Chapter One
Three Years After You
-The First Act of Longing-
It all started with a small crush.
As a simple faded version of an infatuation, the meaning of love didn't mean that much to me back then. When we would pass by the hallways of Shinhwa Elementary School and brush each other's shoulders by accident, my heart merely fluttered and a blush worked its way to my cheeks. Maybe a few lingering thoughts of oh, my gosh and I can't believe we just touched ran through my mind, but that was it. I forgot about the excitement of yesterday the moment tomorrow began and a new set of supposed misfortunes occurred - like when I would drop my things or trip face-first to the ground because of my two left feet. Then he would always be there to gather my books or help me up, smiling in amusement at my blunders.
The years progressed and we both enrolled into Shinhwa Middle School; my tiny feelings of attraction had grown - working its way deep within my heart - and my first love was born.
Yi Jung was only one of my older brother's three closest friends, aside from Yoon Ji Hoo and Song Woo Bin. Born into the wealthy Soh family and the youngest grandson of the famous Soh Yoon Hwe, he had followed the family tradition of taking up pottery, slowly but surely making it his sole passion. His hands were a prized asset to the Korean art society, the most important and valued tool that created his majestic works of earthenware. I could remember the way they perfectly fit with mine the night I had shown him my passion, which was figure skating. That night was a memory I cherished to this day, an event of my early youth that I refused to forget.
We held hands throughout our wobbly dance on the ice rink, gripping the other in a death lock. Yi Jung was so close to me that I had been blushing for hours on straight. I felt the pounding of his heart through the layers of his woolen coats when I had found myself on top of him after a rather nasty fall. We both met each other's surprised gaze before reddening at our scandalous position, hearing the laughter of our friends not far away.
To others, it seemed like a date between a thirteen and fourteen year old couple. My feelings for him were not exactly a secret to my older siblings - Jun Hee and Jun Pyo - or to my brother's boy group called the F4. They took their time teasing us, claiming about cooties and gross mushy stuff that only teenagers were allowed to do. As embarrassed as I was to have the talk about defending the honor of my first kiss with my very overprotective brother, I was guilty of already having it - but not with who everyone expected it to be.
Yi Jung wasn't my first kiss, for it had been given to Yoon Ji Hoo. I had been six at the time, and him seven, and we were both curious kids who had been misinformed about how babies came to be - from one single kiss.
From Jun Hee's persistence that fateful afternoon during Jun Pyo's play date, we were forced to play house, dressing up as husband and wife in cute cosplays that were simply torture at that time. When I lost my chubby doll as a result from Jun Pyo's prank, I had cried in dismay until Ji Hoo promised to find it for me. Instead of doing that however, he proposed to just make one ourselves and I cluelessly agreed. Ji Hoo proceeded to kiss me under the cheery blossom tree that was planted beside the lily pond in my backyard. Then we made weird faces when we separated for breath, never giving that historical moment a second thought when the maid finally arrived with the snacks.
Even after remembering the kiss vividly, my feelings never swayed away from Yi Jung. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that the car had stopped in front of the prestigious institute. It was a grand building, pompously decorated to my taste but very impressive nonetheless. Beyond the property seemed like miles of flat grasses and gardens, bricked pathways built between separate classroom divisions. Jung Chun Hei, my personal bodyguard under my father's obligation, got out of the front passenger seat to open my door. "Miss Eun Chae, we've arrived at Shinhwa High School."
"Thank you." With an unladylike groan, I stretched my weary muscles as I stood, cringing when a few joints popped. Then I adjusted my cap that hid my long hair, and put on a pair of tinted sunglasses to hide my noticable face, not wanting anyone to notice me. "That was a long ride."
"An hour and a half."
"An hour too long," I whined with a pout, hearing her close the car door behind me. I was fresh off the Shinhwa private jet, recently returning back to Korea after three years overseas around Western Europe. It had been my father's wish to have me fulfill my dreams of being an internationally recognized figure skater, a foolish dream that became a reality after many tiring sessions of hardcore training. His efforts to buy me the best coach and gear did not go to waste.
I began to have a foothold in the sports world at the age of thirteen, maturing with popularity at the age of sixteen - my first year at the Winter Olympics. Not only had I won several awards, medals, and titles on the ice rink, but I was also gifted with several opportunities to join charity organizations that helped others through situations that rang clear around the world - issues with famine, possible cures for cancer, the orphanages' lack of financial support; and all I had to do to accomplish my part was to do what I loved - to skate, attracting attention for generous investors. With my spare time spent on a part-time modeling career, my presence eventually collected welcoming considerations toward the Shinhwa Group - so I wasn't completely worthless in the family business.
