1 is Greater Than 7

I am I.M.

I loved having Saturday's off. I felt so free. This Saturday felt extra special since I was meeting up with Dani. I arrived at our special spot first and ordered a banana milk tea with tapioca pearls to sip on while I waited. About 10 minutes later, I heard the door chime and I looked over to see a familiar bundle of joy enter. "Dani!" I whisper yelled. Thankfully it was just enough for her to hear me. She smiled when she saw me and quickly made her way over to me and sat down. "Let me see! Let me see!" I squealed.

She presented her left hand and I saw legit, the cutest engagement ring. Namjoon...you've done well. It was simple but elegant, a silver braided band with one of the rows weaving in and out of the other, and a moderate size diamond in the middle. I couldn't contain myself anymore. "So what are your plans? Where do you want it? What are your colors? Who's invited?"

"Woah woah woah" she interjected, "Let's not forget the proposal was only 4 days ago. We haven't even had time to meet and talk through those things yet."

"I know. I'm sorry." I said sulky, "I'm just so exited for you!"
"I know! Me too!"
We just started squealing to each other but had to quickly calm down from the annoyed faces and awkward stares we received.

"Why don't we go for a walk?" I suggested.
"Good idea." she replied.
We stopped by the front counter so Dani could grab a drink to go and then we headed to a nearby park. There weren't that many people there besides a few kids and the parents that watched over them. It was a bit brisk outside but we didn't mind as we kept each other occupied getting caught up on our lives and problems. I told Dani about my 'boy problem' and she just shook her head. I had introduced her to the boys long ago. It was a little touch and go in the beginning but she's used to them now.

"It sounds like you've got yourself surrounded by lovesick puppies hun."

I just groaned.

"But how am I suppose to choose? I love them all in their own way."

"I don't know girl. You gotta figure that one out yourself. But have you stopped to think if ALL of them are pursing romantic interests?"

"What do you mean?" I inquired

"Well, you remember the anime Fruits Baskets?"

I nodded my head.

"In that anime," she continued, "both the cat-changing dude, and mouse-changing dude loved the main character, however, the mouse-changing dude loved her like the mother he never had and the cat-changing dude actually loved her romantically."

I rose my eyebrows, "Cat-changing dude? Mouse-changing dude? Seriously?"

"Hey!" she exclaimed, "that shoe was out a while ago okay! Be glad I remembered what I did, and that's besides the point. My point was, that there are times where an attraction to a person seems lovey dovey at first, but then they realize that person fills their heart in a different special way. Give it some time is all I'm saying."

It was definitely food for thought. At that point, Dani's phone began to ring. "Ah, it's Joonie. I gotta take this." I just nodded my head and she walked off a bit to answer her call.

Left to my own devices, I took in my surroundings a bit more. Although winter is cold, it really is beautiful. The snow on the ground shines as bright as the sun and the falling snowflakes sparkle like diamonds. One of the kids who were running around ended up falling and caught my attention. I was going to get up and help, but his mom hurried to his side. I wonder if I'll have kids someday, I thought. I certainly didn't want any now, but I wouldn't be opposed to the idea a little later down the line when I was older and sure my husband wasn't crazy and wouldn't leave me. It pained me a little to think about it that way. I tried to imagine a life with a couple of the guys but all I could do was laugh at the weird scenarios I created.

"What's so funny?" a sudden voice said behind me.
I jumped up and whipped my head around only to see I.M. standing there, looking at me. I put my hand on my chest to calm my beating heart.

"Geez Changkyun, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I exclaimed, "Can you make some noise next time before you approach somebody? Ah. My heart." I said dramatically.

"I think my steps were pretty loud walking over this fresh snow AND I was calling out to a certain someone but they were so LOST IN THOUGHT, they didn't hear me." he said smartly.

I just gave a weak, annoyed smile in return, "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Ah. Jooheon-hyung and I had a photo shoot but we finished early. We didn't have anything else scheduled so Hyung made plans with a friend and I didn't wanna go home just yet so I took a walk. What were you thinking so hard about anyway?"

"Oh that?" I said shyly, and glanced back over at the kids, "The future."

Dani had come back over to us then. She put her hands together in front of her and bent her head slightly, "I'm so sorry Taliah! Can we take a raincheck for the rest of today? Joon said he was able to make some extra time in his schedule and wants to take advantage of it to start planning things."

"That's fine." I replied, "Planning your wedding is way more important. I'll always be around but you only get married once." I just gave her a reassuring smile.

"It's been so long tho, and then to just leave you all alone..." Dani delayed.

"Silly girl. That's what phones are for. You don't have to worry, I'll just drag this lump of flesh around with me." and then I jabbed my thumb at I.M.

"Oh. Hi I.M." she said. Seeming satisfied, she gave a quick bow to him and a quick hug to me, then headed back towards the cafe we had just come from. He must be meeting her there.

"Alright Changkyun, take me home." I said.

"Home? Already?" He whined.

"You may be fresh and have enough body heat to sit in this cold for another hour, but I for one, do not. I'll make us some hot cocoa when we get back. How about it?"

"With marshmallows?" he asked.

"With marshmallows." I said.

He thought about it for another minute and then agreed. I thought about making a snowball and throwing it at him, but with his personality we'd probably end up having a snowball fight all the way to the apartment. And I for one, do not want to be responsible for accidentally pelting an old man in the head. For now, I'll just settle for this comfortable silence as we walk back.