She watched as Key’s figure drew closer and closer. His eyes were covered by dark shades but somehow Nicole could see the shimmer in them. He was dressed casually with his black leather jacket that looked perfectly with his white v-neck and dark-wash jeans.

Her heart began to beat faster and faster, in fear – the naive girl thought. She didn’t expect to see him this way – in a park so vulnerable. She had hoped he was looking straight at someone else but he was directed to her and her only.

She should be happy right? But why did she only feel this weird feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Nicole!” He brightly side.

She forced herself to smile, taking out the earphone out of her ears.

“Key...” She rose up from the bench as soon as he was arm’s reach. The numbness on her legs made it hard for her to stand and suddenly she felt her leg give in.

She could hear his laugh – so light and careless. It wasn’t something she was use to anymore. His laugh made the weird feeling grow strong. He caught her easily, holding her up by her forearms.

What was happening to her?

“Cole” Calling by her nickname, “Are you okay? You’re s clumsy!”

She gave a faint smile as he placed down back on the bench.

“I’m fine, thank you”

“Ah Cole... What’s wrong?” His sharp eyes noticed something different.

Nicole suddenly felt warm, his eyes staring down as if he could see right through her soul.

“You’ve got skinner... a lot skinner” He placed his right hand on her chin examining her. Her slightly chubby cheeks had now become shallower. Her clothes that use to fit her perfectly had now become lose.

She nicely pulled away, noticing the stares from the others around them. She shook her head, turning away from his worried stare.

“I’m on a diet actually” She quickly lied, “I’ve taken your advice... I remember you telling me how I needed to lose some weight”

She wasn’t on a diet. She never believed in diets- she loved food to much to give them up. Expect lately she’s lost the feeling to eat (especially lately). The last proper meal she had was with Gyuri and Seungyeon. Ever since then, all she’s been eating was bread and water.

Not only was she not eating properly, but her sleeping had decreased. Her mind was keep her awake with the constant loud thoughts.

“So quickly? I’ve just seen you a few weeks ago... You didn’t look like this! You need to take care of yourself better! You are going to make me worry!”

She let out a dry laugh, “You saw me? Ha. Barely... I don’t even think you even looked at me properly!”

“Cole...” He said weakly.

She quickly faced him, her heart open. “I’m even surprised I even crossed your mind anymore... When was the last time you called me? Huh? Tell me please because I don’t remember at all. I don’t remember the last time we hang out at all”

He just stared at her in shock.

She didn’t cry, she won’t cry. Maybe all those nights spent crying because she was so heartbroken by her own best-friend paid off – she’d got strong.

“You know what? Save it. I don’t want to hear it anymore.” She rose up, pushing aside the numb feeling in her legs, “I don’t care that we haven’t spoken in months now... But don’t come into my life and expect everything to be the same.”

With that she walked away without Key holding her back.

---

That night after surpassing the questions and worried looked from her roommates, she had locked herself in her room. She thought that once her door had locked her tears would freely drop, but it didn’t.

She didn’t want her first meeting in weeks be so heart-breaking. She missed Key or who he use to be. He had changed so much. Or maybe she had. Maybe she was the one that changed... maybe that’s why Key kept her distance from her. Was it because the ‘new her’ made Key disguised with her?

So many thoughts crossed her mind as her body aimlessly end facing the full-length mirror. Her eyes scanned every part of her, judging everything wrong with her body.

“He hates me...”

---

She was woken up by the constant ringing of her phone. Too in dazed she answered the phone without a thought.

“Hello?” She mumbled.

At this point she wasn’t sure if she was really awake or in her dreams still.

“Cole...” Instantly she recognized the voice. It was Key’s. His voice seemed hurt.

When she didn’t answer, only blinking- staring at the ceiling. Is this a dream?

“Cole, are you there?” He sounded worried now, “Come on, answer!” He began pleading.

Her voice was still horse, but she finally answered, “Hmmm...” Not really a word, but she wasn’t sure how to answer him.

“Where are you?” He asked hopefully.

