Young Do's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar low buzz coming from his phone. He blinks his eyes purposefully, as if to transport himself back to reality. His phone starts to buzz once more; signaling him that it has received yet another message. Instead of checking his texts Young Do returns to the solitude of his mind, starring at nothing-oblivion. His phone starts to buzz again, demanding him to read the texts that are waiting.

"Aish." He lets out a small grunt as he reaches for his phone. The words "so impatient" leave his lips involuntarily. Did I just talk to my phone? Am I really that lonely? He swipes his phone and reads the pending text messages.

John - 8:45pm: YD! Bro, we're all at the bar. Come quick.

John - 8:47pm: You're always late. Douche.

John – 8:48pm: Bro.

Upon reading the messages, a small smirk starts to form from the left corner of his mouth as he lets out a light scoff. Ever since he was a child Young Do had always despised routines. He loathed the tedious schedules, filled with tuitions that his father planned out for him. In school he skipped the majority of his classes, mostly because he could not stand to sit in the same position and learn the same things every day. When he was in Korea, Young Do lived a life filled with excitement; racing through the city on his orange motorcycle. However, it seems he has fallen back into a dreaded routine since he moved to California. He woke up at the same time, went to the same classes, ate the same food, met the same people at the same places, slept at the same time every. single. day.

His thumbs move quickly as he replies.

YD – 9:00pm: Otw.

Reluctantly, Young Do stands up and grabs his wallet. I might as well go. It's so boring here anyway. I'm so bored that I could die. He looks down at what he's wearing- a fitted black V-neck t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and his signature "pop of color" red loafer. Although it's very casual, he decides against changing and heads out the door. It's not like anything interesting will happen.

"YD!" he hears his friend John calling him as he enters the bar.

I really miss being called Young Do, properly. I miss Korea.

He walks up to his friends, flashing them a big smile. It was easy for Young Do to adjust to the American lifestyle. He picked up the language easily; he had always been very skilled in linguistics. He observed their customs- the way they interacted. One of his observations was that American girls are a lot more daring than Korean girls.

His friends decide to play a drinking game, and not long after he could feel himself drifting away from sobriety. God, I miss Soju.

He takes part in his friend's conversations but he cannot seem to fully invest in them. I feel so lightheaded. Young Do excuses himself from the group and walks up to the bar. He looks down at his phone as he waits for the bartender's attention. Busy night. He finds himself looking through his photos. Why am I doing this to myself? He scrolls past every picture, until he finds the one he was looking for. It's one Myung Soo had taken on the camping trip back when they were still in Jeguk High. He zooms in on her face. I must be a masochist. His mind wanders back to her, like it often does. Where are you now Cha Eun Sang? Are you safe? Are you happy? Do you ever think of me, like I think of you?

Abruptly, he closes the photo and puts his phone away. It's been three years Choi Young Do. It's time to let it go. He continues to wait patiently for bartender.

After a while, his patience starts to wear down and annoyance takes his place. He begins to feel suffocated in the crowded bar. The white noise around him started to become too loud. I don't think I can do this anymore. He looks over to his friends- who don't seem to be missing him. They won't even notice I'm gone.

There are so many thoughts running through his mind as he walks out the bar, that he doesn't even notice the girl standing at the door. He walks into her at full speed, knocking her down to the ground.

"Shit. I'm so sorry. I'm usually very observant. Are you hurt? Here let me help you." He gives his hand to the girl on the floor. Her face is covered by her raven hair. Her hair is so shiny. She grabs his hand with one hand and moves her hair away from her face with another. His heart starts to race uncontrollably as he starts to register her face. It can't be. I must be really drunk.

Once she's on her feet, the girl finally looks at him. Immediately, her eyes widen in surprise as a huge smile forms on her lips. "Choi Young Do?!"

The way she says his name makes him feel at home, for the first time in three years. His heart is beating so hard that he fears that it will fly out of his chest and into the sky. He tries to control his hands, but they seem to have a mind of their own. Against his will, his hands were on her cheek. He stares deep into her eyes, as if trying to differentiate fantasy from reality.

She places her hand on his and smiles at him, her doe eyes full of concern.

"Choi Young Do, are you high?"

Her question snaps him back to reality. He immediately removes his hand from her face and places them in his pockets. Stay there.

"I'm not high. I'm sorry for knocking you down, and whatever that was. What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you." He gives her his signature smirk.

"I just transferred here!" The excitement in her voice was apparent. Cha Eun Sang you really are an open book. Your eyes, voice, movements; they always give away what you're feeling. Why are you such a mystery to me though? "I don't know anybody, so I thought I'd come socialize. I heard this is where everybody hangs out."

His hand escapes the confinement of his pocket and grabs hers. Why can't I control you, stupid hand?

"Eun Sang, you know me and this place sucks." He says as he pulls her away from the bar, leading her outside. "I'll take you somewhere nicer. Will you come with me?"

He expected her to burrow her eyebrows and look at him hesitantly. He expected her to be scared.

"Why do you get to choose the location? Let me take you somewhere for once. I think I deserve that chance, especially since you dragged me everywhere you wanted in high school."

He was ready for anything, except this. She completely surprised him. He tried to speak, but he couldn't seem to find the words. All he could do was nod.

Her grip tightens around his hand as she begins to walk away, taking him with her.

I would follow you to the end of the Earth, Cha Eun Sang. Even to the depths of hell. Now that you're holding my hand, I never intend to let you go.