REMINISCENCE

CHAPTER 9

THE GIRL NAMED CHOI SU EUN

SU EUN'S POV

I still can't erase that image off my mind. The image where Chanyeol was hugged by that girl named Luna. The first time I saw her, I really envied her. The way she looks, the way she walks and the way she talks. Perfect. I also heard that she was in the same class as Chanyeol. She's so lucky.

Chanyeol was my friend since childhood. We lived close to each other so we always play together. As we are growing up, I started to have this fondness for him the one day I just realized, I'm in love with him. I'm in love with my best friend. He is handsome, kind and very fun to be with so no wonder I fell hard for him. He was my hero, but he never knew that. I treasured our friendship so much and I don't want to break it with my feelings for him. He treats me as his little sister, but I treat him more than just a brother.

It took me a long time until he finally began to open up to me but within days, Luna can easily make Chanyeol open up easily. Maybe because Chanyeol likes her. It's obviously because Luna is a very attractive person, unlike me, a nerd without any charm at all.

Yesterday, He called me asking if I could help him buy a gift. I wasn't doing anything so I immediately said yes. We met up at the bookstore at the mall and as expected, he looks handsome as ever. He came over to me and pulled my hand saying that he knows where to buy the gift and I just help him select the design. Every time he pull me close like this, I feel time slows down. i wanted this moment to be forever, but I know it will never happened. I'm just a friend. A friend.

We stopped in front of a jewellery shop. We went inside and started looking at the different piece of jewellery. I turned my gaze towards Chanyeol and he was looking seriously at the bracelets. I never have seen him like this before. It was like this gift is for someone special so he needs a perfect one. Finally, after minutes of looking at different pieces, he finally chooses to buy a simple silver bracelet with stars and crescent moon charms. It was very elegant for me.

"What do you think?" he asked me and showed the bracelet to me.

"It's beautiful." I answered truthfully. I was expecting for him to buy something extravagant but he chooses this simple piece so I asked, "Why did you choose this piece?" he looked at the bracelet dreamily while the sales lady carefully placed it to a box.

"Because it matches her name perfectly…" he answered while smiling.

'Her name…'

So it was a girl after all. At that time, I really wanted to cry. So he really liked someone already. She is so lucky! After buying the gift, he treated me dinner. We talked about the girl who the said gift is for. I don't know her that time yet. He told me her name was Luna, Luna means moon so that is why he choose that bracelet. He said she was very kind and beautiful and she was a new member of their group. I always wanted to be part of it but I know that I don't belong with them. When we are done with dinner, he walked me home and told me good night. When he was out of sight, I ran up to my room and cried. Too much for hoping. Maybe I should just give up and support him. We are best of friends remember? That's all that I can do…

The next day, I managed to follow Chanyeol and see for myself this "Luna" girl. He was walking in the hallway when he stopped five steps away from the girl that was leaning at the window. I managed to hide behind the locker to watch what will happen. She looks bored. He walked over to her slowly then covered her eyes with his hands. She wasn't even surprised but still Chanyeol did what he planned to do.

"Guess who?" he asked her cheerfully. The said girl didn't even moved from her position and answered "Chanyeol." Calmly.

He gently slid his hands off her eyes and she faced him and smiled.

"I saw you through the window." She said and pointed at his reflection. Chanyeol rubbed the back of his neck due to embarrassment then laughed. I never have seen him act like this.

"I thought you were psychic…" he replied. The girl just giggled and turned her gaze back to the window.

"I really hate weather like this…" she said and let out a heavy sigh. Chanyeol asked her why she hated dull weathers. "It's gloomy… and it makes me remember things I'm not supposed to remember…" she answered calmly. Chanyeol looked at her with caring eyes. I feel jealous.

"Even I hated this kind of weather because it's cold and when it rains, it becomes muddy," he said with disgust in his voice, "but sometimes, weather like this is good too, especially when the land is dry and cracking because of the very warm temperature. The plants would really want for a little shower…" he added. Luna looked at him with wonder.

"Plants?" she asked. Chanyeol nodded and looked outside the window dreamily.

