Flash Forward...

Confession Pt. 1

Go Eun marched ahead of the other three, her long legs and angry steps carrying her at twice her normal pace. Her hands remained clenched into fists at her side, the rings that adorned her fingers biting into the soft flesh of her palm. She genuinely saw red when Ji Won had stepped up to her in the club. A girl stood next to him, their hands intertwined, as he greeted Go Eun. Go Eun wasn't exactly the type to get physical when she was angry but an overwhelming sense to knock Kim Ji Won's lights out had overcome her. Had Jin Seo not run up to her when she did, Go Eun was certain that she would be sitting in jail right now for battery. 

Go Eun heard quick steps come up behind her and knew it was Jun Hoe. He had been standing next to her when the encounter had taken place. It was the initial scream of hers that had caused everyone around them to back off, including Jun Hoe. He had seen Go Eun angry, upset, sad, happy... but never murderous.

Jun Hoe had sped up his pace to keep next to Go Eun, luckily he was easily able to match since he was the taller of the two, even if the heels put them at an equal height, they also hindered her steps. He didn't say anything. What could he say, 'everything is going to be alright,' no, that would probably get him punched. 'I'm sorry?' For what? Sorry your ex-boyfriend tried to talk to you with a new girl by his side? Sorry that you feel like you've been replaced so easily? There was no way for Jun Hoe to say anything to make her feel better because no words would be able to alleviate the pain and anger in her heart. 

The apartment complex loomed in front of the group and Jun Hoe followed Go Eun to the elevator, neither of them noticing that two people were missing from their party. 

The elevator ride was silent, only the sound of Go Eun's angry breathes and occasional knuckle pop breaking it. The elevator opened and Go Eun resumed her angry march to her apartment door, unlocking it she stopped and turned back to Jun Hoe.

"Thank you for walking with me... I just need to be alone right now." She opened her door when she felt Jun Hoe's hand wrap around her wrist. 

"I don't think that's a good idea... Let me at least stay with you until Jin Seo gets up here. I don't know where her and Chan Woo are but I think you need someone... Let me be someone." Jun Hoe stared deeply into her dark eyes. He watched as tears flash-flooded into them and over onto her cheeks. She fell into his embrace, sobs shaking her body as she clutched at his shirt, her head resting on his shoulder.

Jun Hoe held Go Eun for a moment before shuffling her into the apartment. He brought her to the couch and had her sit. He then kneeled in front of her, releasing the clasp on each of her heels and removing her shoes. When he looked up he was met by a tear-streaked face, the tracks of her tears traced down her cheeks with running mascara. Jun Hoe couldn't help but marvel at the sight of her.

No matter what Go Eun looked like, bare faced, fully made-up, happy, mad, tear-streaked... She was beautiful. Sitting in front of him was an incredibly complex person, but falling in love with her was simple. It hadn't been her looks, even though she was stunning, it had been what hid underneath the long hair, pale skin, and thin-lipped smile. She wasn't one to lay her emotions of her sleeve like her friend. She was reserved, she held in, hid it away from the world until she was alone. When she was joyous, she came across mildly content. When she was breaking on the inside, she came across barely inconvenienced. The only thing that was ever apparent on her face was the unconditional, undying love she had for those in her life. 

She watched from the sidelines, always observing everything, and only stepping in when it was necessary for her to prevent something bad from happening. She brought logic and thought into every conversation she had with others, the depth of her character was like the ocean to Jun Hoe. Something barely explored, but something he wanted to dive deeper into. 

For three years now he had been captivated by the astonishing woman who now sat broken in front of him. He had been holding in a tsunami of feelings, the interest that sparked in him when he first saw her, the heartbreak he felt when she and Ji Won showed up holding hands the day they started dating, the longing that filled his entire being while he watched her happily live next to a man who wound up shattering her. Jun Hoe hadn't laid eyes on anyone else, and at this point, he didn't think he would be able to. The only thing that he was drawn to was Go Eun.

Jun Hoe took a deep breathe before making a decision.

"I like you."  

Jun Hoe let out a shaky laugh. He had waited so long to say that finally, but to hear it now was almost laughable to him. He honestly never thought he would here those words come from his mouth. He stared into Go Eun's widened eyes. Her breathe hitched as she fumbled for words.

"W-What?" She blinked in shock at Jun Hoe. What was he doing...? He liked her... Was he joking? No... He wasn't the type to joke about something so cruel, especially at a time like this. Go Eun sat, her gaze never leaving the gentle eyes of the man in front of her. She knew the way he cared and watched over her seemed to be a little more than just 'friendly.' She had chosen to ignore this knowledge. 

Jun Hoe smiled. "I like you. I like you more than just my friend. I've liked you ever since you walked up to us in the park and introduced yourself. Cha Go Eun, you have been stuck in my head for three years. I haven't stopped thinking about you, not when you go home, not when you were with Ji Won, not when I sleep. You're in my dreams, you're everywhere. I like you so much I went to college for you, I want to turn myself into someone better who deserves you. I don't want to just be your dance partner at the club, I want to be your dance partner forever. I want to be the one who gets to hold your hand, and hug you, and love you more than anything in the world." Jun Hoe had taken Go Eun's shaking hands into his. "Now might not be the time you want to hear this, I know you've gone through a lot tonight. I just wanted you to know that even while you feel alone... You're not. I'm right here for you. It hasn't been long since you and Ji Won split up so I'm not expecting anything right now. You need time to heal, to reclaim who you are, to rebuild."

Go Eun's heartbeat was racing listening to the confession that spilled from Jun Hoe's mouth.

"Just know that when... if... you're ever ready, I'll tell this all to you again. I'll tell you how your smile makes my heart flutter. How your wit blows me away. I'll tell you everything. I'll wait till then, but for now.. I'll be here, I'll be your someone... I'll never leave your side until you force me." Jun Hoe rose from the ground in front of Go Eun and took the spot on the couch next to her.

Go Eun continued to stare at the spot where he crouched moments before. It felt like her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest. The tears she had cried for Ji Won had disappeared and now confusion racked her brain. Emotions she had never felt before welled within her, emotions she couldn't even put a name to. 

Thankfully for Go Eun, Jun Hoe didn't expect her to say anything. It was a lot to lay on a person but it was something he knew he had to get out. Go Eun finally sat back, her hands tucked in her lap while she fidgeted with her fingers, she kept her head down. Finally, Go Eun looked up at Jun Hoe, having figured out what to respond with.

"Thank you. Thank you for giving me time." She smiled. It wasn't how she expected her night to end, but she was grateful for it. 

Go Eun rested her head on Jun Hoe's shoulder. They sat there like that for awhile. The silence was no longer heavy with anger and pain, but sat comfortably around the two. They didn't need to speak for the understanding between them to be communicated. 

She needed time and he was willing to wait.

To Be Continued...

Happy Holidays everyone! :)