Heartstrings || Joshua Hong

Chapter 10

Alex POV

On the way home from the park, I couldn't stop smiling. Rina looked as beautiful as ever, if not even more beautiful than before. Running into her so coincidentally felt like fate was directly handing me a second chance. This time, I made sure I would never hurt her like that again. 
--
Flashback to June 2012:

"BUT WHY? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE MOVING?" I yelled at Rina again, who now shrunk away in fear.

"Alex, please, I'm telling you it wasn't my decision...my parents-", she pleaded. 

"Look at you, only thinking about pleasing your parents all the time. Don't you ever care about us? About me??"

"Of course I do! But I was scared of what would happen to us and you know this was completely out of my control. I don't know what to do now and..." Tears were streaming down her face, ruining her once-perfect makeup. 

"I know what to do. Let's just break it off. You and I both know we'll get busy, so long distance will never work. We're already barely seeing each other with our schedules now. Goodbye, Rina. Good luck in LA." With that, I turned around and left her crying on the sidewalk. My hands were trembling, but I balled them into fists to stop them. I might've been the one who just dumped her, but she wasn't the only one feeling broken inside.
--
Back then, I was a complete foolish coward, running away when faced with the uncertain future of our relationship. I knew I had made a fatal mistake and it would take a lot more than apologizing to get her back, but I was ready. I just really hoped that the boy with her at the park earlier was only a classmate. 

Rina POV

"Wait, so you're telling me that that motherf*ker  just so happened to waltz into the park at the exact same time you and Joshua were there??" Sera asked incredulously, popping a chip in her mouth. A few days after the incident, I had ran all the way from the park to Sera's house to rant. We were lounging on her couch, angrily munching on snacks. 

"Dude, what am I even supposed to do in that situation? Like, is this some sort of divine punishment for some great sin I committed in my past life?" I said dramatically. Yeah, I might've also been watching too many Korean dramas lately. 

Sera snorted. "I don't know man, ask Joshua. Don't you guys go to church together?" I laughed and lightly flicked her forehead.

"Yah, that's not how it works", I replied, still laughing. 

Sera laughed along before turning serious again. "Well, anyway, it's not like Alex can do anything to you now, though. Sure, you ran into him once, but he'll be gone in a few months after that internship ends. Just don't freak out if you see him again and pretend you're strangers or something."

"Mm, yeah. Easier said than done." I sighed. As much as I hated to admit it, a part of me would probably never be over it. He was my first love and those are never easy to forget... 

The sound of my phone ringing interrupted my thoughts. 

Call from "gentleman, who?" 

Excusing myself for a moment, I stepped out of the room to pick it up.

"Yo, Josh, what's up?"

"Idiot, did you forget we had practice today? Hurry up, I'll be at your place in ten since you probably don't have a ride again." 

Shoot, I completely forgot.

"A-ah, right... uhh, okay thanks, I'll be right out. See ya." I quickly hung up, apologized to Sera for having to leave early, and sprinted back to my house one block away. 

As much as I trusted Sera, I couldn't bring myself to tell her the whole story this time. I couldn't tell her about why Joshua had called me to the park, that he'd practically confessed to me (before that douchebag Alex ruined everything), and that I'd started returning those feelings for him. After his quasi-confession, simple things like receiving a call from him or watching him play his guitar at worship practice were enough to make my heart flutter. How he had this kind of effect on me, I had no idea, but there was no turning back now. 

Grabbing my violin, I opened the door before Joshua could ring the doorbell. He seemed startled for a moment, but then smiled warmly, reaching out a hand to help me with my instrument. I swear his smile was enough to brighten up the whole world for even a split second.  

"Alright, ready to go?"

Boy, I've never been more ready in my life. 

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A/N Yes, our Rina 바보 has finally caught on :D But, will Alex back down that easily hmmmm

Also, side note, but would you believe I wasn't a Joshua stan before starting this. Oh BOIII did that change LOL