Unfortunately, Jun Hee and Jun Pyo didn't have their own chances to search for what they believed in since they were the oldest of the trio, therefore gaining Mother's full regard. I, on the other hand - as the youngest and Father's known favorite, received the easier road and was cast aside to do what I wanted. Though as much as I loved my freedom and my father's concern over me, I too desired Mother's care which I never really earned or acquired. In her cold dark eyes, I was only a pawn for the Shinhwa Group to gain much more ground as the strongest business empire in Korea - most likely through an arrange marriage with a son of another dominant CEO, just as she did with Jun Hee.
I let out a sigh at the memory of her decided fate, shivering at the thought of that ever occurring to me. My father reassured that he wouldn't allow such a thing to happen twice with his own children, even if it was for the benefit of the company. He still had his regrets with what happened to Jun Hee, but Mother was never one to underestimate. If it had happened to my older sister, the moment I would find myself beside my chosen future husband would certainly present itself, and only time would tell when. But Yi Jung, I thought sullenly, feeling the familiar ache in my chest.
"Have you forgotten about me?" I asked under my breath.
"Miss Eun Chae?"
Blinking, I snuggled deeper inside my trench coat. "Er, it's nice to be back."
She offered a smile at my expense. "Very much so. The weather feels more like home."
"Yeah, it does. We really are home then," I remarked anxiously. So what had changed when I was gone? From the few visits Jun Pyo, Ji Hoo, and Woo Bin made to see me in France and Italy throughout my absence, the last one had been five months ago and that was a lot of time for adjustments. "I'll take it from here. My brother and his friends have to be around somewhere, so you don't have to worry about me getting lost."
Troubled at leaving me alone, she still respected my decision. We both knew I had to learn how to stand by myself apart from the ice rink and photo shoots. It may had been years since the incident, but it didn't mean it wasn't haunting me to this day. "Please call if you need anything. We'll stay near."
"Of course," I replied before watching the car trail away until it disappeared at a right turn.
Walking up the red-brick steps that led to the entrance in three inch designer high heels, I was relieved when I reached the double doors, only to be shoved back by a girl with short curly hair. My sunglasses fell to the ground, the lens now scratched. She gasped, whirling back and quickly picking it up to hand it to me. "Oh, I'm sorry . . ." She gawked at me, recognition flashing her oval face. "Oh, my . . . Goo Eun Chae-sshi? Oh! I am very sorry! I-I, um, I can-"
"Don't choke," I advised with a giggle, a little tense at the surprise. Calm yourself, Eun Chae. "It's okay. They're just sunglasses."
Nodding furiously, she uttered out, "R-Right. Um, I-I have to go." With that, she sprinted away like she was ashamed.
What is that about? Inside the school building, harsh laughter and soft whimpering echoed in reverberations, making me frown instantly in worry. I pushed forward, almost gaping at the shocking sight ahead. A group of second and third year students formed a large circle around a poor girl and a ruined desk, throwing eggs by the dozen and cups of flour. Every inch of her pale skin and Shinhwa uniform was covered with white powder, the faint smell of the bakery filling my lungs as they continued their torments.
Before I could say anything to her defense, the girl yelled, "Go on! Keep going! It's fine - I can handle anything you do to me!"
At the corner of my eye, a boy reached over to throw a transparent jar of what looked to be filled with questionable contents - rotten egg yoke? - at her. The stench of it was horrifying, and to imagine one-fourth of that slimey liquid all over me, an unpleasant chill ran down my body and I felt pity for the girl. "Actually, I suggest you don't do that," I ordered over their cheers and astonished stares.
Their excited chattering died down as a few of them unwittingly glared at me. The girl looked up with interest and hope, running a trembling hand through her stiff hair that was sticky with muck. "Says who?" A boy demanded impatiently.
I challenged, "I think you know who."
His companion froze when he caught the threat laced in my voice, and nudged his friend. "H-Hey, she's Goo Eun Chae-sshi."
"Goo Eun Chae-sshi?" Whispers erupted from the masses, and my cover was officially blown before it even began. An eyebrow arched on his face at the revelation, but he didn't drop the jar. "I thought you'd be helping with this . . . since he's your brother."
