#rowoon fic

The dress that I neatly prepared for last night’s party is all unruly and wrinkly and one of the straps is dangling off my shoulder. Upon seeing myself, I buried my face in my hands and cursed about everything I did. This is why I've not touched alcohol for the past few years.

A flood of hazy memories crashed over me. The party. The shots. The laughter. The dancing. Me randomly waking up in Yoobin and Sunhee’s bedroom—and Hojun…with Haesoo.

I winced when my head throbs again, and so is my heart.

I can’t believe I saw that and I feel even more pathetic now that I’m sober. I didn’t do anything, not even call Hojun out, or confront Haesoo. I just stood there like a deer in headlights. How can I even argue with them, knowing that they’re exes and I’m just the person who he spent his childhood with.

But an unforgettable childhood.

“Why did I just swallow my pride and walk away from them? Maybe I should’ve asked Hojun what really is between us and—”

Then something hit me.

Taeha.

The kiss.

My breath caught in my throat as the memory sharpened. How I pulled him in a desperate kiss because of too much emotions that night. Panic bloomed in my chest as I looked down on the ground, instantly feeling the shame and regret as my head throbbed in protest.

I kissed him. I kissed my friend.

I wanted to just scream out, to undo time, to somehow erase the moment from existence. Taeha had been in my life for years—through hardships in our work, late-night vent sessions, and ridiculous inside jokes. I had never crossed that line before. And now…I have ruined everything.

Now it felt too awkward to face both Taeha and Hojun right now. After that day in the woods with Hojun, I thought everything would be alright, but now, I think it’s getting worse. And tomorrow is our last day, I really don’t want to hold drama until it becomes too much for my mental health.

All I think about is how am I going to clarify things.

After fighting with my inner thoughts in front of this mirror, I finally took a shower that literally eased up my tense self, changed up to my clean and comfortable clothes then left the room. My eyes dropped on Hojun’s door as I remembered everything that happened behind those doors, making my cheeks turn in shade of red again.

I shook off my thoughts and went downstairs, where I was surprised that Taeha and Dohyun are just peacefully snacking together and watching TV. Taeha looked okay and I think he’s already done with his hangover, but Dohyun on the other hand, looked like he hadn't slept in days. I just know he had a dreadful hangover.

Last night was really fun. Now, there was only suffering.

I quietly made my way to the kitchen and drank some water, also getting a chocolate bar from the fridge to boost up my energy. When I was about to escape to the back door, I heard Dohyun called out.

“Eunji? Is that you in the kitchen?”

I cursed under my breath. How does he even know that it’s me since he’s too focused on the TV earlier.

“Yeah…” I just admitted, “But I’ll just go outside for a bit.”

Dohyun pouted, “We’re watching Anastasia, I know you love this movie.” He smiled.

Now he’s reeling me in using my most favorite animated film ever. And when someone calls me up to watch Anastasia, I am there and always going to be there. Of course, I joined them. I felt the thick awkward atmosphere between me and Taeha, no words leaving from our mouths, the only focus we have is the movie right now.

Halfway through the movie, I noticed that Dohyun is already sleeping on the couch, and the next thing I didn’t know it would happen is that Taeha finally spoke in our deafening silence earlier.

“Eunji, can we talk outside?”

I gulped.

“Uh, yeah, sure,” I nodded, but my eyes reverted back to Dohyun, “Should we just leave Dohyun here?”

Taeha shrugged and soon stood up from the couch, “Yeah, he should be fine.” He replied.

Me and Taeha finally went outside towards the lake shore. It’s already afternoon and the golden sunlight shimmers across the rippling water, creating a dance of glistening reflections. Gentle waves lap against the pebbled shore. The sky, painted in soft blues with streaks of wispy white clouds, casts a warm glow over the landscape, making the lake appear almost ethereal. I will truly miss this place.

I am still standing awkwardly beside him, feeling unreasonably nervous.

“So…about last night.” I started.

His lips twitched. "Yeah. About that."

I inhaled deeply. "Look, I was very, very drunk. And when I get drunk, I apparently get bold. And stupid. And—I don’t know what got into me, but I just—"

"You kissed me," he finished.

I winced. "Yeah."

There was a pause. I expected it to be awkward, but it wasn’t. He looked at me with that same calm expression, the one that made me feel like I could say anything and he wouldn’t judge me.

"You don’t have to explain yourself," Taeha said. "I know you were drunk. And it’s okay."

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. "I just don’t want this to be weird between us. You’re too important to me, and I don’t want some…drunken mistake to mess things up."

“Don’t worry, you didn’t mess things up. We’re still us.” Taeha smiled, and my heart swells.

I blinked at him. "So… we’re okay?"

"We’re okay." He brought his hand on top of my head and messed around my hair, causing me to groan and playfully pushed his hand away, making Taeha chuckle. 

He soon added, "Though, I do think I should start keeping track of how many drinks you have at parties.” He grinned.

I groaned, my head dropping down. "I’m so sorry, I feel so pathetic."

He laughed, that warm, familiar sound, and just like that, the tension melted away between us.

And maybe, just maybe, something had changed—but in a way that didn’t break anything.

In a way that left the door open for something more.

But for now, we were okay. And that was enough.

This is such a spontaneous idea.

Me and Taeha are both holding some snacks and drinks, clothes, towels, and a blanket. Taeha first laid down the blanket on the grass and put all of our things there. Kicking off our shoes, we raced down the wooden dock, our bare feet slapping against the sun-warmed planks. Without hesitation, we leaped into the lake, the cool water embracing us as we plunged beneath the surface. Bubbles streamed around as we resurfaced, gasping with exhilaration and grinning at each other.

“The water feels amazing!” I exclaimed, letting my body float around.

Then suddenly, a huge splash of the water slapped my face, and that interrupted my serene floating here. I looked at Taeha who was giggling like a little kid on what he just did, and I gave him a mischievous smirk.

“You’re gonna regret that.”

We spent the next several minutes battling in the water, splashing, laughing, and dodging each other’s playful attacks. The sound of our joy echoed over the lake, mixing with the rustling trees and distant calls of birds overhead. After a while, we drifted toward the deeper part of the lake, floating on our backs. The sky above was a beautiful golden hue, unmarred by clouds. Our arms occasionally brushed, neither of us moving away.

“This is perfect,” Taeha murmured. “I wish this could last forever.”

I turned my head slightly to look at Taeha. He had his eyes closed, his face relaxed as if soaking in every ounce of peace the lake offered. I smiled. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

We swam back toward the shallows, letting the water carry us lazily. When we finally reached the shore again, we just indulged in the snacks we brought here and watched the sky turn to orange and the sun getting ready to set. A light breeze soon whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. The water lapped gently at the shore, where smooth, time-worn stones lay scattered, perfect for skipping.

I soon found myself standing at the water’s edge, a small, flat rock cradled in my palm. I turned it over, feeling the cool weight of it, the slight roughness of its surface.

“You’re gripping it too hard,” Taeha said from behind me, stepping closer. His voice was low and warm, like the summer air around us.

I sighed, glancing up at him. “I don’t get how you make it look so easy. Mine just always plops into the water.”

Taeha chuckled, “Here, let me show you.”

Taeha reached for my hand, his fingers brushing against mine. My body tensed slightly, caught off guard by the brief contact, but I didn’t pull away. He gently adjusted my grip, making sure my index finger rested along the edge of the stone.

“Okay,” he murmured, stepping beside me so that our shoulders nearly touched. “Now, keep your wrist loose. The key is the angle. Flick your wrist, like this—”

He demonstrated his own rock skipping effortlessly across the water, bouncing three, four, five times before finally sinking beneath the surface. I let out a soft sigh of admiration.

“Now you try.”

I took a steadying breath, mimicking his stance. With a quick flick of my wrist, I released the stone. It struck the water once, twice—three times before vanishing beneath the lake. A triumphant grin spread across my face.

“I did it!” I exclaimed, turning toward Taeha.

My breath caught in my throat when I am too close to him again, thinking about what I did last night haunts me. Taeha’s lips parted slightly, as if he was about to say something, but the words never came.

Finally, Taeha exhaled, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Told you you’ll be good at this.” he said, his voice softer now.

I swallowed, blinking as if breaking free from some unseen pull. I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah…and I will be better than you now.” I teased him again.

Taeha laughed at my sudden teasing, “Ha, think you can beat me now?”

I smirked, already reaching for another rock. We skipped rocks for almost half an hour and that leads me from giving up again, obviously knowing that Taeha is still the best at skipping rocks.

But at least the score improved from three over ten back in our first day here, to seven over twelve today.

The golden hues of the setting sun reflected off the calm surface of the lake. Laughter still echoed through the trees as we both gathered our things after an afternoon of swimming and skipping rocks. The water droplets on our sun-kissed skin sparkled under the dimming light, and the warmth of the summer air still clung to us.

My heart was light again—lighter than it had been after what happened last night. This has been the perfect way to end the week-long summer getaway.

Until now.

Just as we were about to enter the cabin again, I heard an all-too-familiar voice call out from behind.

“Eunji.”

The name came sharp, almost cutting through the serene twilight. I turned around, my stomach sinking when I saw her—Haesoo.

Taeha was even confused as to why Haesoo is suddenly approaching me since he knows that I haven’t interacted much with her throughout the week.

“Can I talk to you?” Haesoo said, but her voice came out a bit shaky.

I swallowed. I hadn’t expected this.

I felt Taeha instinctively step closer in silent support but I stopped him there. “You should go ahead inside Taeha, I’ll just talk to Haesoo for a bit.” I gave him a reassuring smile.

Taeha didn’t try to argue with me as he let out a sigh, now taking my things to return it back to our room. But before he left, he wrapped the towel around me and made sure that I won’t be too cold because my clothes are still a bit damp before he made his way inside the cabin, leaving me alone with Haesoo.

“What are we going to talk about—”

“Let’s talk over there.” Haesoo cut me off and headed her way to the far side of the cabin, just steps away from the trail that leads to the falls.

When we are now standing across each other, maintaining a distance between us since I still feel uneasy around her, not because he’s one of Hojun’s past and the one that made me feel anger last night of what she did, but instead the lack of proper interaction between us.

“I saw you last night…” Haesoo started, that shaky voice still there.

Ironic. That same five words is also the one I badly want to tell her.

“W-what?” I was very confused.

“You and Hojun, in the hallway.” Her voice is now laced with anger.

My eyes widened when she said that, remembering that moment with Hojun, how he craved for me as he wanted to touch me in that hallway. I even warned him that someone would walk in on us, turns out, someone really did.

"You really are something else," Haesoo said, her voice laced with bitterness. “Who even are you to do that with Hojun? It seemed impossible to just gather feelings in just a goddamn week.”

I took a breath, steadying myself. "Haesoo, I—"

“And you’re even hanging out with another guy after doing that to Hojun. You’re…you’re selfish. Do you even care about anyone but yourself?”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. A sharp pang settled in my chest. Everyone had been gossiping that her and Hojun are literal exes, meaning they broke up, their relationship is now gone, and Hojun clearly moved on.

And Haesoo is still holding onto Hojun.

I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I could hear the quiet lapping of the lake against the dock, the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. My heart pounded.

"Haesoo, I never meant to hurt you," I finally said, voice calm but firm. “But me and Hojun…we had something—”

“Bullshit, I don’t remember an ounce of your face or name from Hojun, I—”

I cut her off, “Why? Are you certain that you know everything about Hojun?”

Now Haesoo was silent. She wants to argue again, but with her clenched fists, she tries not to.

I exhaled, “Me and Hojun…we had history way, way back. When we are still little kids.” I explained.

Haesoo's ears perked up when I brought that up.

“We are the best of friends and totally inseparable. And before Hojun left for Australia, I confessed my love to him. We haven't seen each other for over 20 years, and I was surprised that Hojun still has feelings for me. I can't help myself but react the same because the feelings I have for him are still there.” I explained, but when I looked into Haesoo's eyes, I knew she's not believing every word I've been saying right now.

Haesoo lets out a humorless laugh, “Since you're the lucky one here, you have no idea what I'm going through. To watch someone you loved the most slip away, only to see them fall right into someone's arms. I haven't seen him flirt or romantically interact with anybody after our break-up, it's just you.”

No, I didn't know that pain—not yet. But that didn't mean she had the right to make me feel guilty for being happy.

A heavy silence fell between us. The sun had almost fully dipped behind the treeline now, and the shadows stretched longer across the dock.

I exhaled deeply. I wasn’t going to let Haesoo's words define me. "I didn’t come here to fight with you, Haesoo," I said softly. "I’m sorry if this hurts, but I won’t apologize for being happy. You deserve happiness too. And one day, you’ll find it."

For a moment, Haesoo just stared at me. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, disappearing down the path leading back to the cabin.

I let out a breath that I didn’t realize I was holding on for so long.

Haesoo now knows about my past with Hojun, but I think she's still not buying it. I just shrugged off my thoughts when the breeze is now nipping on my skin, sending chills down my spine.

While I was walking back to the cabin, the confrontation still lingered in my mind. But I knew one thing for sure—I wasn’t going to let anyone make me feel guilty for following my own heart.

Moonlight slipped through the curtains, painting silver streaks over my tangled sheets. Yet, despite the silence, despite the comfort of my own bed, sleep refused to come.

My mind was too loud.

I turned onto my side, staring at the dim glow of the digital clock on the bedside table—2:37 AM. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing to push away the memory of Haesoo's voice, the sharpness in her words, the accusation laced with pain.

You're selfish, Haesoo's words echoed again.

I exhaled slowly, shifting onto my back. I knew I shouldn’t let it get to me. I had done nothing wrong—did I? They broke up. I wasn’t some villain who had swooped in and stolen him from her.

But still…

The look in Haesoo's eyes haunted me.

I turned onto my stomach, burying my face into the pillow with a frustrated groan. I wished I could shut these thoughts off like a switch, erase the moment, let it disappear like footprints washed away by the lake’s gentle waves. But emotions weren’t that simple.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I rolled onto my back again, staring at the ceiling.

I wasn’t heartless. I hadn’t meant to hurt Haesoo.

I turned to my side and that's where my heart skipped a beat when I saw Taeha sitting up from his bed as he turned to look at me.

“Taeha?” I whispered, “Did I wake you?”

“You looked troubled.” Taeha replied, tilting his head in curiosity, “Did Haesoo say something bad earlier? You still haven't explained why she suddenly wanted to talk to you. And judging from the tone of her voice, it feels like she's holding a grudge against you.”