“Home” She got feel him smiling through the other line, “Why?”

“I’m outside... Come out?”

“What?” She whispered, aware she was the only one awake.

“Come out... I’ll be waiting” With that he hangs up the phone.

Nicole looked back at her phone... finally realizing the time 3:12. Was this guy drunk?

Quickly getting ready but still trying to make no noise, she left a note on her bed stating she was safe and will be back later today.

Her heart felt a sense of warm when she saw him smile. But still knowing him well, she knew it was a smile of guilt. Immediately she too felt a sense of guilt.

He didn’t say anything, only opening the door for her. She got inside the warm car with a heavy heart and flash backs of many memories.

Growing up Nicole had be the more rebellious one out of the two. Even before having a drivers license, they would sneak out together just to talk walks, of course Nicole’s idea. Soon after Key’s first girl friend, he had become more rebellious and he’d be calling her out in the middle of the night.

They drove in silence, the uncomfortable awkward silence that made Nicole’s stomach turned feeling uneasy. She was glad that the only light in the car was the audio system. It was in this moment she wanted to know what was on his mind. It was in this moment she left how big the distance between have become.

She didn’t realized they had arrived at his apartment until she saw his figure infront of the car making his way to her.

He smiled when their eyes met, holding the car door for her.

She wanted to smile back, but something inside her couldn’t smile. She entered the building with Key trailing behind her. It was when they the front door that Key finally spoke.

He hugged her from the behind, his chin lying on her shoulder. “Please Cole, forgive me...”

She stood frozen for a minute... she felt the walls around her heart break because he had that power over her. Only him.

He could smell her natural smell, not the usual perfume he was use to from his girlfriend.

The way his arm fit so perfectly around her waist... everything between them always seem just right.

Nicole shook him off with every power within her. Just because she was angry with herself, it didn’t change the fact that the pain in her heart was still caused by him.

Yes, she was hard-headed. Very much so that Key didn’t take it to heart when she gave him the cold shoulder.

They entered the apartment in silence, Key motioned her to the living room and she complied. Instinctively, she the television not even paying attention to what was on the screen. She was watching Key from the corner of her eyes, as he watched her.

“Key...” Her voice was bearly a whisper, but he somehow still heard it. “Do you hate me?”

The question had caught him off guard, and the sound of voice- so sad so worried- caught him off guard.

“Do you hate me?” He requestioned.

She shook her head, “No... I’m hurt. Really hurt”

He could tell it took a lot of willpower for her not to cry at this very moment.   

Unconsciously he took a step closer but she responded by wrapping her arms around her legs.

“Cole... I don’t hate you... I can never hate you. I’ll love you no matter what” Nicole didn’t know how true his words were.

“Why then” Her eyes boring into his, “Why do you keep hurting me like this? You must hate me... Was I not good enough of a friend to you? Tell me please...”

Key could see the tears forming in her eyes, the sadness in them... and the hate that she had towards to herself.

He didn’t realize that he had been distancing himself towards her till now... He just thought a little space could do everyone some good. But yet when he wasn’t around her... he felt unlike himself.

He couldn’t tell him the reason he hadn’t spoken to her was because of Nana’s wish. She was jealous of their relationship... and was hurt by their closeness. Fooled by her appeal, he agreed, very reluctant.

Eliminating the space between them, he sat besides her, holding her in his arm... soothing her with the truth.

“Cole...You are perfect... Believe me when I say this. No matter what happens between us, I will always love you” He lightly kissed her on the forward, like he used to do.

Nicole quietly sobbed and Key tightened his hold on her.

So much had changed since the summer, yet at this very moment everything felt the same again.

After a long while, Nicole sobs stop. Key looked down upon the young lady. Thanks to the television screen, Key could examine Nicole’s puffy red face. He brushed the hair away from her face, before she stirred from her short nap.

He pulled away to give her some air, but she finally smiled.

Wiping the tears on her face, Key smiled back “Why don’t we just watch some tv?”

She agreed, patting her lap indicating for Key to lie on her lap like the old times. He complied, suddenly recalling the past.

