Under the sky in room 553 I discovered you and I

Part 11

"Remember that she could hear us, so you have to pretend that everything's fine. Okay?" She turned to whisper one last time, a hand covering the flames of the candles to stop them from flickering.

The day had finally come. To Jimin, it both felt like it was too soon and too late at the same time.

Her last day with Minjeong.

It was March, and for this special occasion, she had asked Aeri and Ningning to visit Minjeong just so they could celebrate herbirthday together. The two females were nowhere near as close to Minjeong as she was, but they were also the only ones aside from her that can be considered her friends.

"Okay," the other two responded in unison, nodding. Next to them, Yeji offered a small smile before sliding the room door open.

Like a mask, a bright smile immediately slipped onto hwe face—although she knew the girl wouldn't see it either way, her lips still curled up in a way that didn't reach her eyes. It had somewhat become natural to her after all these years, so it wasn't that difficult a feat. What she didn't disclose, was that the smile was to fool herself more than it was to fool Minjeong.

Following closely behind, Aeri and Ningning both took that as her cue to begin singing a very loud, unsynchronised version of 'Happy Birthday'. With Yeji quietly mumbling along, they all clapped as Jimin rounded the bed to go to Minjeong's side. In her mind, she tried to imagine the look of surprise and bliss that would have marred the younger's face right now if she was able to express it. She'd imagined the younger's eyes lighting up and her cheeks pink; like that breezy autumn night underneath the maple tree. The thought eased her.

"Happy birthday, to you!" They finished, wrapping it up with another round of uneven applause. On the pulled out food tray, Jimin put down the matcha-flavoured cake—she remembered to get Minjeong's favourite.

Well, it wasn't like Minjeong would be able to taste it—or see it, as a matter of fact. But it was the thought that counted, right?

Dread began to sink into the pit of her stomach as she looked at Minjeong. This would be the last day she was able to sit by her side like this; the last time she'd ever see her lay on that bed.

The last time she'd ever see her again.

As selfishly as she could form a thought, Jimin just wanted to freeze this moment in her head; capturing the image of the only girl she's ever looked at in front of her and burying it into the deepest crevice of her brain, and probably the only one she would ever look at. Until the end of forever.

I guess this is as long as forever could be.

"Minjeong, you've got visitors." She announced, trying to keep her tone as light as she could. Behind her, the addressed girls stepped closer. "Hi, unnie." They spoke simultaneously.

"You recognise that? That's Aeri and Ningning. I told you I'd drag them to see you one day. They're so in love, it's gross." She joked, which resulted in a light giggle from Ningning and a tiny punch to her shoulder from Aeri. "Minjeong unnie, we got you some birthday gifts!" Chirped the youngest before she gently laid the said gift onto the female's lap. It was a bouquet filled with baby's breaths and red asters, neatly wrapped in lilac linen paper.

"What should we get Minjeong unniewhen we visit?" Mused Ningning one afternoon during lunch. "Hm, what about flowers? Does she like flowers, Jimin ?" Aeri inquired, putting down her banana milk before she turned to stare at the oldest of the three.

Upon the mention of her name, Jimin snapped out of her daydream. "I think she'll like anything you get her." Answered Jimin, half-heartedly.

"Then, what type of flower would be a good choice? Roses?" Aeri asked, a hand supporting her chin as she stared off contemplatively. After a moment, Jimin spoke up. "Red asters."