Why is his intuition always right?

I sighed as I sat up from my bed too, “I'll explain everything now.”

My heart kept beating loudly in my chest as I tried to find the right words on how I can even start this conversation.

“If you feel uncomfortable then it's okay—”

“Me and Hojun had a past.” I finally blurted it out, right here in front of Taeha.

Silence. Taeha didn’t say anything, but I could feel his stare pressing into mine, waiting for more explanation.

I forced myself to continue. “I told you I didn’t know him when we first saw him again, but that wasn’t true. I do know him.” I finally lifted my gaze to meet Taeha’s, guilt swirling in my chest. “I’ve known him for a long time.”

Taeha’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent. His expression was unreadable, which somehow made it worse.

I inhaled shakily. “Hojun… he was my childhood friend. He was more than that.” My voice softened. “I liked him. A lot. He was my whole world back then.”

A shadow flickered across Taeha’s face, but still, he didn’t interrupt.

A small, sad smile tugged at my lips. “But then, one day… he just left. He left for Australia with his family and I didn't know they would never come back.”

My voice wavered as I looked at Taeha, my heart pounding. “When I saw him, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do, what to say. So I lied. I told you I didn’t know him because…”

My thoughts trailed off, stopping on what I'm about to say.

Because I have these weird feelings that I feel about you that I truly can’t explain.

Can I even tell him that?

“Because…” My tongue is still tied.

But Taeha interrupted me now, “It's okay, don't explain further if you feel uncomfortable sharing it with me. If you're thinking that you would lose me because you suddenly met your childhood best friend, please don't.”

Taeha stood up from his bed and suddenly knelt down in front of me, slowly holding my trembling hands that were resting on my lap.

“Always remember I won't leave this friendship. You're too important, and I don't want to lose you.” Taeha smiled at me warmly.

I've never felt so lucky to have a friend like him, a person that won't pressure me through life and a person that always makes sure that I'm smiling.

“I'm happy that you and Hojun reunited again, and there's no need for you to tell too much, since he's been in another chapter of your life that I don't have any business with.” Taeha said.

I nodded my head at him and I tried to regain my composure. I watched Taeha stand up again and suddenly took his phone out, clicking onto something and suddenly heard a familiar slow beat.

“Taeha—”

“Remember years ago? When we're still new teachers in the school, and a parent suddenly falsely accused you for flirting with her husband?” Taeha suddenly took a trip down memory lane.

I rolled my eyes, “You still remember that? God, I feel so miserable that day.”

“Right, and when we got home, you suddenly pulled me close to dance to this slow song, demanding me to just slow dance until you calm down.” Taeha smiled.

A shade of red crept up on my face again when I remembered that exact moment. I did that because it's my first time living away from home, and when I'm sad, my parents would usually rock me to a slow song and that would ease me up effectively.

“Oh, yeah, I remember.” I chuckled, “And you have two left feet at that time.” I teased.

Taeha scoffed and now he suddenly offered his hand to me, “Now you have to find out if I still have two left feet right now.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “You’re serious?”

“Dance with me?”

My eyes lit up when he said that, and I gladly took his hand.

Taeha smiled as he pulled me close. One hand rested gently on my waist, the other holding my hand in his. I placed my free hand on his shoulder as we swayed.

The music played softly between us, a comforting lullaby in the quiet. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself sink into the rhythm.

Taeha's voice broke the silence. “You know, you don't have to think too much.”

I let out a small laugh against his chest. “You know I can't do that.”

We kept swaying, the song coming to its last few notes. Taeha hummed along, off-key as always, making me smile just a little.

As the music faded, he pulled back slightly, looking down at me. “Feeling better?”

I met his gaze and, for the first time tonight, the tightness in my chest loosened just a little.

“Yeah,” I murmured. “I think I am.”

Taeha grinned. “Good. Now, go to bed, it's our last day tomorrow and we still have to pack our things.”

I groaned when I remembered our last day will finally be tomorrow and I still haven't packed my things, but I still smiled as I stepped back. “Goodnight, Taeha.”

“Night, Eunji.”

As I climbed back to my bed again, slipping under my covers, I realized something.

The thoughts were still there, lingering at the edges of my mind.

But they weren’t so heavy anymore.

Your pride always got you into all sorts of trouble, but you think the mess you’ve gotten yourself into now just has to take the cake. You ex is balls deep inside you, your fingers laced together tightly as he fucks you from below.

“Daddy,” you whimper, knowing you need more from him to come. You decide you can hate yourself for running straight into his arms later, after you’ve had the mind blowing orgasm he’s about to give you.

Seokwoo smirks, squeezing your hands with his own. The gold chain around his neck rests in a pool of sweat, his skin glistening in the low light of the room. “You love it like this, don’t you?” he sighs, grinding his hips up slowly. It ruins the momentum of your orgasm, so you cry out and try to pull your hands away from his. When that fails, you try to bounce yourself on his cock instead. But Seokwoo is too strong, so you’re left to whine in frustration.

“Poor baby,” Seokwoo teases, his strength keeping you pinned exactly where he wants you. He’s always loved seeing you turn into a desperate mess on top of him, willing to do whatever it takes to get off. Right now, it’s your punishment for thinking you can leave him; a reminder that nobody will ever fuck you this good again. That may or may not be true, but he’s letting it feed his ego for now.

“Turn over and sit on my cock,” he instructs, motioning with your interlocked hands. You’re annoyed, but you decide to listen to him because you know your orgasm depends on it. You stand up, his cock falling out of you. The emptiness is annoying for a second and then you turn around, grabbing his dick and lowering yourself back onto it. Seokwoo’s hands grab your hips and guide you, soft moans leaving your mouth as you take in his massive cock inch by inch.

“Please,” you whimper when he bottoms out and grabs your breasts in his hands. He rubs your nipples until they turn into stiff peaks, holding you tightly against his chest as he thrusts up slowly into your pussy. “Seokwoo, it hurts. I need to cum…”

“Do you think you deserve it?” he hisses into your ear, pinching one of your nipples roughly. “You can’t even remember the right name for me, Y/N.”

“Daddy,” you correct yourself, tears welling up in your eyes. You knew what you were getting yourself into when you turned up at your ex’s door tonight; he always loved to punish you, even when you were together. But you’d been here for hours already, Seokwoo taking you in so many different positions you’d lost count. And your orgasm has been ruined by him every single time, so your pussy is throbbing with need. “Please daddy, I’ll be good from now on.”

Seokwoo slides his hands down your sides to your hips. He presses kisses along your shoulder, teeth nipping at the skin every few inches. “You promise, huh?” he muses, one of his hands wandering down to your clit and rubbing it teasingly. “You won’t leave me again?”

You shake your head furiously. Now that he’s touching you where you want him most, you’ll say anything to keep Seokwoo there. Though you’re not exactly lying either.

You’d be hard pressed to admit it in any other situation, but dumping Seokwoo had not turned out to be the great decision you thought it was. For one thing, all the sex you’d had since him had left you unsatisfied, maybe even borderline irritated. Your other partners had been to scared to treat you the way you wanted to be treated in bed, too insecure to use the toys you liked to use, too vanilla to have sex the way you truly wanted.

Aside from that, you weren’t respected outside of the bedroom either. Though your partners couldn’t find the balls to smack you around during sex, they certainly had no problems with degrading you in public. They never lasted after that because you had enough self respect to not allow that treatment. Seokwoo had apparently been your perfect match, and not just in the bedroom.

“You’re zoning out,” Seokwoo reminds you suddenly, pinching your clit. Your hips jerk in surprise and you let out a mewl, your head falling back onto his shoulder. He takes the opportunity to kiss you deeply, his fingers digging into your hip so hard there will definitely be bruises tomorrow. A nice little reminder for your momentary lapse of judgment.

“You promise you’re going to stay with me this time?” he asks again, looking into your eyes. Despite the situation, you can tell he’s serious and that if you give him the wrong answer, everything will stop.

You nod anyway. “Yes, I’m not going anywhere,” you tell him. “I…I made a mistake leaving you.”

Seokwoo smiles, a genuine one for the first time since he opened his door tonight. He grabs your hips and starts a brutal pace, bouncing you on his cock so quickly that all you can do is moan loudly.

“Right there, daddy,” you gasp, clinging onto his arms so you don’t fall over. His strength would never allow it, but you need to ground yourself somehow.

“Daddy’s gonna take care of you,” he grunts, holding you close to his chest. “You’ll never leave me again when I’m done with you.”

You feel the knot in your stomach tightening, and before you can do anything else, you’re coming all over Seokwoo’s cock, your walls fluttering around him. He holds you through it, kissing your neck.

When you’re done, he pulls you off of his softening dick and lays you down on the bed, immediately wrapping his arms around your body as he presses up against your back. “What about you?” you murmur, too tired to do much but still able to feel his hard length brushing up against your ass.

“Later,” he assures you, kissing the spot behind your ear. Seokwoo’s hands gently rub all over your body, making you shiver and sigh as you relax into his touch.

“This doesn’t feel like later,” you laugh breathlessly when his fingers dip into your folds a few minutes later. Seokwoo swings his leg over you and smirks, rubbing his tip along your entrance teasingly.

“I’ve got a lot of time to make up for,” he says, pushing inside you again. You grab at his broad shoulders, your walls still sensitive from your earlier orgasm. The pace is much slower this time, but feeling him moving inside you turns you on so much that your orgasm builds quicker than before.

“Daddy,” you gasp. “Right there! Feels so good, don’t stop! Please don’t stop.”

Seokwoo kisses you deeply, his hand sliding between your bodies to rub circles over your clit. You start shaking from the pleasure, moaning as you hold onto his shoulders for dear life. His thrusts get sloppy as he reaches his orgasm, his hot cum filling you up. It sends you into your own release, your walls milking out what’s left from him.

Spent, the two of you roll onto your backs, looking at the ceiling. You wonder about where to go from here, but Seokwoo gently laces your fingers together and you turn to look at him.

“I really did miss you,” he says. “Not just the sex, either.”

You can’t help but laugh at that, though you feel the same. “I know what you mean, Seokwoo,” you agree. “We were good together and I stupidly threw it away.”

Your ex looks at you with his big brown eyes, and it’s so intense you have to divert your gaze after a few moments. It’s another few beats of silence before he speaks up, surprising you. “We could always try again, couldn’t we?”

“The definition of if looks could kill.” Nayeon mumbled watching the two of you. She saw Snape coming towards your way and she nudged you with her elbow breaking the glaring contest between you and Seokwoo.

“I hope Sanghyuk blows his face up.” you hissed and Nayeon looked ahead of her used to you being like this when Seokwoo is around.

The class started as Snape told you to make some potions, and he was going to give points to the house that will make the potion right and succeed. He started the clock as it begins to count down. You were glad you were partnered up with Nayeon because she was a genius at Potions.

“What the hell are you doing, Seokwoo?”

You heard Sanghyuk curse the boy next to you, clearly, he was messing up and you smirked imagining how you were going to kick his ass and get the points by yourself. You copied what Nayeon was doing and some tricks you learnt over the year.

The clock ticked and Snape passed around the class to see who made the potions right. He stopped in front of you and looked at your potion and Nayeon’s potion, he gave no reaction skipping you and went to the table next to yours. You were fuming with rage as he held Seokwoo’s potion inspecting it and hummed in satisfaction saying.

“Looks like Mr. Kim managed to make the best potion. Three points to Gryffindor.”

Seokwoo smiled proudly looking at Sanghyuk as if he was saying ‘I told you so’. He caught your eye as he smiled in satisfaction at the fuming look in your eyes, he managed to win another competition between the two of you yet again.

No one knows the reason why you two hated each other’s guts, since day one you’d hated each other, no one knows if it was rivalry or hatred towards one another although both of you were Head Boy and Head Girl. It started when both of you got sorted into Gryffindor, everybody thought since you’re from the same house you wouldn’t fight, how wrong they were. You started fighting even more, your hatred growing with you as you grow, both trying to prove to the other that they’re better. It was 7th year, and you showed no sign of letting go of your rivalry.

“I hate him so much.” you said when you saw Seokwoo laughing and joking around with his friends at the Gryffindor’s table when you were having lunch. Chungha looked at you letting go of the chicken she was holding.

“Why do you hate him so much?” she asked genuinely, she never understood your hatred towards the tall Gryffindor, it seemed as if you two were born to hate each other for no reason.

You answered her question not taking your eyes off of him. “He’s rude, childish, cocky. I don’t even understand why girls look his way.”

“Maybe you should stop looking at him.” Chungha smirked taking a bite from her chicken.

Your eyes widened and before you could turn around, Seokwoo already caught you looking at him. He huffed when he saw you. “Take a picture Y/L/N, it will last longer.” he said and you smirked answering.

“I would but flash photography scares animals.”

Sanghyuk laughed loudly and Seokwoo glared at you, you just smiled teasingly taking a sip of your pumpkin juice. Seokwoo raised his wand as he made you spill juice all over your clothes. You gasped standing up trying to wipe your robes.

“What the hell, Seokwoo?!” you yelled glaring at him but he just ignored you and continued eating.

You huffed standing up and went to the doors of the Great Hall with Chungha by your side. You stopped walking and looked up and saw the pumpkins decorating the Great Hall for Halloween. You smirked and looked at Chungha who was shaking her head, you ignored her and turned to see if anyone is around, but you saw everyone was already busy. You raised your wand towards the chosen pumpkin and said.

“Melofors.”

You watched as the pumpkin fell on Seokwoo’s head causing him to yelp in pain and fall to the ground from the impact, you watched as Sanghyuk helped him up. Smiling in satisfaction, you left the Great Hall happy by the mischief you caused.

In the Quidditch field, red and gold capes of the Gryffindor Quidditch team flew around trying to stop the attacks coming from the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Juho, the captain and the Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team cursed loudly when he was late to stop the Quaffle from entering the hoop.

“Why the hell haven’t Y/N caught the snitch yet? We are losing!” Seokwoo yelled cursing when a Bludger was about to hit him and he hit it with his bat towards the other team.

“They’re throwing the Bludgers at us like crazy!” Chungha yelled throwing the Quaffle into the hop only to be blocked by the Keeper.

“Seokwoo hyung watch out!” Chanhee, another Gryffindor Beater yelled as Seokwoo turned around and saw the Bludger heading his way and managed to dodge it.

