Come To Me | A Park Hyungsik Fanfiction ✔️

Epilogue: At Last

Winter of 2003

Coming out of the tall but paint-worn building, the terribly cool weather was quick to envelope me, and I felt my face turning as dry as a stone.

The sun was nowhere to be seen in the midst of the gloomy skies, although it was only the middle of the day. Blowing out a few short and cold breaths, I shoved my hands into the front deep pockets of my long, padded coat hurriedly.

I watched as other school students picked up their pace, overtaking me as they pulled their feet forward towards the smiling faces of their moms, dads, guardians. Some dived into their arms for an embrace, while the realistic ones dived right into the heater-powered vehicles.

Remembering how my parents could not afford to do the same while busy trying to make ends meet, the warmth in my heart took a plunge. Blinking multiple times, and sensing a trembling lower lip, I fought back the urge to let my feelings show.

You're a big girl now. Thirteen-year-olds don't cry like small kids. That's embarrassing. Toughen up!

Straightening my back, I courageously put my right foot forward as I begin the long walk home from school.

An unanticipated pull on my bag pack caused me to jerk backward then, and igniting my need to quickly transform into a giant green monster.

"WHO---"

His annoying voice cuts me off without a care, and it didn't take long before his annoying face comes into view. "Quickly, hold my hand."

My eyes go large at the horrendous request. We may be the closest of friends, but it's silly and embarrassing to hold hands like we're first-graders. I voiced my displeasure as logically as I could, "Now, why would I want to do that?"

"It's cold, and I hate it when you catch a cold," Hyungsik starts off sensibly and seemingly concerned, before unveiling his true intentions in the second half of his answer. "Because that means I'll catch a cold from you too!"

When his palm comes into view, I see the very thing that I'd was wishing for sitting above it – a palm-sized rectangular hot pack.

Controlling the glint in my eyes, I let out a nonchalant reply. "I'm only doing this because I forgot to bring mine."

"Yes, I know..."

I held Hyungsik's hand, letting the heat from the hot pack warm me up slowly. A few students cast their eyes upon us, but I shrugged them off, refusing to let their suspicious gazes bother me.

It is embarrassing enough for me.

Walking alongside to Hyungsik's pace, I exhaled a big puff of cold air as we walked out of the school compound, "Wait a second. How did you know I left my hot pack at home?"

Hyungsik's laugh was almost scornful. "Your feet wouldn't stop shaking when we were inside the classroom. Anybody could have known."

Blood pooled at my cheeks and my dignity urged me to gift a big smack on the boy's arms. "Were you staring at my legs, PARK HYUNG SIK??"

"ACK!" He cried, tugging at his arm. "Do you seriously think I wanted to stare at those ugly legs? They were shaking so bad, to the point it was annoying and distracting..."

Describing my legs as less-than-pretty was not such a smart move. Since I was a generous soul, I decided to give him another quick punch.

Having enough of my nonsense, Hyungsik threatened, "Hitting the person who actually offered to share his hot pack, isn't the wisest thing to do my friend."