XOXOChapter 6XOXO

-The Day Time Stopped (Part 2)-

*Kai's POV*

 

I didn't know what got to me, I'm not even sure of anything. All I'm sure of is time is running and I only have little time left. Something tells me that if I don't grab it now, I'll never have another chance again. It just so happens that we don't have anything planned for today, so it's perfect. We were walking towards the Han river-one of our favourite places- I like the streets at this hour, no usual bustling of everyday living. I was trying to organize my thoughts, trying to get it all clear. I didn't even notice that I was already walking in front of her. I took a peak at her, mindful to not be that obvious, I smile at the sight. How can she do that? Look like nothing else exists, just her and the journey that lies ahead of her. She inhales deeply, I noticed how close we were and I tugged her coat forward. I got excited like how I always do when I see the place.

 

She looks up, her deep dark orbs confused. I feel my pace fasten and in my peripheral vision I see how she tries to match my strides. I smile, I only noticed now that she wasn't that tall. A few inches shorter than me, I scoff. The perks of being tall. When we arrived at the Han River, I let her go and went to lie down on my favourite spot. I stare at the sky and wonder how can they look so close when in reality they might not even exist anymore which lead me to the thought 'How can you be beside someone, so close that you can feel the heat from their body, but feel like they’re not even there.' 

 

I just lied there, thinking of things I shouldn't be thinking but then she wasn't beside me anymore, I whip my head from side to side; Did she go back? Where is she? My heart was thumping fast then I see her, in her awkward glory. My heart starts to calm and I feel warm. I tap the grass beside me, gesturing her to come closer. To my surprise, she didn't rebut. For a long time we just stare at the sky and I think of everything that has happened in the past few years. I made a change, pursued what I love most, what I'm passionate about. I've met a lot of people that changed the course of my life forever. I'm happy but not really contented because I feel like I'm missing something or someone important, It's like I'm missing a big chunk of my life maybe even the core of my existence and maybe, just maybe... The person who can complete me is the one right beside me now. I just need to do something about it.

 

"I like it here at this hour. I like the sound of water flowing, it calms me. I like the breeze, I like how there aren't many people but most of all I like how the sky changes colour from black to midnight blue then rays of dark red appear after that orange then everything turns bright. It makes me believe that everything is really simple." I open up making hand gestures in the air-trying to make her understand a bit more, I didn't know why I did it, maybe because of the silence? Who knows?

 

She didn't say anything and I didn't really need an answer. I just wanted to let her see a piece of me.  I sat up and looked at her intently, drowning myself in her dark orbs. I want her to know me more, the me she -and a lot of other people- don't get to see. I grab her by the shoulders- to let her know the urgency I'm feeling, still staring at her eyes then I spoke. I don't know where all the words came from, I don't even know where I found the courage to tell her half of the things that I said but by some miracle, I did. 

 

"I want you to forget that you already met me and I want you to know that I'm not really a jerk. Pretend that this is the first time you've ever laid your eyes on me. Forget that I'm an idol, that I've been someone I’m not. Just for this day, promise me that you won't see kai and all you'll see is me, Kim Jongin." I finish, heart thumping; momentarily wondering if she could hear it too. I didn't know how she would react or what she would say. Moments later her sweet voice calms my nervous heart and calms it with only with two words.

 

"I will." is all I needed to hear, is all the sign that I will ever need when it comes to this girl who brought turmoil with her.

 

I let go of her, smiled then stood up. I offered my hand to help her up -my blue fairy. Then to formally start the day I said "Hi, I'm Kim Jongin. Call me whatever you want. Nice to meet you." then I bow, smiling at her with no boundaries, no cameras and no one else to judge me. For some reason, I felt safe.

 

"Hi, I'm Han Hye Kyung. Call me Hye Kyung or Blue. To clear any misunderstandings that might occur my legal name here is Lim Kyon Rae but I don't use it often. Nice to meet you." She bows, her nose scrunching while trying to hide her laughter.

 

"Blue, do you want to walk with me?" I ask nervousness and anticipation creating a mixture in the depths of my being.