You were suffering to say the least, Taeyang, the Hufflepuff seeker kept pushing you trying to get to the Golden Snitch first, not just that you had another Beater trying to knock you off your broom.

“Bloody hell.” Seokwoo muttered as he saw Chanhee falling off his broom because he was hit by the Bludger. He caught the sight of you and yelled loudly, “Y/L/N do something useful and catch the Snitch!” he yelled angrily.

You heard him loud and clear and dashed towards the Golden Snitch, you were unaware of the Bludger heading towards you as it hit you in the side causing you to yell in pain and knocked you off your broom. You fell from the sky and landed with a loud thud, Taeyang using this to his advantage and managed to catch the Golden Snitch.

Madam Hooch whistled declaring the match was over, you close your eyes feeling defeated, you heard footsteps running towards you and you saw the yellow orbs of Madam Hooch looking at you in concern.

“Y/L/N? Are you okay?” she asked and you managed to sit up despite the pain in your side and nodded. You were lucky you weren’t that high when you fell from the sky, but your side hurt.

“Let’s get you to Madam Pomfrey to make sure you’re okay.” she said and helped you up but you stopped her.

“Please check on Chanhee, he fell from a high place,” you said and Chungha flew down helping you stand up, Madam Hooch went to make sure every player was okay.

“You okay?” Chungha asked softly as she helped you stand on your feet. You took a deep breath looking at the ground.

“Yeah,” you said huffing glaring at the floor, “We are already the last place and now it’s all worse because I didn’t catch the Snitch.” you said feeling yourself becoming more angrier.

“Don’t get angry, you’re injured.” she said and you winced in pain when you took a step.

“The audacity Kim Seokwoo had, he was able to yell at me but not preventing the Bludger from hitting me. I could kill him.” you hissed and your best friend rubbed your arm up and down and said.

“Stop this now, let’s go make sure you’re okay first, then kill him later if you want.”

***

Seokwoo entered the Gryffindor Common Room and saw you sitting on the loveseat with Chungha and Chanhee who had his arm in a cast, Juho standing next to the fireplace thinking of god knows what, and Sanghyuk sitting on the floor with a defeated look on his face. He was seeing red and seeing you glaring at him like this made him even more furious.

“This is all your fault!” Seokwoo started and Sanghyuk rolled his eyes knowing that there was a fight about to break out again between the two of you.

You looked up at the Head Boy glaring at him angrily standing up, the height difference was intimidating but that wasn’t going to make you back down easily.

“Wow, some nerves you have,” you started looking at him in the eyes with a cold look, “First, you didn’t do your job as a Beater to protect us from the Bludgers, second you accuse me of being the reason why we lost when you saw how I was hit by the Bludger when I was close to catching it and yet you didn’t anything about it. You really are an asshole.” you yelled.

Seokwoo was quick to defend himself, “Really?! You keep on accusing me every time we lose a match saying it was all because of me because I wasn’t able to protect you! When the truth is you don’t want to admit you’re just the worst Seeker to ever exist!” he yelled back and you gasped glaring at him ready to hex his ass.

“Who are you calling a bad Seeker?! Did you forget that I’m the reason why win every match?! Because I keep on practising even when you all leave?! If anything you’re the worst Quidditch player! And the worst Head Boy too!” you yelled.

“You’re just a brat and cannot accept the truth! You’re also a bad Head Girl!” he yelled.

Before you could say anything again a loud voice roared through the Common Room causing everyone to shut up.

“Enough!”

Juho turned around glaring at the two of you, you turned around and saw how angry he was and got scared, sure Juho was nice and all but Quidditch was his life and he hated whenever he lost.

“Can’t the two of you just shut up and let go of your ego for one freaking second?” Juho said his eyes darting between you and Seokwoo. “You both are the reason why we lost.”

You looked at him ready to argue but the look on his face made it impossible for you to even look in his eyes without getting scared.

“Seokwoo, you didn’t do your job as Beater, the Bludgers just kept on coming at us nonstop, and you didn’t help Y/N when the Bludger was heading her way.” Juho said and Seokwoo looked at the ground glaring.

“Y/N, you didn’t do your job as a Seeker, you had many chances to win and end the game but you wasted all of them, and you cannot throw your failure at Seokwoo. You didn’t train well either, and you were spacing out when I tried to tell you this you dismissed me.” Juho said looking at you with a disapproving look.

You looked anywhere but him, it’s not like he was lying, you know you barged about being the best Seeker because your father is a Quidditch player and he trained you too, he is a Seeker, the best Seeker in the world according to the Wizarding World. You thought you already had the talent and didn’t need to practise hard, but now you know you were wrong.

As for Seokwoo, he didn’t dare to argue, he just stared at the floor glaring at his feet. He knows what he did wrong, he is always busy trying to prove that he is better than you that he didn’t realise that he was already losing himself to the point where he didn’t think about anything but beating you.

Reality hit you like a truck, you looked up at the same moment Seokwoo did, you stared at each other for the first time not glaring, but it looked like you were having a conversation through your eyes. You didn’t realise that you both were too caught up in your rivalry that you didn’t notice you were bringing your house and your housemates down. You both weren’t really a good fit for being the Head Boy and the Head Girl, you didn’t deserve these titles, you messed up and it came to the conclusion that you were dragging your house down, you were already in the last place. The reputation of the House of Gryffindor is being ruined by both you and Seokwoo, you should be held accountable for this.

Juho took a breath trying to calm himself down, he didn’t want this to get ugly but he has to, as the Captain of the Quidditch Team he had to do it.

“If you two, don’t think about the team before yourselves, and didn’t stop being irrational and irresponsible, I will have to do nothing but kick the both of you out of the team, I don’t care you are the Head Boy and Head Girl, and that’s my final decision.”

With that being said, Juho left to go to his dorm.

The Common Room was dead silent, no one dared to move an inch, they were speechless by Juho’s words but they were glad he did that because for the first time Kim Seokwoo and Y/N Y/L/N, were in the same room and without fighting.

The following week was strange, there were no fights between you and Seokwoo, you didn’t even dare to look at each other, even during practice. You just practised alone and left without talking to anyone, even Chungha, your best friend.

Your days consisted of waking up going to classes, then in the lunch break, you stay alone far away then after classes are done your stay in the library studying when it’s bedtime you go to the dorm you share with Chungha and three other girls and sleep. When you have Quidditch practice, you stay away from everybody practising on your own pushing yourself past your limits.

Seokwoo was the same, he tried to avoid you as much as he can, he even stayed away from you in classes, for example, Potions. Your places were too close, he ditched Sanghyuk and Juho and went and partnered up with some of his Ravenclaw friends. And during Quidditch practice, not one Bludger got close to the team. He was determined to earn back the trust of his house.

Everyone wasn’t used to this behaviour and thought it was so strange and felt kind of scared, but they were glad you weren’t fighting anymore. Especially during times when you both were present in the same room, you never spoke a word, just listened intently giving your comments individually without speaking directly to the other. It was better this way. You both just worked hard to get back Gryffindor on the competition by earning points for the house and practising hard for the next Quidditch match with Slytherin.

***

It was time for the match against Slytherin, you stood next to Juho as he began revising the plan for you. You were determined to prove that you deserved the title of being a good Seeker, and you already had your mind made up that you weren’t going to miss any chances.

The same goes for Seokwoo, he was focusing on every word Juho was saying, he didn’t want Slytherin to win, they wouldn’t let it go, they would boast about it any chance they got. He refused to be a joke for the Slytherin’s.

Everyone took their position on their brooms, you locked eyes with Chungha and she nodded assuring you, you smiled back and waited for Madam Hooch to release the Quaffle. She released the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch first, your eyes followed the Snitch as it flew around you promising to catch it. The Quaffle got realised and Madam Hooch whistled declaring the game started.

Juho caught the Quaffle throwing it to Chungha who caught zooming towards the Slytherin hop, and with all her might she threw it scoring 10 points for Gryffindor.

Chungha managed to score another 10 points, and Sanghyuk scored 10 points making Gryffindor ahead by 30 points. The Slytherin’s were getting nervous about how the match was going, they knew their match with the Hufflepuff’s was a disaster, they assumed they were going to win this match too, but it seemed like Gryffindor finally woke up.

Seokwoo saw a Beater following Sanghyuk, his grip on his bat tightened as he hit the Bludger with all his might towards the Slytherin Beater causing him to fall to the ground. That was a little brutal he had to admit, but if Sanghyuk goes down it was going to be over.

You heard a whizzing sound and you turned your head quickly seeing the Golden Snitch flying in front of you, your eyes widened as you flew towards it but it was fast, your movement causing the Slytherin Seeker to come after you.

“Started without me, Y/L/N?”

You turned your head and saw Lim Sejun, the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team and the Seeker smirking at you. Ever since fifth year, he has had an obsession with annoying you, thus causing you to dislike him strongly.

You ignored his words zooming towards the Golden Snitch, Sejun flew next to you and kept pushing you with his shoulder almost making you fall down. You hissed flying around the audience trying to catch the Golden Snitch and end the game. You heard a loud thud and turned to see Sejun on the ground groaning, you looked up and saw Chanhee raising his hands up in defence.

“Chungha noona told me to do it!”

You laughed, happy that the Snitch was all yours to catch. A Slytherin Beater saw his Captain falling to the ground and he growled, he saw the Bludger coming towards him, he hit it hard with his bat causing it to fly towards you.

You reached your hand out to catch the Golden Snitch, you were so close but from the corner of your eye, you saw the Bludger heading your way. You gasped but before you could dodge, Seokwoo appeared in front of you, hitting the Bludger with his bat causing it to hit the Slytherin Beaters who threw it at you.

You turned around quickly reaching your hand out flying towards the Golden Snitch, finally managing to catch it. You cheered happily as you flew to the ground holding it up. Madam Hooch whistled declaring loudly.

“Gryffindor wins!”

***

“Good job, Y/N! You were shining!” Nayeon said happily giving you a hug, you laughed hugging her back.

“Thanks, Nayeon, I’m glad we won.” you said taking a big sip from your butterbeer.

Juho thought it was a good idea to celebrate today’s victory, especially that Slytherin walked out with zero points, that was a big win for Gryffindor. Everyone invited their friends from the other houses to come and celebrate the win in the Gryffindor common room.

You sat on the loveseat and watched as Chungha played a Muggle song and danced to it with the other people. You smiled shaking your head and went to refill your cup.

“Good job, Y/L/N.”

A deep voice said from next to you, you turned around and was met by the tall boy that saved you from the Bludger in today’s match, Seokwoo.

“Thanks, you did an amazing job too.” you said and he gave you a small smile shaking his head.

“Not really, you’re the star tonight. You’re the true champion you caught the Golden Snitch, Gryffindor is now second place in the House Cup Competition.” Seokwoo said and you smiled happy with the news.

“I wouldn’t be the champion today if it weren’t for you, you saved me when the Bludger was heading my way.” you smiled at him gratefully.

“Thank you.” he said and took a sip from his cup, he looked at you apologetically. “Listen, I’m sorry, all these years we have been fighting over the smallest things, but it didn’t matter as much back then. Now, the two of us are the Heads of this house and we were bringing our house down, that was very selfish. I’m sorry.” he apologised, you could see he was sincere with his apology, you smiled shaking your head.

“Don’t apologise, I am too was selfish and immature, I’m always the one that starts these stupid fights, I had too much pride to admit that I was wrong and foolish. Gryffindor comes first, I’m so sorry for being a pain in your neck all these years, Seokwoo.” you said looking at him in the eyes to show him that you meant every word you said.

Seokwoo smiled at how much you matured, it took you both a week to realise that you two were always fighting for nothing.

“Now I see why Dumbledore chose you to be the Head Girl of Gryffindor. No offence, but at first I thought he was joking, I hated you back then because I thought you were arrogant and wasn’t fit to be Head Girl.” he admitted and you smiled shaking your head.

“Don’t worry about it, because trust me I thought of the same thing when I learnt that he chose you to be a Head Boy.” you said laughing softly.

“Whoa, we hated each other guts so much, didn’t we?” he said and you nodded. “I’m glad Juho knocked some sense into us.” Seokwoo said smiling at you.

“Me too, I still cannot believe I’m talking with you right now without a fight breaking out.” you said and he chuckled nodding his head agreeing with you.

“Let’s not fight again,” Seokwoo said, “We don’t want Gryffindor to be a joke, this is our last year at Hogwarts, let’s spend the rest of it peacefully.” he said holding his hand out for you to shake.

You smiled shaking his hand agreeing to his words, “Absolutely, I like the sound of that a lot.”

And you stuck to your words, a whole month passed peacefully. You didn’t fight anymore, you actually helped each other a lot with the house, you could sit in the same room and have a long discussion about what’s best for Gryffindor without fighting. He was smart and you were impressed by that, you never gave him the chance to see how he thinks, he amazed you in the presentation McGonagall held and every Head Boy and Girl of each house was there, he managed to impress all of you.

Seokwoo also saw a new side of you he has never seen, sure you still weren’t the best of friends, but he could sense that you don’t hate him anymore. You and him studied sometimes in the library and you helped him with the subjects he had difficulties with, he was charmed by your intelligence, you were the brightest witch of their year. You were truly the winning card of the house, you earned Gryffindor points at every chance you got in classes, not only in classes but in Quidditch too.

Not only this, but Seokwoo saw a gentle side of you whenever you went to Hagrid’s hut to help him with the animals there. You were kind to everyone, every time someone picked on the first-year students, you would stand up for them against the bullies. Seokwoo didn’t understand how could his hatred blind him this much, you were an amazing person, and beautiful both inside and out.

“Hey, Seokwoo,” he turned around and saw you looking at him with a small smile, “Don’t forget today, you and I are handing in the ideas of the students to Professor McGonagall.” you said and he nodded smiling, a signal that he still remembers.

You left with Chungha to the dorms while Seokwoo kept watching you as you disappeared from his sight with a fond smile of his face he wasn’t aware of, but it didn’t go unnoticed by his mischievous friend, Sanghyuk.

“You have a crush on Y/L/N?”

Seokwoo turned around almost giving his head a whiplash from how fast he looked at his friend. He shook his head furiously to prove his point, but his blushed cheeks betrayed him.

“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t like Y/N!” Seokwoo said looking everywhere but Sanghyuk.

Sanghyuk smirked and said, “That’s a shame, I heard from Chungha that Y/N got drunk one day and admitted that she has feelings for you.”

