YEARS APART

Confession

In that small room, a girl was preparing herself as she tried her best to look good.
"I wish i had longer hair" she murmured. For the first time, she wore a different style, new shoes, new dress, and took extra care to her face and hair. She looked different, stepping out of her comfort zone. She looked at herself in the mirror, while trying putting makeup.
"He likes beautiful girls, i can try becoming one !" She said excitedly.
As she finished, she felt happy, excited to face the boy she loves and tell him about her feelings.
"I think this will do !..... okay Athiee, you can do it !" She said to herself, hoping for the best.

Athiee went earlier than usual to her school, as she wanted to practice what she wanted to tell Hyunjin once she sees him.
"Ahh this looks hard" she said. She walked to her desk, and rested her head on the table, closing her eyes. "I need to concentrate".
A knocking sound caught her attention, she rose her head gazing at the unexpected boy who was standing at the class door.

"Seungmin !" She said and stood up, walking closer to where he was. Seungmin gazed at her, and gave her a faint smile.

"What are you doing here at this hour ?" He asked her, with caring eyes.

"Ah.. i have something very important to do, so i came early"

"Hum". He looked at her, but didn't say a thing.

"What do you think about my dress ?"

"Is there anything special today ?"

"You can say there is".

"I see, you look good".

Athiee felt that Seungmin wasn't happy, he looked sad, especially his eyes. And what made this feeling stronger, is his clothes. "He usually never wears black, but today... ?" She thought to herself as she gazed at him. He was wearing a black jeans, black shoes, and a black hoodie. The last one, was what captivated Athiee's attention the most. It was a beautiful hoodie with JSM on it.

"I won't be here today Athiee. I have something, and somewhere to go to". He said calmly. He slowly lifted his hands and petted her head.

"I wanted to tell you something, long ago, but i just couldn't. Athiee, can you promise me to be alright, and to take care of yourself today ?"

"What is that for ? Of course i'll be fine"

"Just promise me so that i can leave you with relief"he said, his eyes fixed on hers.

"I promise you that i'll be fine".

His phone rang, announcing that a new message is received. Seungmin gazed at his phone, then placed it back in his pocket.

"See you next time, i guess". Athiee kept looking at him, feeling weird.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow". She said with a smile, and he gave her one.

Seungmin left her after that small conversation, heading out. As he exited the door, his steps stopped, and he turned to face the school.

"I can't help but to feel something is wrong, the way she dressed today, and that important something she talked about....". He sighed and turned back. "I have to keep my faith in you Athiee, the faith that everything is going to be okay, and that you'll be okay".

He lifted his head up to the sky, and closed his eyes. "Let it all be good, for her and me, just for today. I know he won't do anything, especially today..... I'll come back and be by her side, and protect her, but just for today.... Let it all be alright". He then left, leaving Athiee behind.

In that room, a mirror was reflecting a tall, handsome, charismatic figure. He wore black from head to toe, strong parfum surrounding him, untied hair. He looked at himself for a period, then left the room. As he stepped down the stairs, his father's voice was heard.
Sitting on the old well fabricated wood chair, while resting his hand on the right side of the chair, left hand holding a cigarette, a fancy one.
"Come home early, we have to visit the condolence house".
Hyunjin and his father were back facing each other. Hyunjin hummed in response, and stepped out.