Loved Since Forever

Rachel - 2 Years Ago

SMACK! Taec launches the white cue ball against the colored balls still in a triangle formation. The game has begun. Tonight actually turned out to be a very interesting evening. Rachel's high school boyfriend who cheated on her with almost everything that had a hole is here and has been needing comfort. Comfort that Rachel is no longer equipped to give him and refuses to give him. Also, her lifelong "what-if" has shown up at the bar, looking like he can pick Rachel up, throw her over his shoulder and take advantage of her. He is looking like the best version of himself that Rachel has ever seen. Unfortunately, we all know that he is going back into the world of KPop the second he flies back to Korea. This is not quite the emotional baggage and heartbreak that she wanted on this trip.

Rachel doesn't know if she has the constitution for short hookups anymore, especially a one-night stand that could probably ruin her friendship with him forever. As tempted as she is, she decides that she needs to refrain herself. Even in the small chance, he would be interested, she doesn't want to share her romantic partner with anyone. She knows that pursuing Taec means that she will have to share him with many, many other people.

As the pair plays billiards, Rachel uses it as her opportunity to ask the billion questions that she has been waiting to ask him.

"How have you been? I heard you just got out of the army," she asks him.

Why didn't you meet me before you left?

"Uhh, yeah, I made sergeant and got discharged, finally. It was actually a rewarding experience," he replied, "how about you? Still editing?"

"Yes, still editing, nothing too exciting. How long did it take you to get here?"

Why didn't you call me or message me back in the last couple of years?

"About 18 hours, you?"

"18 HOURS! That's a huge commitment. Mr. Carbonne would appreciate the effort. It only took me 5 hours. Negligible compared to your journey," she said, focusing on sinking a striped ball into the corner pocket. "How's the motherland?"

Didn't you feel the same thing that I did while in Japan?

"Still there, North Korea still has not invaded, and it's still packed with people. Did you go anywhere else cool after Japan?" he replied.

"We flew to Germany and then from Berlin, flew back to Boston."

Did you almost kiss me when we were at Tokyo Tower?

She guesses that she is not yet brave enough to ask the real questions. Maybe she needs a little more liquid courage.

"Hey, do you want another beer? I'm about ready for another," she asks him. He looked at her with a smile and nodded. "Another Bud?" she confirms.

Rachel made her way up the steps to the bar.

UGH, why am I so awkward? He probably thinks I'm a fucking idiot, she thinks.

One of her flaws is that she actually thinks before she speaks, which means she misses out on a lot of opportunities to be bold. Taec has always seemed to listen.

"Another Bud, sweetie?" the bartender asked.

"Yes, two please."

She went over to the cooler fridge and pulled out the two red bottles of Budweiser, removed the caps, and placed them on the sticky-ish bar top.

"What's the tab?" she asked.

"Under Park, please", Rachel says and walks over to where her handsome challenger awaited. He looks exceptionally sexy today. He stares at Rachel with fierce eyes as she carries over their drinks.