Our Promise ~ 2yeon

19.

That evening I packed my bags and texted Sana to ask if I could stay at her place for a while. Within half an hour I was on the bus with my suitcases going to hers, not knowing when I would go home.

"I can't stand being in a house with her any longer."

"It's fine. You can stay here as long as you need."

"Thanks."

"Jeongyeon walked in from work that evening and started asking me how my day was, as per usual. When it came to me asking her about hers, she brought up some guy she found cute and kissed. Because she wanted to."

"I thought she was a lesbian?" Sana said to me as I told her the whole story.

"Yeah so did I. I guess not." I replied.

~~

A week or so passed by living at Sana's. I was comfortable, living in her spare room and I didn't have to leave as early for uni.

One day after school, I was sitting on the bus with Sana, talking about the day and drama going on when I saw a familiar face get onto the bus.

"Nayeon. Look." Sana whispered to me, nudging my ribs.

"Ow Sana what was that for."

"Look for yourself."

"I don't care. I don't need to acknowledge her." I said louder than we had been speaking to make sure she heard.

The bus was busy and the only available seat was on the row next to us at the edge. No more than a foot away from me.

Sana looked down at her phone and I turned my head away in an attempt to look out the window.

"Hi Nayeon." She said timidly after a few minutes.

"Jeongyeon." I said back.

"I'm sorry I-"

"I don't want to hear it." I said in return, cutting her off and making my way to the door.

"C'mon Sana we get off at the next stop." I said, making sure she could hear.

"But then we have to walk up the hill and... I mean yeah let's go..." I had to elbow her to get her to understand.

"Before you go, I want you to know he was a better kisser than you'll ever be." She shouted at me from across the bus.

It was full, not a spare seat in sight and she shouted at me about how some random guy at her cafe kisses better than me.

Everybody heard. Everybody stared. Everybody gasped. At the bus stop I was beet red and rushed off the bus.

"Nayeon are you ok? You're bright red." Sana said, sounding concerned.

"Yeah no I'm fine." I said back.

~~

The whole walk up the hill I was swallowing back tears and trying to not let her bother me. I clearly didn't mean enough to her.

We walked through the door and I sat onto the sofa, tears now streaming down my face.

"Nayeon don't cry. She's not good enough for you. You deserve better than someone who kisses a guy and says he's better than you when she told you she didn't even like guys. There's plenty of people who'd treat you so much better than she ever could. We're never going to that cafe again unless it's to punch her in the face alright."

"Sana I loved her. I still do. I can't believe she would do this to me."

~~

A few days had passed and I'd had time to think about what had happened.

Me:
Hi
Seen

"She left me on read." I said as I sighed and put my phone down.

"Hey hey hey she messaged me back." Jihyo said, "She said 'what does she want.' Surely that means she's at least ready to have a conversation with you."

"She literally left me on read."

"Well, maybe she didn't know what to say?" Momo said to me.

"Wait wait she's typing." I said, all of us unanimously jumping up.

Jeongyeon:
Hello? What do
you want??

Me:
Talk to me.

Jeongyeon:
About???

Me:
Anything. Pretend we're
strangers for all I care.

Jeongyeon:
Okay...
Hi. My name is Yoo
Jeongyeon, my birthday
is November 1st 1996,
I live in Seoul South Korea
and I made a big mistake
that ruined my life.

Me:
And what was the mistake?

Jeongyeon:
I kissed someone else
while in a relationship
with someone who trusted
me, I broke their trust
and our relationship.
I know live with her
roommate and she has
since moved out.
Seen

"I'm going home." I said, picking up my bag and making my way to the front door.

"My home or your actual home?" Sana asked.

"My actual home."

"Oh..." Momo said.

~~

On the bus, I kept getting calls from Jeongyeon asking why I left her on read but eventually I ignored them.

At my house, I took a deep breath and opened the door.

I heard Jeongyeons voice shout out "Irene you're home early."

"I'm not Irene." I said back, my voice getting quieter and quieter and shaking as I realised I was actually speaking to her again for the first time in over a week.

"Lo- Nayeon." She said, standing up as I walked into the room.

"Jeongyeon." I said back.

"What do you want?"

"Sit down. I need you to explain yourself fully."

She explained everything to me and I actually listened this time.

"How do I know you're telling me the truth?" I said.

"I guess you can't. But I'd like for you to believe. I still love you you know."

"I still love you too."

We sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes until I slowly reached out to give her a hug. She accepted the hug and within moments I felt tears run down my face.

"Don't cry." I heard muttered into my ear, "I shouldn't have done this to you. Anyone who makes you cry isn't right for you. You deserve someone better."

Still in her arms, I said, "Don't say that. You're amazing. You deserve better that me."

"No. You're better than anyone I could've ever hoped and dreamed for. I ruined it."