly as he made his way over to her. Hearing his voice, Hazel sniffled as quietly as she could before wiping her eyes, “And you're crying again.”

 

“I... I'm na-not,” she stuttered, “I just got dirt in my eyes...”

 

She knew for a fact that he didn't buy it, especially when he stood next to her and bent forward, his arms relaxing on the railing. A bit ashamed, she quickly attempted to hide the ruined gift, but Kyuhyun had already looked over to see what it was.

 

“That looked good, was it for anyone special?”

 

Crumpling the ruined label card, she quickly shook her head, a small yet bittersweet smile now her on her lips as she looked at him, “No... I... I made it to make myself feel better since I knew today I'd be upset.”

 

“Really,” that sounded more like a statement rather than a question. Taking the destroyed gift, he gently spread out the plastic wrapping on a small platform next to the railing before rearranging the last four pieces of the candy hearts and showed them to her.

 

Hazel merely stared at him, “But h-how did you...?”

 

“I saw you drop to the floor and one of the candy pieces got kicked at my direction,” he replied with a soft expression, “But before I could do anything, you were already gone. And when I didn't see you in the lab, I went to go look for you to confirm something.”

 

“Confirm what?”

 

“If you didn't give me chocolate this year, I'd confess to you.”

 

She immediately blushed and placed a hand on her chest, “B-but what happens if I did?”

 

“I'd still confess, regardless if you gave me the chocolate or not,” he lightly smirked as he laced his fingers together, placed them on the back of his head and turned around to face the scenery, “But if you really did give me the chocolate, I'd praise you for your courage.”

 

“Kyu... Hyun...” she muttered with a smile.

 

He continued with that light smirk, “So, how about it? Be my Valentine for this year? And the year after? And the year after that year? And so on?”

 

“Idiot...” she closed her eyes and shook her head, “Can't you just be straightforward?”

 

“Be my girlfriend,” he replied right next to her ear.

 

Snapping her eyes open, Hazel's eyes widen like saucers before she snapped her head at his direction. It wasn't a second later that she found herself in a lip lock with him.

 

And she couldn't be any happier.

 

For the rest of the year, they stayed with one another through thick and thin. Although, there were times he was a jerk and ignored her for Starcraft (though, this was just to ), there wasn't much of an off day that she had with him.

 

It was nearing graduation day and the final years were getting pretty busy with last minute activities, events and making sure they were prepared for their next stage within their life: College. Three days, in just three days they were going to say goodbye to the high school life and hello to their college life. Hazel surprisingly got into a rather nice school in Seoul, if not one of the best ones that Seoul had to offer. She had a few options she made for herself, one of them being the Culinary Arts. Since that whole Valentines Day episode, she started experimenting with her cooking and baking skills she realized that perhaps, with more training, she could do this type of thing professionally.

 

She was on the roof top once again, staring out at the scenery and enjoying the Spring air. It was breezy and cool outside, the soft wind blowing on her face, making her hair gently fly at the direction of the breeze. As expected, a familiar presence stood next to her, which she couldn't help but just enjoy and smile at. Scooting closer, she wrapped her arms around his and leaned against him while closing her eyes before inhaling and exhaling.

 

“Can you believe it?” she asked as she opened her eyes and looked out, “Three days, Kyuhyun.”

 

A melodic hum was his reply, the both of them now being quiet until Kyuhyun spoke, “You know what you want to do, right?”

 

“I have an idea,” she answered as she looked up at him, “What about you? Actually, you never told me what school you got accepted into.”

 

“... Because its not in Korea.”

 

“Eh?” Hazel blinked as she released her hold on him, but continued to look at him, “Your school's not in Korea?”

 

He refused to look at her as he shook his head, “My school in Taiwan. And I'm not too sure how long I got there.”

 

Silence once again embraced the both of them. Hazel's mood once again dropped, her heart again sinking and drifting away along with Kyuhyun. She really had no idea what to say or what to do at this point. The both of them were hurting, that was a clear fact. And within her thoughts, her vision blurred , signaling her tears but before any of them could fall, she quickly blinked them back and smiled brightly.