 

Then she laughs a laugh that could be the envy of angels in heaven above and I find that I want to hear it every day. Before I sleep and I especially want to wake up to it. Her harmonious and melodic laugh, the things I'd do to hear it every day. My reverie broke when she hits my arm playfully. "Yah, Jongin-shi. Why are you so nervous? I don't bite. -She laughs again- of course I'll walk with you."

 

I smile; if only I could be with someone like this every day - maybe even with her- then I jog to catch up with her. Time, a golden treasure, I thought then her movement caught my attention. She was looking at her watch. I nudge her then tell her one of the most important lessons life taught me. She looks up at me then back in front.

"Don't worry about time, because whatever happens it goes on anyway." She looks back up at me, an expression of realization and clarity pasted on her small face then she plucks out her phone and texts someone. I try to see who she was texting without being too obvious, what if she was texting Dong Mi? Or someone else? Maybe sehun, D.O or Kris hyung? Aissshh. I'm being Paranoid.

 

Then I couldn't take it anymore, I rented her day and she agreed then she must give all of her time to me. I snatch away her phone and click my tongue making disapproving noises.

 

"No phones today my sweet little miss blue." I say, turning the blue encased thing off and place it in my jeans' pocket.

 

She pouts, turning my attention to her sweet looking lips -no jongin stop it- then she nudges me.

"What about your phone? Why is my phone the only one turned off? Huh?" She complains.  "Where is your phone anyway?" scratching her head.

 

I pull my phone out from the other side of my jeans' pocket and dangle it in front of her. I was shocked by her ferocity and speed when she took a swipe at my phone and I couldn't help but just stare at her. She sticks her tongue out and fiddles with my phone. I watch her smile upon seeing my lock screen wallpaper, my family, I miss them often then she opens it. I didn't bother to put a passcode in my phone, we didn't have secrets anyway but I wish I did.

 

I let her snoop for a while but when I look back she was already waiting for my photos to load. -Oh no- I quickly took my phone away. I can't let her see the photos in there despite the fact that it has embarrassing pictures, I still haven't deleted my candid shots of her and the ones I downloaded from her Facebook page -I know it's creepy but her smile completes my day and I'm really planning to delete it, I just didn't have the time- her futile attempt to get it away from me resulted in her falling on the grass with a thud but instead of complaining about the pain she laughs, hitting the grass within her reach then looks up to me and grins. After a few seconds she takes deep breaths, calms down and puts her hands up in surrender.

 

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have tried to snoop. I'm going to turn it off now." then she turns it off.

 

She sits there for a few minutes, just looking up at the sky and I at her thinking, how this girl can just waltz into my life and make me question my own feelings and it hasn't even been a week. She taps the grass beside her and I sit.

 

"Let's just wait until sunrise; I've been too busy for years that I haven't even been able to look at the sky." She says, tilting her head at the sky and smiling. She lies back down and stretches, I do the same.

 

"I thought we were going to walk." I blurt out. My eyes were closed and my face facing towards the sky, I'm enjoying the first feeling of heat. A few moments of silence, I thought she had fallen asleep but then she spoke.

 

"We already walked didn't we? Don't worry; we'll walk some more after the sunrise."

 

She answers, after a few minutes she shook and pointed at the sky. The sun was already rising, the mixture of colour chaotic and harmonious at the same time. With her I watched the sun rise, and I didn't have a problem imagining that 5 or 10 years from now I'll be doing the same thing, in the same spot with the same girl. This thought bothered me, with just such a small amount of time she reached me where no one else ever has but I shrug it off, thinking it was my own delusion.

 

After watching the sun rise, I led her to a nearby cafe to take breakfast. Then she took off her coat, I'm not a ert but I'm still a guy and I couldn't help but widen my eyes. She seemed to notice because she spoke.

 

"Don't worry; the only thing I can take off now is my shirt." She would still be willing to take off her shirt? Then by all means, she is my guest. It's not like I'm not enjoying it anyway. I just smirk.

 

I look at the menu and spot what I want to order right away. The waiter approaches us and I look at her but she was already looking at me so, I took it as a sign that she needed more time.

"I'll just take bacon with French toast." I ordered.

