You peddled home slowly. 

Thoughts clouded your head and you weren't in the mood to get home in a rush. 

You didn't want to think about today's events, but you couldn't help it; Luhan's face, his expression, it burned into your retinas. Even if you closed your eyes you could still see his lips so close, too close to yours. 

What on earth was this nagging feeling inside you?

Why did he spill his innermost secrets to you?

Why did he get so close?

How had you let him get so close?

You stopped for a second, realising you were right by the Han Bay river. 

It was beautiful of course. The setting orange sun burned and stretched over the steady water.

It all sort of started right here; this mess you were in.

You couldn't help but let out a sigh. 

You shook your head and continued to peddle. 

You were so confused; you didn't want to feel anything. And you definitely didn't want to understand or accept what you were feeling. 

This was just confusion…that was all. 

You hoped. 

You breathed out a deep sigh, trying to flush out the thoughts and slapping your reddening cheeks before opening your front door and walking in. You hardly noticed the huge extra pair of shoes that sat next to your spot. 

'_________-ah~' your mum called out from the small lounge down the corridor. 

'Yep it's me.' You replied dropping your bag onto the floor before locking the front door and walking towards your mum's voice. 

You wished you could have asked her about your boy troubles, or trouble with a boy, but you didn't want to worry your mum; she worked two jobs and took care of your little brother, asking her about boys was not worth anyone’s time you decided. 

‘Ahh I’m so tired today.’ You muttered rubbing the back of your head and squinting your eyes.

‘Look ______-ah, look who’s here!’ Your mum squealed the moment you entered the lounge. 

‘What, who?’ You asked raising an expectant eyebrow, turning your head to face the new person in your home.

You stopped dead in your tracks.

Your heart froze. 

You couldn't think or breathe. 

Time froze.

Your eyes widened. 

How. 

How was he....

How was he here?

‘Are you going to just stand there or hug your best friend?’ 

Your mouth opened as wide as it could, you could feel your soul become whole again - like you had never left Korea; like you were the same happy young school girl you always were without a need for a dream, without a need to let anyone solve you like a rubix cube. 

And there he stood: Park Chanyeol – your best friend in the whole wide world who knew you better than you knew yourself.

He stood in your living room after two years of being in the army. He'd grown a lot taller, his hair had been cut short and it was black; he'd gained muscle and somehow looked more mature. 

But still, he was the very same best friend you had to leave behind in Korea.

‘CHANYEOLIE!!!!’ You screamed rushing over to him, he hugged you with open arms, lifting you up and spinning you around in pure joy – even your little brother was excited to see Chanyeol, hugging his leg, but your mum pulled him off and took him to the next room.

'I'll let you two talk~' your mum said before giggling and taking your brother with her. 

'You're so much taller now!' You exclaimed unable to hide the smile that stretched across your face.

'Nah you just got shorter!' Chanyeol replied ruffling your hair.

'Hahaha' you both giggled like two children. 

‘This is too good to be true, Chanyeol-ah why are you here!?’ You gasped barely able to breathe from the tight hug Chanyeol gave you. 

‘I had to see my best friend since it’s been so long.’ He spoke in that low voice you loved so much. 

‘I missed you, my God I missed you so so much Chanyeol.’ You hugged him as tight as you could, you couldn’t help but well up, tears began to slide down your cheeks unwillingly.  

‘You’ve had it rough haven’t you. I know your mum doesn’t know. But I know you ____-ah.’ He wiped the tears in your eyes, lifting your chin up so he could get a better look at you. 

‘It’s…it’s nothing. Well…it’s getting better Chanyeol-ah.’ You replied tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear absentmindedly. Chanyeol stretched his arms out.

‘Yah I’m only here for the weekend, so let’s make it count.’ He stated ruffling his hair.

‘What, why so short!?’ You gasped at the realisation you would only have two days with your best friend before he had to leave again.

‘I haven’t gone home yet, I came straight here as soon as I got off service.’ Chanyeol replied scratching the back of his head.

‘Well, let’s not waste another minute, follow me, your tour starts now!’ You exclaimed grabbing Chanyeol’s hand determinedly and pulling him out the door.

‘Wow I didn’t think you’d be this excited to see me.’ Chanyeol said smiling so brightly at your eagerness to hang out with him.

‘Are you kidding me? I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, of course I’m excited you exclaimed shouting down the corridor, telling your mum you were both going out, you barely noticed the way Chanyeol gazed at you, as if he’d returned to the moment he saw the sun for the very first time…

 You took Chanyeol everywhere for those two days; it whizzed by like a happy blur, it was as if you’d never left Korea and Chanyeol had never left your side; you were two kids once more, enjoying each other’s company.

You mentioned your life in China; about the friends you’d made in Kris and Tao….

But for some weird reason.

You just could not bring Luhan up.

You felt weird talking about Luhan to Chanyeol, you didn’t understand why, but a nervous feeling wrapped around in your stomach when you opened your mouth to try and tell Chanyeol about this strange yet fascinating boy…

You’d ignored Luhan’s messages over the weekend, which panicked him a lot.

Message from: Lu Han

‘Yah, if you don’t reply, I’m coming straight to your house and banging on your door until you open.’

Message from: Lu Han

‘Yah you think I’m kidding!?’

Message from: Lu Han

‘ANSWER.’

Message from: Lu Han

‘Fine you’re going to be sorry.’

But none of that mattered because on the last day, it really hit you just how much you were going to miss Park Chanyeol.

You both stood watching the sunset together by the Han Bay River. Chanyeol rested on the railings while you leaned against them, breath taken by the sight.

‘So beautiful isn’t it?’ You asked smiling at the river.

‘Mmmm, yeah, what?’ Chanyeol replied turning his gaze towards you.

‘The river silly, what’s up with you, you seem very preoccupied today, is my company not good enough?’ You asked nudging the tall boy.

‘Oh sorry, haha, no of course you are. In fact your company is the only thing I need…’

You watched Chanyeol feeling confused by his words.

‘_______-ah, you know I’m leaving tonight right?’

‘Yep….don‘t remind me.’ You sighed feeling deflated.

‘Well…I wanted to tell you something… it’s actually something I never got to tell you…’ Chanyeol said straightening up, turning you to face him.

You gulped feeling yourself begin to blush, Chanyeol never looked this serious before he spoke.

His hands rested on your shoulders, making sure you stared into his eyes and nothing else while he uttered these words;

'I didn't just come to see you to say hi  _____-ah....'

Your eyes widened.

Chanyeol continued:

'Do you remember our promise....my promise?'

You gulped.

How on earth had you forgotten it?

It all came flooding back to you.

What Chanyeol had said to you all those years ago…

Ah,Ahh _______, don't cry pabo I'll be back before you know it.' Chanyeol muttered chocking back the tears that were fighting to spill out. But you didn't care, you hiccupped and gulped, letting your emotions flow down your cheeks. 

'But, but it's dangerous and Chanyeol-ah...I...I who's going to be there for me and protect me and.....'

'Aish you know I would have to do it sooner or later, ______-ah come here.'  Chanyeol pulled on your hand, bringing you into a tight hug while he rested his chin on top of your head, a tear slid down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away, biting down on his bottom lip before smiling brightly. 

'You don't need protecting ______, you're such a strong person and you just don't know it, but I've seen you grow. No one's going to harm you or bully you again. You don't need me.' 

'Don't say that of course I need you Chanyeol-ah you're my best friend.' You cried into his jacket, tugging on it and pulling it closer to mop your eyes. 

'I know I know...best friend.' Chanyeol repeated a little downhearted, but nonetheless so happy that he meant so much to you, it made his heart swell with joy.

'Leaving you