Seokwoo smiled widely happy with the news he just heard, proving his friend’s theory blindly. “Really?! Did she tell you this? Y/N has feelings for me?”

“So you do have feelings for her.” Sanghyuk smirked causing the taller boy to lose his smile realising he fell into his friend’s trap.

Seokwoo kept opening and closing his mouth trying to say anything but he couldn’t, he just sighed defeated with an annoyed look taking over his handsome features and said.

“No I don’t, now leave it.”

You sat in the DADA class with professor Rakepick, it was a class you shared with the Slytherin’s. You were annoyed to say the least, especially when Lim Sejun was sitting behind you. He kept on whispering rubbish next to your ear to distract you, and you fought the argue to turn around and smack him.

Seokwoo watched how Sejun kept annoying you, noting how hard you were gripping your desk to restrain yourself from turning around and hexing him. He hated Sejun, he hated how he gets on his nerves with the smallest action.

Finally class was over and you left quickly before Sejun could open his mouth and earn you detention. But that couldn’t possibly happen because being the annoying person he is, he grabbed your arm yanking you back towards him.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” you screeched yanking your arm back glaring at him, but he just smirked.

“Calm down Y/L/N, I just wanted to ask you something,” he chuckled enjoying your suffering, “I want to take you out on a date, how does that sound?”

You chuckled humourlessly not surprised with his offer at all, “No.”

You were about to walk away again but he stopped in front of you, determined on his offer, you huffed feeling irritated and you could sense were losing patience.

Seokwoo watched from behind how insistent Sejun were to take you out on a date, although you said no, he still couldn’t help the feeling of jealousy he felt just because Sejun asked you out. So, he marched up to him.

“Run off, Lim, Y/N already said no, stop being an annoying git.” Seokwoo said as he stood next to you.

Sejun turned his head towards the taller boy, he was surprised to say the least, seeing the two of you together was a rare sight to him, he heard of how your rivalry had died down, he didn’t believe it at first, but now seeing him standing up for you, he knew it was true.

“So the rumours are true, you two have finally made up, ugh, I’m so happy for you!” Sejun said sarcasm dripping from his tone causing you to roll your eyes, but Seokwoo didn’t bat an eyelash.

“Thank you, no please if you excuse us, we already have plans. Let’s go, Y/N.” Seokwoo said taking your hand in his.

You felt your heart race at the sensation you felt for the very first time, you felt something like a spark run through your body from the feeling of Seokwoo’s hand on yours, you could tell he felt it too because he gripped your hand tighter as if to test the feeling. You were about to walk but Sejun said something that made you stop.

“Are you dating now? So it was a sexual tension all along?”

Seokwoo tensed when he heard these words visibly reacting to Sejun who smirked knowing he managed to get under his skin. You could feel something bad about to happen, you know how Seokwoo doesn’t usually give a reaction to anyone who bothers him but looks like Sejun succeeded in doing so. He turned around to look at Sejun glaring at him.

“Woo, he isn’t worth it, let’s just go, please.” you begged trying to stop him from walking to Sejun who was still holding a smirk on his lips.

Your pleadings fell deaf on Seokwoo’s ears as he walked up to him, he stood glaring at him and Sejun didn’t move, Seokwoo gave him a cold smile before throwing a punch at Sejun’s jaw.

You gasped as a fight between the two broke out, you didn’t know what to do, you were afraid that a teacher might come and give Seokwoo detention, maybe taking away the points you scored for Gryffindor. Thankfully, Juho who stayed behind to speak with Professor Rakepick came running when he saw his friend on the ground beating the living hell out of Sejun.

Seokwoo was seeing red, Sejun managed to land a few punches on his nose and his cheekbones. Seokwoo was gripped from behind by Juho, he watched Sejun’s friends pull from under him and scurried away before they get detention.

“What in Merlin’s beard were you thinking?! Did you want to be given detention this bad?!” Juho exclaimed looking at his best friend in disbelief.

“I couldn’t help it, he just angered me greatly.” Seokwoo muttered his nostrils flaring in anger.

“You know how he is, you shouldn’t have let him get under your skin.” you said softly and he looked at you his anger slowly dying down. “You know how he is, you gave him the reaction he desperately wanted.” you explained and he took a deep breath trying to compose his posture.

He knew you were right, he shouldn’t have let him get into his head, but he couldn’t help it, he shook his head trying to distract himself and said.

“Come on, let’s go before any teacher sees us and get ourselves in detention.”

***

You sat in your dorm narrating what happened between Seokwoo and Sejun to Chungha who listened closely to you, you kept on talking until she cut you off loudly saying.

“He has a crush on you!”

You looked at her weirdly laughing nervously, “What are you talking about? That’s not true!” you said feeling heat rush to your cheeks.

Chungha smirked crawling to your bed putting her hands over both of your shoulders, “Y/N, sweetheart,” she started and you groaned, “Seokwoo likes you, aside from the fact that you’re blind and can’t see this, see what he did to Sejun because he disrespected you! He defended you.” she exclaimed and you rolled your eyes.

“Uhm, just because he defended me doesn’t mean he likes me, that’s nonsense!” you said opening your book to read causing Chungha to scoff.

“You’re blind.”

The door knocked and Chungha opened it to see who was it, you heard her talking to someone before the door closes again and she returned with a box of chocolate in her hands and she had a smug smile on her face.

“An anonymous sent this to you.”

You furrowed your eyebrows as she placed the chocolate in front of you, you saw a card attached to it and read it aloud.

“I hope you like the chocolates.”

“You can’t tell me this isn’t Seokwoo. That’s totally him, he is so cliché and it sounds like him.” Chungha said causing you to give her a pointed look that shut her up immediately.

You opened the box taking one of the chocolates in your mouth, it tasted heavenly, Chungha was about to take one but you slapped her hand and she winced.

“Those are mine.” you said taking the box hugging it close to you and she looked at you shocked.

“I’m your friend!” she exclaimed and you smirked taking another chocolate throwing it in your mouth.

“Still not gonna share with you.”

***

The next day, Seokwoo walked into the Great Hall with a smile, he has finally gathered the courage and was going to ask you on a date, Christmas Break was almost coming and he wanted you to be his girlfriend by that time. Juho and Sanghyuk encouraged him into taking that step, they knew he would never do it by himself and needed a little push.

He caught the sight of you, you had your back facing him, you were talking to someone but he couldn’t see their face clearly. He picked up his pace walking over to you, that’s when he saw the person you were talking to was none other than Lim Sejun. His blood was boiling, he was about to tell him off but you turned around with a love-struck smile on your face.

“Seokwoo! Nice for you to finally join us!” you said enthusiastically your smile was wide that it creeped him out.

Seokwoo turned around and saw Chungha looking at you with a look of disbelief on her face. He locked eyes with Sejun who was smiling calmly at him.

“Hey, Y/N,” Seokwoo smiled despite everything, “You want to go to the library with me?” he asked.

“Sure! But only if Sejun comes too,” you said hugging Sejun’s arm who laughed.

Seokwoo blinked not believing what you were doing, what the hell was wrong with you? Yesterday you hated him and now suddenly you were friends?

“What the hell Y/N?” he said through gritted teeth and you furrowed your eyebrows.

“What is it? Can he not come too?” you asked pouting which made Seokwoo’s blood boil even more.

“Y/N, yesterday he was disrespecting you! For god’s sake I fought him because of this!” Seokwoo exclaimed and you stood up coming to Sejun’s defence.

“He apologised and I forgave him! He said he was doing this because he liked me and didn’t know how to express his feelings, we are together now!” you exclaimed and Seokwoo stared at you in disbelief.

His heart broke when he heard those words leaving your mouth, he couldn’t believe his eyes and ears, you were with Sejun? When you were supposed to be with him? Sejun bullied you throughout the years and you forgave him easily? You hated Sejun, how is this even possible?

He looked at Sejun glaring who stood up next to you, “What games are you playing, Lim? What did you do?” Seokwoo demanded and Sejun just sighed.

“I’m not playing any games, I love her,” Sejun said and Seokwoo shook his head refusing to fall for his lies he was about to say something but you cut him off by saying.

“I love you too, Sejun.”

Seokwoo turned to look at you heartbroken, no, he couldn’t let you see him weak, he regained his composure and glared at you his face hard like how it used to be when the two of you hated each other and mumbled before walking away.

“I trusted you.”

The rest of the week was hectic, you were stuck like glue to Sejun, refusing to leave his side, you didn’t talk to anyone at all, you even stopped talking to Chungha and Nayeon, your eyes were set only on Sejun, your mind only consisted of him, he consumed you. You couldn’t believe he was all yours and had the same feelings towards you.

As for Seokwoo, he stopped talking to you, Juho and Sanghyuk didn’t know what happened and why you were with Sejun, but he couldn’t answer, because he didn’t know what happened to you. His broken heart was trying to mend itself but it was hard, every time he saw you with Sejun it broke him even more. He was miserable and drowned himself in the Quidditch Practice, Studying, and his Head Boy duties.

Chungha sat by the Black Lake doing her homework for Potions, she heard your giggle and she looked up seeing you and Sejun joking around. She made a disgusted face turning to look at the book in front of her.

“Why do you look like a wounded puppy?”

She heard a voice, she looked up and saw her Slytherin friend, Jennie, looking at her concerned and sat down on the grass next to her.

“That dumbass.” Chungha muttered glaring at you, Jennie turned to her side and saw you with Sejun.

“The potion hadn’t worn off?” Jennie asked and Chungha turned around looking at her friend puzzled.

“What potion?” Chungha asked, Jennie looked at Chungha with a judging look, not believing how stupid she were for not seeing this.

“Are you seriously this stupid? This is the effect of Amortentia! Sejun was talking about giving Y/N this since last week but I didn’t think he was serious, well until I saw her today.” Jennie explained and Chungha looked at her wide-eyed.

It was true, this was all the effects of Amortentia, how could she not see this? How could she not think of it? Ever since you at the chocolates ـــ the chocolates.

“The chocolates she ate! They had Amortentia!” Chungha said as she stood up running away not caring that she left all her things behind with Jennie.

She ran all the way to the Great Hall, she entered it and her eyes scanned the Gryffindor table where she saw Seokwoo sitting with Juho as they talked about something. She skipped to them almost tripping over her robes.

“Seokwoo!” she yelled and Seokwoo jumped in his seat alarmed by her loud voice. He looked at her startled putting his hand over his heart.

“Oh my God Chungha! What the hell is wrong with you?! You scared me!” he hissed.

“No time for this, you have to come with me now! There’s something you need to know!” she said and he furrowed his eyebrows looking at her puzzled.

“What is this?” Juho asked confused as ever.

“It’s Y/N,” she said and Seokwoo looked at her his eyes wide expecting to hear the worst news of his life. “Last week, she received a box of chocolates from anonymous, I thought it was from you, but turns out it was from Sejun.” she explained and Juho caught onto what was happening.

“The chocolates had Amortentia.” he said and Seokwoo looked at him finally understanding what was wrong with you.

“That explains all of her strange behaviour, that’s why she’s so obsessed with Sejun, I didn’t know he would step that low. I’m going to murder him.” Seokwoo hissed but was stopped by Chungha who shook her head.

“There’s no time for this, we have to tell McGonagall about this, Y/N must take the antidote.” Chungha said and Seokwoo sighed.

“How do we even get her away from Sejun?” he asked and Chungha smirked already having a plan in her head.

“Leave it up to me.”

You followed Chungha blindly whining about how much you missed Sejun, she almost turned around and punched you in the throat for how annoying you were, but she maintained herself remembering that it wasn’t you but it was the love potion. She stopped in front of the door of McGonagall’s office knocking on the door before hearing her professor give her permission to enter.

When McGonagall saw you with Chungha she looked at Seokwoo who was standing next to her anxiously. She emptied the antidote in a goblet and stood up, holding the goblet in her hands, she stopped in front of you.

“Why are we here? Where’s Sejun?” you asked confused and Seokwoo rolled his eyes crossing his arms over his chest his eyes shining with jealousy.

“He’ll be here any moment now, here drink this you must be thirsty.” McGonagall said handing you the goblet.

You looked at it weirdly before taking it from her hand gulping it down your throat. You felt weird, the world was spinning and you felt lightheaded, you almost fell but Chungha caught you in time. She knew the effect of the Amortentia was wearing off.

You gained your composure once again standing up steadily, you looked around in confusion not remembering why you were at McGonagall’s office. You saw Seokwoo standing there looking at you concerned and you felt nervous thinking of the worst scenarios.

“May I ask why am I here? What happened?” you asked and McGonagall gave a small smile.

“You were under a love potion, we gave you the antidote, how do you feel, Y/L/N?” she asked and you looked at her shocked. Did someone give you a love potion?

“I feel alright, but, who gave me the love potion? And how did I take it?” you asked and Chungha wrapped her arms around your shoulder.

“The chocolates you received had Amortentia.” she answered and you whipped your head towards Seokwoo looking at him angrily.

“You gave me those chocolates?!”

“No of course I didn’t! They were from Lim Sejun.” Seokwoo spoke defending himself.

“I’m gonna kill him.” you hissed but McGonagall stopped you looking at you pointedly.

“Now that would be useless, the Headmaster heard of what happened, and he demanded that 100 points taken from Slytherin on the behalf of Sejun, aside from that, he earned himself detention for the rest of the year.” McGonagall explained and you looked at her shocked but happy with the news.

“That means Gryffindor is in 1st place now?” you asked and she smiled nodding.

You let out a joyous laugh hugging Chungha, Seokwoo grinned happily, McGonagall dismissed you and you left with Chungha and Seokwoo to go the Great Hall together. Chungha told you all of the embarrassing things you did and said whilst being under the love potion causing you to almost throw up disgusted by your acts.

“Please stop, this is embarrassing!” you said in agony and Chungha laughed. Seokwoo looked at Chungha who understood his look and excused herself leaving you two alone.

You didn’t know what to do or say to him, he must be annoyed and you feel like you ruined your friendship all of this thanks to Sejun. You looked at Seokwoo who was looking everywhere but you and sighed.

“I’m sorry,” you said and he looked at you confused.

“Why are you apologising?”

“Because I have a feeling that I ruined our friendship, and honestly, I don’t want us to be enemies again.” you said and he smiled softly shaking his head.

“No, you didn’t ruin anything, don’t worry.” he assured and you smiled relieved.

You two stayed quiet for a few moments before Seokwoo looked at you finally letting all his feelings out.

