Someone Like You

Chapter 1: Permission

I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest. It's been weeks since it happened. Since that day, I haven’t left my bed without locking the door. I’m terrified it might happen again. I don’t want to appear miserable and defeated—I don’t want their pity.

"Nayeon-ah, are you okay?" Jennie asked.

Jennie is my best friend. We hang out whenever she has free time. If she’s not working, we’re almost always together, and on our worst nights, we end up drunk.

"Im Nayeon, I’m asking if you’re okay," Jennie repeated, her tone firm. That was a bit scary.

I smiled at her. "I’m always okay."

She gave me a look that demanded the truth. I sighed. "Fine, I’m okay, but there’s just something on my mind."

She took a sip of her drink and sighed. "That’s new. You’re never like that," she said sadly.

I ruined the mood. I always ruin the mood. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.

"So, how are you and Lisa?" I asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"We’re fine. Well, last week, someone confessed to me, and she didn’t really like it. We had a little fight, but we’re okay now. She’s so cute when she’s jealous," Jennie said with a wide smile. This kitten is really in love, huh?

"Ouch!" I said, pretending to be hurt.

"Why?" she asked, concerned.

"You’re so in love with her—what about me?" I wiped away imaginary tears, and Jennie smacked my shoulder. It actually hurt. She’s brutal.

We fell silent for a minute, but I decided to break it.

"Jen/Nayeon," we both called out in unison.

"You first," I said.

She hesitated but asked anyway. "Did you confess to Mina?"

I smiled sadly and shook my head. "Jackson," I whispered.

Her eyebrow arched in curiosity. "What about him?"

"He’s her boyfriend," I said weakly.

Jennie’s eyes widened. I knew she was shocked because Mina and Jackson are like cats and dogs—they always bicker.

She patted my back and gave me a sad smile. "You should still confess to her, even if she’s in a relationship. Mina needs to know how you feel. Do you want her to be mad for not telling her?"

I shook my head in response.

"Then you should tell her. Please, get yourself ready and tell her as soon as possible," she said seriously.

I let out a sigh as I stared out the window of my room. The sunset was visible through the glass, so I watched it every day between 5 and 6 p.m.

Mina and Jackson are on their first date. I still don’t want to confess to her, especially now that they seem to love each other so much. I’m scared I’ll ruin what they have.

I heard a knock and knew it was her. I unlocked the door, and there she was—Mina, looking happy.

"Nayeonie, this is for you." She handed me a paper bag. I opened it and found my favorite food inside.

"Takoyaki!!" I shouted happily. Mina giggled at my reaction.

As a thank you, I gave her a hug she deserved. "Thank you, Mina," I said, smiling widely.

"No biggie, honey," she replied, and my face flushed as she called me honey.

You have no idea how much I adore you.

She kissed my forehead and left. I took a photo of the Takoyaki and started eating it with the chopsticks that came with it. I hadn’t noticed there was also a vanilla-flavored milk tea in the bag.

This was the first time in a while that I smiled genuinely. I felt great, knowing that Mina could make me smile with just simple gestures. Urgh!

I happily munched on the food while still watching the sunset.

"Is it good?" I flinched at her sudden entrance.

"Ah, yeah. Do you want some?" I offered, but Mina kindly declined.

"I bought it for you, so you should eat it," she said and sat beside me to watch the sunset.

"Thank you, Mina. Really, thank you," I said, smiling.

Mina returned the smile and told me it was nothing. We watched the sunset in peaceful silence. It was beautiful. I wondered what she was thinking at that moment.

"Mina, if I asked you to stay here with me, would you?"

She looked at me and smiled. "Of course. As long as it makes you happy, I’ll stay."

I hope that after my confession, you’ll still stay with me.

I smiled and rested my head on her shoulder. "What if I vanished from this world?"

"You’ll never vanish from this world. I won’t let that happen. I’ll always be with you."

I turned to look at her with puppy eyes. "Promise?"

She smiled and placed her pinky finger on mine. "This is too childish, but I promise."

I finished my Takoyaki and placed the box on the table. I sipped my milk tea and moved back to bed. I wrapped my arms around her neck from behind and rested my chin on the top of her head.

"Do you think the sunset is beautiful?" I asked softly.

"Of course. We wouldn’t be watching it if it wasn’t, right?" she replied, making me chuckle.

"You have a point," I said.

"I’m smart," she proudly declared.

"And I’m Globe," I joked, but she didn’t seem to get it.

"Tsk! It’s a joke about SIM cards!" I whined, and she laughed.

"Oh, it was a joke? Sorry, I forgot to laugh."

And then she laughed sarcastically. What a super kind woman. I rolled my eyes and made her thigh my pillow. She stroked my hair while I stared at her gorgeous face.

"You’re so beautiful," I told her. She looked down at me. "You’re the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen, Mina."

Her lips formed a smile—a gummy smile that I always love to see. The only smile I will never tire of.

"Nayeonie," she called.

I hummed in response.

"I’ll be staying at Jackson’s place starting tomorrow."

But she’s also the only one who could shatter my heart like this.

"Go on, Mina. Be happy with him. I’ll always be here to support you and guide you in your decisions. Please take care of yourself…" I hesitated before saying the words that were hard to utter. "I love you."

"I love you too, my best friend."

Sometimes, you have to let the person you love go if that’s what will make them happy.

Nyn.