*MINJIS POV*

 

  I woke up on a bed- Alone. I hadn’t even realized I had fallen asleep. I felt myself panic a bit. I spun in a circle, searching for him. After a few more spins, I decided to check outside. I opened the door, and a body blocked my view. I jumped a bit.

  “Oh, you’re up”, he chuckled, pushing his hair back with his right hand while holding a half-eaten chocopie in the other. He was wearing black pajama pants with a loose, gray t-shirt. It was funny how he always managed to look good.

  “What time is it?”, I asked.

  “7 something, I think”, He hopped onto his bed.

  “How long was I asleep?”

  “Only about an hour.”

  “Wait, aren’t you sick? Don’t eat that”, I tried to snatch the chocolatey snack. He was faster and managed to move away.

  “I’m better now. I think it was just a morning sickness kind of thing”, he shrugged. “Want dinner? I’ll walk you home later.”

  I pretended to think about it, then nodded. I called my mother and told her. Afterwards, we made our way downstairs for dinner.

  “Umma, can Minji eat over?”, Myungsoo asked. I clucked my tongue and shook my head. How could he invite me without asking his mother first?

  “Of course she can”, she smiled. “I’ve missed you Minji. I can’t even hold a long conversation with Myungsoo.”, she playfully scowled at her son. Just then, a boy only a couple years younger than us casually strolled in.

  “Wah, you really grew up, Moonsoo”, I ruffled his hair. Only then had I realized I hadn’t seen him once since Myungsoo came back. He was much taller and lost his chubby cheeks. He looked at me skeptically at first.

  “Yah! Do you not remember me?”, I poked my chest, asking in disbelief. “I bought you so much snacks and always played basketball with you and Myungsoo! You really don’t remember?” His face softened and changed.

  “Minji Noona! You look different. You’ve gotten so pretty”, he smiled.

  “Yah! I’m still recognizable.”, I scolded, poking his forehead.

   His mother laughed and went upstairs with the laundry basket. Leaving the three of us in the kitchen.

  And so we ate dinner together, talking about the years we spent with eachother. We talked about how young Moonsoo when I first met him. There were even a few things Myungsoo remembered that I didn’t.

  He said we once ran around my neighborhood, convinced we were secret spies. He said that we once climbed a rock wall together, and I cried at the very end because I thought I was going to fall. He said that when we were 9, we walked to the school, determined to find treasure in the school’s recess field.

  And through all the stories, he laughed. It sounded goofy and playful. If I closed my eyes and listened to his laugh alone, I could still envision him as a fifth grader. I could still see him playing basketball and singing to himself in class when no one was around and dancing around his house, and I couldn’t help but feel that he’d always sort of be that boy with that big dream. He will always be that little fifth grader that scared off my bullies with his glare and sang children songs when I was sad and lived off of unhealthy snacks because he didn’t want to go home, and It gave me such a reassuring feeling that he’d always be my bestfriend.

 

 

I walked into the cafe and the bells jingled as the door closed. I inhaled the scent of the area. It smelled of roasted coffee beans. This would be my last week working here for about a month and a half since soccer season would be starting soon.

  “Unnie! Mianhe, I’ve barely worked and now I won’t be able to come for a while”, I pouted.

  “It’s fine, just do well on that field, arasso?”, she laughed. She always understood me. I don’t think i’ve ever seen her get mad.

  I took my time cleaning tables, knowing that there wouldn’t be any customers for a while.  My heart felt at ease for a reason I didn’t know.

  I sat at the table closest to the glass window. Outside, the trees were swaying and the dead leaves on the street were flying loosely around. The glass blocked out the sound, but if I concentrated hard enough, I could make out the faintest sound of the rustling leaves.

 Tomorrow would be the first of December. The last month of the year. Despite it being the beginning of winter, I thought it was the happiest time of the year. Every one was much more happier during that time. Music is always playing, the streets are filled with people bustling around to buy presents, and it’s the perfect time to wear comfy warm clothes. I could almost feel the warmth go down my throat, as I imagined myself sitting in this coffee shop with the snow softly falling outside.

