black swan || hyunjin

two

My plans to go to Prada have been ditched completely.

I am now walking around the town centre with my ex best friend, which was definitely not on my agenda for the day.

"How have you been?" He asks.

"I've been okay. School has been stressful, that's why I'm here in town. I've decided to treat myself," I reply shyly. After all this time, I thought the hurt would be gone, but as soon as we started to talk, it all came back. All the memories.

The weeks of crying all night, going to bed without any food all day but an apple and a rice cracker. The endless heart pain, and the recurring realisation that my best friend had spoken such cruel things about me and my dad, who had only died a few days prior to a collapsed lung. To my own boyfriend.

"You always used to do that," he answers with a slight smirk, which reminded me of what a massive smirker he is.

"Do what?" I say, raising my eyebrow in confusion.

"Shop. You know, when you got stressed or anxious. You would always call me and ask me to come shopping with you." he nudges my arm slightly. I move my body away from him uncomfortably, whilst letting out a small smile.

"I'm surprised you remember that about me..." I chuckle awkwardly.

"Well, how could I forget anything about my best friend? I have missed you a lot." he smiles warmly, looking straight ahead. I look at him, and as if he can feel my stare, he moves his dark siren eyes down to meet mine, and we hold it for a few seconds.

But I quickly break the contact, and without thinking, I blurt out a stupid comment. "You've missed me? I thought you thought I was an annoying, ugly, following bitch."

I regret saying that instantly after it comes out of my mouth. I was trying to stay nice and swerve around the fall out, but here we are.

Hyunjin turns his head to look at me properly, offended.

"Aera, I told you already, I didn't say those things." He replies, with a little sincerity in his voice.

"Look Hyunjin, I know what I saw. I'm not an idiot." My words come out a bit harsher than I was intending.

He hesitates a little. "Can we not talk about this here, Aer?"

"Fine by me," I say, whilst rerouting us down to the water fountain. I place myself down on a bench that is sitting around the fountain, Hyunjin following behind and sitting beside me.

We talk for a good hour at least, just about life and what we've been doing. In all honesty, as uneasy as he makes me feel, it was nice catching up with an old friend.

We both sit in silence for a while, but it's not an awkward silence. More of a comfortable, peaceful one. Well, peaceful until my phone pings. It's my mum.

 
Mum: Get home right now it's 7pm!!!! What do you think you're doing still out in town at this time???

That probably means I should go, I'd prefer to not be yelled at . I turn to Hyunjin. "My mum just texted me saying I have to come home now," I tell him.

 
"Do you want me to walk you there?" He offers kindly.

I shake my head. Although it is late, I would rather not be taken home by Hyunjin of all people. I might have had a good time talking to him today but I still heavily dislike him.  "I'll be okay, thanks."

"Okay, well it was nice seeing you again. And don't forget, if you ever need someone to talk to or whatever, you can always text or call me. You still have my number right?" He says in a calming voice, as I am getting up off the bench, picking up the heavy bags of clothes and jewellery.

"Nice to see you too, Hyunjin," I say politely. "I'll call you," I add on, even though I am pretty sure I deleted his number. Oops.