"To the Beginning" (Book 1 of the "K-Pop Mysteries" Series)

Saying Goodbye Always Sucks

Me: Do you really have to go?

I'm at the airport, along with all the K-Pop artists that I've been with for the last three years. They're heading home, back to South Korea. I have now pulled Rose to the side to talk to her, my entire face drenched in tears.

Rose: You know I do, Andrew. I wish I didn't have to, but we have been gone for three years. We need to get back to our career.

She's also in tears as she says this. I finally can't take it anymore. I slam my lips onto hers right there in the airport. After a few moments of our passionate farewell kiss, she gently breaks away.

Rose: I'm sorry.
Me: For what?
Rose: For everything. I put you through so much heartache and torment when you didn't deserve it.
Me: Babe, stop. We've been over this. I've already forgiven you.
Rose: Still...

Me: Rose, my love, that's enough. Dwelling on it won't do you any good. Let it go, like I have, and soon enough you'll be back in my arms.
Rose: How-?

Just then, her flight gets called.

Me: Have a safe flight, my love.
Rose: I love you.
Me: I love you too.

I give her one last hug and kiss, then I turn away as fresh tears fall down my already wet face. Then, going back out to my Camaro, I get in and drive home. When I walk in the door of my newly fixed up apartment, I lock the door, fall to my knees, and start sobbing. Alex and Kelleena rush out from the bedroom, lift my arms up around their shoulders, and lead me to my bed.

Alex: I miss SuA too. It hurt so bad to see her leave.
Me: Yeah...
Alex: Bro, how can we possibly go back to the way we were before?
Me: Unfortunately, we can't...
Alex: So what do we do?
Me: Well, I have to get you and Kelleena back home.
Alex: Yeah, and I'll have to find a new job.
Kelleena: I know the feeling.

I look at them both sadly.

Me: I'm sorry it took three long years to do all this.

Kelleena: While I'm worried about my husband, and despite everything that has happened, I had a lot of fun.
Alex: I agree. As insane as this whole experience was, I can't, and don't want to, forget it.
Me: Yeah, I can understand that. I get a really odd feeling though.
Kelleena: What do you mean?
Me: Well... there are some things that hafeeppened that still give me a chill. I get the weird feeling that this isn't completely over.

Alex: Then shouldn't we stay?!
Me: No. Y'all need to get home to your regular lives. Kelleena needs to get home to her husband, and Alex, you need to get home to everything you were doing a year ago.

Alex: Fine. But if you ever need me, you know how to reach me.
Kelleena: Same. You know I'm always here. At the same time, I'm hoping to get at least a year of rest before anything else pops off.
Me: Yeah, same here. So are y'all ready?

They both nod with sad looks on their faces.

Me: Alright. Alex, I'll take you first, then Kelleena.

They nod again, and I grasp Alex's forearm, as he does mine. We close our eyes and visualize the Market Square, and within second, the air around us is completely different.

OH SH-!!

I wave my hand, causing the person to freeze in place. As I look over there, I see Alex's baby momma staring at us, wide-eyed. I look at Alex.

Me: What do you wanna do?

Alex: I don't want her knowing about this world.

Me: So a wipe of this?
Alex: Yes.

Me: Just a fair warning. If somethings triggers this memory, it could come back. Just like with Yoohyeon.

Alex: I got it. I'll be careful.
Me: Very well.

I walk over, put my hand on her forehead, concentrate, and extract any memory of seeing us here from her mind. Then we walk off, and I unfreeze her. We walk to the place of his job, and I help him get his job back. After that, we walk to an alley nearby and embrace. Then, with tears in my eyes yet again, I disappear, returning to my apartment. When I return, I grab Kelleena's forearm.

Me: Guide me. I don't know the area you live in.

Kelleena: Okay.

We close our eyes, and the air change again. I open my eyes to a very unfamiliar place.

Kelleena: This is close to my work.

Me: I'm gonna miss you, and I hope it's not another decade before we see each other again.

Kelleena: Ditto. However, I get a feeling we'll see each other again soon.

Me: I hope so.

Kelleena: Well, see ya.

I envelop her in a tight hug.

Me: Bye, Kelleena.

As she walks away, I head back to my now empty apartment. Slowly walking to my bed, I fall onto it and fall asleep.

Rose, I will miss you.