http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vO_kHWXvw

Rachel Lampa- If you believe

-----------

Haewon tossed and turned in her old bed. For some reason, she could not fall asleep. She wasn’t even remotely drowsy. Not able to take it anymore, she sat up in bed and put a hand over her constricted heart. *Why do I feel like I’m suffocating?*

Haewon heard the wind howling outside. She walked up to the window and peeked through the curtain.

It was pitch black outside. In the distance, she could make out the tree, but that was it.

The scenery looked beautiful in a haunting way. *I can’t believe I had the nerve to go out there on my first night here. I was blind and couldn’t see a thing. It was starting to pour also.*

Haewon focused her gaze on the tree. It seemed as if it was calling for her, and she couldn’t deny it.

A powerful yearning urged her to come forth into the darkness. She reached out and placed her fingers on the cold glass. She didn’t even realize she had been holding her breath. Haewon exhaled, closed her eyes, and opened her eyes a second later. She would go out, despite the danger she might face. She wanted to dive forward into the unknown to see what her destiny was.

Something out there, her heart told her, was her fate. She was meant to find it.

Haewon changed out of her pajamas and into denim shorts and a warm, wine red sweater. She pulled her sneakers on, grabbed a flashlight she had found in one of the drawers upstairs, and left the school. The wind swept past her and seemed to push her towards the tree.

Haewon wrapped one arm securely around herself as she used the flashlight to light up the pathway in front of her. The only sound she could hear was the rustling of the grass as the wind rushed by. Haewon treaded through the grass as she uneasily glanced around the dark, eerie landscape.

Had she made a mistake by coming out here all alone? What if something really dangerous happened to her?

No one knew she had come here, and by the time they found her, it might be too late. She scolded herself for being foolishly reckless. Yet, she couldn’t turn back now. She had already come so far, and something in the pit of her heart burned. That fire couldn’t be doused out unless she had come and examined the tree for herself.

So, Haewon straightened up with courage and boldly moved ahead. As she strode up the hill and neared the tree, her steps slowed down. Her heart trembled with anticipation as she approached the spot of memories. Haewon stopped in front of the tree and looked up at its immensity.

The branches stretched far and wide, as if it was shielding the people who were searching for a sanctuary.

*I never realized how big this tree was. It’s beautiful.* Haewon shined the light over the trunk. It stopped when it came to the words she had hoped to see, the proof that their camaraderie had existed.

Luhan + Haewon.

Her eyes grew soft and tender. It was just a simple carving, but it made her heart swell with happiness.

Haewon placed her fingers on the bark and traced the names. She closed her eyes and felt how deep the names had been etched into the wood. *He was trying to help me feel our names when I could not sleep.* “Oh, Luhan oppa.” Haewon whispered and opened her eyes. “Where are you right now? I came back, but you’re not here. How can I leave us to fate when we can’t meet after all these years?” Her fingers slipped down the rough bark, and she lowered her gaze towards the root. “I wish you were here right now. I miss you.”

Haewon saw a shoe sticking out from behind the tree and furrowed her eyebrows.

*What is that?* She shone the flashlight over the object and charily treaded around to the back of the tree.

The shoe led up to a leg, and the leg led up to a body.

The eyes of the boy popped open.

Haewon gasped and dropped the flashlight. It went rolling down the hill, and darkness fell upon her. Her heart began to thud loudly. *Who is that man? Is he the same guy who was in the music room? What is he still doing here? Is he a straggler?*

Luhan was peacefully recalling his memories of Haewon when a bright light had been rudely shined in his face. He opened his eyes and lifted his head. The figure gasped and dropped the flashlight. Through the shadows, he could see that the person had long hair. *It’s a girl. What is a girl doing here in the middle of the night?* Luhan began to stand up.

*Oh no! He’s standing!* Haewon backed away. Her legs quivered and wouldn’t sprint away. Her heart beat crazily as sweat covered her palms. *What if he’s a serial killer? What if he’s a criminal hiding away? What if he’s insane? Why did I have to walk out here in the middle of the night? I had this coming. I have no one else to blame.*

Luhan squint his eyes as he tried to distinguish the figure backing away in front of him. He stepped forward. She stumbled back instinctively. Luhan paused for a moment, wondering if he was frightening her. He wanted to assure her that he wouldn’t hurt her.

Luhan took another step forward.

Haewon moved backwards, tripped on a root, and slipped.

He lunged out to catch her. She mistook his action as threat and snatched the flashlight from the ground.

Haewon flashed the light in his face, and he winced. Luhan shielded the bright light from his eyes with his arm and flinched. *Why does she keep shining that light on me?* “D-don’t come near me. I swear, I’ll scream.” Haewon stammered fearfully.

Luhan could see her lips moving but had no idea what she was trying to say. *I’m deaf. I can’t hear you. I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but it seems as if you’re angry at me-* He froze.

A strong feeling of déjà vu slammed into him. *Why does this scene feel so familiar?*

Slowly, Luhan lowered his arm and tried to peer through the light to see the face of the girl. Hope inflated his chest, and he hoped to God he wasn’t dreaming. *Cho Haewon…* Luhan finally saw her face and in his breath with a stunned look. *…It is you.*

His heartbeat picked up speed as all sorts of emotions