Just One Night: Lee Heeseung Fanfic

Chapter 7 ~ flashback

Heeseung POV

Fall 2019 (6 years earlier)...

I couldn't help but feel bad. Now believe me, it's not like this is the first time. Nor is it the first 10. Growing up, I didn't initially have many friends. It's not like I was mean or anything. In fact I was simply quite shy. A bit too shy to be expressive. But many mistook my stoic expressions and continuous silence as arrogance and dislike. As a result, not many people wanted to talk to me.

I still remember halloween in my 4th year of primary school. Everyone dressed up in group costumes and brought candy for their friends. Alas, I alone was left in the corner, dressed in the same school uniform I'd worn yesterday, not one candy in sight. I remember my mom came home to see me in tears on the doorstep of our home that night. She bent down to my level and took me into her warm embrace. I buried myself in her knit sweater, the comforting smell of vanilla, the smell of home.

"What's wrong my precious son?" she asked in her honey sweet voice.

I cried even harder. Too embarrassed to tell her.

"Where's your candy?"

"T-they didn't give me any" I mumbled into her shoulder.

"Tsk tsk tsk. How dare they do that to my precious son." she pulled back, examining my tear-stained face. Then out of nowere she said, "smile Heeseungah"

I learned long ago that questioning her never turns out well. So I simply did as she said and flashed a huge toothy grin.

"My son looks so handsome when he smiles!" she exclaimed.

I couldn't help but giggle.

"Ahh" she covered her eyes "too handsome. It's blinding!"

I laughed. A true eyes-shut, tear-inducing, hands-clutching-your-stomach laugh. I looked up at her, happy tears brimming from my eyes.

"Dont forget my son, no article of clothing is better than a smile. For happiness is the most beautiful emotion."

For some reason she didn't need to say it directly, I understood. Somewhere deep in my heart I planted her words, watering them with each and every smile, growing into who I am today. From then I always wore a smile. And what'd ya know, I became friends with the whole class. Thats not to say my shyness was completely gone, but I was definitely more approachable. So much so that I kept getting these damn confession letters. And sadly, kept having to reject them. "Im sorry, I'm too busy with school to date", "oh I'm sorry, I have to focus on dancing and singing", "Ah I don't think I am worthy of you." Every excuse spoken with a smile of course.

Coming to study in America, I didn't think it'd be the same. I barely even knew the language! But here I was, another confession letter crumbled in my clenched fist, walking back towards the main campground. Our school had decided to take us on class field trips to start off the school year. And what was apparently a 'legendary trip' was the seniors overnight camping trip. Hah, camping, with your class? My friends back home will have a kick out of this when I return.

Walking back on the I path admired the tall sequoia trees, the faintest beam of sunlight trying to push past their large leaves. The crunch of dead  leaves  satisfying beneath my feet. When all the sudden, I heard I rustling to the left of me. No big deal it's probably an animal? That was until I heard heavy sobbing and sniffling.

I walked towards the sound  and there she was. A mop of hair covering her knees as she crouched on the bench. With her head buried in her lap she couldn't see me. Never have I seen her in school before, but for some reason my heart ached. I wanted to help her. No, I needed to help her. I rummaged through my pocket for a pen.  Putting the confession letter on the dirt ground, I scribbled over  the words written on it. Flipping the paper over, I was going to write but my mind drew a blank. What do I even say? "Hey, don't cry" No that sounds stupid. How about "Crying makes your skin puffy. No good." Oh gosh that's even more stupid. What am I even doing?! Why am I worried over some girl I don't even know?! I began to get up, convinced I wasn't in my right mind and needed to leave. But I saw her again, weak shaking figure hunched over herself. Aghhhhh.

I crouched back down, and all the sudden remembered that memory. That one halloween when I also was in tears. I smiled knowing exactly what to write. After scribbling down the old message I reached into my jeans pockets for a candy. Lemon candies. I creeped towards her slightly so as she wouldn't see me. Placing the dirty paper and candies next to her feet, I sped-walked back to the campground as fast as my legs could take me, the sound of my heartbeat was uncontrollable.

~

Later that night we all sat around the campfire, gossiping and talking about dumb shit as we always did. But I wasn't paying attention to their words. Instead I was searching for a certain familiar figure from earlier. Had she gotten the note? Did she like it? Is she okay now? The questions kept ringing through my head. Finally I saw her sit down by the fire, bright smile plastered on her face. She sat next to  that one girl she's always with...Rose I believe? Rose was quite popular talk amongst people in my friend group for being "fine as hell". But I've never seen it. Personally, I thought her friend was much cuter. But hey, foreigners and their different taste.

"Heeseung..." a voice spoke "Yo Heeseung my dude! You good bro!?"

I turned around to see my friend James calling me, "Yeah. Yeah I'm good." I flashed a smile as the girls around me giggled.

"What are you spacing out about?" a very irritating girl named Alyssa asked.

"Ah nothing. Nothing." I responded

"It's probably another confession letter. Gabby told me that Emily liked him for a while and..." Tyrone began, but I couldn't focus. My eyes kept shifting to her.

The light from the fire illuminated her skin a soft yellow-orange. She was practically glowing as she doubled over in laughter at something Rose said. My cheeks felt warm, which back then I blamed the fire for. But little did I know, I couldn't help but feel happy and smile when looking at her. I couldn't help but hope that I was the cause for her happiness.  I couldn't help but be mesmerized with the way her eyes formed the shape of crescent moons when she flashed that gorgeous grin. From then on I couldn't help but notice everything about her. And I think that is when I understood my moms words the most. A smile is truly is the most beautiful. Her smile. 

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[A/N: ifbeifwuehfewfhew the debut trailers yallll? The concept, the cinematography, the storyline, oml Im SO EXCITED!!!!]    

[DISCLAIMER: None of Lee Heeseungs actions, thoughts, feelings, or words are true. These are all fiction made by me]