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But instead of crossing the street to Jungwon's house, I walked past it, towards the bus stop. Sure, I wanted and needed to talk to him, but not yet.
I don't know why, but it felt like the worst day I've ever had. My mood was at its lowest point. The last few years, my birthday was always a fun day. Even though I never really hosted a real party, that day was reserved for Jungwon and me. He always came up with cute ideas and activities for us to do. And now? Now I'm walking here by myself. It's my fault that he's mad at me. I broke my heart myself, and my brother ignores me and only thinks about his girlfriend, who I don't even know. I just want to lie down on the floor and hope that this day will end quickly, and I can disappear to America.
Where I was on the way to right now? To the beach again. Of course. As always.
The only difference today was, that it was a sunny Sunday morning, which logically prompted some families to take a beach trip. Damn. I knew I forgot something.
Sighing, I slumped my shoulders and turned around again before I had even stepped onto the small path of wooden planks that led across the hot sand just like a bridge.
"Hey Hyeo!" a voice suddenly called from behind me, and I wheeled around curiously.
My mood immediately brightened when I recognized Siu, who was probably jogging a lap along the beach. She looked flawless, as always. Not a single strand of hair fell out of her tight ponytail, which she had threaded through a cap to protect herself from the sun.
"It's your birthday today, right?" she stopped next to me. Sweat beads glistened on her forehead, barely visible.
"Yeah, it is.". I fumbled around my messy hair, since I just stormed out of my house, without getting ready or changing my clothes at all. I was a little uncomfortable when so many people knew about my birthday. After all, it had never really been a real issue in the last few years.
"Aww. I really wish you the happiest day.", she tapped my shoulder, because she obviously didn't want to hug me with her sweaty body. But she immediately noticed that something inside me was off.
"But uhm...are you all right?", she squinted her eyes and observed my face, while I was trying to pull out my best fake smile. "Stop grinning! I know you are not.". Without hesitation, she grabbed my arm and pulled me along, away from the beach.
"Siu honestly. I'm fine! You don't need to interrupt your sports session just because of me.". I followed her only reluctantly.
"Of course I will interrupt it, when a friend of mine isn't feeling well.", she smiled at me and sat down on a bench, a few meters away from the beach.
Only now I realized I was still wearing my pajamas. Fortunately it was just an oversized t-shirt and joggers, and not a real pajama like the snoopy one that day.
"Okay tell me! Why is my birthday girl sad on her special day?".
I sighed before answering her. "I had a little argument with Jungwon yesterday. And now he's ignoring me.", I explained.
"Oh shoot. Why? About what?".
I hesitated at first, but realized quickly, that Siu would find out about my absence anyway. So I decided to tell her what was bothering me. "I will leave Korea tomorrow. And go back to the US to finish High School there.".
She stared at me with her mouth open. Gradually, however, I was already used to this reaction. "Oh gosh. I didn't expect something like this.".
"Yeah I know.", I smiled wryly. "I kept it secret for a pretty long time. I've told my mom about it just a few days ago. Sunghoon still has no idea yet.".
"Ohh, and I guess that's the reason Jungwon is pissed? Because you told him about your plans yesterday?".
I nodded.
"Well, I can kind of understand it, but I'm always rooting for you, girl. I'm proud that you made this decision on your own, and I'm sure that you will have a lot of fun there.". She sighed with a light smile. "But it's still sad. I really like you sweetie, and you are leaving right now with Heeseung talking that much about you.
I blinked a few times. "Heeseung is talking about me?"
"Gosh, you can't imagine.". Siu leaned back and shifted in her position. "He was so nervous when he invited you on that date. I've never seen him like that.".
Heeseung and nervous?
Are we talking about the same person?
There's no way Siu wasn't lying.
"Like, he was so afraid you would turn him down or something, but I just told him you would never.". She laughed and I stared at her in shock. "Seems like you almost got him. It's so sad that you are leaving tomorrow.".
Wow...why was I feeling that guilty all of a sudden? I mean, I was still convinced that my decision was the only right thing to to, but still. It kind of hurt even more to hear it from another person.
"Siu, can you promise me something?". I asked her.
âCan you make sure Heeseung finds someone new while I'm gone? I don't want to come back and experience that...you know, pain again. It just can't work between us as long as my brother exists, and I've realized that. And it's right. I know for a fact that I would be just as angry if...if Jungwon suddenly started dating my brother or something." Even I couldn't stay serious at that idea.
But it was what it was. Maybe this jealousy thing is just innate in our family.
"Well, that's indeed a weird imagination. But I get what you mean.". Siu contorted her face.
"Please promise me, that you will try your best.".
The older girl nodded. "Of course.".
***
I spent the whole noon at our school court watching the tennis club practice.
God, the last thing I would want to do right now is chase a little yellow ball in this heat. I was almost wasting away just watching.
