Meet Krystal, a once-nerdy dreamer who fell head over heels for Kai, the embodiment of charisma. Their story begins with heartfelt confessions, but soon, it becomes a heart-wrenching charade that shatters Krystal's world. Overwhelmed by her love for...
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{flashbacks will be in bold font style} ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:✧*⋆.*:･ﾟ✧.: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆ ☾
I gazed at the familiar paper bag and carefully unwrapped it, revealing a beautiful white dress. But as I held it up, my surprise deepened, for beneath the white dress was another one – the very same black dress that had captured my attention in the store.
A playful giggle escaped my lips. It was a gift from Blake. Was he feeling unwell? Why else would he send me these dresses? I wondered if he was feeling unwell or if there was some hidden reason behind his gesture. Hanging the dresses up, I continued to organize my newly bought items into my luggage.
A quick glance at the desk clock informed me that it was already 7:45 pm. "Clarie's home!" Her voice echoed from the front door, and the house filled with responding shouts from everyone inside.
Thirst gnawing at me, I headed to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. Placing the glass under the water dispenser, the cold water streamed out, providing the refreshment I needed.
As I stood there, Evelyn entered the kitchen, her short red dress catching my eye. "Are you all set?" I asked.
"Yes, I'll be heading out to the restaurant with Haylie first," she replied, grabbing an apple from the basket on the counter.
Returning to my room, I contemplated my outfit for the night. Amidst the array of choices, my gaze landed on the black dress I had received. "This might just be perfect," I mused, a smile gracing my lips.
With the dress on, I felt a renewed sense of confidence. Just as I finished changing, Clarie entered the room. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, her voice laced with curiosity, "Oh, I've never seen you wear this dress before."
I couldn't help but giggle. "Someone gifted it to me. Can you guess who?" I teased, curious about her response.
"Evelyn or Haylie?" Clarie guessed playfully as she picked up something from the floor. "A note?" She handed me the small piece of paper she had retrieved.
I took the note from her hand and unfolded it. As I began to read, the words etched on the paper slowly revealed their meaning to me.
Dear Krystal, Sorry if this may surprise you or make you feel uncomfortable. I've mustered up the courage to tell you this. It took me a while to realize my feelings, and I somewhat regret not doing it sooner. But before you leave, I wanted you to know. I have feelings for you – I like you. Take care when you go back.
As I read the heartfelt note, my surprise was audible to Clarie, who listened in. Glancing up at her, my face betrayed my astonishment, and I was unsure how to process this unexpected confession.
Clarie's smile was knowing and amused. "I knew it! It was quite obvious."
Still reeling from the revelation, I felt a numbness settle over me. "But it's just 'I like you,' isn't it?" I muttered, struggling to wrap my head around it.
"Come on, Krystal. We've known Blake for a long time. He's nothing like that Korean guy from before. He's a good guy," Clarie reassured me, her tone sincere and supportive.
I adjusted my glasses, giving myself a final check in the mirror hanging on my locker door. I could sense a group of popular guys from our school approaching, and I felt a mix of disbelief and anxious. Seriously, how was this even possible?
I couldn't help but flinch when Kai leaned casually against the locker next to mine. "Hey, pretty," he said, accompanied by the laughter of his friends. Yes, I had a crush on him. But then again, who didn't? He was the school's heartthrob—Kim Jongin, better known as Kai.
But I had been foolish to believe him. I actually thought he genuinely cared about me. What kind of naive idiot was I? A girl who was often ridiculed and labeled as a nerd in school didn't belong with someone like Kai. How had I fallen for that act? My heart raced as he leaned closer, his lips close to my ear. "Meet me at the rooftop," he whispered, sending shivers down my spine. "Ok-kay," I managed to stutter out, nodding in response.
As Kai and his friends sauntered away, my so-called "best friend" Eunmi approached. "What were you guys talking about?" she asked, her gaze glued to them.
"He wants to meet me at the rooftop," I replied dumbfoundedly. Eunmi's smile seemed off, almost fake.
I made my way to the rooftop and nervously took a seat on the bench. When he finally appeared, a mix of excitement and nervousness churned within me. "I need to tell you something," he began. I mustered a smile, my heart racing as I looked at him, the crush of my dreams, standing before me. "Go on," I urged, my emotions all over the place.
He handed me a folded piece of paper. "Don't read it yet. Read it later and meet me here again tomorrow after school," he instructed. I nodded, captivated by his presence, and watched as he walked away.
Heading back home, I stopped at a park and found solace on a swing. Retrieving the paper from my skirt pocket, I unfolded it and scanned the words—Kai's apparent confession of feelings. My heart soared; I was on cloud nine.
At home, I eagerly shared the news with Eunmi, my only friend. Little did I know it was all an orchestrated plan, a fake confession that would shatter my world. Everything that had unfolded since that moment was carefully constructed and had nearly destroyed my life.
I turned to Clarie, my expression reflecting the uncertainty in my heart. "I'm not even sure about my feelings, Clarie. I'm just... I don't know."
Clarie's reassuring smile enveloped me. "That's okay. Love isn't something we can rush or control."
She understood the whirlwind of confusion swirling within me. Love, in my eyes, seemed like a mere illusion, and the very idea of it, especially the aftermath of breakups, felt ludicrous.
Blake and I shared a long-standing friendship, and the thought of crossing the line into romance and then potentially ending up as strangers terrified me. Love wasn't just a simple emotion; it was complex, a labyrinth of emotions that led to heartbreak. Breakups were a painful consequence of relationships that I wasn't ready to endure.
The notion of a best friend becoming a soulmate was captivating, but beneath that allure, there was a gnawing realization that it might not end well. The wreckage of a failed romantic relationship could irrevocably taint the pure bond of friendship. The prospect of investing so much in someone, only to have it implode, was something I dreaded.
"I don't think it's a good idea," I admitted, a shrug accompanying my words.
Clarie's eyes were understanding as she nodded gently. "We won't pressure you into anything, Krystal. Ultimately, you should listen to your heart and trust your instincts."
Her calm words offered a reassuring blanket, but deep down, the turmoil within me continued to churn.