“You know? I was going to ask you on a date that day.” he confessed and you looked at him, not believing your ears. He was blushing slightly but continued. “I wanted to ask you out for so long but I was scared of the rejection, but it’s not my fault that you’re just amazing and it’s hard not to like you. Everything about you is just perfect.” he said looking into your eyes.

You smiled when you heard his words, now you were sure that Chungha wasn’t imagining things when she told you that Seokwoo likes you. You caught feelings for him too, but you were scared because you didn’t want to be the talk of Hogwarts and have people assume that your rivalry was just sexual tension. Maybe it was, but either way, you would never admit it.

“Seokwoo, I don’t know what to say, you’re an amazing person, your love, kindness and selflessness drowned me into you, I tried to push these feelings away because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I like you, Kim Seokwoo.” you confessed looking into his eyes.

He smiled looking breathless, he brought you closer to him leaning down to kiss your lips. It was a soft, passionate kiss, it held all of your emotions, you could feel him smiling against your lips. You didn’t want to pull away, but you also needed to breathe.

“I like you too, Y/N. You don’t understand how delighted I am to hear you say this.” he said smiling pushing a strand of your hair behind your ear. “I will take you to Hogsmeade tomorrow, how does this sound?” he asked and you pecked his lips smiling.

I gulped when he's too close to me as I look away, thinking how Hojun would react to how I act towards Taeha too, since I also experienced bottling up my feelings since we're both in college.

“I…I wanted to see the falls again, so I tried to follow the trail we've been to days ago.” I replied, my eyes are now staring at the ground, trying to stop myself from feeling things.

I don't want to make everything complicated.

Taeha's look is now filled with concern when he just heard me say that. “What? You took the trail alone? Are you even thinking that—”

“That I'm afraid of the woods? I want to overcome that fear, the fear of just being pathetic and not doubting myself. I faced it, Taeha, and I was happy that I faced it.” I said, my voice was a bit trembling.

From the words that escaped my mouth, I didn't think about my fear of being lost in the woods. All I thought was my fear of losing the person I cherished the most, and how I faced them again with any doubts, and ended up with the happiness that I've been looking for.

Taeha exhaled sharply, “How about the rain? Are you drenched when you're out there?” He questioned again.

“Yeah, but I'm fine.” My voice came out as a whisper.

My heart skipped a beat when Taeha cupped my cheek and then slowly dragged it to my forehead, feeling if I'm cold from the rain.

“You could get sick.” He stared at me in pure concern, his other hand was ghosting over mine, thinking if he could intertwine our fingers.

But when I took a step back from him, he knew he had to stop. “I'm fine Taeha, I took a shower immediately when I arrived. So don't worry too much about me.” I said as I sat down on my bed, where the two dresses that I've been planning to pick from are still laying. My eyes bore on the white dress that Taeha picked because he said I'll look beautiful in it.

“Are you still going to wear the dress?” Taeha asked, his eyes showing a hint of pleading.

I warmly smiled and took the white dress that he picked out for me earlier, “Of course, since you said I'll look beautiful in it.” I replied.

Taeha can't hide his smile again and nods his head at my reply, “Okay then, I'll see you later. I actually have to help Dohyun outside.”

“Okay, I'll see you tonight.”

Then Taeha left the room again.

I exhaled sharply over my overthinking self again. Feeling that inner argument within me as I still haven't decided that I'll explain everything to Taeha what is between me and Hojun. I just didn't want to have misunderstandings with such a fun night like tonight. I am finally promising myself that I'll be explaining everything to him tomorrow, or on our last day.

I laid down on my bed and just imagined what would be Taeha's reaction? Will he become distant or…will he accept Hojun?

“Why am I even drowning myself in overthinking again. I should be enjoying the last days of this getaway because I will never experience this again.” I said to myself, eyes glued on the ceiling.

The room was filled with the hum of my favorite playlist, the upbeat music uplifted my mood earlier as I got myself ready for tonight. I leaned closer to the mirror and finally put on my favorite lipstick, making the look subtle yet elegant, complementing my entire look effortlessly. Leaning back, I admired my reflection. The girl staring back at me looked confident, radiant, ready for a night of fun. I can already hear the music thumping outside, meaning that everything is now ready.

“Hm, Taeha really has a good eye with this dress.” I said to my reflection, twirling the dress around.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

“Eunji, are you ready yet?”

It was Taeha.

“Yeah, almost!” I called out, grabbing a pair of earrings and putting them on before stepping out of the room.

Taeha already got ready earlier before I started putting on my makeup and now he’s here, leaning against the doorframe, dressed casually in a button-up shirt and dark jeans. For a second there, he just stared.

“What?” I chuckled while putting on my sandals.

“Wow,” he breathed. “You look… amazing.”

I felt a sudden rush of warmth rise to my cheeks. “Well, you said I would look beautiful in this dress” I said, smiling as I twirled for effect in front of him.

Taeha grinned, shaking his head slightly. “I mean, yeah I said you’ll look beautiful, but when you’re actually in the dress right now, you look flawless.”

I snorted a laugh when he said that, nudging his shoulder playfully to hide the fluttering in my chest. “Alright, charmer, you look good too, now let’s go and enjoy the night.”

Me and Taeha finally went downstairs and out of the cabin. The evening sky was painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The warm summer breeze carried the scent of grilled food and the laughter of friends. Music echoed through the spacious backyard, where fairy lights were strung between the trees, casting a golden glow over the party.

My eyes gleamed in joy over this party, “Wow, Dohyun really did his best.” I complimented the place.

“Why thank you.”

I was startled when a voice came from behind me and saw that it’s Dohyun, who just heard my compliment.

It was Dohyun, who was smiling widely at the sight of the party with all of his friends having fun with the music, the food, and of course, the alcohol.

“This is now my favorite activity in this getaway so far.” I said.

Taeha and Dohyun stifled a laugh over my comment. “Really? I thought volleyball was your favorite?” Taeha teased me again, making me lightly punch his bicep.

Dohyun also laughed along with Taeha's teasing and I’m just pouting here between them. Then Dohyun poked my cheeks, trying to cheer me up.

“You should be smiling right now, everyone here is having a blast.” Dohyun chuckled, then soon left our side to entertain the others too.

My eyes scanned around the party, seeing the others already holding their drinks and enjoying the music. I still can't believe that we stayed here for almost a week now and I won't get over how the moon illuminates the calm current of the lake. And also the people I've interacted with in this getaway, Dohyun being the bestest friend, Taeha still the most patient one for me, and Hojun…who miraculously entered my life again. After everything that happened here, good or bad, should be celebrated.

“Should we get our drinks now?” I grinned at Taeha, who is clearly excited for tonight.

“We shall.” Taeha replied with a smile as we both made our way to the bar wherein a wide variety of drinks were served.

While me and Taeha were enjoying our small talk with our drinks, Yoobin and Sunhee also interacted with us and they added more gossip—which is their expertise. They mentioned Haesoo again, which made my ears perk up in interest.

“I saw Haesoo and her ex Hojun talking yesterday, I'm not sure but her voice sounds paranoid?” Sunhee gossips, making sure her voice is low.

“Just like Dohyun said, she's not over him but Hojun is clearly over her. She sounds paranoid and desperate.” Yoobin added.

I just stayed silent throughout the gossip and prevented myself from acting too much on the information I've heard again. I remember the day I saw Haesoo come out from Hojun's room, and now questions came spinning in my head again. In those days before me and Hojun reconnected, did he perhaps talk to Haesoo since they have history together? Is Haesoo asking for closure? Why am I overthinking again?

When my eyes went towards the others, I finally saw Hojun, who was talking to Dohyun—like an invisible thread, his eyes also trailed over to my direction, that fleeting glance sending warmth curling through my chest. It was a subtle exchange, unnoticed by anyone else.

I watched him take a swig on his drink, and I took some of mine too. My eyes followed his hand movements, of how he was tapping his wristwatch with his finger, showing me some message. And when Hojun finished his drink, he excused himself as he entered the cabin again.

Maybe that's also my cue.

I finished my drink and set it down the counter beside us, “I'll just go to the restrooms. The beer is messing up my bladder.” I said to Taeha, who is enjoying socializing with the others.

Taeha glanced at me, “Oh, alright, just call me up if you need help or if you're getting drunk.” He replied.

I nodded my head at him and finally went inside the cabin again. I look around the first floor and he's not here, then my feet dragged me upstairs and that's where my breath hitched when I finally saw Hojun leaning against his door, with that sly smirk on his face.

“So you did understand it.” Hojun smirked, referring to his so-called signal earlier.

I chuckled, “I actually don't, I was just curious.” I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

The silence that took over us gives off a suffocating feeling—it’s like the atmosphere is urging me to do something. But those inappropriate thoughts made me blush so hard again, flustered of how I'm thinking in front of him right now.

“The others are definitely looking for us—”

My words were interrupted when Hojun suddenly hooked his arms around my waist, pulling me close, and just embraced me like I was about to leave him forever. I am more flustered than before when he buried his face on my neck, the feeling of his hot breath fanning over my skin. His hands soon roamed, sliding over the delicate fabric of my dress, fingers tightening at my waist. I gasped when he pulled me even closer, his lips trailing along my jaw, down the column of my throat.

My heart is literally beating so hard right now.

“Hojun…we’re in the middle of the hallway. Someone might walk in.” I breathed, though there was no real protest in my voice.

Hojun didn’t reply to me back, instead, he reached to his bedroom’s door knob behind him and pulled me inside the dimmed room. Before I can even process my thoughts on what he’s going to do, he pressed me against the door, hands still gripping my waist and his lips ghosting over my neck.

“You look beautiful tonight, Jinnie.” Hojun murmured, his voice rough with restraint.

I still feel butterflies in my stomach when he's using that nickname.

I let out a soft, knowing hum, tilting my head slightly, letting my lips barely graze his. “You look good too, Hojun.”

Hojun’s next response was wordless as his lips crashed against mine, hungry and desperate, as if he had been holding back for far too long. I melted into his soft plump lips, my fingers threading through his hair, tugging just enough to make him groan against my mouth.

His hands slipped lower, hands playing over the hem of my dress before he gripped my thighs and lifted me in one swift motion. I gasped, wrapping my legs around his waist as he pressed me harder against the door, the heat between us was electric, consuming.

I could feel the solid press of his body against mine, the way his hands tightened around my thighs, the way his breath hitched when I rolled my hips just slightly. Hojun cursed under his breath, capturing my lips again, deepening the kiss and more desperate. He soon turned and carried me toward the bed, our mouths never parting, and our bodies moving as one. When his knees hit the edge, he lowered us down, my back sinking into the soft mattress as he hovered over me.

His lips never stopped. He kissed me again and again, as if he couldn’t get enough, his hands exploring, memorizing every curve, every inch of my body. He soon left my lips, trailing down my jaw, then lower, finding the sensitive spot just below my ear. He kissed there, slow and deliberate. I felt him smiling against my skin when I let out a sharp breath.

Hojun slowly pulled down the thin strap of my dress, exposing my collarbone and shoulder. I arched into him as his lips ghosted over my exposed skin. He took his time, pressing soft, lingering kisses along my collarbone and the delicate line of my shoulder. His hands traced down my arms, fingers skimming over my heated skin, making me tremble beneath him.

“Hojun…” I whispered, breathless.

“Jinnie…” he whispered back, his breath teasing me.

He hummed against my skin, his lips still exploring, his tongue flicking out to taste the warmth of my shoulder before he nipped at it lightly, making me gasp. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging him back up so I could kiss him again, deep and needy. Our bodies pressed together, heat radiating between us like a fire we couldn’t put out. There was only this moment where only me and him exist.

And then—loud sounds from the others echoed outside, it seems like they are amazed over something. Then followed by the sound of footsteps outside the door. Hojun tensed above me and I was holding my breath, a loud pulse hammering in my chest.

“Hey, has anyone seen Hojun? Haesoo has been looking for him.” The voice said from outside.

A questioning look flashed over my face when I just heard that. Why is Haesoo even looking for Hojun? And that made me think about Sunhee and Yoobin’s gossip earlier, that Haesoo is growing desperate for Hojun throughout this whole getaway.

I lightly pushed against Hojun’s chest and he quickly pulled away, rolling onto his side, his breathing still uneven.

“I think…we’ve been gone too long. The others might wonder why.” I whispered, running a hand through my tousled hair, trying to compose myself.

Hojun sat up, dragging a hand down his face, trying to shake off the haze of desire that still clung to him, “Yeah, we should…” He whispered.

We exchanged one last lingering glance, the heat still simmering between us, but the moment had already passed. Hojun slowly leaned in to me again and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, the kiss felt like an apology to me.

With a reluctant sigh, I smoothed out my dress, ran my fingers through my hair, “You’ll go first,” I said. “I’ll wait a few minutes after you leave.”

Hojun nodded as he stood up, straightening his clothes too and approached the door, before he left, he looked back at me again, “I’ll see you later at midnight.” He murmured.

I remembered that we will see each other by the lake later, “See you Hojun…” I replied.

The cheers that me and Hojun heard earlier is because of the bonfire that is lit up in the middle of the space here. It sent golden embers dancing into the cool night air, their fleeting glow disappearing into the dark sky scattered with stars. I found Taeha and the others again, relieved that they didn’t suspect anything of my absence earlier. I also spotted Hojun back with his circle too, acting like nothing happened between us. But this time, my eyes locked on Haesoo, who is also sending glances over Hojun’s direction, noticing that her friends are nudging her to go talk to him.

And to my surprise, she really did.

My gaze, sharp and unwavering, was fixed on them when Haesoo was now in front of Hojun. I had promised myself that I wouldn't let it bother me, but they still have history, which is more recent than what I have with him.

My brows furrowed when Haesoo said something to him that made Hojun smile a bit. My stomach coiled—I shouldn’t be surprised, they’re exes, and Hojun…had once loved her. I exhaled sharply, reverting my gaze to the bonfire. The flames swayed with the wind, throwing flickering shadows across the ground. The warmth felt suffocating now, pressing against my skin, making my pulse quicken.

“You look lonely.”

I flinched slightly, turning to see Taeha giving me a curious look. I forced a smile. “No, I’m not. I’m just…mesmerizing the bonfire.”

Taeha is still drinking a cocktail and his face looks flushed, making me giggle, “Your face is so red. How many drinks did you even consume?” I asked.

