“Everything happened exactly 5 years ago.” I start. I look back out at the horizon. The clouds are starting to disappear. “I was 17 at the time and attended high school. I didn’t talk much. I was a shy person, and I didn’t gain any friends. No one talked to me at all. Some people tried…and they ended up failing.”

“Why is that?” Daesung whispers, completely interested.

“I…” I sigh. “I just didn’t want to. I knew those people only wanted to because of my—“ My throat constricts. I clench my hands into fists while I clear my throat. “My brother.” I whisper, my voice hoarse.

I feel Daesung’s hand rub my back soothingly. “I didn’t know you have a brother.”

“Had.” I say bitterly. Then I sigh. “He wasn’t really my brother. I just considered him a brother.” I close my eyes tightly. I still remember his face so clearly; it makes my heart squeeze. “I’ve known him since we were babies.” I whisper, keeping my eyes shut. “But as we grew up…”

My heart suddenly squeezes and turns hard. It starts to pound against my chest wildly. I clench my hands tighter, enduring the pain. I feel my eyes sting. I tilt my head up at the sky. “As we grew up, I fell in love with him.” I hear a sharp intake of breath. I slowly open my eyes and glance at Daesung.

His eyes were round as saucers. I gave him a very weak smile. “Don’t worry about that, though. He never knew. It was a one-sided love. A lot changed once I turned 17.” I say as I throw myself back to the past.

[Flashback…5 years ago]

“Happy 17th Birthday, Char!”

I turned around and smiled at my best friend and “brother”. He looked really good that day. Blue jeans and a plain white tee, something I loved most on him. Sigh. Love. Did I mention this boy holds my heart? I fell in love with him in middle school and stayed that way since then. Sadly, I didn’t know if he felt the same. And it killed me everyday.

“Daniel,” I hugged him. “I thought you forgot about me.”

“Never.” He laughed. Is it wrong to feel happy when he said that?

“What’s behind your back?” I tried to peer behind him.

He shook his head and smiled. “Close your eyes.”

I closed them and eagerly waited. I felt him grab my wrist and latched something on. Something cold and solid touched my skin. I gasped. Did he buy me something expensive?

“Open.” He sang. I opened my eyes while I looked down at my wrist. I grinned a goofy smile as I stared at the silver bracelet. As I was about to turn my head, he kissed my cheek. And my cheeks instantly heated up. He laughed and I looked down in embarrassment.

I quickly hugged him again. “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.” I paused. “How much you mean to me.” I whispered in his ear. I’ve always been giving hints like that. I wanted to tell him that I fell in love with him, but I could never say it straight out. I wasn’t even sure if he understood the meaning behind it all. I felt his arms go around me.

“You’re my life. That’s how important you are to me.” He whispered back in my ear. I felt a surge of happiness go through me. I beamed like an idiot as we pulled away. Maybe he liked me more than a friend, too. Maybe he’s finally seeing me.

“Come on.” He took my hand, which made me grin even wider. “Shall we go take a walk in the park, miss?” He joked. I nodded my head eagerly as we walked over to the place where we shared so many memories.

(Two Months Later…)

I thought everything was going better than great. I thought Daniel was starting to like me, too. Maybe I was looking into it too much, but I didn’t care. His hugs would always seem longer and he would always stay by my side even if he were supposed to leave. Maybe he was falling for me, too. I turned hopeful everyday little by little.

“What are you thinking about?” Daniel asked one day.

We were sitting on a bench in our park, swinging our legs back and forth, happily eating ice cream. I smiled at him. “Why? Curious?” I teased. Since we knew each other for so long, he could always read my thoughts. There are rare times when he can’t read my face.

He nudged me playfully. “Come on. What are you thinking about? There are times when I can’t read you. And in those same times, you always have that hopeful, happy expression on your face.”

My cheeks heated up. So, that’s what my face looks like when I think about him. “I’m not telling you.” I nudged him back.

“Come on. Tell me.” He whined. “Are you thinking about somebody?” My cheeks heat up even more in response. “Ah! You are!” He exclaims. He suddenly turns serious. He leans in and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “So, tell me. Is it a guy?”

I felt my eyes widen as I felt his breath against my ear. “So, it is a guy. Who is it? It seems like he holds your heart. I’m starting to get jealous.” He whispered in my ear. I felt my eyes grow bigger as I turned my head towards him. Our faces inches apart, my lips started trembling as I stared into his eyes. He looked at me intensely, a look that made me perplexed.

“It’s…” I hesitated. Should I tell him? What if he’s playing with me?

He abruptly pulled away and hopped off the bench. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to tell me.” He smiled. “It’s not my business.” He started walking away.

It should be your business, I thought as I watched him cross the street. I closed my eyes tightly, feeling frustrated at myself.

After a few moments, I heard a loud screech and people screaming. I snapped my eyes open and my eyes instinctively searched for Daniel. In the middle of the street right in front of me, Daniel was laying motionless in front of motorcycle. A guy in a helmet was shaking him, seeing if he was still alive. I felt everything crash down on me as I screamed.

I ran toward him with everything in me, though I know all I wanted to do was freeze. I pushed the crowd away and crouched down. I hovered over his body. I hastily shook him.

“Don’t die on me. Don’t you dare!” I screamed. “Don’t you die on me!”

[End Flashback]

“But, I knew I was only lying to myself.” I whisper as I finally make myself look at Daesung.

“He was dead and I thought he would never come back into my life. Ever.”
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A/N: Gah! I'm sorry for not updating! I didn't have access to my laptop for the past few days.

Will you forgive me with this chapter? :)