 

“I can wait!” she forced out a smile and looked at him with her cheerful disposition. Kyuhyun instantly looked at her, a rather surprised expression on his handsome face as he blinked a few times, “You have your reasons Kyuhyun... And I respect that. You know I love you. I tell you at every chance I get, or just until you tell me to just shut up. Even if you never really tell me, you often hint it and I just know. Words are just words. I just express it more verbally than you do, but you express it more through your actions. If fate will let us, I'll hold onto it as long as I can and maybe, use my vacation time to somehow visit you or you manage to find a way back here. I'll wait for as long as I can... Afterall, I've waited for the moment I could be by your side in a much more deeper manner than as just your friend. So...”

 

Out of nowhere, Kyuhyun did a rather unconscious thing. Grabbing her by her arm, he pulled her toward him and held her close, “You're really strong, you know that?”

 

“I t-try...” she stuttered, trying to hold back a sob, “You've been there for me since I came here last summer... And now this... I can't be any happier.”

 

“Wait for me,” he pleaded, “I promise I won't be long... Wait for me as long as you can. I promise I won't be long... Just give me a little while.”

 

“I will... Kyuhyun, I will...”

 

- - -

 

To think that three years passed by within the blink of an eye. And now she stands at that closed door. Multiple things run through her head. What if he isn't there? She wasn't too sure, because ever since the first time she came up here, she lost contact with him.

 

“Third time's the charm, right?” she forced out a smile as she reached out for the handle and shoved the door open. Bright light of the sun blinded her for a moment, before her eyes got used to the light and took a step outside to the rooftop. She took a good look around.

 

Nothing really changed.

 

Walking out toward the railing, she stared out into the scenery like she always did three years ago. Everything started here. From the first time she cried, to the time they met because he almost broke her nose. To that confession; this was just their place. A place for the both of them to unwind and just be together without anyone else looking at them.

 

Resting her arms, she smiled, enjoying the breeze that blew by. It was the evening of Valentines Day and she drove all the way from Seoul, just to come back here and hope that maybe he'd be here. But once again, she was turned down by fate.

 

But this time, she didn't cry.

 

“I guess I do have to let him go...” she whispered, after waiting at the same place for almost an hour.

 

“Let who go?”

 

Hazel froze, her heart skipping a few beats as her eyes widen like saucers. Turning around, her eyes instantly began to blur as tears started to just cascade down her cheeks. There he was, leaning against the door, arms crossed along his chest, one foot planted on the concrete while the other foot was planted against the door. Three years and he no longer had that boyish charm, he was actually a man. And very hot man to be exact!

 

“Ch-Cho K-Kyuhyun?” she stuttered as she turned her entire body toward him.

 

He looked at her funny, “Three years and you're still stuttering? You haven't out grown that yet?”

 

“Y-you...” she muttered pointing at him.

 

“You gonna come over here or do I have to go over there?”

 

“You jerk!” Hazel cried out as she ran for him and practically threw herself at his direction. A laugh emitted from him, his arms wide as he caught her and spun her around once before he let her down and just hugged her. Three years of separation and here they were again, in one another's arms, “Why did you stop contacting me?”

 

“Sorry...” he apologized when they pulled away, “I'm was trying to get some things straighten out so I could come back earlier. I was actually trying to come back last year, but something came up, so I couldn't.”

 

“You're such a jerk...” she muttered, “But you're my jerk and I'm happy that you're back.”

 

“I also have something else,” he added, “Since I'm back... I plan on continuing my education in Seoul and I want you to move in with me.”

 

“Eh?” she blinked as she looked up at him, “I live in the dorms, which I already paid for... And how did you find a place so fast?”

 

“I told you, I was planning on returning last year,” he smirked, “So, I already bought a nice three bedroom apartment near the school.”

 

“Kyuhyun... Three bedrooms? Aish! Fine, I'll move in with you...”

 

Upon hearing her agreement to move in with him, he slyly managed to slip on a little something else onto her finger.

 

“There we go.”

 

“That's cold! What's with...” Hazel's voice trailed, her eyes widening at the piece of jewelry on her ring finger, “Kyu-Kyuhyun...?!”

 

“Marry me...?” he asked her with the most sincerest voice he could possibly muster, while looking into her eyes, “You've waited for me and I made you wait for me for too long. So, you don't have to wait for me any longer because next time... I'm going to take you with me, as my wife.”

 

Busting into tears, Hazel nodded several of times as she awkwardly tried to wipe them away, “You already put the ring on, how can I say no now?”

 

He instantly smiled and pulled her close again, “Good, because I wasn't going to take no for an answer... I love you.”

 

“I love you too...” she returned as he pulled her into a deep, yet sweet kiss.

 

And she couldn't be any happier.