Our Red String of Fate | kth

.6.

12.28.19

Only three more days. What should I do? Go skydiving? Bungee jumping?

Nah. I'll save those for heaven. Or hell, I guess.

It's seven o'clock. Maybe I'll go to the beach. Yeah, that sounds nice. I'll go to the beach and dip my feet in the water.

Three more days.

-red

I searched and searched my apartment, but I couldn't find my swimsuit. How was I supposed to go to the beach without a god damn swimsuit?

Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go out and buy a decent swimsuit. The one I had was basically a rag. I have extra money anyway, and I won't need it after I'm gone.

I searched up the nearest swimwear shop on my phone and headed to the subway station. Fifteen minutes later I arrived in front of the store. The swimsuits I saw in the display window were really pretty.

[flashback]

"Red, look at those. Aren't they pretty?"

I shrugged. She smiled and pulled me into the store.

"Choose a few, Red. This is a very good store, their swimwear is highly rated by celebrities. Go, look around. See what you like."

I headed off towards the rack of bikinis. One caught my eye - it was a light pink two-piece with a ruffled top and high-waisted bottoms. But one look at the price tag sent chills down my spine. Who would pay $2,000 for a dumb swimsuit? I walked back towards her.

"These are too expensive. Why don't we just go to the mall or something? I don't need a swimsuit from a boutique," I pleaded.

"What are you talking about? There's a reason these swimsuits are so expensive, Red. They're extremely high quality and fashionable. Why wouldn't you want these? Not every child has such a blessing to shop in these kinds of places, Red. Why don't you ever appreciate anything your father and I give you? You're always so ungrateful. Learn to appreciate what we offer you. You don't want to be here? Fine, let's go. Let's go back home. You'll be having a lesson with one of the etiquette instructors on how to respect your elders." She grabbed her purse and briskly walked out of the store, me following.

[end of flashback]

Ha. You know, maybe I should have taken advantage of what I had. I regret that a little bit.

I shook my head to forget about the memory and walked into the shop.

"Welcome, miss. Is there anything specific you're looking for today?" the worker asked.

"Could you show me your bikini collection? Especially the light blue one on the mannequin," I replied. I followed her to the back of the store.

-----

Finally changed into my new bikini, I stepped onto the cold sand. Coming to a beach in winter has always been on my bucket list; I've always wondered how it felt to wear almost nothing and swim in the cold water.

Luckily for me, there was no one at this beach, especially since it was almost midnight. I set my towel down on the sand and headed towards the dark blue water. I sat down in the trickling water, shivering as it grazed my legs. But something about it was refreshing. I felt liberated.

I wrapped my arms around my knees and looked up at the sky. A crescent moon shone on the water, reflecting back on the wet sand in front of me. I breathed a sigh of relief. Here, I felt safe. I felt like no one could bother me.

"No way," I heard a whisper from behind me. Jolting around, I made eye contact with someone who looked very, very familiar.

My mouth dropped open. "You're kidding," I exclaimed, standing up.

He laughed, a proper, big laugh.

"What are the chances, huh? This must be fate. It's not a coincidence if it happens more than three times, you know?" he said while walking towards me.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" I asked him as he sat down next to where I had been sitting just moments before.

Sitting back down myself, I listened to his response. "I could ask you the same. But see, the difference is that I'm wearing a jacket. You're wearing a bikini."

I laughed. "You know, sometimes you just gotta do something strange. This could be considered one of those times, don't you think?"

He smiled as he looked out at the water. "Oh, I forgot," he said with eyes wide open. "I never got your name? We've met so often, and yet I have no idea how to greet you."

I gave a small smile while looking at the wet sand. "I don't think it'll benefit you by knowing, at this point," I said reluctantly.

He looked confused. "What do you mean? It's always helpful to know someone's name."

I didn't say anything. He sighed.

"Alright, I'll start. I'm Taehyung. Taehyung Kim. And I'm 24 years old." He nudged me with his shoulder.

"Now it's your turn. What's your name?"

I chuckled. I guess it couldn't really hurt.

"I'm Red. Yes, like the color. And I'm 23."

He smiled as he scooted around to face me.

"Well, nice to meet you, Red," he said while sticking his hand out.

Taking it, I smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Taehyung."

And we sat there, talking, until dawn. But I couldn't really focus on anything we were saying. The same thoughts occupied my mind.

Please don't like me. I can't be your friend. You'll only get hurt.