My Person (나의 사람)

Day Four: Jungnang Camping Site

Day Four: Jungnang Camping Site
(11:11 pm)

"Andwaeyo! (No!)"

"Wae? (Why?)" laughed Hyun Jae.

"I don't have make-up on," I protested as I cover up my face with my hands.

We just finished washing our faces at the nearby public bathroom. For my last night in Seoul, we were going camping. Today was full of adventures. It was a great way to end my Seoul trip.

"Exactly," he said, before pulling my wrist again.

"Hajima (Stop it)."

"Shiroyo (I don't want to)."

"Hyun Jae oppa!"

There was another round of laughter.

"Ara, ara (I get it, I get it)."

I peeked through the gaps of my fingers. When I saw that his head was turned away, I slowly lowered down my hands. Before I could fully reveal my face, he suddenly faced me again. My eyes widened and I covered again.

"Oppa, hajimaa!"

"Aigoo," he laughed, putting his arm around me as he ruffled my hair. "Gaja."

"Psh."

"Ivory."

I glanced sideways at him, not caring if he saw my bare face anymore. Seriously, I was just playing around, trying to be cute earlier. I really didn't mind if he saw me with no make-up on.

"Neo...neomu yeppeo (you're very beautiful)," he finished, pinching my cheeks.

"Ack, stop pinching my cheeks."

I couldn't giggle properly with the way he was pinching my cheeks. He chuckled, smoothly sliding an arm around my shoulders as we walked back to the tent. I welcomed his warmth.

"Have you ever gotten drunk?" he asked.

I nodded. "The first - and might I add, last - time I got super drunk, I was with my friends at the beach and I apparently threw sand at people while I laughed about it."

He burst out laughing. "Gwiyeowo (cute)."

I stifled a laugh. "More like, mean."

"I was just asking because I brought chicken and beer for our midnight snack. But I promise, it's not like those ones in Myeongdong."

I blinked. "Jinjja (Really)?"

"Yeah."

"Yay!" I beamed. "I've always wanted to try chimaek (chicken and beer)!"

"Ah, geurae (Ah, is that so?)?" He nodded. "That's good, then."

When we got back to the tent, he prepared the food while I set up our table. Seriously, he took care of me so much. If we were together, I had no doubt that I would be spoilt rotten by him.

There were two sets of chicken; one with honey peanut sauce all over it, and the plain fried one. Hyun Jae handed me a plastic glove and as soon as I put it on, I picked up a chicken wing from the honey sauce bunch and brought it to my mouth. I had to close my eyes from all the deliciousness.

This is foodie heaven right there, people. Koreans know how to fry their chicken.

"Mashisseo (Delicious)?"

"Neomu mashisseoyo (so delicious)!"

He grinned for a second, but then he looked down and he suddenly looked serious. I considered if I should put my food down and wait for him to say something.

"I've been thinking about what you said," he started, "about me being afraid I'll turn out to be the worst of them all."

I lowered the chicken I was holding.

"I think you're right," he admitted, his hand playing with the edge of his can of beer as he leaned back on his folding chair.

"I think you're wrong."

"Mwo?" he asked, frowning in confusion.

Yeah, sometimes I can be a bit confusing.

"I don't think you will be the worst," I decided just now, my brows furrowed as I carefully thought about this. "The fact that you're doubting yourself makes you aware of what's wrong and what's right. That fact already makes you wrong."

He leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees.

"It mean you'll be stronger than the temptation," I continued.

He kept his eyes on me, and I ignored the feeling of self-consciousness rising in me.

"You can make a difference," I finished, meaning it.

Hyun Jae proceeded in staring at me, and I saw it coming then. My heart pounded like crazy and my stomach felt like it was in knots. I knew what he was gonna do next. And I let him do it.

I let him lean in, grab the back of my neck, and pull me to him.

I let his lips met mine.

I let myself open up to him as I kissed him back.

I let myself be vulnerable.

But there was this realization. With every breath exchanged, I was reminded of what was to come. I was reminded that this couldn't last.

What were we doing? We were only torturing ourselves.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," I reminded him, against his lips.

"I know," he murmured.

He smelled so good. He was so warm. His lips were so soft.

But...

I pulled away gently, looking into his eyes even though it hurt to think I'd never get to see him again after tomorrow.

"This won't work out," I stated.

He closed his eyes and released a sigh, placing his forehead on my shoulder. He didn't say anything, probably knowing that I was right.

We had our own duties to our families, that meant long distance wasn't going to work. We were both still young, we had no say in our lives yet. Even if we did, we had our responsibilities tying us down. It wouldn't work at all.

I slightly envied those Western kids who got to leave their homes at eighteen and were expected to live their lives independently. They had no obligations. In Asia, it was different.

Family is everything.

"I don't want to let you go," he said in a more than a whisper, pulling my waist closer to his body and closing the gap between us.

My free hand went up to the back of his neck, and I stroked his hair. I breathed out and squeezed my eyes shut.

"But you have to."

He finally raised his head and looked at me. A bright smile stretched on his face, and I knew then that the playful Hyun Jae is back.

"Not yet," he said, the tip of his tongue sliding across his full bottom lip in that sexy way guys do to drive girls crazy - and I was this close to jumping him. "I still have you for tonight."

I smiled warmly at that.

"Yeah, you do."

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And CUT!

I have to keep this rated PG guys.

I really wanted to add more lines but Hyun Jae and Ivory already know everything about each other and they already shared this special bond.

You ready for the last chapter?