  I couldn’t help but wonder what this month would bring me.

*HOYA’S POV*

  I stared out of the apartment’s window. The air outside seemed chilly as I leaned my forehead against the glass. It was cold.

  I sighed and leaned back in my seat. This morning i’d woken up to discover I was home alone. Myungsoo and Sungjong were the only ones with schedules today and the rest of the members left me at home to have “some fun”.

  Well, at least thats what they said in their not they left on my forehead. I must’ve been too exhausted from practicing last night.

  I picked up my phone and set it flat against the window sill and stared at the screen.

  I wanted to see her name pop up on my screen.

  I wanted her to be the first to contact me.

  Yet, it didn’t show.

  Each minute passed slowly and eventually became unbearable. So I called her.

  She picked up after three rings.

  Yeobseyo?

  I felt myself choke up for a second, trying to find something to say. It would’ve been smarter to plan it out first.

  “A-ah, Hey Minji. Are you busy? All the members went out without me”, I spoke into the phone, trying to remain as calm as possible.

  “Oh, Mianhe Oppa, I’m working right now”, Working? She’d never mentioned working before. “Maybe later. I don’t get off until six. If you’re free then?”, she asked.

  “Ah, sure. Just call me when you get off of work then”, I softly smiled.

  “Alright, call you later then”, she cheekily finished. I mumbled a soft  ‘okay’ and she hung up.

  I set my phone back down and sighed. A little time with her is better than none.

  I looked at the clock; 2. That leaves four hours until she’s off of work. Realizing I had the apartment to myself for the whole afternoon, I stood up and tried to find something to keep myself busy.

  Unable to figure something out, I made myself a cup of tea and sat down on the couch set in the living room. I turned the television on to find a movie playing. I wasn’t sure what movie it was but the famous American actor, Tom Cruise was in it.

  Honestly, I couldn’t understand what he was saying. But he was in his home in only boxers and a loose buttoned longsleeve and tie with long socks on his feet.

  He slid across his hallway.

  Suddenly, I got up and ran to my bedroom.

  I put together an attire very similar to his. I walked out of my room and began singing ‘Destiny”.

  Once I reached the chorus, I ran across the hallway and attempted the slide.

  For a brief moment, I felt this giddiness in my stomach. But it soon disappeared, as I could no longer feel the ground underneath my feet. I closed my eyes and felt my arm hit the floor. It hurt but not much. I quickly looked around the room, making sure no one had seen it. Immediately I stood back up and threw off my socks.

  Damn things.

   

  As soon as the clock read five thirty, I went into my room and looked through my closet for something to wear.

  No purple today, I decided.

  At the very end of my closet were a few shirts that weren’t purple. I pulled out a grey sweater.  

  As I was closing my closet door, I caught a hint of green from the side of my eye. For some reason, I reopened my door again.

  I walked to the green jacket that caught my attention.

  I pulled it off it’s hanger and stared at it.

  I hadn’t used it since middle school. I doubt I still could fit it, but it was worth the try. I pulled off my grey sweater, and attempted to fit my arm into the armhole of the jacket. I couldn’t get it past my my biceps.

  Laughing to myself, I pulled it off and put my grey sweater back on. I closed my closet door, set the green jacket on the top of my bed and left my room.

  As soon as I entered the living room, my phone began ringing.

  “Yeobseyo”, I answered, already knowing who it was.

  “Oppa, what kind of coffee do you like?”

  “what?”

  “Coffee”, she repeated.

  “uh, I dont know”

  “I’m just going to get you a hot caramel macchiato, is that okay?”

  “is it bitter?”

  “aniya, its sweet. Oh, and dress warm, it’s pretty cold out” I looked at my outfit and finalized it was warm enough.

  “Alright, what about you? Are you in warm clothes?”, I asked

  “well, it’s warm enough. Be at the park in about ten minutes?”, She asked.

  “Alright, see you there”, I finished and hung up.

  I got up and grabbed my car keys. As I exited the apartment door, I could already feel the cold air. I could only imagine how cold it was outside.

