Chaeyoung POV
Everything looks so different now. I’ve only been away for 4 years but I don’t recognise the buildings and streets. Today’s Friday and I’m busy. I’m going for job interviews and looking or an apartment at the same time. My heels are killing me. But
I’m happy. I’m home.
I’ve been applying for fashion and design jobs and Yeri’s been making some calls on my behalf which is helpful considering she’s in the modelling business. So far the interviews I’ve been on have been promising but I’ll have to wait for a proper offer.
Joy’s meeting me for lunch which I’m heading to now. I’m happy for her, she’s starting her month long proposal tomorrow and I’m helping her to plan things out. Seriously, coming up with 30 small, sweet and romantic things isn’t as easy as you might think. I’m currently helping her to design a JoyRi out fit complete with t-shirts, caps, jeans etc. she’s tasked me to design 7 items so that she has only 23 days to be concerned about. I’m so being used right now but I don’t mind. I know my friends will be happy.
As we sit at the café and I show Joy the draft designs, she seems pleased. But surprise surprise, she wants me to cut down on the pink. She’s getting really revved up and the noise levels just keep increasing “omo, this picture of us is so cute! Use it for the shirt!’
‘Joy-ah! Keep it down.. people are starting to stare..’
‘Yah! Look who’s talking… hmpf... um… Chaeng-ah, what do you think if I rent a yacht for the last weekend and take Yeri out to sea?’
‘ooh.. someone’s being romantic. But seriously.. you just want her to be with you every minute of the weekend right? And it helps that she can’t run away hahaha… but hey it’s a great idea, I’m sure she’ll love it. It’ll be a great story to tell your kids” I give her a wink. ‘ you just gotta pray that it doesn’t rain..’
‘Rain?!? Darn. I didn’t think about that’ you start to pout and I can’t help but laugh at you.
You ignore me and start looking through the designs again. But there are things I want to talk to Joy about.
‘Joy, do you have Lisa’s contact number? Did she change it or is it still the same?’
You freeze and a troubled look crosses your face. ‘Chaeng, just leave her alone for now? I’m sure she’ll call you when she’s ready?’
‘Call me when she’s ready? Joy. She doesn’t know I’m back? How will she know to call me? Unless…. Park Sooyoung, is there something you’re not telling me?’
Immediately you look uncomfortable and you start to squirm in your seat. “er… you see. Just don’t call her ok?’
‘Park Sooyoung! You told her! How could you!’
‘Chaeng-ah its not like that… she saw you at the bus stop yesterday! She called me last night to question me about it. I can’t lie to her… not about this. Chaeng she needed answers. Look at it this way, she needed the heads ups. You did disappear on her and yea… its not a bad thing she knows. She needs time to adjust too. So don’t call her. Just wait for her to call you. I’m pretty sure she will.’
‘You’re pretty sure? Joy, she’s one of the reasons I came back. She’s THE main reason I came back. You have to be a 100% sure she’s going to call me. Pretty sure isn’t gonna cut it.’
‘Alright I’m sure. If you want I’ll call Irene and ask her to spy for me.. but then again she’s Jennie’s friend too.. argh… this is complicated. But don’t worry ok? I’ll settle it.’
‘so.. she called last night. That’s why you left to take that call.’
A mix of emotions fills me. I was so close to her, for years she was so far away but last night she was so close. ‘How is she?’
You contemplate how you should answer me and you decided to go with the truth. This is why I need you as my friend I know you won’t lie to me about important things. You may be the weirdest and all but when it comes down to it, I know you’re on my side.
‘Not so good. Chaeng, you need to understand what you leaving did to her. She wasn’t in the best shape for years, I’ve never known anyone to so messed up. It’s a wonder she’s alive. And she’s with Jennie now, she’s happier than she’s been in the last 4 years. You coming back, it changes things. You need to be careful with her. Give her time, she asked for time to adjust. You owe her that, in fact you owe her way more than that. Chaeng, you know I love you but seriously, as your best friend, I’m telling you to back off.’
And just like that, Joy had killed my reunion fantasies. ‘ok… I’ll wait for her.’ I said, clearly disappointed.
‘Come on, what were you expecting? That you two would run into each others arms and confess your undying love for each other? That she’d dump Jennie immediately and get back together with you?’ Chaeng, its not going to be that easy. You 2 have too much history and things have changed. You’re not the only one in her eyes anymore. Chaeng, even I had trouble accepting that you left me without telling me anything. Sure you emailed me and we kept in touch after you settled down in the states but it was hurtful. So please do the mature thing and leave her alone till she’s ready.’
‘Wow Joy, talk about being sensitive to my feelings.’ I replied prissily
‘Babe, don’t go all indignant on me. You brought this on yourself. You left to pursue your dreams in the states. You could’ve discussed it with Lisa but you didn’t. You just up and left without even saying goodbye.’
That hurt. I deserved it but it hurt to actually hear it. ‘Well, thanx for the wake up call best friend. I gotta go now I’m late to view an apartment. Bye.’ I take some cash out of my wallet and pass it to her before walking off. I can’t stay there any longer. I need to be away from Joy, away from the truth.
The whole afternoon my thoughts keep going back to my lunch conversation with Joy. She’s right in so many ways. I know I was behaving badly towards her. I know she said those things because it was the truth and I needed to hear it. I know she was trying to protect me by giving me realistic expectations. But it hurt. I miss Lisa and I want her back. To know and hear that it may never happen hurt. I guess that no matter how I lie to myself that I’d be fine with just being friends with her, it would crush me if things turned out that way. I had secretly hoped that my Lisa would come back to me; that we would have our happily ever after.
I take out my handphone to message Joy “Hey, I’m sorry. You’re right. Thanx for being honest with me. You’re a true friend. I’ll see you back at your place.’
Moments later I receive your message on my handphone. “I’m sorry too, I shouldn’t have been so harsh. See you later.” I sigh with relief. I still have people who love me. Even if Lisa doesn’t want me back, I still have people who love me. I’m not alone.
After I’m done with the days activities I return to Joy's flat to re-examine my expectations and rethink how I’ll handle the situation with Lisa. I guess Joy’s right. I have to take things slow. First off, I need to apologise and explain my actions. I need to finally be honest with Lisa.
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You Never Said Goodbye
Fanfiction(Completed) Lalisa Manoban's world crumbled when her first love Park Chaeyoung left her to follow her dreams. Years later she found herself in a relationship and fell in love with a certain girl named Jennie Kim who helped her get through her break...