Unfazed at the mention of Jun Pyo, I snapped, "If there's anything you must learn about me, it's my low tolerance for bullying. This is bullying if you haven't noticed, so now it's either you walk out of this building and dispose of that properly; or I will have to stand with her and you'll have to throw it at me too." Please don't choose the latter, especially when I got this clothes yesterday as a parting gift. "You'll be paying for my dry cleaning if you do."
A handful of gasps in the crowd were heard. "N-No," someone murmured. "H-He'll kill us then."
"D-Don't do it, Kwan! Stop!"
A girl scoffed, biting her lip to hide her nervousness, "This isn't fun anymore. Let's go."
The boy - Kwan - gritted his teeth in frustration before hiding the jar inside a black sack and stalking off with the rest of his disappointed friends. "Whatever."
Little by little, the crowds scattered, each with the knowledge that the acclaimed little sister of Jun Pyo had unexpectedly returned. As they left, I studied the inner front chamber of Shinhwa High School, hurriedly admiring the high glass ceilings and three stories of classy interior architecture. I had to admit that my mother outdone herself with the designs - as usual. Glancing back to where she was, I honestly felt put off when the girl had left too. I liked to help out when I was needed, but I couldn't deny that I also liked the acknowledgment that came with it.
Spotting a smeared trail of flour, I followed it to the end of the hallway and found the door to the outer stairway. A girl's voice rambled vehemently from above, "What do you mean surrender? I don't think so! Just because my name is Jan Di doesn't mean you can walk all over me! I won't allow it - I won't give in! None of you ever had it hard, huh? You have an Olympic pool, I have a small tub - so what? Commoners these days have patience to deal with you, and the tenacity to fight you! Don't look down on us so easily!"
Intrigued and a bit alarmed, I approached the bottom of the stairs, eyeing her tiny frame. Jan Di? Why did that ring a bell in my head? And how would a commoner get accepted into Shinhwa High School when heirs to small fortunes couldn't get in themselves?
"Ah!" She grumbled, wiping her clothes and boldly licking her fingers clean. "All these ingredients wasted on a prank - so many eggs and flour! Must've cost a fortune to buy all of this." To my amusement, Jan Di muttered longingly, "I could've made a lot of pancakes."
I decided to make myself known and cleared my throat. She jumped in surprise, her wide eyes set on me with caution like I would randomly attack her with a hidden broomstick in my purse. As if. I began to get bored when she didn't say anything in greeting and just stared. "So, you make pancakes?"
Jan Di seemed startled at my question, but nodded. "Um, you . . . er, yes." She swallowed, her cheeks warming when she realized she was being rude to her savior. "Uh, mix flour with eggs, milk, and sugar. Then cook it in a pan." When I was content with the answer, she asked shyly, "Y-You don't know how to make them?"
"No, I have people to do that for me, but it sounds easy enough."
Her blush was more pronounced at her forgetfulness. "R-Right."
Tugging a handkerchief from my leather clutch, I sauntered forward, wondering why she was inching back and pressing herself as far as she could to the corner. Jan Di tensed when I reached out and managed to relax slightly when she believed I was only trying to assist her again. I wiped her rosy cheeks clean before patting them playfully and giving the handkerchief to her as a sign of truce. "Here, do it yourself. I'm not paid to be your maid. You wouldn't be able to afford me."
"Sorry! T-That was never my goal-"
I shook my head at her, smirking. Only my older siblings and the F4 comprehended my blunt sense of humor, and only they could fully appreciate it without taking any offense. "Relax, I'm joking."
Sheepish, she let out a strangled laugh. "Oh, uh, I'm Geum Jan Di - second year student."
"Goo Eun Chae's my name. I'm also a second year student, but my studies are more at home than at school."
"Model . . . Figure skater Goo Eun Chae-sshi?" Jan Di squeaked in awe. When I inclined my head, she said with a hint of a smile, "I-I saw you on the computer a few days ago with my friend! She's a major fan of yours - Chu Ga Eul. You were in, um, Paris?"
"For training, yes."
"Are you . . . going back to France?"
A spark of pain shot through me with that sentence alone. To move back meant to leave my brother and the F4 again, the only people aside from Min Seo Hyun that I was ever close to; I never had any real friends of my own before. Most girls who tried to befriend me had the intention of using my attachments with Jun Pyo's best friends to their advantage, and some couldn't really be comfortable with me when I was an international star, either out of shyness or intimidation. I eyed Jan Di carefully. She was a relatively pretty girl who didn't have a lot of confidence in her appearance, that I could instantly tell. Would she be one of those girls too?
