Second Chances

Disappointment

Wooyoung lay on his bed with the pea plush he got from work beside him. He kept shivering even though his blanket was covering him from head to toe. Although he wanted to get out from his bed, his body would not let him. Neither will his body let him sleep.

Wooyoung's point of view:

Urgh, I feel horrible and weak all over... Oh God, it's almost sunset. I've wasted so much time and yet I'm not able to utilize whatever time I have left. Stupid body, why must I catch such a bad cold now? I have never celebrated Taeyeon's birthday in the right way. Seems like history is about to repeat itself. I came back for nothing.

End of Wooyoung's point of view

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Taeyeon sat at her desk and stared at the same decorated letter she told Yoona about - the confession letter she wrote back in junior high school. She was not able to focus on her work, and kept wondering whether she should give it a shot instead. She turned the envelope over and there it read: "To: Youngie."

Her inner self was fighting a battle and she sighed. After a while, she finally made up her mind and was determined on it. She got up and went to Leeteuk's dorm.

"I'm sorry; I have to go after all. From junior high school until today, I was afraid of finding the real answer to a problem that I couldn't solve no matter how I tried. That's why I've always been running away and avoiding. But I've thought about it properly and I don't want to drag it on until I become twenty. I need to settle this today."

"But that would make your submission late, right? Is the problem that important to have to sacrifice this competition?"

"I've been selfish but I know that if I don't face this problem, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. That's for sure."

"Ah. Okay, I understand, Taeyeon."

"I'm truly sorry and I'm grateful for all your help!" Taeyeon said with a deep bow.

"It's okay. Being true to your feelings - I see nothing wrong with that. As what you've said, not having any regrets is most important. Good luck with your problem, and I hope you find the solution you've been looking for."

"Thank you, sunbae-nim! I'll be going now!" With that said, Taeyeon quickly ran out of the school to get to her destination. On the way there, she stopped by a convenience store to get some flu medicine and some fruits.

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The sun had already set for a long time when Taeyeon got to her intended destination. She stood in front of Wooyoung's house and placed her finger on the doorbell, hesitating for a moment before actually ringing it.

Silence followed.

"Youngie! It's me, Taeyeon. I brought you medicine." She waited for an answer, but no one did.

'He must be sleeping...' Taeyeon thought. 'I feel like I should do it now. Whether or not he hears it, it will be up to fate."

She took a deep breath and started carefully, "Youngie, it's been twelve years since we first met each other. Time flies really quickly, no? Well, because we've always been so close, there are some things that I haven't been able to say to you honestly. But here goes. I... I've always..."

"Ring ring! Ring ring!" The shrill ring of the telephone from Wooyoung's house interrupted Taeyeon. She was disappointed that she could not finish her sentence, but waited for Wooyoung to pick up the phone first. A moment passed and it seemed like Wooyoung had no intention of picking up the phone. Taeyeon put her hand on the doorknob and turned it. To her surprise, the door was not locked.

"Youngie?" Taeyeon called.

The living room was dark and it looked like no one was at home. The telephone had stopped ringing by now, and the answering machine sounded instead.

"Hey Wooyoung, stop messing around, will you? Why aren't you answering your phone? Even if you still haven't answered your phone, we still have to meet up, okay? We'll be waiting!" A gruff male's voice sounded from the answering machine.

"Wooyoung, you have to come alright. Hyomin will be waiting for you!" A female voice filled with aegyo followed before the caller hung up.

The bags of medicine and fruits dropped to the floor and Taeyeon felt her heart sink. So Wooyoung was not really feeling unwell. He was going to meet up with some other girl and his friends. Why on earth did she worry so much for him? She shouldn't have cared. She felt so betrayed, and tears started rolling down her cheeks.