"How would you like eggs sir?" Then she started laughing silently, I knew what she was thinking so I look at her while answering the waiter's question.

"Sunny side up please."

"Would you like coffee with that?"

"No, just water and uhmmm. Do you have strawberry milk?" I ask, I didn't know how she viewed guys who love those kinds of drinks so I was a little nervous.

"Yes sir, we do."

"Then one of those." I say quickly, looking at the floor.

"What about you miss?" the waiter asks, turning his attention to her. 

"Uhmmm. Which is better? Strawberry or Blueberry pancakes?" She asks, like it was the most crucial question in the world that needed to be answered. I take note that she likes strawberries and blueberries; I might need the information later on.

"Our strawberry pancakes are our best seller miss." The waiter answers and she brightens up like a kid being given a toy for the very first time.

 

"Then one strawberry pancake and banana milk please." She says, closing the menu, satisfied.

 

"Banana milk?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. That drink reminds me of Taemin sunbaenim a lot, he's addicted to it.

 

"Yeap. Ba-na-na milk. I love it, been addicted to it ever since I tasted it, same with milkis and strawberry milk but I love banana milk the most and I don't care if you tell me I'm like a kid." She tells me, beaming.

 

I scoff; I bet she's used to being called like a kid. "You're like taemin sunbaenim." I share.

 

She just smiles, the smile that's gentle and warm. "He's the one who introduced it to me. Once in an interview." she says.

 

I couldn't help but to gasp for air, they know each other? "You two have met?" I ask, not bothering to hide my confusion.

 

"Yeap. I've already interviewed SHINee, Girls Generation and some various groups. I'm closer to SHINee though, they were my first assignment. I was only a rookie but they were very kind to me and Taemin-shi even taught me some tips." She explains, the memory making her eyes shine like the river at night.

 

"Psh. You like him." I mumble.

 

I have a lot of questions in my mind. I knew that Taemin sunbaenim has someone he's crazy about but he didn't tell me who, is it her? If it's her then why didn't he introduce me? What does her smile mean? If it is her why did it need to be? But I push it all away, this is OUR day and I'm not going to ruin it and then just in time our food arrives. We talk about everything under the sun. We spent breakfast with endless laughter and embarrassments. I've learned so much about her, things I never thought I would know or even notice no matter how long she stays with us.

 

Like how she's addicted to cartoons, how she can handle horror and gore movies, how she loves the colour blue so much, how she has a hard time being friends with girls and how she's allergic to stuff toys, dust, cologne and too much flowers. 

 

When we finished, the sun was already up and shining. She takes off her shirt and shoves it inside my backpack; I let her carry it because she's so giddy. She braids her hair to the side. I just stood there, she looked so simple yet so beautiful, she wore my sleeveless well considering she has a smaller frame and she didn't have any make up on, just herself. She was walking ahead of me but I stop her.

 

"What did you just do?" I ask her, tilting my head to the side.

 

"Uhmm. I took off my shirt? Because it's already warm?" she answers with a question mark at the end.

 

"Nice clothes." I smirk, let go of her then walk.

 

//FAST FORWARD//

 

I actually didn't know where to bring her, I didn't plan this day. So I thought to myself, if I were to go on a date where would I go so here we are in an amusement park -Lotte World- the way here was full of jokes, dripping sarcasm, finding hidden tickles, playful insults shot at each other and stolen glances.

 

I don't know if I made the right choice then I see her looking around, jumping at the balls of her feet, not able to stay calm and I knew that I did make the right choice. I laugh; she's so cute I can't help it. She looks at me her face congested in confusion

 

"What?" she asks, looking like she's imitating a rabbit.

 

"You're like a kid on an energy drink." I say, trying to calm down.

 

"What? You don't get excited when you see rides, games and food everywhere?" she says, genuine confusion leaking in her voice.

 

I shrug, walk toward her, hang my arm on her neck, bend then whisper "Where to, my little miss blue?" I was so close that I could smell her cherry like scent.

 

She grins then points at the flying fiesta. "Then to the skies we fly." I tuck my cap down, hold her hand and lead the way. She really likes to fly.

