paper rings | shinyu tws ✓

thirty one

Shin Junghwan 

Sooji and I both laid down on the grass field. This is just behind the school, where students sometimes have picnics. The afternoon sky beamed above us. I looked at Sooji, who's lying comfortably in my school jacket, making my right arm her pillow. 
 
I'm still adjusting because it was all too sudden. I can't believe Sooji likes me, because from what I observed over the past few weeks, or even from our everyday interaction, she seemed to be someone who swore to never like me ever. 
 
I'm so happy that I finally made the right choice and that I finally embraced this own foreign feeling I've been battling to familiarize myself with. Sooji made me believe that I can still love, despite not knowing how to. 
 
I reached for her hand and played with her long fingers. It's really pretty and delicate to touch.
 
"I'm going to stay here with you," she uttered while looking above, so I glanced above too. "Me too," I replied. 
 
"Which university are you going to apply to?" She asked. "St. Hale," I casually replied. She gasped, "Wow! That's perfect for you; you're going to slay there, for sure." I chuckled at her choice of words.
 
"And you?" I can't help but wonder. 
 
I suddenly remember the time when I accidentally read what's written in her notebook, the main reason for our cat-and-dog relationship. It was that notebook's fault, but even if we started out badly because of that, I can't help but to thank it. Because it made us grow into what we are today. 
 
I was asked to get the report card from their homeroom teacher's table, but I noticed that there's this weirdly and overly designed notebook sitting sullenly on top of the table. I walked towards it and decided to open it because it really got me curious. 
 
Who would design their notebooks with pink unicorns, ribbons and other pinkish stuff? I thought only kids did. I remembered thinking it was just a diary at first, but as I continued to flip on the second page where the main character was introduced, I immediately thought it's a story.
 
I was amazed. It was so amusing to think that there's someone in my grade who's interested in writing. I was about to flip to another page when Hana, the class president of class B, entered the room. She was shocked to see me, so I instantly hid the notebook behind me.
 
I quickly said goodbye and rushed outside. I even thought it was hers, but as soon as I checked the name written in all caps on the back of the cover, I knew it was from another girl. Won Sooji. A name that sounds familiar, but I can't really pinpoint who. 
 
To my clumsiness, I accidentally left the notebook on top of my backpack as I was getting myself food. My friends were able to look at it because they were also curious about why the hell there's a unicorn decorated notebook in my bag.
 
When I went back, all of them were asking who the owner of the notebook was. They even teased me about it. I shrugged them off. 
 
"But it was good! Damn, the character was funny and relatable as hell. Her handwriting is so neat, I'm so jealous." Hanjin muttered, and my other friends nodded too.
 
I smiled because it's true. But I instantly nag them about invading the privacy of other people and how it's not good to look at other people's things without permission. Even if I myself read through it,. 
 
I asked Hana if there's a girl named Won Sooji and her class. I knew she was shocked to hear that I finally asked for a girl's existence, but she pointed it out anyway. I looked at the girl who was checking the lockers. She was the only one in the classroom, so I approached her. She was really familiar and seeing her face again reminded me of someone from the past.
 
"Hi," I said, giving her my smile, and she looked at me with curiosity. I offered her the notebook and was about to say something when she reacted. It was really hers. 
 
I wanted to motivate her more, I wanted to make her realise that there are other people who appreciate her talent. So I said something.
 
"My friends and I read it. T'was good though, would be awesome to hear more about it." I mumbled in a cool tone, but I was confused when her smile slowly disappeared. 
 
And seconds later, I found my hair being pulled by her. It made me so mad because I really value my physical appearance too, and I spent a lot of time working on my hairstyle, so I pulled her hair back. 
 
What happened after is the rest of history. And look at us now, laying besides each other while looking up at the sky. Discussing our future plans while hearing each other's heartbeat.