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2012
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Children.
We were still little kids- as I like to enumerate when we first met. I remember seeing his family move in the the house across mine's. I was sneaking on my window, watching his dad unload antique furnitures.
My mom called out for lunch, but I couldn't remove my attention to the new kid next door. I was curious of him. Can we be friends?
At evening, I couldn't resist no more. I ran up to the new household and knocked the door exactly three times. I brought my left-over brownies as my parents always told me that I must bring a dessert whenever I go to one's household. When his mother (I assume) opened the door, I couldn't contain my happiness.
"Good Evening, Mrs...uhh.." I stuttered my words out. Oh shoot. My introduction was ruined.
"Hello there, little girl, I'm Mrs. Lee." She wore a comforting smile on her face.
I cleared my throat and re-introduced myself again. "Good Evening, Mrs. Lee! I'm here to give these brownies to you! I hope you like it and I hope you enjoy your stay here!"
Her grin widened. She caressed the top of my head and replied, "Little girl, I have a son about your age. Would you like to be his playmate?"
My heart was exploding fireworks. Finally!
"That would be super greaaaaat!" I was now jumping in their front porch.
And from that day on, we became the best playmates you could've ever known.
+++
I woke up with the sound of my phone ringing.
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!
I looked around and saw the best thing on my room. My favorite dress was hanging on my closet, neatly pleated. My mom had bought it for me to wear on my birthday- which was today.
My parents had prepared a mini-party on our backyard for my 14th birthday. Yes 14. I know I sounded childish with all my previous narrations. But I was already 13. I couldn't believe I was still using the label 'playmate'.
There I was, preparing for my mini birthday party. I made sure I looked okay enough. Some of my relatives were coming over and I was more than excited.
My favorite cousin was coming too- Yoon Freaking Jeonghan.
Lmao he's a ham.
Anyways, I was waiting for Lee Chan on our usual meet up place, the park. Well, that's where we used to play. To be honest, when we're bored, we still play there. You know, hide and seek, tag.
I know that my mom would probably be worried since I was suddenly gone. But I was just itching to meet Chan already.
And when I saw him from afar, I immediately ran up to him and grabbed his hands. I ran all the way to my home. As soon as I arrived, everyone was clapping while I was panting. They all suddenly started singing Happy Birthday.
This wasn't the birthday I was wishing for.
I looked super haggard with all my hair toppled over my face from running. I was still standing there, panting, with Chan's hands in mine. He looked confused too.
Anyways, I fixed myself and smiled. It was my birthday, I must be happy.
"Thank you to everyone who attended! I hope you enjoy the lunch!"
I immediately went for the buffet. I was scorching hungry. I felt someone nudge me from the side.
Lee Chan.
"Tsk. I guess I'm really important to you." He whispered.
I was embarrassed.
Of course he was important to me. I didn't want him to be absent on my birthday party.
"Hmph."
The party went on, from my relatives singing 'Happy Birthday' to me, to my friends voicing out their birthday message for me.
It was a blast.
Everyone was starting to leave, one by one greeting me once again before leaving.
But my cousins were staying over and I couldn't hide my excitement. Jeonghan was staying over!
+++
By dinner time, everyone already left except for Jeonghan and Chan. We munched on my leftover mango-choco cake which was beyond delicious.
I really missed Jeonghan. I mean, it was almost a year since I last met him. He was my favorite cousin since he always took care and played with me when I was younger.
So I started a food fight with him. I smeared some icing on the tip of his nose which startled him. He looked at me with disbelief and smeared a bigger portion on my cheek.
Chan, being a neat kid started to run away from us. He hid inside my closet because that's where he's pretty safe.
After the mini food-fight, we decided to play the game of monopoly without Chan. I thought he went home already due to our food fight.
Jeonghan and I were so tired after playing how many rounds of Monopoly. We bid our goodbye and went to each other's rooms.
I was getting ready to change my clothes to pajamas when I saw a cuddled up Lee Chan curled inside my closet. He fell asleep crying since there were tear stains on his cheeks.
I was panicking inside. So Chan didn't go home and actually hid here since afternoon?
I felt so sorry. I nudged him slightly and he was awoken. "Oh, Song Joo! Did I fell asleep here? I'm sorry!" He said while hurrying down my closet.
I started to cry instead. "Lee Chan I' m so sorry! Why are you in there?"
"Uhhh...because I-I had no playmate." He uttered. How could I forget this kid?
"Lee Chan!! I'm really sorry! I didn't know you were in there! I thought you went home already." I said, tears warning to flow again.
"Yeah because you were too immersed playing with Jeonghan hyung." He said slightly sobbing again
"Yah! Lee Chan! Remember this, you're my favorite playmate forever. Hurry up and grow so you can marry me okay." I said running to him for a hug.
He stifled a laugh. "Yah. Song Joo!" He said while returning the hug, "next time, don't ever forget your favorite playmate so he won't end up in closets."
I laughed back. "We're good now okay?" I asked him. He nodded in response.
"Pinky Promise?"
"Pinky Promise."