 

After 5 consecutive rides we took a break to rest. I was already sweating a lot but I didn't have extra clothes. I didn't know that we would end up here after all.

 

"Why don't you take off at least 2 of your clothes? Leave the scarf and cap on." She suggests, munching on fries she bought earlier. My eyes widen and I scout the area, checking if anyone noticed or heard.

 

Then she suddenly pulls me to a narrow space. I was confused, why are we here? Then she starts to take off my coat when I stop her. I didn't know she was this bold. Aigoo. This girl really, she shouldn't do this kind of stuff. So I try to teach her.

 

"Are you doing this for me or because you just want to see my body?" I ask, smirking. 

 

"Aigoo. Jongin-shi, you're an airhead. I'm doing this because your sweat can already make a bucket full and because I can see that you're having a hard time. Don't worry; no one will recognize you anyway." She says, continuing to take of my coat and long sleeves. I know she was surprised to see that my third layer was only a sleeveless shirt that was already drenched in sweat. I saw her face redden before she turned around and threw me her shirt. I snicker; at least I know that she sees me as a man and nothing less.

 

"There, wipe yourself up. I'm just going to buy you a new shirt." She tells me then walks out of the narrow space. 

 

Leaving me alone. Aigooo. Why is it so hot? -.-" I close my eyes then the image of her sweat covered neck popping up, I force my eyes open. What is happening to me? After a few minutes she comes back and gives me a plastic bag.

 

"Go and change. I'm just going to find something to eat." she says with a trace of snicker in her voice? I'm not too sure then she leaves.

 

I look inside the plastic bag; my eyes grew wide as I see the content. Is she serious?! But then again, I have no choice.

 

I change into the shirt- crong shirt- half-heartedly. I love crong but I thought she would get me something more...uhmmm. Mature? Then again she's something else. Aissshh. Jongin, just be thankful. It's still her first gift to you.

 

After putting on the shirt I walk to the food center, the sun was high and I had trouble seeing so I squint my eyes then I see her, she's alone and already... Laughing.

 

I sit down on the chair opposite her, my eyes were still hurt from the sun's glare do I kept on squinting then she laughs again. What is with this girl and laughing?

 

"Yah! You think this is funny?" I ask, I'm now having a headache and she's still laughing?

 

"Waeyo? Why are you getting angry? I already bought you a shirt and you don't even thank me?" She says, pouting.

 

Oh, so it's about the shirt, I continue the conversation like we weren't talking about different things.

"Why this shirt?" I ask, I really wanted to laugh but didn't I just let a tiny smile creep on my face.

 

"Because it's cute and it matches the shirt I bought... For my little sister" she said, her little sister? I have a pairing with her little sister? Aigoo.

 

She stands up, probably to go buy food again; this girl never stops eating, when she turns back to me and asks. "What do you want to eat?" smiling.

 

"I'll have whatever you're having." I answer, I didn't know what I wanted to eat, and I just want to spend more time with her.

 

She just shrugs and went to the variety of food stores. After 10 minutes she still hasn't come back, I stand up and find her in the oceans if people lined up for food. Aissh. It looks like she's going to take a while. Then an idea pops up, she gave me something why don't I buy her a gift too? But, what am I going to do about our table. I sat back down and looked around when I see a random kid just standing. I gesture him to come over and he does.

 

"Do you want some cotton candy?" I ask the kid. He nods.

"If you guard my table for a few minutes while I go around finding something, I'll buy you two." I say, smiling.

He sits on the other side of the table and stared at me with his big innocent eyes. "Thank You." I say then go toward the stalls that sell some merchandise and other random things when I come across a round necklace with a hollowed center, a crescent moon that could be rotated in its place.

"How much for this one?" I ask the ahjumma. She smiles.

"￦ 3, 500,000" she says. I stare at it, thinking if I should buy it. The ahjumma must have felt my hesitation she said "That necklace must be given to the person you like, it signifies that wherever you are, you will still be under the same moon and the same sky. Think of it as a string that ties you two together." smiling.

Hmmm. She and I always tied? I like that, it suits her well too. Unpredictable and mysterious.