"Um, I'll be returning in three weeks or less. I won't stay long."
Self-consciously, she fidgeted with her dirty clothes and hesitated for a short moment. "I see. Are you, er, somehow related to Goo Jun Pyo?" Her face twisted into anger at his name, and rightfully so if he was responsible for her humiliation. Even though all the facts pointed to it, I refused to accept that Jun Pyo was that vicious.
"He's my oppa," I answered gaily. Despite his obvious flaws and obnoxiousness, I was proud to have him as my older brother and I wasn't ashamed to say it aloud either.
She gaped, unbelieving. "Huh? B-But you're nice; and he's . . . not."
"Nonetheless, it doesn't change our blood relation." With her trying to grasp that fact painfully slow, I turned to the door, eager to find Jun Pyo. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Jan Di-sshi."
"N-No! Please, call me Jan Di. T-That's too formal for me. I'm nobody really."
"Then goodbye, Jan Di."
"Wait! Goo Eun Chae-sshi," she cried out, "what about your handkerchief? It's silk!"
Sparing her a lasting glance, I replied hesitantly, "I may not know the whole story, but I get the idea that you're going against my oppa." When she didn't seem to understand, I added pointedly, "So, you'll be needing it more than I will."
Jan Di pressed her lips together into a frustrated scowl, but said in a sincere tone, "Thank you."
To comfort the stranger I recently met, I smiled again. "You're not a nobody if he's going through such lengths to get under your skin. Think about that sometime . . . Jan Di-sshi." Afterwards, I made my way through several hallways - utterly lost but too proud to admit it, even to myself. I was quiet, not wanting to make any noise when the classrooms were in session. When I affirmed defeat, I trudged back to the entrance and glared at the powdery mess that was left behind. This had ruined the crystal clear image of Shinhwa High at its finest.
I froze when I heard familiar laughter ahead; it sounded like Song Woo Bin. "Yo! This is off the charts! How'd you get these reservations?" There was silence, a faint murmur of someone answering smugly, before he exclaimed, "You the man, bro - the man. Talk about flirting, you bring it to a whole 'nother level."
"Seriously? Hands?" Jun Pyo's voice asked in disbelief. I could hear more of their conversation as I drew nearer, skipping down the steps to the main archway. "You figured out she was a chief with only her hands?"
"Actually, no." My heart pounded fast at the speaker alone. Yi Jung, I titled heedfully. "The Michelin guide granted her three stars. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time." Low chuckles filled the air and I finally caught sight of the four gorgeous males heading toward three ostentatious sports cars. Immediately, I scrutinized the brother I was separated from for several years.
Waves of thick locks framed his oval face, a matching mirror to how his eyelashes bordered around his almond-shaped eyes. He was gifted with a straight nose, strong jaw, and perfect curved lips that were tainted naturally pink. He could tower over me without trouble, but our difference in height was nothing a pair of high heels couldn't fix - ones much longer than three inches. Our few similarities in appearance lied in the texture and color of our dark brown hair, the edge of our high cheekbones, and our straightened postures from our strict upbringing.
How could Jan Di not catch the connection? Then again, there were also clear contrasts between older brother and younger sister. While he was distinctively tan, moody, and hot-tempered; I was pale, bubbly, and better at keeping a cool head - somewhat.
"Who was that girl from the video - the one that helped out Crabgrass?"
Yi Jung shrugged at my brother's question, and I wasn't sure how to feel when he answered, "I don't know."
An eighteen year old Ji Hoo looked up curiously, hearing my sigh. His eyes widened when he saw me standing there alone. "Eun . . ." he trailed off inaudibly. His hazelnut hair, with a tinge of bright caramel, had grown to the nape of his neck since our last meeting. His preference to wear light pastel colors hadn't changed, and I doubted it ever would. It matched his patient and mellow personality perfectly. At his surprise, he had halted at his steps, making his friends glimpse back at him in interest.
"Oi, what's up?" Woo Bin questioned, standing beside the object of my affections. He had gotten better looking with black short hair and mesmerizing narrow eyes, wearing a sleek dark coat and expensive Italian shoes. Sadly, this was the first time I saw him in ages. He never visited like the others did, and I knew why.
Yi Jung.
As if feeling my gaze, the rest followed his stare. Their faces of astonishment were priceless and I fought the urge to take a picture with my camera phone. "E-Eun Chae?" Jun Pyo called out.