“Three? Oh no not three because Yoobin gave me another, maybe five?,” Taeha looked puzzled right now and he looked damn funny. After the heavy feeling I’ve felt earlier, he came to lift up my mood again.

“Oh god, I think you’re really drunk.” I giggled.

Taeha pouted, “I’m not drunk.”

“Yes, you are.” I poked his cheek, laughing at his current state. “You always act all cool and everything, but now you look like a big baby.”

Taeha groaned, covering his face with one hand. “Why am I friends with you again?”

“Well it’s your fault you were very approachable and kind when we were in college. My perfect prey for my whole college life.” I teased him and he scoffed at me.

Taeha leaned in close, his head tilting on the side, “Well, it’s your fault too that you radiate so much energy during college that helped me get through anything before.”

I was speechless at what he just said and my heart skipped a beat.

And I just realized just how little space separated us. Taeha’s usual sharp gaze, now softened by alcohol, locked onto mine, and the atmosphere shifted between us. I could feel the warmth radiating from his skin, could see the nervous flicker in his eyes that mirrored my own.

And then as if on cue, we both looked away, our faces exploded in shades of red.

“U-uh,” Taeha stammered, quickly looking away.

“W-we should, um, go and grab some water for you to be sober later.”

“Yeah, yeah, definitely,” Taeha nodded way too fast, running a hand through his hair.

But unlike his confident demeanor when he’s sober, he’s surprisingly so shy when he’s drunk. It’s like I took a time machine and is witnessing Taeha as a college student again. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye and couldn’t help but smirk.

“So, I helped you get through anything with my burst of energy in college?” I teased him again.

Taeha groaned, “Eunji…”

I just laughed at his cuteness, but I still can’t ignore how my heart raced earlier.

When we found our way to the bar and took a seat on the stools, the music earlier soon chimed a different mood wherein one of Dohyun’s friends took over as a DJ right now. Everyone cheered when he switched to an upbeat track that everybody knows and one of my favorites dance tracks ever—it’s ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!. The small crowd erupted into cheers. I closed my eyes, letting the melody flood my senses. My feet moved instinctively, my body swaying with the music, heart soaring as if I could bottle this feeling and keep it forever.

The thought hit me suddenly, a pang deep in my chest—would something like this happen again? All of us in this beautiful getaway are all adults, living our own lives to live comfortably, but this specific night brought us all back when we were younger and away from all the worries of the real world. I didn't want to think more about it, but it was there, lingering at the back of my mind like the last note of a song before the silence sets in.

The song built up to a drop, and when the beat hit, the entire group jumped in sync, their laughter mixing with the music. The lake glowed under the moonlight, reflecting the joy, the freedom, the now.

My eyes found Yoobin dancing her way towards our direction, pulling me in to join them in the crowd. Taeha chuckled and let me be stolen by them as I soon matched their energy. Everyone is so lost in the music. Yoobin, with her endless energy, grabbed my hands and twirled them both until we were breathless with laughter. Sunhee, who is already tipsy from the varieties of drinks she had, threw her arms in the air, spinning in a ridiculous, exaggerated move that sent everyone into hysterics.

This was limitless euphoria.

In the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure watching me from afar.

Hojun, tall and effortlessly handsome, leaned against the bar counter with that half-smirk he always wore when he was amused. His dark hair was tousled and his hands rested in the pockets of his jeans. His gaze was steady, observant, filled with something unreadable. And no sign of Haesoo around him anymore.

And just beside him is Taeha, arms crossed, a small smile playing on his lips. His brown eyes flickered in the lantern light, catching every move I made. He wasn’t just watching. He was seeing me here, living my best life through the beat of the music.

My heart gave a traitorous flutter.

They were both here. Both watching me. The feelings I had for both of them are still messing me up in different, tangled ways.

“Give me more energy Eunji!” Sunhee hollered as she showed me a cup of a drink I’m not aware of, then she made me drink the alcohol as it burned pleasantly in my throat. That felt like a big burst of energy as we moved to the music again.

And so it continued—shot after shot, mixed drinks I couldn’t even name, all handed to me with playful insistence. The music felt louder, the lights blurrier, my body lighter. Every step I took felt like floating, my laughter echoing through the crowd. At some point, reality started slipping away. My thoughts turned into fragments of the night—and then came darkness.

A dull throbbing in my head was the first thing I registered. The second was the unfamiliar weight of a blanket draped over my shoulders. Groaning, I blinked against the invading moonlight filtering through the curtains. Why are the curtains open? I always close them when it’s time to sleep.

Where am I?

Slowly, I turned my head, recognizing the familiar walls of the rooms in the cabin. Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by confusion. How did I even get back here?

I sat up slowly wincing at the pounding inside my skull. My dress clung to my body, the faint scent of alcohol and sweat still present. I looked to my side and I was surprised that there’s Yoobin and Sunhee sleeping in one bed, cuddling together. I looked around the room and saw that I’m not in my own room, it’s their room.

I checked the clock on the bedside table and saw it’s 3 in the morning, and something crept into my mind. Hojun. We promised that we’ll see each other by the lake. I cursed under my breath and soon left the bed without making any loud sounds and entered the bathroom, washing my face and also gargling with the mouthwash I found in there. But the effect of the alcohol is still there.

I silently opened the door and soon left the room, making my way downstairs and outside the cabin. The aftermath of the party is still there, the bonfire is now extinguished and the moonlight is the only source of light in this breezy night. My feet dragged towards the lake, my heart leaped when I spotted Hojun, standing near the driftwood where we sat that night.

My heart suddenly dropped when I realized that he wasn’t alone.

A few feet away, a woman was clinging to him.

My breath hitched. Even in the dim lighting, I recognized her instantly—Haesoo.

Haesoo was holding onto his body, desperate, looking up into his eyes. She was saying something—I couldn’t hear exactly what—but the way her hands tightened around Hojun’s made my stomach churn.

I took a shaky step forward.

Hojun didn’t push Haesoo away.

He didn’t move closer either.

But that didn’t matter. Because to my drunken, hurt, and infuriated mind, that hesitation was enough.

Now, I just feel stupid. And something in me snapped.

Before either of them could notice me, I spun on my heel and walked away. Not a word. Not a sound. The cold wind bit on my skin, but I welcomed it. Better to be cold than to feel like this.

I ran back inside the cabin, wiping away the stray tears at my eyes furiously, hating myself for being this upset, for feeling betrayed, even though I knew something like this would happen.

And then—I collided with a firm chest.

“Oof—what the—”

Strong hands gripped my arms to steady me. I blinked up, still slightly dazed from the alcohol and the anger swirling inside me. “Taeha?”

He looked a bit sober now, compared to what I witnessed earlier. But the faint shade of red is still visible on his cheeks and his ears. “I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?” His voice was laced with worry.

“Yoobin and Sunhee gave me so many drinks earlier…a-and they let me sleep in their room because they don’t know where my room is.” I explained, my voice still a bit slurring.

“Alright, you need to rest more. I swear you’ll have the worst headache in the morning.”

I let him guide me upstairs, his arm steadying me when my steps still wobbled a bit. By the time we reached our room, the alcohol had again settled deep into my system, making everything feel slower, heavier.

I kicked off my shoes the second we stepped inside and turned to face Taeha. “You always take care of me,” I murmured, tilting my head as I studied him through my heavy-lidded eyes.

Taeha chuckled softly. “Someone has to.”

His voice was warm, familiar, and for some reason, that only made me more frustrated with what I’m really feeling for Hojun minutes ago.

A rush of emotion crashed into me—anger, hurt, longing—all tangled into a mess I couldn’t untangle. And before I could second-guess herself, I grabbed Taeha by the collar and pulled him in. Our lips crashed together, and Taeha froze for a split second before groaning against my mouth. His hands found my waist, holding me like I might break, but I pressed closer, deepening the kiss. It was raw, fueled by alcohol and frustration, but the moment his lips moved against mine, it ignited something hotter.

Taeha’s grip tightened, his fingers digging into my hips as he backed me up against the nearest wall. His mouth was urgent, demanding, and I met him with equal hunger. A small moan escaped my lips as his hands skimmed under my dress and on the heated skin of my thigh, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

I felt his hesitation for only a moment as he pulled back just enough to whisper, “Eunji, are you sure?”

But I didn’t want to stop. Not now. The alcohol made me this way.

“Shut up and kiss me,” I breathed.

And he did.

Our bodies tangled as we stumbled toward one of the beds—I don’t know which one—clothes becoming looser, touches more desperate. His lips left mine only to travel along my jaw, down the column of my throat, teeth scraping, tongue soothing. My fingers tightened in his hair as I let my head fall back, surrendering to the delicious sensation of his mouth marking a path across my skin.

His hands roamed, exploring, claiming every inch of skin he could reach. Those large hands slowly ran down my thighs and soon gripped my leg, setting himself between my legs as a faint moan passed my lips when his hips grazed onto mine.

With all my emotions mixing together and the effect of the alcohol running through my veins, something felt off. My responses slowed, my movements now less certain. I still had the tiny bit of energy to cup Taeha’s face, leaning in for another kiss, but then my body just automatically slumped slightly against him.

“Eunji?” I heard Taeha murmured through my blurry vision, brushing a strand of hair from my flushed face.

I blinked sluggishly, struggling to focus. “Mmm... ‘m fine,” I mumbled, though my words were slurred. My head rested on his neck, and a second later, my body went slack and soon passed out.

“Eunji, come here for a second.” Her mother beckoned her over and the little girl obeyed, slowly walking towards her while wearing the chaotic looking jacket because she accidentally put the wrong buttonholes.

“But the cherry blossoms.” Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

“I'm just going to fix your jacket, and then we'll go see the cherry blossoms.” Her mother calmed her down while buttoning her jacket right and then planted a kiss on her forehead.

The child's eyes gleamed in joy when she heard the words that came from her caring mother's mouth. Eunji was the happiest that day.

Just then the door opened, those familiar footsteps from their leather dress shoes made Eunji turn around with the largest smile on her face. She fled off her mother's hold and ran towards them.

“Daddy!” She screamed and threw herself towards her father who just got off early from work since he promised to have dinner with the family tonight.

“My angel!” Her father exclaimed, dropping his things on the floor and carrying his daughter in his welcoming arms, “Why are you wearing that thick jacket indoors?”

“She wanted to see the cherry blossoms, maybe we'll go to the park for a bit while you rest and then I'll prepare the dinner after—”

Eunji's father shook his head to his wife, “—don’t worry, I'll take her to the park and we'll buy some ice cream for our dessert later.” He winked at her and took his jacket.

Eunji's mother giggled, “Alright, have fun you two.”

Eunji and her father soon left the house. Eunji was skipping happily while walking towards the nearby park, singing children songs that talked about spring, even dancing to it. Her father loved Eunji's bright personality and he hopes she'll stay that way until she gets old.

“Daddy, look at me! I'm walking backwards!” Eunji practiced this—walking backwards, thinking it's an amazing skill. She can't wait to let her classmates see how she does it.

Her father chuckled, “You're doing great, but watch out for some—”

A happy laugh came from a distance and his father saw a kid running out of their house, unaware that he and Eunji, who is confidently walking backwards, will bump into each other.

“Eunji, wait!—”

Well, it's too late.

But little Eunji didn't fall on the ground.

The little boy caught her. His tiny arms hooked under her armpits.

“Oh god, are you both okay?!” Eunji's father checked on both children, checking if there were wounds. But to his surprise, no bruises or wounds.

He took Eunji in his arms and turn his attention to the boy, “I'm so sorry kid, are you—”

“What's happening here?”

A grown man's voice came between the scene and guessed it was the little boy's father. Eunji's father turned to look at the man and his eyes widened.

“Lee Jinhwang?!” Eunji's father exclaimed, not believing his eyes on who he's meeting right now, just a few minutes from his house.

Jinhwang furrowed his brows and soon recognized his friend all the way back in high school.

“Kim Youngchul?! Is that you?!” Jinhwang screamed.

“In the very flesh!”

The two grown men reunited with the warmest hug that they haven't done with years they've lost in their friendship. Back in the 80s, Lee Jinhwang and Kim Youngchul were those duo who looked like delinquents but actually excelled so high on their studies.

“Oh! Meet my daughter Eunji!” Youngchul showed little Eunji to Jinhwang, “Angel, say hello to uncle Youngchul!”

Little Eunji shyly waves her hand to Jinhwang while she's gripping on her father's pants.

“Hello Eunji! I'm uncle Jinhwang, your father's friend!,” Jinhwang waved back, “And meet my little boy too! Hojun, come here!”

The little boy from earlier walks towards his father and bow down to Eunji and her father, “Hello.” Hojun greeted them.

“Your son actually caught Eunji from falling earlier, so I'm thanking this little man here.” Youngchul showed his fist, asking the little kid for a fistbump, which Hojun gladly did.

“Really? Hojun, you did good, my boy.” Jinhwang patted his son's head and pulled him closer.

Eunji had been staring at Hojun, wondering if they would be friends. She remembers from her classmates that having a boy as a friend is weird, but Eunji thinks Hojun is not weird…because he helped her earlier.

“Are you perhaps living in this neighborhood too?” Jinhwang asked.

Youngchul nodded his head, “Yeah, we've been living here for five years, just two months after Eunji was born.”

Jinhwang was flabbergasted, “We just moved here this morning, god…I can't believe we're now neighbors! Isn't this fate?” He laughed.

“It really is fate, my friend. I'm really happy to see you again,” Youngchul patted his friend's shoulder, “But for now, we'll take our leave because my daughter wants to see the cherry blossoms in the park.”

“Oh sure! Have a great time,” Jinhwang bid his goodbye but he suddenly thought of something, “Actually, you and your family should come over tomorrow for dinner at our house.”

“Of course, we'll be there. Right, Eunji?” Youngchul lightly pinched Eunji's cheek.

Eunji nodded her head.

“Say your goodbyes to uncle Jinhwang and Hojun now.” Her father said.

Eunji bowed her head to Jinhwang and waved goodbye to Hojun, who also shyly waved goodbye.

“Why are you so late, Hojun?”

My discreet stare kept locking in on Hojun, who is being asked by Dohyun. They were sitting on the other table, where Choi Haesoo is earlier.

“I attended a virtual meeting with some executives back in Australia to let them give me some letter of recommendation for my new work here.” Hojun answered.

My heart skipped a beat again to hear how professional and stoic he's speaking. Like a computer. My eyes found Haesoo, still quiet and probably full of thoughts that's been bothering her—and I feel the same. She's just trying so hard to hide by talking to the others in that table.

