Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 43

_

Sarang sat at the dining table, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. The steam curled up in delicate wisps, but her mind was elsewhere. Her mother, sitting across from her, noticed the way Sarang kept zoning out, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against the ceramic.

"You seem different these days," her mom finally said, setting down her chopsticks.

Sarang blinked, snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh?"

Her mother gave her a knowing smile. "Ever since you met Sunghoon again, you've been... lighter. I can see it."

Sarang hesitated, stirring her tea as if the answer was at the bottom of the cup. 

"I don't know, Mom... It's strange. I thought I hated him, but now that I know everything, I just feel..." She exhaled deeply. "Regret. For not realizing sooner. For not trying harder to understand."

Her mother reached across the table and patted her hand gently. 

"Forgiveness isn't just for him, Sarang. It's for you, too. Holding onto the past won't bring back what was lost. Maybe this is a second chance."

Sarang swallowed, her mother's words hitting her deeper than she expected. A second chance... Could she really have that with Sunghoon?

_

Sunghoon was sprawled out on the couch in the dorm's living room, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone when Jay plopped down beside him with a dramatic sigh.

"You've been smiling at your phone a lot these days," Jay said, tilting his head. 

"Something you wanna tell us?"

Sunghoon rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smirk tugging at his lips. "No."

"Lie," Jake chimed in from the kitchen. "I haven't seen you this happy since you landed that CF deal with the fried chicken brand."

Sunghoon scoffed. "That was a great day, okay?"

Jay leaned closer, narrowing his eyes. "So, who is it? A girl?"

Sunghoon's body stiffened, and the momentary hesitation was all Jay needed. His smirk widened.

"Holy crap, it IS a girl!" Jay nearly shouted. "Wait... no way. Is it—"

"It's not like that," Sunghoon cut him off quickly, though the tips of his ears turned red.

Jake walked over, shaking his head in amusement. "You should see yourself right now. Bro, I don't think I've ever seen you this... I don't know, alive?"

Sunghoon threw a pillow at him. "Shut up."

But as he lay back on the couch, staring at the ceiling, he knew they were right. He felt different these days. He felt lighter. And all of that had to do with one person.

_

Sarang had just finished her shift at the hospital when she got a message.

Sunghoon: Are you still awake?

She smiled a little before replying.

Sarang: No, just texting you on the verge of sleep.

A few seconds later, her screen lit up with his response.

Sunghoon: Wow. Do you also sleep-skate?

She chuckled.

Sarang: If only. That would mean I could actually skate again.

There was a slight pause before his next message came in.

Sunghoon: You don't skate at all anymore?