  My mind wandered back to Minji. Knowing her, she went out in jeans and a t-shirt. A sudden thought occurred to me, and I ran back inside.

  Quickly, I grabbed a small paper bag from a clothes store, and ran into my room. I grabbed the jacket from my bed. I hesitated for a bit, wondering if i’d regret giving it away. So much thoughts ran through my head in that moment. Would I want it back? Would I miss it? Too much thoughts ran through my head, it became too complicated. I lowered my hand back down about to put the jacket back. Suddenly, I felt a lock in my fingers, as I defied to set it down.

  You know what.

  it.

  I stuffed the jacket into the bag and ran out the door, out the apartment building, and to my car.

 

  I arrived at the park a few minutes before Minji. Getting out of my car, I took a seat on a bench a few feet away from the park’s entrance.

  I tilted my head back for a bit, and looked up to the sky. Not long after, I could hear the dragging of feet across the grass. Looking to my side, Minji was approaching the bench. In both of her hands, she held two coffees. I looked at her attire; Jeans and a t-shirt. I chuckled at myself.

  She stopped in front of me, a natural smile plastered across of her face.

  “Here. It’s warm”, she handed me the cup.

  I thanked her and took it.

  We sat there for a couple of minutes, looking at the clouds in the sky. Would it rain? Would it snow?

  After a few minutes, I asked her what she wanted to do. She faced me but looked to the side. She furrowed her eyebrows together and pouted her lips. And suddenly, she looked me in the eyes and smiled and told me she wanted to go to her elementary school and I smiled back at her, and told her sure.

 

  Now sitting in a grass field somewhere in her school and our coffees a little less than warm, I listened to her stories.  How she used to chase boys and how boys used to chase her and how she loved to play jump rope with the girls from the class next door. I watched as she grimaced at every word and tried my best to imagine every scene in my head. She told me about how Myungsoo scared away her bullies with his stare and how he’d sing to her when she was hurt or sad.

  I looked down at the grass, a smile across my face but a bitterness in my heart. Myungsoo had her. A girl who never lost faith. A girl who never lost hope that he’d come back, even when he left for so many years. Yet, my best friend left town without a word.

  I looked at Minji, and saw her slightly shiver as she continued her story.

  I pulled out the jacket and put it around her shoulders.

  “Whats this?”, she asked.

  “An old jacket of mine. I don’t fit it anymore. I knew you wouldn’t dress warm”, I playfully scowled.  

  “Kamsamnida, Oppa”, she chuckled.

  Her laugh was beautiful. Her cheeks turned a slight pink from the cold of the air. She buried her face into her knees, leaving only her eyes exposed.

  “It smells like cotton candy”, she said in a muffled voice.

  “it still smells like her even after all these years?”, I softly whispered, a bit bitterly.

  “hm?”

  “That girl. That was my favorite jacket in middle school. She borrowed it from me so much, her scent stuck to it”, I chuckled. “But it’s been years since then. I can’t believe it smells like her.”

  Minji’s eyes filled with guilt as she began to pull of the jacket. I softly grabbed her arm, stopping her.

  “Keep it on. I can’t even fit it.”

  She slowly put it back on. The air became more crisp. She rubbed her hands together and stuffed them into the jacket’s pockets.

  I don’t know what told me to do it, but I pulled her hands out of the pockets, blew on them and rubbed them.

  “Myungsoo did this for me a couple times too”, she sighed. His name sent a bitter feeling through me. I looked up at her, still blowing on her hands. Although it wasn’t a new gesture for her, her eyes and smiled were filled with sentiment, and I knew she honestly appreciated what I was doing. “You’re very much like Myungsoo. You always worry about me, and take care of me and listen to me. Kamsamnida, Oppa.”

  Somehow, she fell asleep in the grassy field, with her head on my lap. As I softly her hair, I laughed at the sleeping figure. Being able to sleep anywhere was another thing I added to the never-ending list of things I loved about her. Soft breaths escaped her lips. And for a moment, I told myself she loved me.