"Yeah… plants… I know it doesn't sound truthful but I really like looking at the green grass, the tall trees and the beautiful flowers. They just seem to make this place… alive…" he answered and looked at Luna who was smiling at him. Chanyeol blushed and turned his gaze back to the window. He never told me things like that. He was very open to this girl… even if we are best friends; I guess I still don't know him that much.

"Did I sound… gay?" he asked, embarrassed. At this, Luna started to laugh.

"No silly! Actually I agree with you." She answered. Chanyeol looked at her and saw that she mean what she said and smiled.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" he said and took something out of his bag and hand it to her.

"What is this?" she asked while scanning the box Chanyeol gave. It was the one he bought from the mall yesterday.

"Open it." He answered while looking on the floor, shy. Luna smirked at him and slowly opened the said box and smiled when she saw what's inside.

"It's beautiful." She commented and took the bracelet out of the box. It was a silver bracelet with hanging crescent moons and stars charms. Chanyeol took it from her and placed it on her wrist himself. They almost looked like a perfect couple that time; I suppose we never looked like that even though we are always together.

"I was thinking of giving you something since you are part of the group now…" he replied. Luna looked at the bracelet with sad eyes. Don't tell me she didn't like it?!

"Don't you like it?" Chanyeol asked when he noticed the way she looked at the bracelet. Luna looked at him and he was startled when she suddenly hugged him. I almost yelp with surprise. She then whispered something in his ears that I couldn't make out. Chanyeol looked surprised. The thing she whispered maybe something offensive. Then, she let go of him and looked at him straight to the eye. "That was my favourite line from my favourite movie!" she exclaimed. Chanyeol who was stunned from what she said earlier and when he finally absorbed what just happened, he smiled uneasily.

"Please stop scaring me…" Chanyeol said while wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. Luna just smiled at him. The bell rang and the two of them walked to the classroom together.

The scene I saw was enough to prove that I should stop hoping. He will never look at me the way he looks at her. I… I give up.

We are dismissed early today but I managed to stay because I still have to finish my assignment for biology. I went to Lab 1 to make the formula there. Suddenly I heard footsteps approaching the door then a knock.

"Come in." I called out. The door slowly opened and I almost fell off the chair when I saw who it was. I stood up and bowed. She smiled and did the same.

"C-can I help you?" I said, stammering. I didn't expect her to see her.

"I just wanted to ask you why you were watching me and Chanyeol talking earlier." She asked calmly. My eyes widened with surprise. How did she know?

"W-what do you mean?"

"You were standing behind that locker right?" she said. I started to panic and was about to run when she grabbed her wrist none too gently. "Where do you think you're going?" she added. I yap from her grip and tried to push her but she didn't move a muscle.

"Let me go!" I exclaimed and started looking around to ask for help but nobody was there.

"I won't until you tell me why you where minding other people's business… it's not right you know…" Luna whispered to my ear. I was now in tears; I don't know what to do. I continued my assault to escape but Luna only managed to hold me tighter. I was struggling then I accidentally knock my stuffs and it spread messily to the floor, including my ID. Luna slowly reached for it and read my name aloud.

"Choi Su Eun… interesting name" she said and dropped the ID back to the floor. "So… Su Eun, I'm not going to repeat myself after this… why are you watching us earlier?" she added. I started to cry. I really didn't know what to do. I was shaking now. I thought 'Why is she like this? Earlier, when she and Chanyeol are talking, she was very gentle and sweet but now…I just wanted to see if Chanyeol is okay and if he likes this girl then I will give up already'. Suddenly, Luna loosened her grip to my hands. I finally took my hand and was about to run when Luna suddenly spoke.

"So that's what it's all about…" Su Eun turned her gaze back to her with confusion. "You should have told me sooner that you were jealous…"

"What are you saying?" I was stunned. She turned her body towards her with disbelief.