Whenever Key felt upset or frustrated in the past, Nicole had always been the only who could calm his nerves with her words and soothing voice. Then she’d pat her lap, and he would lay his head spilling all burdens in his heart. Even if she couldn’t solve all his problems, she was the one would make him feel better.

They watched a rerun of We Got Married Season 2.

They both laughed recalling a memory together.

“We would look better on the show” Key says, laughing.

Back during season one; Nicole had been in love with the show. She had forced Key to watch every episode with her until the season ended.

But there was one moment that Key would never forget; it was when the couple who were dubbed “the romantic couple” had decided to leave the show for the second time Nicole had been annoyed that her favourite couple left.

“Key... we would make a better couple, don’t you think?” She asked so casually.

He couldn’t reply as he felt something inside him jump for joy.

“ we aren’t celebrities... we would make the show even better” She pouted for a moment, before she was captivated back into the show.

 Somehow during the show, Key had fallen asleep on her lap while watching the show. Nicole found herself staring at the sleeping Key. Noticing his handsome features, never had she notice how truly striking Key was.

She was well aware of how captivating his smile can be, but there was more to his appeal. This was the first time she had truly looked at him like this. Of course she had stared at his face, but that was quickly followed by a turn of the head.

Staring at him made her heart feel tingly.

She shook her head, “I must be sleepy...”

---

The following day had come and both had decided to put everything in the past behind them and have a fun filled day.  

Side by side they made breakfast, in unison. They ate together chatting up a storm.

There was no hint of awkwardness as they left the building to go shopping.

They wondered the streets with Key’s arm casually draped over Nicole. They had a few glances from a couple of people, mainly older couples commenting on how cute they look. Nicole smiled genuinely but corrected that they were merely friends.

He should be use to the comments but every time he heard one, he could wish that Nicole’s reply would be different.

After awhile, he dropped his arm hoping the comments would end but it didn’t.

Maybe fate was telling them something... maybe not.

They ended up empty handed but hungry. He decided to take her to the new restaurant that Nana found.

When they entered, the hostess asked where his girlfriend was. Key replied that she was out of town and introduced Nicole as his best friend. Without another question, the hostess led them to a both in the back.

Nicole couldn’t help but feel annoyed by Nana being referred as Key’s girlfriend, but quickly pushed the thought away and enjoy their time together.

Sometime after lunch and before dessert, Nicole excused herself to the washroom. It left Key alone in the table.

He was looking on the other tables, trying to find something interest when he heard Nicole’s phone go off.

It was a text message. A text message from Jinwoon.

His blood boiled as the text message read, “Hey Cole” How was he to call Nicole by nickname? “I found this great new movie I thought you wanted to watch with the gang and I?”

Without a second thought Key deleted the message, just in time for Nicole to arrive back.

“Hey... There is this new movie out; I think we should see it!”

Nicole smiled, “Sounds cool”

After lunch, they went to the movies.

They laughed and cried... enjoying the movie. After the movies, Nicole decided to go to their favourite park.

They strolled together, as the sun already set leaving them in under the streetlights. It was quiet with little people in sight. They walked in comfortable silence, taking in the beauty of the greens.

In the silence, Nicole could only hear one thing... the beating of her heart. It was now beating at a faster rate.

How unusual? She hadn’t even run.

She turned to him, making him stop.

They stood under a street lamp and Nicole couldn’t help but lost her breathe... it was like she was seeing Key in a different light...

“What’s wrong?”

Nicole looked away, feeling uneasy “I’m not feeling well...”

Key tried to get her to look at him again, but failed “I’ll take you home”

They drove in silence as Nicole tried to answer the questions in her mind. Key said nothing... simply enjoying their day.

They arrived at her apartment; Key gave Nicole a kiss in the forehead. She smiled ignoring the feeling it gave.

Once she was home and alone... she couldn’t help recall the conversation with Gyuri and Seungyeon.

Did she like Key, her best friend? 

AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: I'm sorry I haven't updated... please enjoy and don't forget to comment!