Just Friends

Five

The way things are going, it looks like we'll be able to finish the scenes needed here sooner than planned. It was good news for us and the entire team because the high temperatures were a challenge to deal with, and with every thing going on in the world, the team did not want to be away from their families for too long.

Though I liked travelling, I couldn't help but feel the same thing as my colleagues. There was just something about being home that felt... safe. However, I couldn't help but compare how different this is from my other film shoots done abroad.

For the shoot in Spain, I did feel excitement in finishing up work but not because I was headed home. It was because I was meeting Jin somewhere and I had a few more plans that I needed to work out. She gave me a birthday surprise with the stage greeting that year and I wanted to give something back. It was during meet up in France that I decided on a birthday surprise for her as well.

We were walking around the city, looking at specialty stores, when we saw a couple kissing passionately in one of the smaller streets.

"Omo!" She exclaimed. "Sometimes, I'm still surprised at how carefree people here are."

I nodded, chuckling. "Must be nice to be so free."

"Do you think they fell in love quickly?" She asked.

"That's random. Why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "I sometimes think that's how it is. Fall in love quickly, passionately... then the fire burns out just as quick."

I chuckled again. "That's jaded."

"Are you just going to judge and not answer my question?"

I smiled. "I will judge you for as long as I could. But, to your question, I've learned never to think in absolutes. You have a point, sometimes what starts quickly, ends quickly, too. But, I've met enough people who knew from the start that they were meant to be, married quickly and many many years later are still together. I don't think there's a formula to relationships."

Jin was quiet for a little bit and continued to walk. "You have a point. But, for me, it would be more sincere if the feelings were declared much later on. When you're more certain."

"But —"

"I know, I know, Mr. Smartypants. No absolutes in relationships. My ideal scenario could still fail and end in a breakup BUT I believe in it. When there's more foundation, there's a better chance of the couple making it."

I thought about her logic. "That is... actually not bad."

She gave me a smug look, satisfied with my answer and then proceeded to walk. "I'm hungry. Let's find somewhere to eat!"

At dinner, Jin asked, "Have you ever fallen in love quickly?"

I chuckled and decided it was best to be honest. "Yes."

"And?"

"We were together for about three years."

Her beautiful eyes widened. "So you were speaking from experience!"

I smiled knowingly and nodded.

"That's nice."

Looking at her, I returned the question but added a part. "Have you fallen in and out of love quickly?"

She smiled. "Yes!" Then proceeded to laugh at how quickly I picked up on her earlier thought. "Why did your relationship end?"

I shrugged. "I was young. Work. Enlistment. Who knows?"