SWAY

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen : Before you Leave

With a mix of sadness and resignation, Julia reluctantly packed her bags, preparing to return to the United States for her studies. The thought of leaving home and Soobin behind weighed heavily on her heart, knowing that she would be thousands of miles away once more.

Julia and Soobin spent as much time together as possible, cherishing the moments they had left. But eventually,  the time will arrive when Soobin had to return to Seoul too to resume his studies.

"Maybe we should do something all together before go back to Seoul." Chaeryeong's suggestion broke the somber atmosphere, and Julia and Yeji turned to her with a mix of surprise and agreement.

Yeji nodded. "That's a great idea," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of hope. "Before we all leave, we should definitely plan something together."

"Ilsan beach?" Julia's face brightened at the mention of the beach. The idea of spending one last day together at the beach sounded like the perfect send-off.

"Ilsan beach sounds perfect," she agreed, her voice filled with excitement. "It's been such a long time since we all went there."

With the plans set, they gathered at Ilsan beach on a sunny summer day. The ocean breeze blew gently, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air.

They spent the day swimming, building sandcastles, and reminiscing about the memorable times they had shared together. Laughter echoed through the air, filling their hearts with warmth and nostalgia.

"Juls." Julia turned towards Soobin as he called out her name, and a wave of emotions washed over her. The sight of him standing there against the backdrop of the setting sun, with the ocean waves in the background, made her heart skip a beat.

"Yes?" she replied, her voice soft yet tinged with anticipation.

Soobin enveloped Julia in a warm embrace, she felt a mixture of comfort and bittersweet nostalgia. They stood there, basking in each other's presence, the sounds of the ocean serving as a soothing backdrop.

Julia leaned into his embrace, her head resting against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The weight of their imminent separation weighed heavily on both of them.

"Just one year.." Soobin nodded, his grip on Julia tightening ever so slightly. "Just one year," he echoed, his voice filled with a mix of optimism and longing.

Julia tilted her head back to look up at him, her eyes searching his face. "You really believe we can make it work?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

"I promise... no more ghosting." Soobin's words held a firmness and conviction that eased Julia's worries. She reached up and placed a hand on his cheek, her thumb gently tracing the contour of his jaw.

"No more ghosts," she agreed, her voice firm. "And this time, we'll keep in touch no matter what. Long distance is hard, but we can make it work."

"We'll make it work." Julia smiled softly, her heart filled with a mix of hope and trepidation. "We will," she whispered, her voice filled with determination.

They stood there in each other's embrace for a moment longer, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.