“She's shaking so much.”

“What? Me?—oh um, who?” I suddenly blurted out those words in a slightly loud tone, feeling like I was caught from staring at Hojun.

Yoobin was surprised by my sudden reaction, “What are you rambling about?” she questioned.

“Oh, it's nothing…it's uh…I think I'm getting tired.” I pretend to yawn and stretch out my arms.

Goosebumps embraced my body when Taeha suddenly cupped my jaw as he observed my face, “You should get more rest, I noticed your eye bags getting worse.”

His face is so close—too close.

I can totally feel Yoobin's interested stare between me and Taeha, of course I defended myself, “I know that look Yoobin.”

“What look?” Yoobin innocently said, “But come on, you and Taeha looked good together. I thought you two were really together when I first saw you in the shuttle.”

I look over to Taeha who is flustered right now, “I…uh—” He stammered.

“—no way, he's just my friend. A very good friend.” I cut him off his words. I stood up from my seat and excused myself.

“Eunji, where are you going?” Dohyun asked when I walked past their table. I stopped my tracks as I lay my eyes on Hojun, who is sitting across Dohyun.

“I'm going back to my room, I feel kinda tired. I'm excited for the nature walk tomorrow though. See you all in the morning.” I explained to my friend and at the same time, hoping that Hojun would recognize me.

But he didn't even add something in the brief conversation, not even a hello, or how have you been?

We really are strangers. But I really accept these consequences between our history since it's been two whole decades that we last saw each other.

“I'll excuse myself now, have fun for the rest of the evening.” I bowed my head down and strolled back inside the cabin. Soon I found myself running upstairs and into our room.

I lean my back against the door, hands clutching my chest as I hear my heart thumping loudly. I have to stop feeling like this, he's just my childhood friend—only a friend!

I threw myself on my bed and curled into a ball with the thick duvet, “But why am I so affected that he's not noticing me? We didn't even have a proper past! We were only kids!” I argued with myself, trying to vent out everything.

I kind of want to tell my father that I met Hojun again, but if I tell him, maybe he'll tell uncle Jinhwang?

“That's not a good idea. I'm not gonna tell my parents about this.” I shook my head and then calmed myself down.

The door suddenly opens to see Taeha, upon the look on his face, I can tell he’s worried. I also noticed the two mugs in his hand that are steaming hot.

“Eunji? Are you still not feeling well?” Taeha asked, sitting down on the edge of my bed then gave me one of the mugs—it was hot chocolate.

My heart swells that he always remembers that I drink hot chocolate whenever I’m not feeling well.

“Not anymore,” I chuckled when I sipped on the hot chocolate he made, “Thank you for the hot chocolate. This comforts me so much.”

Taeha warmly smiled and also took a sip on his own mug, “By the way, I noticed that…your face looked so puzzled when that friend of Dohyun came. Is he perhaps…familiar to you?” He curiously asked.

I stopped indulging in my hot chocolate when he suddenly asked that, but I tried my very best to show off my poker face behind the emotions I’m experiencing right now, “No, I thought he’s someone I used to know…but I was wrong.” I lied.

“Alright,” Taeha nodded his head. I was relieved that he believed my lie. I’m still not ready to tell him about Hojun and how I feel about him, “Dohyun said that the nature walk tomorrow starts at 7 in the morning, so I suggest we'll take a shower tonight for us to have more time to get ready tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll just finish this hot chocolate and then I’ll take a bath.” I agreed on Taeha and continued drinking.

I hope I can sleep peacefully after what I’ve felt tonight.

What did I expect? Of course I slept perfectly.

The bed is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on and since my body is still getting more sleep from work, I automatically passed out after I took a bath last night. The hot chocolate also helped put me to sleep. When I woke up, I glanced over Taeha's bed to see it’s already empty. Panic rushed through my veins and instantly took my phone on the bedside table, only seeing the time is still 5:30 am

I became at ease when I realized that I’m not late for the nature walk, but instead confused about where Taeha is in the early morning. My questions were answered when the door opened, revealing Taeha who was wearing a compression tank top and spandex shorts. Sweat glistened over his face as he took off his wireless earphones.

Taeha noticed that I’m already awake, “Good morning, did you sleep well?” He asked.

I was about to respond to him but I turned speechless when he lift up his tank top for him to wipe away the sweat on his face, showing his chiseled torso and the hint of body hair leading down to his—

What am I even thinking?! 

My face turned red again as I looked away from him, pretending that I’m looking at the window and enjoying the view, “I..uh, yeah, I did sleep well. How about you?”

“I did too and took a stroll earlier to see the sunrise and workout too. This place is so soothing. No loud cars and pollution like we always see in our apartment.” Taeha replied.

I should’ve got up early too to see the sunrise. I imagine it to be so beautiful with the scenery of the lake. I stood up from my bed and looked out the window. Seeing the large trees and lake made me feel that excitement for the nature walk and Dohyun mentioned that there’s a nearby falls and that’s where we’re going.

“You should get ready for the nature walk now.” Shiver ran down my spine when I felt Taeha’s low voice behind me. I turned around to see him striding close to me, trapping me against the window. A mischievous smile painting over his lips.

“T-Taeha, why are you—”

He leaned in closer again and I just closed my eyes, expecting if something happened…but there was nothing.

“My bag is behind you, I'll have to get my towel.” He said.

I immediately opened my eyes and felt that stupidness on what I've been thinking about, “Y-you should've told me in the first place.” I stammered and returned to my bed. Still shocked at what just happened.

Taeha took his towel and clothes to change, “I'll shower for a bit. You should also get some insect repellent, there's a lot of mosquitoes outside.” He said and then entered the bathroom.

I took my pillow and shoved my face right onto it, screaming on the soft pillow, venting out on how stupid I was earlier. It's still our second day here and it's staring off so bad.

These mixed signals from Taeha and Lee Hojun coming into my life again.

I removed the pillow from my face, “I'm going to survive this damn week. Just five days left and everything will be going back to normal again.” I said to myself and stood up from my bed, getting my stuff ready for the nature walk.

“Good morning everyone! Is everyone ready for the nature walk?”

Dohyun is again sending us some energy and motivation to go on a nature walk this morning. Some were excited and some were not a bunch of morning people. Well, I'm in the middle of it all.

The sun hung up in the sky beautifully today, its rays dancing over the water of the lake. The air is warm and thick with the scent of trees. All twelve of us soon began walking towards the trail and up to a ridge where we could see the falls.

The dirt path is a bit soft beneath our shoes and leaves that fell cracking on each step. I can also hear the sound of the birds chirping, making a beautiful symphony that is being accompanied by our chatter as we continue walking.

Others are now snapping some pictures, pausing to take a picture of the view or some tiny details like the sun rays peeking through the canopy of leaves and a butterfly resting on a flower.

“This feels so comforting. And I feel like I went back to my childhood days where me and my parents used to go camping. My father loved nature walks.” I smiled as I reminisced about those simple but happy times.

“That's nice, you seem to be the happiest kid.” Taeha responded, also smiling over my tiny personal story.

My eyes found Hojun walking just a few steps ahead of us and who was surprisingly talking to Haesoo.

And they were…smiling.

“Yeah, I was.” I said with a smile, thinking about how Hojun also made my childhood happy.

It's already been an hour since we started walking towards the falls and Dohyun announced that in only a few minutes we will be surprised by nature's beauty. Me and Taeha kept the random stories about each other going.

I tried walking backwards again, explaining to Taeha that when I was five, I thought this was a rare skill. Making us both laugh.

“That's so cute, but really? Nobody in your classmates knows how to walk backwards?” Taeha can't believe it.

“Yeah! When they do it, they fall back.” I chuckled.

“Five year old you surely gained a lot of confidence when—”

Taeha's response was cut off when my feet suddenly hit a large protruding tree root on the ground, and since I'm walking backwards, I knew I'll meet the dirty ground already.

My eyes were closed, waiting for that solid ground, but nothing happened. Instead, I felt strong arms hooked under my armpits, catching me from falling. This feels so deja Vu.

My breath hitched when I decided to look up who caught me from falling—it was him. Lee Hojun.

Words are not even processing in my brain right now. All I'm feeling is his arms, those steady, firm but gentle arms sending a jolt to me stronger than the adrenaline I've felt from nearly falling.

Our eyes finally meet and then hear him say his first words to me after 20 years, “Are you okay?” Hojun asked.

Everything is now processing inside my head again as I immediately stood my ground and fixed myself. I only managed a shaky nod as a response to him, my words lost somewhere between embarrassment or that overwhelming feeling.

“Eunji,” I heard Taeha behind me and immediately checked if I had bruises or cuts, “Oh thank God you don't have cuts.”

Hojun suddenly spoke between me and Taeha, “Look over your girlfriend next time, getting cuts in these woods would lead to infection.” He said before walking away again.

Fuck, he really don't know me anymore. I'm even sure he heard my name from Taeha earlier, but didn't that ring a bell for him? He even called me Taeha's girlfriend!

“Come on, the others are now way ahead of us.” Taeha held my hand as we continued walking, pretending as if nothing just happened.

Of course that interaction between me and Hojun was nothing for Taeha, but to me, after those years without interaction made me feel something. It's even like the first time we met when we were kids.

After several minutes of walking, we finally heard the sound of rushing water from a distance. Me and Taeha grew our excitement as we ran towards where the sound was. My heart quickened when we finally saw it—the falls.

It's cascading down the rugged rocks and down with its silvery stream glistening in the light of the sun. Mist is dancing in the air, sending a cooling breeze on my skin. We took a step closer, resting on the rocks that surrounded the water. I decided to take my shoes and socks off as I stepped into the shallow water, feeling the cold water from the falls engulfing my feet, sending chills down my spine.

“This place is like a huge painting, I just want to stay here forever.” I said, wading a bit deeper and my feet splashing playfully at the water’s surface.

Taeha chuckled, “Yeah, it really is.”

I watched Taeha also take off his shoes and socks, wanting to join me from wading in the shallow water, but then something unexpected happened. I was shocked when Taeha let out an undignified yelp as he landed on his backside in the shallow water, sending a splash towards me and in another direction. For a second, only silence was heard between us but then I couldn't help but burst into laughter, doubling over the tears that welled in my eyes.

“Taeha! Oh god what happened to you?” I gasped between my fit of giggles, “Are you okay?”

Taeha, who is now soaking wet and blushing like crazy, tried to laugh it off as he still sat there in the cold water, “I actually meant to do that, for me to hear you laugh.” He said with a crooked grin.

I finally recovered from laughing as I reached out my hand to him, helping him up, “Yeah right, I definitely saw that moss-covered part of the rocks and you actually stepped on it earlier.”

Taeha gasped, “And you didn’t tell me?” That face shows how betrayed he was.

I giggled, “You’re such a dork.” I said warmly, eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Yeah yeah you got me. Now let’s dry ourselves off. I think the others are now also getting ready to leave.” Taeha said, setting himself up on the dry rocks again. He hoists me up with him as we dry ourselves, but I’m still stifling a laugh over his drenched clothes, the scene replaying in my mind again.

Then my eyes caught Hojun’s direction again, who was also having fun with the others. He still has that adorable gummy smile when he was a kid. All of those memories of us as children are now hidden away from him and I think I should really accept it. I have to remind myself that time changes and people change. Those little moments she’d cherished are now rendered meaningless, swept away from the passage of time.

My train of thoughts were interrupted when Taeha offered his hand to me again, “Come on Eunji, let’s go.”

Now that Taeha has been the greatest friend I’ve had, I think this is now the change that’s been offered to me. A new person that will be sharing a lot more memories than I had with Hojun. Life had moved on and I think so had I, finding something far better than her distant memories: a new friendship now rooted in the present, hoping that it’s finally steady and true.

Eunji hid behind the large plant in this hallway, eavesdropping on the two.

“What are you doing for the break?” The girl asked Hojun.

Hojun scratched the back of his head, “I am playing with Eunji, you know her right?”

Eunji smiled on Hojun’s answer, knowing that he’s really a real friend to her.

“Oh…Eunji, the second grader?” The girl said, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, “She’s cool, but you should come hang out with us this summer.”

“That sounds fun,” Hojun replied, and Eunji felt her heart shatter, “But can Eunji come along?”

Eunji bit her lip, trying not to make a sound because of how happy she is. Hojun is always making her feel like she belongs with the other kids, regardless of their gender and age, because the other kids are just too cruel when they suddenly have a new kid in their group.

“Alright, she can come along. I’ll see you guys tomorrow at the park.” The girl finally bid her goodbyes and left Hojun in the hallway.

Eunji scrambled her way out of the same hallway and pretended that she’s waiting on Hojun to the entrance of the school. Feeling excited for her new playmates for tomorrow. Eunji finally saw the dark haired boy she’s been waiting for as she crashed herself onto him, hugging him tightly.

“Oh Jinnie! Are you waiting for too long?” Hojun asked, smiling down on his longtime friend.

Eunji smiled over the nickname her friend gave to her as she shook her head, “Nope. I just left my classroom.” She replied, pushing herself away from their hug earlier.

The warm afternoon sun greeted them like an old friend. The air smelled of freshly cut grass, and the faint sound of birds chirping made everything feel magical. This summer seems like the best one so far because of how perfect the weather is. Eunji can already imagine herself, Hojun, and the other kids enjoying games under the summer sun.

“Race you back home!” Eunji challenged, already running away from Hojun.

“Oh you’re on!” Hojun called behind Eunji, running faster than he did before.

Eunji laughed loudly as she ran for her life, the wind whipped past her face. Hojun is also laughing along, trying to catch up with his best friend. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the world in warm shades of orange and gold. The air smelled of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass as Eunji and Hojun raced down the sidewalks that led to their neighborhood.

“You’re never gonna catch me!" Eunji shouted, her laughter trailing behind her like music in the wind.

Hojun, who is grinning wide, pumped his arms faster. "Oh yeah? Watch this!" His sneakers pounded the ground as he closed the gap between them. Eunji's pigtails bounced with every step, and her heart thudded joyfully in her chest. The world blurred around them—just trees, pretty flowers, and endless possibilities.

Hojun finally saw his house and threw himself on the soft grass of their front lawn, catching his breath. He heard Eunji’s pants getting closer and watched her lay down on the grass beside him. Their tired selves just enjoying the summer sun and watching the clouds pass by in the wind.

“That’s not fair, you have longer legs." Eunji gasped for breath as she let out a cough.

