That bench by the pool (Daerin)

Breakup

Danielle:

Monday had arrived and Yeonjun invited me to walk home with him after school. As we left the school gate, Haerin was nowhere to be found. After the last period ended, it looked like fleeing the classroom was top on her priority list. As we walked, I thought about Yeonjun. The time we had been dating. The time since he asked me out. I started to think about things I didn't have the courage to think about before. Was love a projection of that I saw in films? If so then this would be perfect. A relationship like this. One made for the viewer's gaze. I wanted to believe it was fine, but thoughts like these created a belief of their own.

As the days passed, I became more sure of this belief. What was a real relationship? That I was yet to figure out. All I knew is that right then, I wasn't where I wanted to be.

I...needed to break up with him.

Tuesday:

The whole day I watched the clock impatiently. As the last period ended, I was quick to gather my things and hurry to wait outside of Yeonjun's classroom. If I was correct, he would be in S3 for the last period. 5 minutes had passed and large groups of students walked out before Yeonjun showed himself.

"Oh, hey", He greeted me.

"Hey, um...I want to talk to you about something"

"Uh, sure, what is it?", He asked.

"I think we should get away from the crowd first"

We made our way out and to the side of the school gate.

"What's up?", He asked.

"Listen, Yeonjun...I've thought about it and this isn't...well..."

It was hard for me to say something like this to another person. I always hated bad news, especially sharing it with others.

"It's okay, let me share something with you first", He said.

He leaned in and brought his face closer to mine. Don't let him do this. Is this what you want? Speak out. Don't do it for others, do it for yourself. Stop pleasing others. You know it will only hurt you.

I brought my chin to my chest so he would kiss my temple instead.

"I'm sorry Yeonjun. I want...to break up"

He looked at me speechlessly as if asking why all of a sudden.

"I don't want to hurt you, Yeonjun. I don't want you to be in a one sided relationship. That's terrible. Only someone confused or with pure hatred could do that to somebody. I was confused, but I don't hate you Yeonjun. So let me help you this time."

He looked me in the eye like he was about to let his tears fall...but instead he smiled.

"It's okay Danielle...I get it.

He stood there for a few seconds and then wrapped his arms around my back. He hugged me for a moment and whispered "Thank you for telling me Danielle" into my ear.

When Yeonjun broke free from the hug he looked into my eyes again.

"Be with your lover Danielle"