  I told myself that, because she loved me and she was with me, it was enough for now.

  Yes, it sounds stupid and desperate, but it was the only thing keeping me from leaning down and kissing her. It was the only thing keeping me from telling her I loved her. The fantasy of it all was the only thing keeping me sane.

 

  She stepped onto her steps that led to her doorway and pulled off my jacket. She held it out to give it back to me. I reached out to grab it, but suddenly felt a defiance.

  “Keep it.”, I told her, pushing it back to her.

  “I can’t do that. It’s yours”, she tried to hand it back.

  “Keep it, really. I wont have any use for it, remember?”, I chuckled. “Goodnight, Minji”

  “Goodnight, Oppa”, she waved goodbye and closed the door behind her.

 

  I arrived to my car, and opened the door. I hesitated for a bit, wondering if I should go back, whether I should get the jacket back or not. Would I slowly forget about her? Her scent?  Her warmth? and suddenly, I knew then that it was okay and hopped into my car.

  Slowly, i’ll forget her. Her scent, the sound of her voice, her face. Because that’s just how time and the human memory works. It doesn’t last forever. But even if I forget that, I will never forget the time I spent with her or the feelings she gave me- because that was a big milestone in my life. And even though I loved her, I can’t hang on to her forever. I needed to let go, because i’ve found someone again. Someone who brings sunshine even on the darkest days. Someone who’s laugh warms me up better than a cup of tea.

  Because sometimes letting go has less to do with forgetting and more to do with moving on.  

 

*NARRATOR'S POV*

  With a brace on her knee, Minji stepped onto the field. She was still a bit beat up from the last game she played an hour ago, but it didn’t take away her love of the game. Through bruises and cuts, she’d play. She heard a few faint yells and looked towards the side of the field. There, not very far away, stood infinite. She smiled to herself, knowing she had the support she needed to play today’s game.

  The whistle blew, signaling the start of the game. From the very start, It was a struggle. She constantly had to transition from defense to offense. She constantly had to run up and down the field. She felt a slight pain in her knee, an injury she had accumulated from the last game. But nonetheless, she played through it. No pain, No gain.

   On the side of the field, the group of seven boys sat in folded chairs, eating pepero and cheering Minji on. They all agreed that she looked as if she was flying through the field. Her skills were great and her speed was better. There was no doubt in any of their minds that she’d make it big.

 

  Three minutes left. The score was tied, and Minji could feel the tension and pressure. She took a deep breath in, cleared her mind as best as she could, and took off.

  “Flag!”, she screamed to her team mate. Her team mate made a beautiful pass, and Minji took off. With a few more yards to run, she juked each player out. Pulling tricks and using her speed against the defender. Soon enough, she was in the goal box, left with only the keeper.

  She set the ball, and got ready to take a shot.

  As desperate as ever, a defender ran as fast as she could, trying to catch up to Minji.

  Minji’s foot was already winded back, but she could see the danger she was in. The defender was going to crash into her and the keeper was already sliding towards her. Still, she knew she needed to make this shot. She kicked the ball with all her might, and felt the defenders push and the keepers slide tackle.

  Everyone fell silent. Everyone held their breaths.

  Minji felt a slight pain in her knee but felt it disappear. She shut her eyes, clasped her hands together, and softly prayed that it went in.

  Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up to the goal.

  And there it was, sitting inside the net.

  Minji threw her fist in the air and looked towards Infinite, who had jumped out of their seats, screaming. She saw the keeper hit her fist against the ground and the defender roll over and cover her face.

  Minji tried to push herself up, but suddenly felt a sharper pain in her knee.

  She fell back to the ground, a yelp escaping . She was screaming, but not crying. She refused to cry.

  The atmosphere changed. Everyone stood from their seats. The coach, the referee, and infinite ran to her side. Screams escaped her lips, yelling that the pain was in her knee. Beside her, Myungsoo was holding her hand. His eyes were filled with worry and guilt. Because he sat there and saw it happen. He saw her being tackled. He saw her fall. He saw the pain in her face. Yet, he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. And that’s what scared him the most.