Why did it have to be so warm again now? It's late summer, shouldn't the temperatures slowly drop and everything be set for autumn?
The team's coach seemed enthusiastic and ended the training session with a hearty round of applause. One of the girls looked directly in my direction. Did she even look at me? I sat up a little nervously as the small, brown-haired person walked towards me.
No doubt, she really wanted something from me.
"Uhm excuse me. Are you Park Hyeona?", she asked me quietly.
I nodded in amazement. This was the first time someone actually addressed me by my name and didn't ask if I was Sunghoon's sister or something.
"Um yeah. Hey!", I greeted her back in a friendly manner. Only now did I recognize the petite girl. It was Bo Hwayoung, the quiet student who had attended our parallel class since kindergarten.
"I'm Hwayoung," she also introduced herself briefly. "You're Jungwon's best friend, right?".
I blinked a few times in surprise. "Um...yeah. Yeah why?".
She looked at the ground with a shy smile and rubbed the back of her neck. "It's a little awkward for me to ask this, but Jungwon has always been so nice to me in school, so I was wondering if I could maybe have his number.".
I was still flabbergasted.
"I-I know I could just ask him myself, but I'm a little scared," she confessed to me.
Without hesitation, I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. "Yeah, sure," I smiled meekly at her. After all, there was hardly anyone who could understand her feeling better. "You know what? I don't know any person who is more afraid of girls than Jungwon..." I told her while Hwayoung saved his number in her cell phone.
"So if you're planning to approach him, 99 percent of the time it's going to work. So you should really dare," I advised her with a smile.
"I will definitely think about it. Thank you very much, Hyeona." The girl bowed deeply to me, which felt strange. No one had ever taken me so seriously, or even asked me for advice or a favor. But it felt damn good.
***
I was just on my way home, as I noticed Jungwon leaving his house and crossing the road towards our front door. I froze on the spot. I guess he was panning to see me?
"JUNGWON?". I yelled across the street, making him turn around in confusion. Only as he recognized me walking towards our house as well, he stepped off the porch.
"I was about to visit you.". I looked at him with a wry smile. Was he still mad at me? What did he want to talk to me about? Did he even want to talk to me?
Before I was able to say one more word, my best friend hugged my tightly, almost squeezing all the air out of my body. "I obviously can't let you go without wishing you a happy birthday.", he grinned.
"I'm so sorry, Won. I know I should have told you earlier.".
"Forget it.", he finally loosened his grip. "My reaction yesterday was not ok. I should stop being so selfish and also accept whatever you want.". He explained. "I'm just so sad because I can't show you my present for you.". He lowered his head. "I'm sure you would be flashed.".
"Hmm...what is it?". I asked him curiously.
"No! I won't tell you.", he crossed his arms unerringly. "We can still do it when you come back.".
"So it's a trip?", I tried to guess his present.
Jungwon hesitated for a second. "Maaaybe".
But then I suddenly had another idea and suggested it to my best friend. "But I know someone else you can go on this trip with."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh yeah? Who?".
"Do you know Hwayoung? From our paralegal school. She's in the tennis club.".
My friend seemed extremely surprised that I mentioned her name. "She just asked me for your number. Could it be that she is interested in you?".
"She did?! Oh wow...I didn't expect that now.".
I furrowed my brow in confusion. "Expect? Is there something brewing between you two?".
Did Jungwon seriously blush?
"Well, I sat next to her in a few classes last year and helped her with her math homework. Her older sister is in my taekwondo club, you know?".
"Jungwooon? Do you like her?". I poked him teasingly in the side. "What's up with Soyeon? Your kindergarten crush...".
"Nothing. She's, She's weird...".
"I don't know what's going on between you and Hwayoung, but I'm sure she'd love it if you took her for a trip.".
"As soon as I get my driver's license!", Jungwon assured me.
"I'm definitely rooting for you guys.".
"AHAHAHA SUNGHOON! STOP IT!". Loud laughter rang out from our garden, causing me and Jungwon to whip our heads around.
"Who the hell was that?" my friend asked when he heard the unknown female voice.
Oh well. I have my suspicions about who that might be.
"Oh. Will you accompany me to the airport tomorrow?", I asked the redhead with a pout.
Of course I knew he couldn't say no.
"I'll pick you up in the morning," I assured him.
Jungwon nodded and looked back towards the house, where again a shrill scream echoed through the neighborhood. "You should probably go see what's going on with your brother," he advised with a laugh.
"Oh, I probably don't want to know," I sighed and rolled my eyes.
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Autors note:
Omg guys!
Thank you so much for 12k reads. I don't even know how this happened, but I'm so incredibly happy and appreciate every single one of you.
I hope you like the story so far and keep commenting and voting ð
lots of love!
Julia <3