The past between us ||Sim Jake✔️

아홉

NOW:

I sighed as I tried to concentrate on my work.

My mind seemed to be far away. I couldn't concentrate.

My phone beeped announcing that I'd received a text message. Sunghoon's name flashed across the screen.

I read his text,

"I've emailed you my old notes. They'll help you study. P.SH"

I needed all the help I could get.

He probably sent it to my old email account.

I logged into my email. I was immediately flooded with thousands of messages. I realized that this was the first time I was using it after three years. I absentmindedly scrolled through the messages. Most of them were advertisements and spam.

A familiar name suddenly popped up and I felt like my heart had stopped beating.

Jiyeon.

She had emailed me.

And not just once.

There were at least 10 of them.

My hands were trembling as I clicked on one of them. It was the oldest one. Sent three years ago.

"Hey Eun.

It's been a week since you left.

I heard about what happened and I'm really sorry. I understand that you need some time alone but I miss you so much. We all do.

Jake is a mess right now. Your departure has really wrecked him. I know something happened between the two of you but he won't talk to me about it.

Jake got into a huge fight with Sunghoon after you left. It's the first time I've ever seen them fight like this Eun, it was scary. I don't know why, but I have a feeling it has something to do with you.

I'm so sorry that you're hurting Eun. I wish I could take some of your pain away.

I've always admired your strength. You'll get through this.

I'm here for you.

Always.

Love you.

Your sister, Jiyeonie."

A sob left my lips as I finished reading.

Jiyeon-ah.

I'm so sorry.

I got up and grabbed my car keys from the table.

Before I realized I was already speeding towards the cemetery.

It was the only place I could be close to Jiyeon again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I reached Jiyeon's grave a familiar figure caught my eye.

Hyejun

She was sitting on the ground in front of the headstone. Her shoulders were hunched.

"Hyejun?" I called out softly.

Her head snapped in my direction. The sight of her tear stained face broke my heart.

She looked at me blankly, not even acknowledging my presence.

I could feel my own eyes filling with tears.

"I'm so sorry Hyejun. I'm sorry for not being there for you and Jiyeon when you needed me. I'm not going to justify my actions because I can't. I was selfish, I believed I was the only one who was hurting. You were always there for me when I needed you and I understand why you hate me. I'd hate me too if I were you. I'm leaving right now. I'll come back later."

I started to leave.

"Stay."

Hyejun's voice stopped me.

I turned to look at her again.

"Please stay." She whispered. "I don't want to be alone today."

I slowly sank down to sit beside her.

"Today's Jiyeon's one year death anniversary." She murmured.

"I miss her so much." I whispered brokenly.

"I'm sorry about your mother." Hyejun said as she bought her arms around me comfortingly.

"I missed you Hyejun-ah."

"I missed you too Eun. I'm sorry I was so hard on you earlier. I understand why you chose to leave, of course I do. I love you."

It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my chest.

I knew we were okay. We were friends again.

We didn't talk after that.

We just sat there together with our arms around each other as silent tears ran down our cheeks.

Jiyeon was gone.

But somehow she'd bought me and Hyejun together again.

It felt good to have one of my best friends back.