"I'll buy it." I say grinning.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. That comes with another necklace, a piece that completes the hollowed part." she says hurrily and catches up with me, handing me another box. I open it; the chain was longer which is good for me since I can hide it.

I walk back to the food center happy; I buy the kid's cotton candy and thank him. After a few more minutes, she finally came back.

 

"You sure took your time." I say, trying to lighten the mood but then she glares at me- her death glare- puts the tray down and commands me. "Just eat." then she starts eating, after she ate her mood changed drastically, she came back to being bubbly and happy. Aish. This girl's mood changes.

 

"I'm sorry I was cranky earlier, that happens to me when I'm either hungry or the weather's too warm." She breaks the silence. 

 

"You're one weird girl, you know that?" I say, scoffing. Well, she is weird.

 

"I know and proud of it." She says winking. "Let's go, I want some cotton candy and a snow cone." she adds, standing up and clapping her hands. What? Didn't we just finish eating? O.o this girl's stomach is formidable.

 

"Didn't we just eat?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Yeap, but this is desert." She answers, walking ahead of me.

 

I bought her two snacks -since she couldn't choose between the two- the blue colored cotton candy and the strawberry flavoured snow cone. A thought suddenly popped in my mind. I nudged her and opened my mind, gesturing for her to feed me. She positioned the cotton candy closer but I wanted her to feed me. She rolls her eyes then fed me; I quickly closed my mouth trapping her fingers inside. Hahahaha. Got ya! She pulled her fingers out then wiped it on my shirt.

 

"Eeewwww, you're disgusting. You know that right?" she said, glaring at me.  She gets her sanitizer and put some on her hands.

 

"You're weird. If I did that to other girls they would love it then say that they would die happy." I said, smirking. "You're different." She hits me the goes on with eating. After she ate we were just wandering around when the intro to growl suddenly played. Her head whipped up to look at me, smiled then started to dance to the music. I just stood and watched, it’s amazing how she just does what she wants and people just join her, however silly they may look because when she started just after a few minutes there was already a flock behind her, dancing. She gestured for me to come and dance but I just stood and when the chorus came I went beside her and danced. No cameras, no audience -well there was a small crowd- no one who knows me.

 

After that we sat on a bench, we weren't speaking but it wasn't awkward.

 

"Where to next my little miss blue?" I ask her, this day is easily one of the best days of my life and it hasn't even ended yet.

 

My head is tilted upwards but I felt her look at me. I gave her a few more minutes but she just kept staring at me. I peak at her, "Falling for me already?" I ask. She just scoffs then answers my previous question.

 

"I already picked the rides earlier, your turn." she answers and I smile. I've been eyeing a ride since we came in, it’s perfect.

 

I lead her to the roller coaster, and then she visibly pales. Is she scared? I put my arms around her waist then whisper "No need to be scared my little miss blue, I'm here." then I bite her ear. She pulls away.

 

"Wh-wh-who's scared? H-huh?" She stutters. I laugh; she can be so cute sometimes.  Minutes after, it was our turn to ride. I was excited but I notice that she's shaking, mumbling something I can't quite make out. Just before the ride I firmly grab her hand, just to let her know that I'm here. After a few minutes, she lets go and enjoys. I take a peek at her and what I saw will always be imprinted in my mind. She was smiling, not a care in the world, her hair flowing in the wind and her eyes closed- relishing the moment before it's gone.

 

After the roller coaster I lead her to the haunted house. I wasn't that brave, I actually get scared easily but I want to try this one.

 

"Absolutely Not! No! I'm not going in there with you, you go by yourself. I'll just wait for you at the exit." She stomps her foot.

 

We were already in front of the line and I didn't expect her to disagree and tantrum this much. I didn't know she would be this scared.

 

"Oh come on, and here I thought you were brave." I say, trying to taunt her.  The operator came to us and asks

 

"Sir, Miss are you going in?"

 

"Yes" I answer at the same time she answered "No" I shrug then carries her over his shoulder, she's lighter than I thought but very feisty. She kicks, squirms and wails.

 

"Nooooo. Let me down, you mongrel." She hits me.

 

"I'll only put you down if you promise to go in with me." I say. I feel her cross her arms. I need to go on this with her.

