Space [Wonwoo]

Are

Flashes of red and blue light illuminated the streets and sirens echoed throughout the area. Eomma had called for the ambulance the moment she stepped into Soojung's room. She entered the room, the sight of her daughter who had collapsed left her in great shock. Her hands were tottering as she was dialing the digits. Her voice was trembling when she asked for help, "P-please...help us," She sobbed in between her words,"H-hurry!"

Eomma, who was already in the ambulance, stroked Soojung's head, still crying heavily, "Soojung-ah, be strong." Soon, the paramedic faced Eomma and told her, "Eomonim, we have to defibrillate her heart." She kept her hands away from the bed and let the paramedics take over.

"Ready to shock the patient," The paramedic opposite to them said, "Shocking the patient in 3, 2, 1, clear!" He pressed the defibrillator to Soojung's chest yet there was no reaction. "3, 2, 1, clear!" He executed the operation once again. They watched the heart rate monitor for results, beads of sweat dripping down their faces and their hearts were racing. There were only two possibilities: A miracle or a disaster.

Millions of thoughts circled in Eomma's mind. This can't be the end for Soojung. God, could you please give her one more chance? God, I would do anything to keep her alive. She continued sulking, breathing heavily.

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Soojung was by the hallway, wandering around with her hands crossed behind her back. She whistled a soft tune familiar to Wonwoo. It was Cheeze's song "Mango". It was the song that the two of them shared through Wonwoo's earphones. Wonwoo could remember clearly what Soojung looked like as she listened.

That day was breezy since it was autumn. The wind was blowing on her long dark hair and her eyes were closed as she bobbed her head to the song. "This song is so nice, Wonwoo! Your music taste is similar to mine," her eyes turned into crescents as she beamed. Wonwoo would always be happy when they find something new in common. He always thought they were destined for each other.

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"Soojung-ah, where are you going?" Wonwoo jogged to her side but she simply gave him a sweet smile and ran to the stairs. He thought it was odd so he followed her to the rooftop. The moment he got there, Soojung was just staring at the cityscape in front of her. He was meaning to approach her until she turned around, facing Wonwoo. Once again, her lips shaped into a smile leaving him dumbfounded and lost in her. She slowly walked backwards and finally meeting the ledge. She leaned back and like an autumn leaf falling from the tree, she gently let herself fall. Wonwoo was a second late and Soojung had already fallen.

"Aaah!" Wonwoo jolted from his position as he awakened from the nightmare he just had. His heart was racing and he was panting. Soojung, Soojung...He immediately rolled out of his bed to grab a hold of his phone and dialed her number.

"You are now forwarded to a voice messaging system-"

He pressed end and redialed her number but she still wasn't answering. "C'mon, Soojung...Pick up, pick up. I know something isn't right." He groaned in exasperation as his calls weren't answered by Soojung. Wonwoo feared that his assumption was right.

Something has happened to Soojung.

He grabbed his coat by the front door and drove to her house as quick as he could.

"Soojung! Soojung!" He's been knocking on their door for minutes but there was no response. He then proceeded to calling Soojung's mom.

"Eomonim?" He spoke on the phone. All he heard were sounds of sobbing and cries. "W-Wonwoo." Her voice was unstable and sounded strained. "Sorry for calling at this hour but may I know where Soojung is? I just felt like I needed to see her, Eomonim." She didn't reply right away instead, she cried through the phone making Wonwoo more worried than he already was. "Eomonim?" He called for her but she hung up.
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A Week Later

People gathered around the wilting field. Florals were arranged on stands with satin ribbons with "Condolences" written on them. It wasn't a pleasant day for everyone despite the perfect weather. It seemed to rain on Wonwoo's end and especially storming on her parents' end.

Today is the day of Soojung's burial. She laid on the casket with her hands clasped together resting on her stomach, her face was more pale than ever yet she looked peaceful. She now had nothing to worry, no more pain to endure. Eomma thought of her passing away like that. My Soojung no longer has to be troubled with these things. It was difficult for her to accept but this was what fate wanted, it was meant to happen.

On the other hand, there was Mingyu who hated fate. Fate was always in the the way of everything. It was fate's fault that Mingyu was wearing his best suit today for the purpose he never thought of and didn't want to think of. He never thought he'd be wearing it earlier than what he had expected. His mom had bought the suit prior to the homecoming dance he would be attending with Soojung, supposedly. He didn't think he'd be wearing it on this day, his last time seeing Soojung.

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As the white roses were sent to Soojung's casket, Wonwoo couldn't help but stay in front of her for a while. He wiped the tears that were falling down his cheeks without him knowing. He lost her in the end. He lost a friend, no, scratch that, a best friend. He lost a shoulder to lean on, someone to call at 2 am when he couldn't fall asleep, someone to share his earphones with and just feel the light breeze with as they listen. But most of all, he lost his first love.

With Soojung, he was worry-free but still worried. He felt light but tense at the same time. Was it because he had feelings towards Soojung? Probably. He could never figure out why Soojung always had his heart wanting to beat out of his chest. She was like the light of day to him. At times when he was stuck, she would hold his hand and lead him out of the maze. He then would be at ease but also anxious. Only she could make him feel so lost but found at the same instant. Only Soojung could leave him so bewildered, he has to think over things more than twice.

Bewildered. How bewildered he was upon Soojung's departure, not leaving a hint that she'd be leaving soon. Selfish, Wonwoo would say. Though death is inevitable. There was nothing he could've done anyway. He just wished he could've spent more time with her before.

All that's left in Wonwoo now is regret. Regret that couldn't be erased even in the next ten or twenty years.

Soojung would last in his mind as long as he lives, Soojung is his first love after all.

First love never dies.

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To all the readers,

Here's a lengthy thank-you note.

First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to flip the page of this book even though you're unsure of what lies ahead. I appreciate that :)

Thank you for staying with me even if my updates are inconsistent and sometimes do not meet your expectations. Thank you for keeping up with this cheesy book, I would say. Your views are my motivation to continue writing this story.

Now that I've finished this book, the first one I've ever accomplished, I hope you look forward to the other books I will publish next. I have a lot of plans for 2016 that will hopefully push through because school takes up most of my time :(

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! Have a good day!