—F I N A L

By the time Jessica reached the beach, darkness had taken over and the only source of light that illuminated throughout the beach was the bonfire which would’ve been a very pretty sight if it wasn’t unfortunately surrounded by airheads, pea brains, drunkards, couples lip locking like caring about the world was merely impossible. Jessica sighed in relief that Jonghyun wasn’t the one sitting on that log, devouring some petite young woman. Speaking of Jonghyun, where the hell was that dino-head? Jessica had been walking further and further away from where the party was and yet there was no sight of him. Jessica would’ve found it funny if she didn’t spot him when he couldn’t have gone that far, the beach wasn’t even big enough for two bonfire parties.

Walking a little further and around a massive rock, Jessica started giving up on even trying to take another step but came to a halt when she spotted a guy and a girl in the distance. The girl was sitting down with her back leaning on the rock and the guy was sitting in front of her, his back facing Jessica. It couldn’t have been… everything from the broad shoulders to his back muscles was too familiar to Jessica. They were laughing at something indistinct for her to decipher.

Jessica shakily took a step back, afraid that this guy—who was possibly Jonghyun—was going to turn around and spot her staring at them. Next thing she’d know, he would have a go at her saying that it’s all too late and that he already found this more compatible girl as a replacement. Just thinking about it caused Jessica to have an unexplainable feeling of hurt carelessly set its burden on her chest.

It took just two extra steps backwards, just enough to unexpectedly bump into someone behind her. Jessica gasped at the contact but before the Jonghyun-look-alike could even turn to look, the person she bumped into quickly placed their hand on Jessica’s mouth and literally dragged her to the other side of the rock.

Jessica, at this point, was sure to rage at whoever this person thinks they are for hastily placing their hands that could’ve been placed who-knows-where on and dragging her like she was some sort of rag doll. Who was this person to begin with? Once the person let go of her, she turned around and was just about ready to curse to…

Jonghyun?

He just stood there with his arms folded and a smirk on his face, whilst Jessica just froze on the spot. Jessica just had to question herself why they just had to bump into each other in this way? Fate could’ve at least given her something decent.

“And exactly what were you doing ing on a couple?” Jonghyun spoke as if he got it all worked out. Who was he anyway to come up and be a total creep?

“It’s not ‘ing’… it’s uh… the girl looked familiar, that’s all.”

“Right … I see.”

Jessica huffed. ‘This bastard—’

Jessica crossed her arms and started to walk along the shore, Jonghyun started walking beside her at the same pace. For the first few metres of their walk back to the bonfire party not one of them spoke. The peaceful silence seemed to calm down both of their tensions as they thought of what to say to each other.

Jessica was thinking of asking him about how he had been for the past couple of months, or maybe ask him about his relationship with Yoona. But Jessica decided against that, it probably would’ve lead to an awkward silence. Besides, why did she need to ask about his past relationship with Yoona, when she already knew how they broke up? Mentioning her would probably be unnecessary.

Jonghyun was thinking of asking why she chose him over Onew hyung… that sounded arrogant for some reason. Why she came back? He would’ve asked that. After all, Onew was so many things that he thought he just… wasn’t.

Jonghyun scratched his nape whilst Jessica bit her bottom lip. All those questions rotated around their heads and were never spoken, causing the silence to continue on longer. It was then when they both decided on what they were going to say to each other.

“Remember the time—” Jessica and Jonghyun said at the same time.

“Oh, you go first.” Jonghyun offered to Jessica who just smiled at the fact that they both went for reminiscing memories that they shared together.

“It’s okay, continue.” Jessica thought she felt Jonghyun’s hand slightly brush against hers.

“Remember the time when we were eighteen…”

— The Past

Placing one hand on her waist and the other holding her delicate hand, Jonghyun and Jessica were used to it. They have been dance partners ever since they had met. He started to lead Jessica on the dance floor in such a way that left people that surrounded them in awe. It was a wonder how Jonghyun, being the bad dancer that he was, and Jessica, who didn’t seem to be the flexible type, would look so flawless and professional at such a young age. Not once had they ever stuffed up and Jonghyun, who was now confident enough to avert his eyes off his feet.