 

"Fineeee. Just put me down." She sighs. Yessss. At last. I hide my joy and I put her down.

 

At first I couldn't see anything; she kept me at a distance when we walked in. After my eyes adjusted I could see her because of the watch she was wearing.  I blew on her ear but I didn't expect her to shriek and I can't help but laugh. She hits me but stay close. I was shocked when she clings to me like it was the end of the world and I'm her only hope. I smirk, an expression she will never see.

 

After the ride, I hear her heavy breathing. She looked like a ghost, like her soul has been ripped apart from her body.

 

"I'm gonna pick the next ride." She says, walking towards a ride that was like a wild river. When I saw where she was walking to I asked her "Do you have extra clothes?"

 

"Uhmmm. No." she laughs. This girl really. Aish.

 

Like I predicted after the ride we were drenched in water since we didn't have any extra clothes and we needed to dry off. I was distracted by the way her hair looked like when wet, the way the water emphasized the shape of her body. Deymmm, we need to get dry so we rode the ‘Anchor’s Away' until our clothes were dry, we've already tried all the rides except one but she was already hungry so we ate. She looked tired and she wanted to play in the arcade so we did.

 

"Awwww, come on. This game is rigged." I can't help but wail after she defeated me for the umpteenth time in guitar hero.

 

"Just accept the fact that I'm better than you." She grins, placing the guitar back in its place.

 

After playing everything on the arcade she looked at her watch which read 11:30. What?! It's already that late. I grab her hand and lead her towards the Ferris wheel. My plan was almost ruined.

 

"Getting sentimental are we?" She says, raising an eyebrow.

 

"You can't leave an amusement park without riding the Ferris wheel." I answer shooting her a smile.

 

It seems like she's afraid of heights because she closed her eyes the moment we went inside. I just stare at her and think of the day that is now drawing to a close. This day, time stopped for me. It stopped when I watched her dance, when she was hopping with excitement, when she ate her snacks, when I glanced at her in the roller coaster; it stopped right now, here in the Ferris wheel, her eyes closed and I realize something that I should've noticed earlier. I want to be with her, to know everything there is to know about her, I want to be the one who'll make her happy. I like her.

 

"Keep your eyes closed." I say.

"I won't open my eyes until we're back on the ground." She answers stiffly.

 

I shift closer to her, the cart moves from the weight and I put on the necklace I bought earlier and I was right. It fits her exquisitely. She touches the pendant. After putting it on, I kiss her on the cheek and whisper. "Thank you for this day, I'll never forget it."

 

It wasn't part of the plan but she wasn't part of my plan either.

After the ride was over she looked at the necklace, then for a moment she doesn't speak. She just looks.

 

"I-I can't accept this." she tells me, getting ready to remove it but I stop her and smile "Please." is all that comes out of my mouth but it seemed to be enough.

 

We just walk home, I felt so happy, so complete. This day is simply the best. We were already in the Han River when she stopped and faced me. I was shocked, I didn't expect her to stop, I was about to smile when she spoke.

 

"This day has been one of the best days of my life. I've laughed again after the longest time and I felt free. I want to thank you but... This day isn't part of reality. It's between reality and imagination, a space that must not even exist. Today, we forgot everything and anyone that has to do anything with reality. We dropped our facades but we can't keep on forgetting about reality, because it's what's real. I'm going to forget about today and I suggest you do the same. It's for the best, for the both of us." she says then leaves. Just like that. I know I only rented her day but did it really mean so little? She didn't even give me the chance to speak, how can she just do that?

 

I just stand there, unable to move. How can this day end to be like this? I lie on the grass once again. Did I do anything wrong? What just happened? There were a lot of questions swirling in my mind, a mixture of confused emotions and chaotic memories even with all these happening in the recesses of my mind there were three things I'm sure of. First, I like her. Second, I'm not going to let my fears and doubts control me anymore and Third, I'm not going to give her up or let her go.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRIPLE UPDATE. Yesss, this is my apology for not updating every week. I'll try and post some pictures of the necklace as soon as I possibly can. Hehehehe. Comment and Subscribe! :*

xoxoxo Kyon Seul