K-pop Idol Imagines

Forever, together (Karina)

As we huddled together in the cozy corner of the cafe, laughter erupted among my girlfriends and me, a welcome release after a grueling month of exams. With a satisfied sigh, I set my cup down on the table, savoring the simplicity of my black coffee.

A sudden vibration of my phone in my jacket pocket broke my flow from the discussion, and I took it out. Instead of disappointment of missing out on the gossip, I could feel my face light up with happiness and my heart lurch in my chest as I stared at the text on my screen.

Mine: Hey, babe! Are we still on for our date tonight?
Me: Obviously! I'm super excited to see you tonight.
Mine: Me too! I'll see you at 7.

Just as I was focused on my phone, a whisper in my ear made me jump, nearly toppling out of my chair. "Got a hot date tonight?" my best friend Yunjin asked, her voice barely audible.

I clutched my phone tightly and turned my head to look at my best friend, Yunjin, "Dude, what the fuck was that? Don't do that ever again."

Yunjin leaned in to whisper teasingly again, but I stood up from my chair and all the other friends- including Yunjin- were laughing their asses off. I settled back in my seat and let out an annoyed chuckle as I looked at my friends.

And somehow, they all had the same look on their faces. I subconsciously shrunk in my seat as I asked, "Why're you all looking at me like that?"

Yeji sighed as she decided to take charge and lead the conversation that everyone wanted to talk about, "So... when are you asking her out?"

And at that, I almost choked on my coffee as I coughed out loud. A red, hot blush was creeping up my neck as I avoided everyone's eyes while wiping the corner of my lips with tissue.

Yunjin's hand came to rest on my shoulder and I looked up as she said, "It's obvious you're head over heels for her. What's holding you up? Just ask her out and make her happy."

"-- or come. Your choice, "Ryujin added at which the other two snickered and I almost died with embarrassment.

"Shin Ryujin! God, you're incorrigible, "I said as I covered my face with my hand.

"You wouldn't want me any other way, my dear friend, "Ryujin said as her hand patted mine on the table.

Yeji clapped her hands to bring back the attention to the original agenda of the topic. "Okay, that's enough, you guys. So, we wanted to ask when are you going to make this obvious before-relationship stage into an official relationship stage?"

It was not that I hadn't thought about this. I had and deeply too. But, somehow, my timing was always off and I couldn't get my chance to say so. I could also see in Karina's eyes whenever we were having an intimate moment or on a date. She was also waiting for it but never seemed to pressure me or show that she was upset about it.

Although I'd prefer her not getting upset too, I knew I shouldn't make her wait any longer.

So, I put my hand in my inner overcoat pocket and took out a box as I kept it on the table between us. I said, "I think I'll ask her out tonight. No, I mean, I will ask her out tonight."

Yeji's hand reached for the small box and she opened it Ryujin gasped beside her as Yunjin said, "Me too! Me too! What's in it?"

Yeji turned the box towards her and Yunjin gaped at it too and said, "Damn, girl. How much does this cost? It's beautiful."

I scratched the back of my neck and said, "Scraped up my part-time job money and bought this necklace last week. Do you think she'd like it?"

"Girl, you ain't my type, but if you asked me out with this, I'd marry you, "Ryujin said at which I let out a breath of relief and then suddenly, her words sunk in me and I gave her an incomprehensible look and said, "Don't you dare say that again or I'm disowning you, Shin Ryujin."