“What a beautiful sight.” Or, “they are sure to be wed very soon.”

Compliments and praises of the pairing would’ve been said through the mouths of their onlookers. Both of them never realised it but when they were being complimented a tiny bit of a smile would appear on their faces. At times when Jonghyun was in a playful mood, he’d look at Jessica and give her a wink. Jessica would’ve laughed and slapped him lightly on the shoulder where her hand was placed. The dance part of the evening was known as the highlight for everyone, it sure was for the two youngsters in whom people were sure that they’d end up being married to each other sooner or later.

But all of that changed when Jessica overheard a conversation between a few women who are most probably single and have no doubt nothing better to do then gossip. Jessica had confirmed after having a close look that one of them was definitely Mrs Im, Yoona’s mother. They were seated on a table nearest to the dance floor, therefore being able to eavesdrop was promising.

“A Jung? Getting married to the Kim’s son? I personally think that the Kim’s are too good for the Jung’s.”

Mrs Im’s voice had suddenly become more irritable lately.

Jessica gasped slightly at this statement. She took a quick glance at Jonghyun’s face but it seemed as if he didn’t hear what those gossipers were saying. Jonghyun saw Jessica’s quick glance and studied her face. He could tell that she was trying to avoid his stare but he couldn’t help but feel as if something was bothering her.

“What’s wrong?” Jonghyun’s voice chimed in. The worried look on his face had always reminded her of why she had formed some unfathomable feelings for him.

“I-It’s nothing. I just feel like I’m going to stack it any minute.” Jessica managed a little laugh, making Jonghyun smile. She might have not been a good liar, but she was good at placing some sort of mask of a neutral expression over her face that it was sometimes hard for Jonghyun to read her expressions.

Jonghyun lead Jessica a little closer towards the table. Hoping to catch more of their conversation, she leaned in. The majority of her concentration was trying to decipher what they call ‘whispers’ causing her to no longer move in sync with Jonghyun. It was not long after that when Jonghyun stepped on her foot and causing Jessica to stumble towards the ground. Everyone on the dance floor stopped moving and turned to look at the ground where Jessica sat, her hands around her toe area. Jonghyun immediately crouched down to help her up.

“I’m so sorry!” Jonghyun whispered in her ear whilst holding onto her arms. He lifted her up and kept his firm hold so that she could balance on her feet again. His expression was sympathetic at what just happened. Jessica tried giving him a cheerful smile and saying that she’ll be alright but he just couldn’t help but feel guilty. It was something that everyone thought would unlikely happen.

Soon after, Jessica’s parents came running through the aisles of tables to where their daughter was. Jonghyun now had his hands holding onto her waist and Jessica held onto his shoulders. She couldn’t walk and it felt like her toes were officially bruised.

“Jessica!” Her mom and dad squeezed past the couples who were still frozen and staring at Jessica and Jonghyun. Mr and Mrs Jung finally reached their daughter and her mother pulled Jessica into a hug. “Are you okay? Does your foot hurt?”

“Mom, I’ll be alright.” To Jessica, this was just plain embarrassing.

“Sorry Mrs Jung, It was my fault.” Jonghyun had his head down. Jessica’s father came up and patted his shoulder, causing him to look up. He gave Jonghyun a smile which eased him a little but he was still worried about Jessica.

“Don’t worry about me, Jonghyun, I’m okay.” Jessica smiled as she struggled to keep balance with her mother observing her foot.

Jonghyun just watched helplessly as Mrs Jung helped Jessica to their table.

“I hope she’ll be okay.” Yoona somehow suddenly appeared beside him.

“I’ve always been a bad dancer.” Jonghyun s