The Bucket List | Park Jimin editing

01; Stray

I wasn't always this sick.

I used to be the happiest person out there. Of course, I'm still the happy person I am, but sometimes life can really pull you down the drain. Small things like not being able to eat my favorite food or not receiving any visitors would upset me.

Why?

Because life is unfair and cruel and you're never too sure when your time will end.

Slowly, I lifted my motionless legs in a more comfortable position before I leaned on the window sill. While I have forgotten that today was when these blossoms officially bloomed, I took note that today was something different. Something special. I sat up straighter to get a better view of the freshly bloomed cherry blossoms. I noticed the color of their petals looked more vibrant than the year before and the breeze was more gentle to the swaying tree branches. If I had one way to describe those cherry blossoms, I would compare my room to a canvas that was decorated with splashes of pink paint.

Spring is beautiful and it never fails to amaze me.

I watched the beautiful petals rain down on the overjoyed children as they jumped around each flower, inspecting its beauty with much curiosity. I smiled at one of the three children who caught a glimpse of my sitting figure. The child donned a cow costume with squinty eyes that were covered by his plump red cheeks. He was the smallest of the three children and just like his size, his hands were small. He lifted his small hands and waved at me, acknowledging my far away presence. I waved back as they finally turned their backs to me and returned to their parents' side.

I wished I could ask for his name.

My chest ached when I watched their figures slowly fading away. Something about them reminded me of my dead youth. Always felt mixed emotions when I watched people. I felt joy when people were having the time of their lives, but at the same time, I felt envy. I couldn't help but envy their youthful appearance since mine was taken from me at such a young age.

Deep thoughts suddenly began to circulate in my head. I can see words floating around the white room, both the negative and positive phrases, dashing from corner to corner, circling around me in a taunting manner. I closed my eyes tightly to cast away the taunting voice of the heavens. The imaginary words, however, were shattered instantly like broken glass when I heard a soft knock on the door.

It wasn't like any other knock I've heard. It was the first time I heard a knock that sounded so hesitant and shy but gentle at the same time.

There was another soft knock that pulled me out of my trance.

"Come in," I yelled as I quickly tried to position myself to look more presentable.

I watched as the door slowly open as a boy about my age walked in with his head down with a piece of paper in his hand. I craned my neck to see his face, but I only saw a mop of beautiful brown locks.

"Yes?" I stared at him with utmost confusion.

He looked up. "Oh, hey! What's up?"

I raised a brow at his casual attitude. "Um sorry sir but, do I know you?"

The stranger closed the door behind him and stood several feet away from me. Something about him seemed familiar. We stared at each other for quite some time and none of us wanted to break the awkward silence ourselves.

"Of course not," he finally said with a blank face. His eyes, however, screamed something I knew too well.

Disappointment.

He moved two steps toward me to move from the door. "I was lost. But, I finally found the room."

"O-oh okay." He reminded me of a stray dog trying to find its owner.

He nodded slowly and looked away. I caught a glimpse of his cheeks heating up into a light shade of pink. "Your name is...?"

I sat up, "Kim Eunji."

He hummed in response. I can see his hands were folded politely in front of him as he fiddled with his fingers. The stiffness of his back and expression made me feel uncomfortable. "Uh," the boy cleared his throat and scratched the back of his head. "So you don't remember me at all?"

I narrowed my eyes at the stranger. So I do know him? "Sorry...I don't remember. No scratch that, I meant to say I can't remember."

He sighed as he ran his fingers through his brown tousled hair. "I knew it."

The stranger started to wander around my room, my eyes following him as he stopped by my window. I only saw his figure being engulfed by the overwhelming brightness of the sun.

"Taehyung told me to visit you for him," he suddenly spoke.

My ears perked and my heart skipped a beat at the mention of Taehyung's name. He and I were childhood friends, so hearing about him gave me hope that maybe life wasn't so bad.

"Oh really?" I tried to keep my voice from going an octave higher than usual.

The stranger nodded and turned to face me. "Yeah. Since he's in Daegu right now, he won't be able to visit you for some time."

I nodded in an understanding manner as I looked up at the stranger with narrowed eyes. I could feel a prickling sensation in my eyes as I tried to get a better view of his face, squinting at the light and him. The boy must have noticed my discomfort and out of courtesy, he moved to block the sun's bright rays. I bowed my head in gratitude.

The awkward tension between us returned after the short introduction. It was so quiet that I could hear our heartbeats beating faster than the tics of the clock.

"You really don't remember me?" he broke the silence.

I sighed in relief when the burden from my shoulders lifted instantly. I shook my head and tried to change my position again. "No, I really don't."

The boy made a face and pouted, clicking his tongue in a disappointed yet teasing manner. The longer I spoke to him the more I felt a sense of familiarity with him.

"Bummer. Looks like I'll have to work a little harder," I heard him mumble under his breath.

He suddenly looked up, our eyes meeting for the first time. I can see the deep longing in his gaze that sent shivers down my spine. The eyes. His eyes. Those chocolate brown orbs mirrored my emotions that were buried deep within me. Emotions I didn't know I had, didn't know why I felt such way. The stranger finally pulled back from the window and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" I felt panic surging within me. The thought of being alone made me anxious.

His long strides took a halt at the sound of my voice. "My visit is over Eunji-ah. The nurse is going to kick me out."

Eunji-ah.

My heart stopped.

His voice.

The affectionate nickname sounded so familiar.

He turned his head to me and flashed a charming smile, "I'll visit you tomorrow Eunji-sshi!"

"Wait, I don't know your name!" I yelled before he walked out of my room.

He chuckled and saluted me, "You'll find out tomorrow!"

With that, I heard the click of the door.

He was gone now and I was alone again.

I may not know his name today but, for the meantime, I will call him Stray.

(edited 04/12) 

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Author's Note: 

Oops! Did I not satisfy you with this chapter? 

Sorry, I'm not that good at writing hahahaha! 

Anyway, updates aren't going to be frequent so please expect slow updates. 

Work and school are like 33% taxes out of your life.