Chapter 17

Tear him apart. Think about everything about him that you didn't like.     “I thought you’re mad.” Key answers in whisper. I smile and felt pleased. Key, most of the time shows me his irritating side and only once in a blue moon— of this side. It makes me want to bottle up the feeling or wishes that Ki Bum would shrink so that I can keep him on my pocket like those plushies—that would definitely look cute.   “Ha? What did you say?” I ask, feigning as if I didn’t hear what he said.   He sighs exasperatedly and shrieks, “It’s because you’re not answering my message!!”   Here he goes again. Lalalala.   I stare back at the screen ignoring his weather-like attitude and start thinking of what scenario should be next. Should it be a flashback? Or… Just scenery?   “Hel—looo?” Ki Bum calls in the receiver. “Are you there?”  He says, I wonder how long he’s been trying to get my attention.   “Hi” I say on the phone. “Can I call you back?”   Go with the scenery.     SCENE 3: FADE OUT INTRO. OPENING CREDITS.   Riffles. Classroom. Beach. Sunrise. Garden. Carnival. Daisies. Sunset.     “No!” He says. “Where have you been?”   This time, he’s acting like a nagging boyfriend —my nagging boyfriend if he is and if I have one.    “Just here. I’m too busy so I don’t have much time to reply to your insulting message.”   He laughs. “Oh… I see… I really thought you’re mad at me.”   “I’m used to it already.”   “But… Seriously Gyu, that’s what made you special.” He cackles again loudly.   My teeth gnash. “I’m hanging up now—”   “I don't want to!”  I puff out some air, trying to keep calm, trying to keep my composure, to be in a good mood for writing. “Besides, I’m just saying the truth.”   “Thank you.” I say, hoping he would read between the lines the sarcasm in my voice.   “So what are you up to?”   “I’m writing a script for a film.”   “WHOA. Chincha? I don’t believe you!—” Fine. Don’t believe me; I’m not forcing you right? “—For what?”   “Ohhh… Just some course requirement we have to shoot and submit before the month ends...” I puff out some air into the receiver and continue. “And you know what Key?—” I sounded eager to tell him something.    “Hmm?”   “—my leader wants me to submit the script by tomorrow… Obviously it’s a subtle way of telling me that I shouldn’t slack around and have a long discussion to someone over the phone, right? What do you think?” I didn’t give him the time to answer. Immediately I talk again, “you know what they say, time is gold. Ha! Ha!”   I feign laughter as I say the last sentence. I say it almost half shouting and choking on my acerbic remarks. I hope Ki Bum won’t be dense and will sense it this time that I have to end our call and put a conclusion on what I’m doing.   “Hmm…” He pauses. “I think your leader is acting bossy.”   I shut my eyes and clench my fists. I inhale silently and release it quietly—and do it for couple of times.   KIM KI BUM! Can you not understand what I’m trying to tell you?! AISH. You—   “Onew hyung isn’t like that.” He mumbles. “He let us do whatever we want.”   Yes. I know Jinki to bits. And I also know that he’s that patient and kind, but that is Lee Jinki and this is Han Ye Seul. I don’t have a leader with a saintly character like him!   “—but well of course we listen to him and –” His voice became indistinct and all I can hear is his laughs.   “Ani.” I say detached and unfilled as possible.  “You’re the only one who doesn’t listen to him or to anybody; you always act like a boss.”   “Bwoh? What’s that supposed to mean?”   “No… Nothing.”   I say and spaced out. Both of us remained silent for quite some time. It occurs to me that Key and I really don’t really get along. Often times we say and do the things that we don’t mean and eventually would hurt each other.  I cannot even remember when we’d argue and say sorry.   Maybe, just maybe— this is how people survive the harsh reality: we accept, we forgive and we forget.   But Key and I aren’t like them.   Ki Bum clears his throat and it brought me back to reality. He calls my attention calmly (which I assume Key would give in this time.)  “For my own opinion, I think you should stop writing that.”   He stressed the last word and my eyebrows crinkled. “Waeyo? Is it because you doubt my skill and think I won’t be able complete this?”   “You could just give that to other—” He replies. He didn’t answer my first question whether he doubts my skill or what, and I believe he does. I bite the inside of my cheeks. “—people who‘s forte is writing… Besides, your strength is to charm and entrance peo