Storybook » Hwang Minhyun

ELEVEN

„Lift your head, Guanlin-ah! It will look much nicer like that!"

Yeolhee looked up when she heard Minhyun's voice talking to the sixteen-year-old. Lai Guanlin had his first photo shoot with Minhyun yesterday and was pretty shy at first. But as the day went on, the Taiwanese Teen warmed up to Minhyun (and Yeolhee) and happily posed for the photographer.

He looked like a normal young boy. No one would think he was a Cancer patient nor suffering from clinical depression. But once he sat down and started coughing and falling down in his thoughts you knew he was ill.

„Am I doing fine, Hyung?" Guanlin asked after a while and when Minhyun nodded and went to check the pictures on his computer he walked over to Yeolhee, that was sitting at a desk and typing something in her notebook.

„You looked great, Guanlin-ah." Yeolhee smiled at him and handed him his bottled Icetea. „My legs hurt a little bit from standing." He mumbled and Yeolhee looked at him. „Is the therapy going on fine?" The borderline girl asked and Guanlin shook his shoulders. „I am tired of gulping down pills that make me dizzy. And the doctors never answer my questions."

Yeolhee looked down. She knew why the doctors didn't answer his questions. She wanted to tell him that he hadn't a long time to live, but she couldn't. His parents wanted him to „enjoy" the last months the best he could without worrying about his illness.

„Sometimes it's better not to know the answers to your questions," Yeolhee spoke while typing down what Guanlin and her were talking about. The teenager looked at her. „But what if you have a very important question and need the answer to that?"

Yeolhee looked at him. „For example?" - „When will I finally die?" The silence went through the whole Studio and Minhyun turned around to Yeolhee and locked eyes with her for a second before glancing at Guanlin who seemed genuinely tired.

Yeolhee looked down and smiled. „I know it's hard to live, Guanlin-ah. But just stay strong for a little while. I promise the pain and the demons won't chase you forever." Yeolhee stood up and petted Guanlin's shoulder. „Are you sure, Noona?" He asked and Yeolhee nodded. „Hold on for a little longer, okay?"

When Guanlin got picked up by his mother Yeolhee walked over to Minhyun, who was editing today's pictures and wrapped her arms around his torso. The man stopped doing what he did and looked at the arms around his stomach.

„Yeolhee, what are you doing?" - „Refilling my energy. I'm emotionally drained after talking with LinLin. He's so young but his future is limited and that is saddening me." Yeolhee hid her face in Minhyun's back. „And I told you before; I like you." She whispered and Minhyun blushed, his ears turning red and he looked down.

„I know that you told me, but it's still weird." He whispered and Yeolhee looked up. „Why?"

„I'm not used from you being so ... touchy." Minhyun chuckled and turned around, gently shoving Yeolhee away. She pouted. „Jaehwan told me about touchy girls. His girlfriend is one of them. But I didn't know you are like that as well."

Yeolhee started laughing. „Only because I'm a Borderliner it doesn't mean I don't feel fewer emotions. They're just hard for me to use. I can feel jealousy, hate, love and horny as well." Yeolhee spoke and Minhyun gulped and turned back to his computer.

„You never answered me because of my confession."

Minhyun looked at his hands. He liked Yeolhee. A lot! But he was afraid his feelings for her would overwhelm her. He didn't want to burden her with his feelings.

„If it's because of my illness, don't worry. For us, Borderliners falling in love is something between ecstasy and agony." Minhyun looked at her. „Did you read my mind?" He asked and Yeolhee chuckled. „Not really, but your impression. Your face tells a lot about what's going on in that pretty head of yours."

Minhyun breathed out and looked at Yeolhee with widened eyes. She surprised him every day! He smiled. „I am a bit afraid of burdening you." - „Don't be. If you like me, you're going to see my hellish reality of constant mood swings and rages." Yeolhee looked at her hands before grabbing Minhyun's hands and smiled into his face, a smile that genuinely reached her eyes and made her look so beautiful.

„Love is one of the terrifying emotions to experience for me. I'm vulnerable to you because I fell for you. I'm afraid that you hurt me, that you leave me. But that's what my illness is doing with me. But I want to love you, Minhyun. I want to with all my heart."

Yeolhee gently stroked Minhyun's hands, warmth going through her body and the butterflies in her stomach were going wild. She liked this feeling. „Oh, fuck it." Minhyun cussed and Yeolhee looked up, surprised that Minhyun chose these type of words, when his hands grabbed her face and held her cheeks tightly.

He looked Yeolhee deep in the eyes and smiled. „I want to love you as well, Kang Yeolhee." And then he closed his eyes and kissed her. And Yeolhee felt like fireworks were exploding in her stomach, colorful butterflies all popping into confetti and glitter.

Her hands automatically wrapped around Minhyun's neck and he was holding her tight. He wouldn't let her go for a second. When they parted, Minhyun gently stroked Yeolhee's cheeks.

„You're crying." He whispered and Yeolhee nodded. „Yes, I am." She wiped them away but more tears were coming. „Minhyun" her voice broke, „you accepted me?" Yeolhee broke down on the floor, crying happy tears and shivering.

Minhyun knelt down to her and hugged her. „I would never reject you, Yeolhee. I like you." He spoke and comforted her with his words and caressing her back. „I would like to be your" Minhyun licked his lips, thinking about what he could say to Yeolhee.

„Be my Person," Yeolhee said and without a second thought, Minhyun agreed.