Slipping off my messenger cap, I gave him a limpid smile and bowed slightly. Telephone curls of shiny obsidian cascaded past my shoulders and down the middle of my back, tangling with the silk scarf that was tied around my slender neck. "Good afternoon," I greeted cheerfully.
The first one to react was Song Woo Bin. He jogged up the pathway to crush me into a quick hug before stepping an arm's length back. "Ah, the princess finally returns!"
I remarked, "Yeah, I suppose I couldn't stay away."
"Took you long enough." Woo Bin snatched up my soft cap, tossing it in the air. "What is this for? I could barely recognize you with it."
"Er, sorry." I gave my head a little shake, stretching the top of my torso to loosen up the tension in my muscles. "I was trying to avoid some press before and after the flight. Paparazzi is a pain." Despite the delay, Jun Pyo grinned as he grabbed me for a long-awaited embrace. I took a sniff of his mnemonic scent and settled comfortably within his arms. "I've missed you, Oppa."
His chin propped up against my temple, his warm breath tickling my healthy scalp. I felt him nod before he stiffened and literally jumped away from me. Instead of feeling offended, I watched with an arched eyebrow when he nervously ran his fingers through his curls. Jun Pyo never liked to give the image that he was more sentimental than he appeared to be, even when we were children. "W-Well it's your fault for wanting to study overseas in the first place." A hint of rouge colored his cheeks. "And, erm, I could've missed you too . . . you know if I wasn't busy."
"I thought you would've stayed in Europe for good." Woo Bin noted aloud. Out of the F4, he was recognizable, nearing the point of harsh intrigue with his mixture of intimidating auras and boyish charm. It was to be assumed out of the big brother of their gang - silent but observant.
A scoff escaped from Jun Pyo. "Like that's going to happen."
Fighting back a grimace at the memories of our forlorn goodbyes, I reminded them gently, "We hung out a few months ago after my semester ended - or did you two forget that for some reason?"
"No, not like that." Woo Bin shook his head, entertained by my bafflement. "I meant you, Princess. You haven't stepped foot in Korea for three years." He leaned over to whisper in my ear, ignoring Jun Pyo's irritated expression. "Most of us were much lonelier than we led on, him more than others."
My grin trembled until it disappeared off my face. Is he still lonely now?
At Woo Bin's expectancy for a response though, I managed to incline my head in agreement, my stomach churning inside my body. I was guilty for my decision that ultimately led us here - estranged - but I couldn't regret it, not after all the good that I was able to do for my family, for myself, for the world. Looking past the two boys, I watched as Soh Yi Jung walk ahead to the cars. He never gave me a glance as he slid into the driver's seat and his neon orange sports car growled to life. I cringed when his tires screeched against the pavement and he drove away at a daunting speed. The boys didn't seem surprised though, as if they had expected his reaction.
"Yeah . . . I guess so."
"What did you say?" Jun Pyo hissed, nudging his friend away from me. Even with his icy front, he always was too eager to play the overprotective older brother.
"The truth," Woo Bin answered readily under his glare.
When someone coughed in a joking manner, I looked down to notice Ji Hoo a few feet in front of me with an amicable smile. "Eun Chae," he murmured soothingly. At my dejection, Ji Hoo consoled before I could reply, "He's going to the restaurant first. If you want to speak with him then-"
"No," I reassured, taking back my cap from Woo Bin. "I think it's better if I don't. I, er, didn't know you guys had plans."
Woo Bin muttered, "He's being an idiot."
"And plans can be changed." My brother snorted unattractively, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "What are you doing here anyways?"
At the three pairs of inquisitive eyes on me, I answered stiffly, "Eomeoni told me to return halfway finishing the first semester."
He let out a tired groan. "So the she-devil called you?"
"Oppa," I scolded lightly, disapproving of his lack of respect for our mother. Jun Pyo wasn't concerned at all and waited for an answer which I reluctantly gave. "I was informed about what happened a few days ago with your classmate. Um, I forgot his name. Lee . . . Lee Min Ha-sshi?"
"Eh, nothing important."
I frowned at his ease. "I thought he was suicidal?"
Woo Bin shrugged. "No one would miss him anyways."
Before I could argue, I caught the quieting look Ji Hoo was shooting me and sighed. This was one of their games again. No matter how hard I tried to reason with them throughout my leave, they just wouldn't give up this red card trick. It was against my nature to allow such cruelty, but everyone knew I would eventually side with my brother no matter what - through thick and thin - even against our parents. I had tried taking a stand by showing them the cold shoulder, embarrassingly lasting a few days before giving up. To be honest, I was scared of losing my close relationship with Jun Pyo and I just didn't want to be alone. He had promised to never let things go too far; would this mean he broke his promise?
