Love Across Universe

Something New

Soojin

“What took you so long?” Alex asked, his voice mixed with impatience.

“Do I have to explain every action of mine to you? If so, then you first need to answer two things: why did you suddenly show up at my house this morning, and why were you waiting for me outside?” I replied, clearly annoyed.

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” Alex said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

“Same here, Alex. Have a good day,” I smiled, quickening my steps toward the elevator.

Before he could reach me, the elevator doors closed—it was already full. I saw him glaring. He looked dangerously handsome when he glared.

In the car:

“So you got a promotion? Congrats!” Sooah said, flashing a smile as I drove back home.

“Thanks, but I don’t think I deserve it. The department I’ll be working in... it’s for people who are truly suitable for that project,” I said, struggling to find the right words to explain my situation to her.

“You’re suitable too. So, what will you be working on?” she asked, curious.

“I haven’t decided yet. I have no idea. Miss Stephen must have made a mistake. I tried to correct her, but you know her decision is final.”

“Come on, Soojin. People at our office would kill for a project in that department. You’ve got an amazing opportunity; don’t miss it,” she said.

“Maybe...,” I replied, taking a right turn onto a different road. “Let’s celebrate,” I smiled.

After two bottles of alcohol, Sooah nearly passed out, so I had to bring her back home. She walked with my support.

I had a high alcohol tolerance, so a few bottles were nothing for me. I returned to my room and sat on the bed, excited to read another page from Alain’s diary.

June 17th, 2017

Dear Diary,

Soojin should see a psychiatrist. No, seriously. Who runs across a busy road just to save a puppy? It’s kind of her, but what if something happened to her? I was so worried. Let me describe what happened.

We went stationary shopping together. We both love cute, customized anime-themed pens and pencils. She brings tons for me whenever she visits South Korea, but the products she bought this year weren’t working properly. So we headed to the ‘Stationery Corner’ in DC. The items are expensive, so we decided to buy just a few. She would rather spend her money on novels and I on video games. Well, it’s a secret, but she’s a bibliophile.

Anyway, we were about to cross Park Avenue to reach the Central Area when she spotted a puppy and saw some cars speeding. She looked both ways and then sprinted, grabbed the puppy by its tail, and put it safely on the pavement. I was shouting, and the traffic police looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

The puppy was initially shocked, and Soojin looked agitated, but later, the puppy licked her feet and ran away. He was probably a stray, so he ran behind a group of college students eating kebabs.

My heart stopped when Soojin did this. After a while, I crossed the road on a green signal and scolded her a bit, but she just scoffed and ignored me. She said she checked the road, but you can never trust high-speed cars.

I don’t know why, but most pages in this diary are about our moments. It should be more about my personal life, but I find my life boring. It only becomes interesting when Soojin is part of it. I write about her because she is the best chapter of my life.

From,

Your faithful owner,

Alain Abreo.

I smiled from my heart. He had written every detail so gracefully. I didn’t remember much about the incident, but the puppy had been a bit angry when I grabbed him by the tail. It was the only way I could think of to save him at that moment.

I reread the last line: I write about her because she is the best chapter of my life. Maybe he was the best chapter of my life too. Somehow, Alain was never completely gone from my life. It had been more than a decade, but I still couldn’t get him out of my mind. Maybe it was because he was my only true friend. But I had to move on from these memories. Grandma got rid of Grandpa’s memories after he died.

I got into bed and closed my eyes. My phone rang. I groaned and saw the caller ID—Alex. Why would he call me at this late hour? I picked up the call.

“Hello, Soo. I need your help,” Alex said in his deep, husky voice.

“Regarding what? What are you doing at this late hour?” I questioned him.

“Soo, I’m standing outside your apartment.”

“What?” I barked, rushing outside.

I quickly opened the door and saw Alex. Blood was trickling from the corners of his lips. His hair was messy, and bloodstains covered his white shirt.