The Only

Remember Forever

Joohyun's Perspective:

It was during the summer; I saw him for the first time in what felt like eternity. If I'm going to be specific, it's been almost a decade since I had last seen him. It's crazy to think of how long it's been, and how much emptiness could be felt from his departure. If it weren't for pictures to look back on, or my mother and Bogum reminding me of all the good times, it would've been difficult to reminisce on anything, but I'm thankful I had something.

That day, there was a moving-truck parked in front of Jimin's house, and as any other human-being with an ounce of natural curiosity, I peeked out the window.

It was him; Bogum and I's childhood best friend; Kim Taehyung.

He returned, like he had promised he would long ago.

At first glance, I didn't recognize him at all. If my mother hadn't mentioned that Taehyung was coming back to town this summer, I wouldn't have guessed that it was him right off the bat. It's been so long, and while time goes on, everyone grows and matures meanwhile. I remembered him only as a kid, and it may sound weird, but I expected him to come back as one, whenever he would return.

If he'd ever return.

And, he did, to my surprise.

But the moment I saw him, I couldn't look away. I was sure my heart stopped beating for a second. My mind wasn't working either, unable to interpret whether he was a façade or not. It didn't feel like it was reality, and instead, it felt like I was asleep, stuck in another one of those dreams about the what-ifs and what would-be.

Though, I wasn't; I was fully awake.

I pinched myself to confirm it—that's how buried I was in disbelief.

As he was carrying boxes in-and-out of Jimin's house, I studied him thoroughly.

I was shocked at how much taller he had grown. He used to be shorter than me, only be an inch, but it made it all the difference. I teased him about it a lot, using it to my own advantage.

His dark hair had grown a little longer, too. It was messier, and it was fluffier, but it worked well on him. He wasn't as thin as I remembered, either. His shoulders had broadened, and his facial features had become more defined.

I'd say the years had done him nothing but good.

He was no longer adorable, but extremely handsome.

I didn't go out to talk to him, as much as I wanted to. He gave off an aura of mystery and intimidation, or so that's the type of impression that I received from him.

Confrontation wasn't my immediate thought—that'd be too hasty.

At least, for now. It'd be best to let him settle in.

Throughout the summer, I had never seen him, again. He must have left the house at some point, but I was too busy to acknowledge when he did. Since we were best friends, I considered going over and seeing him—to welcome him back—but Bogum told me not to. He told me to wait until school began. I didn't understand why, and even asked for a sensible reason, but I never got a straightforward answer. After a while, it vanished from my mind and I hadn't bothered to ask ever again.

And, so I did wait until school started. My days only became more hectic, and even so, I managed to still think about Taehyung and wonder why seeing him was so prolonged until now.

The very first time that I spoke to him was after school. It was a long, overdue reunion. To my surprise, I spotted him under a tree, albeit sleeping like an angel. He didn't budge, even when I reached him. Draped over his lap was a sketchbook with a drawing of an eye.