Hojun laughed, “It’s not my fault you’re slow Jinnie!"

“I’m not slow.” Eunji protested, glaring at her best friend.

Hojun’s mother heard the two bickering at each other in their front lawn, she soon stepped out of their house and chuckled upon seeing the two just laying on the grass and staring at the clouds.

“Did you just arrive, my darlings?” Hojun’s mother said, smiling warmly on the two.

Hojun sat up from the ground upon hearing his mother’s voice, “Yes mom! It’s finally summer break again! We will be playing with the other kids at the park tomorrow!” He exclaimed.

Hojun’s mother chuckled, “Alright, you’ll truly make the most out of this summer break again. Don’t forget to look after Eunji too.” She reminds him.

Eunji smiled over Hojun’s mother’s words as she tried not to blush that hard. She really can’t wait for tomorrow where she can meet new kids and new friends.

Hide and seek. It's a game that is frequently played by Eunji and Hojun. They usually just play at either of their homes, but this day, it's different. It will happen in the park. Their parents would constantly say that they shouldn't play hide and seek in the park, since there are woods behind that park. Eunji was scared of the stories about the woods, she heard there are countless ghosts wandering around that area and big insects that are half her size. Hojun, on the other hand, was intrigued by the big insects their parents were talking about.

Today, Eunji finally met Hojun's classmates and they are starting the game. Hojun was it.

The afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees, casting patches of golden light on the ground. Eunji brushed the stray hair away from her face, grinning nervously at Hojun's classmates walking ahead of her in these woods.

“Why do we have to hide back here?” Eunji sheepishly asked, walking slowly behind the older kids.

One of them looked back at her and shot her a scowl as they taunted her, “Why? You're scared?”

Eunji swallowed hard, her chest tightening and her hands balled up in fists. After all her scaredy cat moments about the woods, she decided today that she'll overcome this fear.

“No.” Eunji half lied, forcing herself to move forward from her spot.

The other kids soon told her hiding spot and said that spot is the best one. Eunji soon crouched behind a huge tree, heart still thumping loudly in her chest. She's really praying hard that Hojun would just come and find her throughout the game.

Minutes have passed, then what felt like hours.

Eunji is only hearing the wind rustling the branches and the fallen leaves on the ground. The shadows of the trees looked like an unknown abyss on the forest floor. Her breath quickened as fear crept in.

Eunji stood up and looked around the area, tears now prickling her eyes when he realized everything. They left her there. Alone.

“H-Hojun…come find me now.” Eunji cried, still looking around the space that filled her deepest fears. She can't take it anymore.

Eunji just crouched down again, hiding her face in her hands as she broke down in tears. The heartbreak that she went through with those kids because her intentions are so pure and she really wants to gain more friends. But why, why does this always happen to her, every time with Hojun's friends.

“Jinnie! Eunji!”

Eunji looked around her again when she suddenly heard her name being called. Then after a few minutes, she saw the familiar dark hair that surely belongs to her best friend.

“Hojun?” Her small, shaky voice answered back.

Hojun followed the sound of the shaky voice he just heard until he finally spotted Eunji crouched down and drowning in her tears. Hojun ran towards her and helped her up, then gave her a bone crushing hug.

“You found me,” Eunji sniffled, trying not to cry even harder in her best friend's arms.

“Don't worry Jinnie. I'm here now.” Hojun comforted her.

That same afternoon, Hojun lost some friends, but he's still as happy as before, because he'll never lose his only friend and the friend who is genuinely happy when they're together.

“I actually don't have anything in mind on what we'll be doing today.” Dohyun said while pacing back and forth in the living room. Me and Taeha are just watching him while we're sharing a bowl of nachos on this sunny afternoon.

I was beyond happy when I heard Dohyun say that. No more teamworks and misunderstandings, and I want more sleep, sleep, and yes, sleep. And just me basking in the sun while overlooking the beautiful lake.

“Maybe like…a lazy day perhaps?” I sneakily suggested. Taeha agreed with me too.

Dohyun shot us a knowing look, “Lazy day? No, that's not in my vocabulary for this summer getaway.” He said, crossing his arms.

I rolled my eyes, slouching my back on this couch we're lounging on, “Then what are you planning? It's already 3 in the afternoon, and the others are still sleeping.”

Dohyun thought of it thoroughly, returning in pacing back and forth in front of us again. He looked out at the lake and scanned towards the bar. A smile soon appeared on his lips.

“What do you think of an outdoor party? I got lots of booze in the bar and I can get more. I can put pretty lights outside and music.” Dohyun suggested.

An outdoor party would look perfect by the beautiful lake just as I imagined. I nudged Taeha beside me, “What do you think? I like outdoor parties, especially with a view like this.” I grinned.

Taeha nodded in response, “If you like it, then I like it.” He warmly smiled back.

Dohyun clapped his hands in excitement that made me and Taeha tear our eyes from each other. Our friend was so excited for the outdoor party later that he immediately called Hongchul for help. Dohyun already told the others about the party and they are scrambling to find their outfits and the others are offering to help him.

Me and Taeha went back to our room to find an outfit that is suitable for a party. I just found two summer dresses that I still didn’t use. I laid the dresses on my bed and began comparing the two. My arms crossed and face scrunched in frustration.

“You’ll look good in white.” Taeha suddenly spoke behind me. I looked at him and saw him gazing back at me.

A blush crept on my cheeks again and looked back on the white summer dress on my bed, my breath hitched when I felt Taeha’s presence close to me as he took the white dress from the bed and put it in front of my body—visualizing what I would look in that dress.

“Yeah, you’ll look beautiful.” He smiled.

“You think?” I nervously laughed, trying not to look too flustered in front of him again, “I would put on some of my jewelry.” I tried to dodge him again as I went to my bedside table, rummaging through my jewelry bag.

My eyes looked out of the window and something caught my attention.

It’s surely Hojun who made his way to the trail towards the falls we took days ago. He’s all alone and that makes me wonder why he’s going back to the falls. I kept thinking about yesterday, where me and Taeha were in the balcony, his eyes that time were haunting me and making me overthink everything about us again. I didn’t even have the chance to talk to him after that, since he kept avoiding me.

That made me think that I should talk to him now. And maybe finally open up about our past, if he still remembers.

I closed my jewelry bag and decided to follow Hojun, but I stopped in my tracks when Taeha wondered why I’m leaving. “Where are you going?” Taeha asked while he’s still rummaging through his clothes on what he’ll wear tonight.

“Um,” I stammered at first, but soon found my excuse, “I’ll just go by the lake. I saw Yoobin outside too.” I lied.

Taeha bought my excuse again as he nodded, “Okay, I’ll come along with you after I finish deciding my outfit.” He smiled at me.

My heart dropped when I felt like I have been lying too much to Taeha, and I think he also deserves an explanation about my past and feelings for Hojun. Soon. I smiled back at him and soon bid my goodbyes, my feet quickly dragged me downstairs and outside the cabin. I glanced at the trail where Hojun walked into and soon followed after.

The woods were thick with towering different trees as I remembered, their leaves a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and gold. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. I hesitated at the trailhead, wondering if I could walk through this path alone. But the thought of turning back left me feeling hollow. I had to know where Hojun was.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as I walked even deeper into the woods. My eyes kept looking around the tall trees and the thick bushes around them. The further I went, the quieter it became. The path narrowed, winding deeper into the woods, and the thick canopy above blocked out much of the sunlight. Shadows danced across the forest floor, twisting into shapes that made me think of that time again.

I just want to see Hojun, or I hope Hojun will find me.

A sudden crack echoed through the woods, and I froze in my spot, breath catching in my throat. My eyes darted around, searching for the source of the noise. Was it just a branch snapping under its own weight? Or was someone—or something—out there?

I remembered my seven-years old self again, where I was left alone by the other kids. Fear soon clawed at my chest, regretting why I entered the trail alone with this fear of mine. I crouched down and hugged my trembling frame, comforting and telling myself that I should overcome this.

Then, a familiar voice broke through the fear. "Eunji?"

My eyes flew open and saw them standing just a few feet away from me was Hojun, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "What are you doing out here?" He asked, his voice low but steady.

I immediately stood up and patted the dirt out of my pants, “I…I was walking around.” I tried to lie, but my trembling voice is giving it away.

Hojun made his way closer to me and I just stood my ground, my breath hitched when he suddenly reached over my hair, realizing that there’s a leaf resting there. He’s quiet—too quiet, his eyes looking around but mine. The silence between us is making me feel those years of longing because of our lost time.

“You shouldn’t be alone out here, it’s dangerous.” Hojun said in concern, “We should head back—”

“No.” I suddenly blurted out, holding his hand to prevent him from leaving. Hojun was surprised by my sudden remark, probably wondering why I wanted him to stay. I took a deep breath and finally gathered the strength to finally open up to him.

“Eunji—”

“2002. 23 years ago, I felt lonely as a child because I had no one to share my wildest imaginations and activities that I dreamed of doing as a child. My mother would play with me sometimes but then would just leave me alone playing because she had to make dinner for us, my father on the other hand would also play with me but he’s busy with work. I just dream to have someone who would be my very first best friend. Springtime came and I met one kid…that changed my life.” I exhaled sharply, trying not to cry in front of him.

My eyes found Hojun’s and again was trapped into his gaze. My heart automatically raced as I stared into those eyes, those familiar brown depths that had once been the backdrop to countless childhood moments. But now, there was something different—something deeper. My chest tightened with a longing I had carried silently for far too long.

I broke out a laugh and wiped away the small tears forming around my eyes, “This is absurd.” I whispered to myself, “I’m sorry for suddenly being emotional, and um…you’re right, we should head out now.”

I turn myself away from him, regretting that I just said everything earlier. When I stared into his eyes earlier, I knew that I’m already one of his forgotten memories and I am tangled with the fear of rejection.

“Jinnie…”

My breath hitched. Again.

Jinnie.

The childhood nickname I hadn’t heard in over twenty years. A name bestowed upon me by none other than Lee Hojun—my one and only best friend when I was a little kid, during those endless playdates and my unforgettable puppy love.

I return my eyes to him, heart racing. The same eyes I stared into earlier were now sparkled with the same warmth I remembered back then. Memories surged to the surface—Hojun catching me from falling when I first met him, the unexpected playdates our fathers would plan because they wanted to hangout too, racing home from school, and everything that made our childhood the happiest. We had been inseparable once, two halves of a whole, until life pulled us in opposite directions.

In the very moment, fate has pulled us back together again.

“Hojun…” I sobbed, the weight of those lost years pressing down on me.

Without thinking, without hesitation, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around him, holding on as if letting go would shatter me. Hojun’s arms came around me instantly, strong and reassuring. We fit together as seamlessly as we had all those years ago. I buried my face against his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of warmth and comfort.

“I thought you didn’t recognize me since the first time we saw each other again.” Hojun said and that made me suddenly pull away from our hug and slapped his bicep, causing him to wince and stare at me in confusion.

“Me?! I thought you were the one who didn't recognize me!,” I raised my voice and paced back and forth before him, “So all this time, we—”

Hojun let out a laugh, “God, we really are still stupid, just like when we were kids.” He said, his gaze still on my pouty self.

I can’t believe we were feeling the same way for five consecutive days.

“Then why didn’t you make a single move? Even on the night when we were all alone by the lake.” I complained again, crossing my arms together.

Hojun lets out a deep breath, “Because I thought you and Taeha are together and I don’t want to make suspicions and ruin this getaway for Dohyun.” He explained, his voice filled with gentleness

I rolled my eyes, “But I already mentioned that me and Taeha are just friends.” I pout at him again.

I heard him let out a playful chuckle and noticed him getting closer to me again, then I was surprised when he pinched my cheeks—but he’s gentle, unlike the ones he would do to me when we were kids. That gummy smile in full view, making my heart do somersaults.

“You’re still adorable, Jinnie.” He chuckled before pulling his hands away from my cheeks.

Our moment was ruined when I suddenly felt a drop of water that touched my forehead. Hojun was also confused and looked up at the sky, without any warning, the warm sun earlier turned into gray clouds and rain soon began to pour. With the summer rain and Hojun standing before me, all I could ever think about is our childhood memories when we would play in the rain, not even caring that we could get sick the following day.

We just let the rain fully drench us, then our eyes met again, causing us both to break into laughter. Reminiscing about our good old days.

“How I wish we were kids again.” I deeply sighed.

“I hope not though.”

I furrowed my brows at him, “Why not?”

I noticed his eyes are on me right now, “Because I don’t want to go back to the time that I left you.” His expression tightened, a hint of guilt flickering his eyes.

“But…you needed to leave that day. It’s for the sake of your father.” I said, fighting the lump rising in my throat.

Hojun looked down on the ground, my eyes fixated over the droplets of water from his drenched hair, “I should’ve done this back then…”

“Done what—”

The world seemed to pause, the rain fading into background noise. My eyes widened when Hojun suddenly closed the distance between us again, his hand cupping my cheek with a tenderness that spoke of longing and regret. My skin burned under his touch despite the rain drenching us both.

And then it happened.

Hojun’s lips found mine with a passion that spoke of every unsaid word and every missed opportunity that is filled with longing. I melted into him, my hands tangling in his wet hair and his hands wrapping around my waist as the rain poured down around us. Not only the rain drenching my face, but also there were tears that shed with the droplets of rain.

The rain was relentless, soaking through our clothes and chilling our skin, but we didn't care. We kissed as if the world depended on it, as if that moment was our redemption, our only chance to rewrite our story that we didn’t like how it first ended.

Me and Hojun finally broke apart, gasping for air, I rested my forehead against his. Laughter bubbled from my lips, pure and joyous.

“What do you mean that you want to do this? We were just kids back then.” I giggled, playfully hitting his pec.

Hojun bites down his lips, “Yeah, you have a point.” He chuckled.

His arms are still wrapped around my waist and our eyes are still gazing at each other, “We’re really drenched right now.” I giggled again.

“I think we should really head back now.” Hojun said, pulling away from my touch.

I nodded and sighed, “Yeah, we really should.”

While we were walking back to the cabin, with our hands tangled together, I also mentioned the outdoor party that will happen tonight and Hojun was excited, since it’s been a while for him to attend a party and enjoy some booze. We also planned on seeing each other in the middle of the night by the lake again and catching up with our lost time. The warmth of Hojun’s presence beside me again was enough to erase the shadows of doubt, making my heart flutter a million times.