Chapter 8

A Visit From Her Past

Sulli is nervous, it’s only 2 days before the competition and nobody knows her plans except herself. Miss Jung will always tell her to just do what she wants to do. And she can’t trust IU not to talk. By the time that girls started to register because Minho is a judge, Ms. Jung already allowed Sulli to pull IU out of the competition. So she just asked IU to bring a camera with her and make sure to capture everything that will happen in the contest. The stress of preparing everything is taking its toll on Sulli. She can’t sleep well these days.

When she got home, she saw a gift on the table. She looked at the card.

“Mom…I already told you not to accept this, right?” asked Sulli

Liza sighed. “It is rude to push away a gift from someone.” Said Liza

“But I already told you that I will no longer accept any gift from him, right?” said Sulli “It’s been 5 years, Mom. He should stop giving me these things…let’s just ask the delivery guys to take this back.”

“It wasn’t brought by delivery guys.” Said Liza

“Huh? Who brought it?” asked Sulli

“It was Heechul himself.” Said Liza

“What?! Oppa?” asked the surprised Sulli

“Yes. He was here earlier. He waited for you for hours. But somebody called him up and he needed to leave before you arrived.” Said Liza

“After 5 years…He’s back here in Korea!?” asked Sulli still surprised

“You should go and see him. He said he’ll be at the usual playground you two usually go to.” Said Liza

Sulli rushed to get her things to run out but stopped by the mirror near the door. She looks like an Ajumma who had 10 kids already.

“He won’t recognize me anymore.” Said Sulli tears slowly pooling in her eyes “I’ve changed so much since he left.”

“Heechul saw your photos earlier…He has an idea of how you look like now. And you know what he said when he saw them?” asked Liza

“He said that you are still as cute as before. I felt like I need to get his eyes checked.” Said Liza

Sulli chuckled at that. “I’ll be back later Mom.” Sulli went out running

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Sulli went to her high school playground but did not find Heechul. She sat on a swing. And then she felt a cold thing brushing her cheek! She was shocked to see Heechul behind her holding a cold drink which he used to touch her cheek.

“Oppa!” greeted Sulli surprised

Heechul immediately embraced Sulli

“Ahh…It’s been so long…I am so glad to see you again.” Said Heechul

“I am happy you are back.” Said Sulli

Heechul released Sulli and pinched her cheek.

“How have you been?” asked Heechul

Sulli took a deep breath and looked away

“I’m good. I’m studying at Sun Life now.” Said Sulli

“Yes I heard. How’s Sun Life?” asked Heechul

Sulli can’t tell Heechul how hard it is to be in that University. He just returned, he shouldn’t worry over her.

“It’s good. State of the art.” Said Sulli

“It has that kind of reputation. I’m glad you like your school. I always thought you wanted to go teach and wanted to go to the University your favorite High school teacher went to.” Said Heechul

“That was what I wanted before…But I need to embrace life. When you left, I was really sad and I don’t have you to rely on anymore. I can’t ask you to do my homework or my projects anymore. So I learned to study on my own. I didn’t know I am good at it until I tried. And then I realized that life is harder than it looked. So I decided to try my best to get to Sun Life just like what my parents want me to.” Said Sulli

“It was hard for you. I wish I was here so that you didn’t have to endure those.” Said Heechul

“I wouldn’t have known my strengths if you were always beside me.” Said Sulli

“So now you feel it was good that I left?” asked Heechul

“No…I still feel sad whenever I remember you leaving.” Said Sulli

“So you missed me?” asked Heechul

“Of course I did.” Said Sulli

“So why didn’t you reply to any of my letters the past years? And why did you try to send back the gifts I sent you?” asked Heechul

Sulli had to take a deep breath.

“Is it because I told you in my letters that I like you?” asked Heechul “You started not replying after I confessed in my letter.” Said Heechul

“Oppa…I’m not anymore the cute little girl you left here 5 years ago. I’m no longer the pretty girl who can make people love her with just a simple smile. Look at me now…I…I don’t look the same anymore…I can’t even remember how I was back then.” Said Sulli

Heechul touched Sulli’s shoulders.

“When I said I like you. I did not mean just the way you look. I mean I like you because I like the person that you are. All these 5 years I have always wanted to go back here and see you. And I am not disappointed. I am really happy now.” Said Heechul

“You have learned to do ‘smooth talking’, Oppa. Is that what you learned abroad?” asked Sulli

Heechul laughed

“I learned a lot of things. But I reserved all the smooth talks so that I can use them on you.” Said Heechul

“Liar!” said Sulli

“I am only here for a few days, Sulli. I need to go back to the US. That’s why I want to maximize the time I have here. Can I ask you out tomorrow?” asked Heechul

“I have school tomorrow, Oppa. And…I’m busy for a…I’m organizing a contest in school.” Said Sulli

“Wow…really? For a school like Sun Life, events like this is big. I can imagine how hard the preparations are.” Said Heechul

“Yes…it’s tiring.” Said Sulli

“Can I go to watch?” asked Heechul

“Umm…I’m not sure if you’ll like it.” Said Sulli

“I’m curious about Sun Life.” Said Heechul

“I’ll send you a ticket then.” Said Sulli

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Sulli’s heart has been beating like a drum since this morning. Can she carry out her plans?

“You look nervous.” Said Ms. Jung

“I am nervous...” said Sulli

“Then just take a deep breath. You need to stay studying in Sun Life until you graduate, right?” asked Ms. Jung

Ms. Jung noticed Sulli’s confusion

“Yes…I am not oblivious to what is happening. I know the thing between you and WW club.” Said Ms. Jung

“But you still allowed me to-“

“Just make sure you do your best to stay. And everything will be alright. Stick to Sun Life like a super glue, OK?” said Ms. Jung

“Yes…I will!” said Sulli

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Sulli took off her glasses. It was the first time she’s wearing contacts and it took