"Well Eomeoni wanted me here as some sort of support, I guess. I think I'll be present for the auction."
"Oh, yes. Tsk. I remember now. That's in two weeks." My brother made a face. He was never into the social events Mother held like I was, never having the open mind to let them impress him. Personally as a model, I loved dressing up for the high society gatherings. "Are you providing something to sell?"
"Ice skates."
"Of course," he joked. "I shouldn't have expected anything less."
"So you're not staying?" Ji Hoo asked me. Seeing my unwillingness to comment, he nodded with understanding that I didn't really deserve. "Then Yi Jung really is an idiot."
I bit my lip, inching closer to the light-haired Korean. Talking about Yi Jung was disheartening to say the least. "You three can go ahead. I don't want to intrude."
Jun Pyo and Woo Bin disagreed instantly. "You won't be intruding, Eun Chae."
"Yo, Yi Jung needs to learn to suck up his pride some time. Sooner rather than later."
I crossed my arms over my chest to show that I was being serious. "No, it's okay, Oppadul. I was kind of having my own arrangements to drive around town, see what I've missed - have my little adventure on my own. I'll be with Chun Hei-sshi." It took some time to convince them, more Jun Pyo than the others, but they were gradually assured that I would be alright. In fact, Jun Pyo only agreed when Ji Hoo offered to stick with me. I had refused to call Chun Hei out of stubbornness so Jun Pyo did that for me, knowing that we would be traveling by motorcycle instead because of Ji Hoo's fear of driving.
Speaking of Ji Hoo, he mumbled absentmindedly, "There they go."
"Are you sure you want to stay with me?" I questioned, worried.
"It's too late to change my mind now."
We were both watching my brother and Woo Bin drive through the school gates with the promise of catching up later on. They were going back to Yi Jung - somewhere I wasn't exactly welcomed at the moment. Maybe my heavy burden was partially my fault for having unrealistic fantasies on how our reunion would work out. I should've known earlier that he wouldn't offer hospitality after what I'd done. "Great."
I felt Ji Hoo's gaze on me as he observed tacitly, "You don't sound so pleased."
Timid, I straightened up. "W-What? Yes, I am. I've missed you too . . . but he's one of your friends . . . and I'm just your best friend's little sister. We can't compete when it comes to your time." Surprised when he laughed, I glanced up at his amused expression. "What's so funny?"
"When will you see it?" Ji Hoo reached out to pat my head, letting his palm delicately brush against my dark curls. "You're not little anymore."
My heart strangely quickened at his soft tone. With an anxious giggle, I looped my arm with his, letting out a rush of air from my lungs when he didn't pull away. He tossed me a helmet once we made it to his pearl white motorcycle, parked up front. Fastening it on, I asked, "Where to first?"
"Anywhere," was his vague answer. Ji Hoo gestured for me to get on behind him and I did so with caution, secretly grateful that I wore black slacks under my forest green trench coat. I wrapped my arms around his torso, pressing myself close to his back and preparing for a scary ride. "Are you ready?"
I took a deep calming breath, taking in a faint scent of his clean cologne. From returning to Korea, meeting an odd poor girl, and successfully scaring Yi Jung off without hearing my explanations; I was certain I could handle whatever else that would be thrown in my way. Though deep within the deeper corners of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if things would turn out for the best - how coming back here would alter anything. "Yes," I decided to reply confidently. "I'm ready."
The thoughts of Miss Shiri: This is my version of Boys Over Flowers which I do not own except for my OC, beginning all the way at the start of the K-drama. Very new to Korean, both the language and the K-dramas, so please forgive me for any mistakes on honorifics {I'm not very familiar with those yet; any advice, corrections?} or uncultured actions {hopefully nothing offensive} throughout the series.
I heart all the members of F4 equally, but if I had to choose with love interests and the best friends, this would be what I'd choose - you'll know my decisions throughout the plot. Cha Eun Jae - Yi Jung's first love - doesn't exist in this fanfic and there's no relation to her and my OC, only that my OC's name was inspired and similar to hers. Correct Korean Pronounciation: Eun Chae {Oon'hey Cheh}
Any fans of the Vampire Diaries and Vampire Knight, please check my profile:) I won't quit my story so don't worry about that, but please be patient with updates! Enjoy it, read it, and review it if you can! Please review!