"Why is she like this? Earlier, when she and Chanyeol are talking, she was very gentle and sweet but now… I just wanted to see if Chanyeol is okay and if he likes this girl then I will give up already… wasn't this what you're thinking earlier?" Luna asked calmly. I was very astounded. That was exactly what she had in mind earlier…

"How did you…"

"Did he know?" Luna asked. I immediately shifted my gaze somewhere else. I don't know what to say, or what I should answer. All I know is I'm in trouble.

She slowly walks towards me and to her every step, I took a step back. I need to get out right now!

"I won't let you." She said. I look at her with dismay.

"Don't tell me… you can read my mind?" I asked. She smiled and stopped moving. I was now trapped at the wall.

"You really are smart, aren't you?" she said sarcastically. All of a sudden I can't move any part of my body.

"What did you do?!" I exclaimed. I really have to get out of here. This girl is dangerous. She moved her way towards me then stops when she was just a step away from me.

"You see, I really don't like those who meddle on my business…" she said calmly. I was breathing heavily now. My heart was beating so loud it was deafening. "Relax… I won't hurt you, actually, I think you can help me…" she added.

"AND WHY SHOULD I HELP YOU?!" I told her. I don't want to be involved with somebody like her, a devil in disguise.

"Okay, if that's what you want…" she shrugged and turned her back against me. She started walking away but stops at the middle. "By the way, what will happen if I tell Chanyeol you love him?" she said while making thinking gestures. Then she faced me. "I think he will feel betrayed… how can his best friend hide something to him? Or maybe he will start feeling awkward and will keep away from you, then it will be 'friendship over…' that's too sad". Then she looked at me with sad eyes. "What do you think?"

"Please… don't… I can't take it, just stop…" I answered. My tears can't stop from falling. Why did it have to come to this? She went back to me and looked at me. This time, her eyes are red, it was frightening.

"I am easy to talk with, help me… and I promise Chanyeol will be safe." She looks sincere. I'm afraid of trusting her but it's the only option I got. I slowly nodded my head then I can move again. "Good. I'm happy that you made the right decision…" she said.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked. I really don't know what to do that moment so I guess I should just follow her until I have a plan. She smiled at me and that scared me.

"Have you forgotten? I can read minds you know…" then I turned my gaze back to her. I just manage to shut myself and my mind up.

"Do you know Yoon So Hee?" she asked me.

"Yes… we went to the same elementary school…" I answered.

"Are you close with each other?"

"I guess…"

"Then you are fit for the job then." She exclaimed. I look at her with confusion.

"What do you mean...?" I asked. Now I know So Hee is involved…

"Nothing much… I just want you to make her hate Luhan…" she said straight forward. I was appalled. I didn't see that coming.

"W-why?"

"I don't like her."

"I can't accept that! I don't want to ruin a good relationship! Just asked me something else! Please, anything but that!" I countered. So Hee is a very nice person and I don't want to hurt her.

"But that's the only thing I want you to do."

"Please…" I begged. It's too hard.

"I thought we have a deal…"her tone turned into a serious one that it sends chills to my spine. "If you don't want to do it, then I have no choice but to dispose of you. You may cause me trouble you know." Then she grabbed my neck none to gently until it was hard for me to breathe.

"S-stop…" I managed to utter this word even if it's too hard to speak. She looked at me straight into the eye and I was lost in the pool of red piercing eyes.

"Too bad nobody can defend Chanyeol anymore..." she speaks these words with venom on her tone. She's very serious.

"W-why are y-you doing… t-this…"

"Because I have too…"I'm feeling dizzy already from the lack of air. I can feel warm tears flowing on my cheeks. I am really dying? She then leaned close to my ear and whispered words that petrified me. "After I kill you, I'll dispose of him next…"

"No!" I screamed with cracking voice. She gripped my neck tighter and I felt numb.

"Then do what I say…"

"Okay… o-kay…" the she dropped me to the floor and I was coughing. She knelled down and held my chin so I could face her.

"You know the drill…" she stood up and walked towards the door. Before she turns the knob, she looked back at me and said, "We only met each other, nothing else happened here okay?" I nodded and she exits. I listened to her footsteps until they were gone. Then, I cried myself to calm down.

"Forgive me So Hee… but I promise I'll figure something out…"

END OF CHAPTER 9.