Someone Like You

Chapter 10: Sunsets

I groaned in pain as Ji-eun cleaned my wounds and bruises.

"Ji-eun, please, just do it slowly and with care," I pleaded.

But she applied the alcohol to my bruised lips with more force. I groaned loudly.

Is she angry?

"That’s for being out late at night," she said, clearly annoyed. She applied more alcohol, eliciting another groan from me. "And that’s for getting drunk and coming home with wounds and bruises."

We fell silent for a moment before she spoke again. "You’re lucky I found you there. What if I hadn’t? It wouldn’t have been safe. A truck could have come by and hit you."

She was definitely mad.

"I’m sorry. It’s just, someone called Mina a slut. It would have been fine if it was me, but it was Mina, Ji-eun. I—"

"You can’t just let her get hurt. Yes, I know that, but that doesn’t mean you need to get hurt too. Look, her boyfriend didn’t even care. He let her stand alone in a place full of people who are just looking for trouble," she lectured.

I smiled sadly. "Maybe Jackson forgot something or got held up and made Mina wait. Maybe that’s why she was standing there."

Ji-eun sighed in disappointment. "He could have told Mina he forgot something and brought her with him. That way, there wouldn’t have been an incident like this."

I couldn’t argue with that. Ji-eun had a point. But what if my explanation was the real reason Mina was waiting?

"Take a half bath and get some sleep. I’ll leave after you’re asleep," she said coldly.

She started to walk away, but I grabbed her wrist. "Sorry for making you worry, Ji-eun. Please stay here tonight. It’s too dangerous to leave at this time. You can go tomorrow if you want," I said, looking at her with sincere sadness in my eyes.

Ji-eun nodded and let go of my hand. I sighed and went upstairs to take a half bath.

The cold water felt soothing against my skin. I let my tears fall, matching the rhythm of the shower.

"Ji-eun, you can sleep in Mina’s old room," I said, pointing.

She was about to go inside but I called out, "Ji-eun."

She turned to look at me, and I cleared my throat. "I met someone at the bar earlier who’s looking for a job. I wonder if there’s still a vacancy at the coffee shop?"

"There’s a vacancy," she answered briefly.

"Okay, thanks. Goodnight. Sorry and thank you," I said with a small smile.

She gave me a small smile in return before entering the room. I could tell she was still frustrated with me for being reckless.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were swollen from crying. I was hurt, and if I confessed later, I’d probably cry it all out, saving my tears for the next day.

I sighed. "I need to confess to her, even if she rejects me."

My phone vibrated with a notification. I opened the message app and texted Mina.

Nayeon: Mina, can we meet later?

Mina: Where?

Nayeon: The place where we met.

Mina: Sure.

Nayeon: Don’t bring anyone.

Mina: 👍

I was so nervous. Even though the meeting was later, I felt anxious already.

"Ji-eun," I called.

She didn’t turn to look at me. I hugged her from behind, and she flinched. "I’m sorry, Ji-eun," I said softly.

"Fine, just don’t hurt yourself again," she sighed.

"I won’t," I said with a smile, which she finally returned.

I arrived at the seaside where Mina and I were to meet. I’d bought a rose earlier as an apology for last night and a thank you for coming.

"Nayeonie?" Mina called hesitantly. I quickly stood up and straightened myself.

"Mina," I said with a smile, handing her the rose. She accepted it happily.

"Sit here," I said, helping her to a seat.

"Are you hungry? Do you want anything?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

She shook her head. "I don’t want anything. Don’t worry about me. So, why did you ask me to come here?"

"I just wanted to say something," I said nervously.

"What is it?"

"When I first met you here, in the same place and position, your gummy smile caught my eye. Your smile is something I’d love to see every day, to the point that I could stare at it all the time." I saw her smile.

"And at that moment, I knew I had a crush on you." Her smile faded. "I felt so much guilt because we used to see each other as best friends, but I was the problem. I decided not to confess because I saw how your eyes sparkled when you saw my best friend, Jackson." I paused to gather my emotions.

"I introduced you to him because I knew you liked him. It was so painful, like being stabbed a million times."

"My feelings grew as we got older. Whenever you’re near, my heart beats faster. When our faces are close, I feel butterflies in my stomach. I was worried because it was new to me. I asked Auntie about it and learned that I am in love."

I took her right hand in mine.

"I respect your relationship with Jackson. Even though it hurts, I accepted it. Like I’ve always told you, I’m happy if you are happy. I support you. But right now, I need to be selfish and let you know that—"

I took a deep breath.

"I’m in love with you, Mina."

Nyn.