sin - woosan

t h i r t y - s e v e n

Sighing, he quickly brushed past, barely nodding in acknowledgment to the people he was crossing. Once he was in the back room, his head hit the back of the locker as he tried to regain strength to continue today. It was his break time, and he had already been so out of it, he was unsure if his boss would allow him another day to grieve. He's used all his sick days and now he regrets being so reckless with his opportunities.

His brain was racing, all the thoughts left unsaid, all the things left undone, all the people left unforgiven, they were all blurring past his mind like a movie. Scenes of that night burned at the back of his mind, denying him sleep, causing dark circles to form under his eyes and his shallow breath to grow even lighter. He still sees her shaking eyes from his position, the disbelief flashing against her soft features. The way her lips fell in shock, and the way her hands trembled to cover it. The way her head shook, ruffling her hair to gently caress her face. The way she ran away, the way she sobbed into her tender hands, the way she slipped and scratched her arm on her way. And the way he was there. Running after her, calling to her as loud as he can, but her cries seemed to drown out his screams.

He saw it happen, almost like it was in slow motion. The racing car smashes into her small frame, her body colliding with the ground in great force, a bellowing yell was ripped out of him as he watched her eyes roll shut. He ran to her, but a crowd quickly formed around her, making him fall farther and farther from beside her, where he wanted to be. He was so close, yet not close enough to touch her, he wondered what she would feel like. Would her glass skin warm and tender, or cold and wet like it were her last moment on earth? He presumed the latter, but he couldn't feel anything at that moment, falling to his knees and crying for some higher power to help, a single tear cascading down his pale cheek.

"Wooyoung?"

He could almost hear her whisper his name. He smiled lightly, looking almost dazed at the idea of her speaking to him again. He wanted nothing more than to fall into her, hold her near and keep her close.

"Young-ah?"

He feels her presence stronger now, as though she were standing right behind him, one touch and—

"Wooyoung!"

Just like that he was brought back to reality.

He hasn't realized he was on his knees crying, until a warm pair of arms wrapped around him. His head fell into the crook of her neck, weeping and holding her close, keeping her still as he let out the unwanted emotions he's been holding on for so long. This may have happened two weeks back but he still remembers it like it was last night. Her shadow haunts him, and her eyes shone with betrayal and sadness.

His breaths calmed down, and the arms only tightened around him, stabilizing him. "I'm here, Young-ah. Don't worry, I'm here." The haze seemed to have cleared because now he could distinguish the clear voice of Seyoung in his ear as his breath evened out.

Few more seconds pass before, he separated himself from her, his dark eyes stare starkly into hers. Her eyes softened as she took in his appearance and state. Her arms were instantly helping him up, as she encouraged him to stand. "Come on, get up, Young-ah!"

"Seyoungie, I don't wan—"

"I didn't ask, now get up, let's get you freshened up. I know where we can go to give us some privacy."

"But work—" He protested.

"Don't worry about it, do you trust me?"

Without a second thought, he nodded and took her hand in his, as if he was in desperate need of something constant to keep him reassured that he's okay. She smiled, and started leading the way.