That bench by the pool (Daerin)

Only Fantasies

Danielle:

Had I heard those words properly? What to say? What to do? Questions like those flooded my brain in that moment. I had to give an answer. Something. But what? I like you Danielle. I thought about it. Yeonjun was bothersome at times but the more I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that he was a good and caring person at heart. Was that enough though? Was that what it meant to love? What did it mean to love?

"Danielle you don't have to give your answer now but I want you to think about it. Think of me"

He gave a half smile before turning his body and walking in the other direction. No, I didn't want to leave it at that.

"Yeonjun"

He turned around a little surprised by my sudden call to him and looked at me as if asking what it is that I wanted to say.

"Are you asking me to go out with you?"

"Well...yeah I suppose"

"Okay"

"Is that your answer?"

"Yes"

A grin spread across Yeonjun's face. He slung his backpack over one shoulder and looked at me for a moment.

"See you around"

He then proceeded to turn around and walk off disappearing into the distance.

I stood there for a few moments. I had never had a boyfriend before. What would it be like? Love was someone to protect you and keep you safe. I think that is what it would be like. Yeonjun. I imagined walking with him or going on a date together. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad.

Haerin:

That evening when I returned home I felt stupid. I did want Danielle to give me a ride. I wanted her to take me to places I couldn't imagine. For her to be mine. For me to be hers. I dropped my messenger bag to the floor of my room and sunk into my study chair. An exam was coming up and I needed to study more than anything right now. As I flipped through the pages of my textbook I found myself unable to focus. Every word I read dragged me to a different thought about her. As I felt myself drifting away into the world of my dreams I heard my phone chime. I forced myself out of the chair and walked over to my bag which I fished up with my foot before reaching inside and digging around for my phone. When I finally felt the object, a wave of accomplishment washed over me. I tapped the screen and saw that a message had been sent from Danielle. This girl, always interrupting my thoughts, I laughed to myself. As I read the message My face turned serious again.

"Can we call"

I moved my thumb to the top of my screen and hit the call button, pressing the phone to my ear. The ringing stopped after a few seconds.

"Hey, Haerin?"

"Yeah, what's going on?"

"I have something I thought I should tell you..."

I could feel my heart racing. What would she say? Would she return her feelings for me? No, I shouldn't assume so quickly. I grew impatient for her to continue. These guesses would soon turn out to be simple fantasies.

"I'm going out with Yeonjun"

My heart dropped.