Afterglow Part 2
It’s been two years since graduation and Hyerin moved to Seoul in order to attend Seoul University. She had an apartment close to the university but living alone was too much of a burden to her. After posting a need for a roommate notice, Hyerin was introduced to Kim Jongin.
He was twenty, one year older than Hyerin but attends the same college she does. They’ve never seen each other before because they majored in different courses. Jongin majored in both dance and business, while Hyerin majored in biomedical engineering.
Hyerin was apprehensive in rooming with a guy but Jongin assured her that the only reason he needed to move was because he was taking up too much room with his friends, Sehun and Joonmyeon. And after discussing the rules and payment, Hyerin agreed to let Jongin live with her.
“Thanks Hyerin-ah,” he said with a smile, “you won’t regret living with me.”
Hyerin ignored the way her heart pounded at that smile.
--
“Jongin!! You ate my ice cream again didn’t you?!”
Hyerin slammed the door to her roommate’s room open, fuming. Jongin was laying on his bed with magazine and a tub of ice cream.
“Jongin!”
“What? You said what yours is mine and what’s mine is yours, remember?”
“I remember saying to ask permission before taking what’s mine.”
“Really? Huh, must’ve missed that.”
Hyerin stomped her way in and grabbed that pillow Jongin’s head was on.
“Hey! Give that back!”
“No. Give me my ice cream back.”
Jongin sat up with a smirk. “You want it back? Then here.”
He pulled Hyerin to him, her head in a headlock. She kicked her feet under him, hoping to connect with a body part. Jongin easily dodged her kicks, laughing. He leaned towards her face, his mouth opened wide in mock puking.
“I’m giving it back, why are you struggling?”
Instead of a verbal reply, Hyerin bit Jongin’s arm. Startled, he pulled away while his face contorted in disgust.
“Ha!” Hyerin yelled in triumph.
“That’s not fair; you know I hate it when you bite me!”
“You put in a headlock!”
“So?”
“So it’s only fair if I bite you. I mean come on, your arm was right there.”
“You’re so weird.”
“Should’ve thought of that before living with me.”
Jongin snorted but smiled nonetheless. “I never said I regretted living with you.”
Hyerin grabbed the pillow again and hit him square in his face. “Ew. How much cheese did you eat today?”
She ignored Jongin’s laughter the way she ignored her blushing face, sweaty palms and pounding heart.
--
“Hey Rinnie-ah.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“What would you say if I told you that I had a girlfriend?”
Hyerin stopped typing her essay to look at Jongin, who was already staring straight at her. She tilted her head, confused that a question like that was brought out of nowhere.
“I’d say congratulations, you dummy.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I mean, what else am I supposed to say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then don’t ask.”
Hyerin gave him a lopsided smile before continuing to type. That was the only sound in the room for a while. That and the heavy crash of Hyerin’s heart. She tried to control her shaking hands as much as possible.
‘Why am I even upset? It’s not like I like him that way.’
Her thoughts swirled and whatever Hyerin was supposed to be typing didn’t come out the way she wanted it to. She completely missed the pattering footsteps coming her way.
But she definitely didn’t miss the arms that snaked around her neck to pull her to into a warm embrace. It was awkward, since Jongin was behind the couch, but it was...nice.
“Why don’t you ever say the things I want to hear?”
Hyerin clenched her teeth before putting the laptop aside. She dismissed anything and everything that had anything to do with her emotions. Her hands, though sweaty, caught Jongin’s interlocked ones.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“We both know that’s not true. You wouldn’t have said anything otherwise.”
“Does there have to be something if I wanted to ask you a question?”
“Yes.”
“Hyerin...”
“Just tell me. Are you guilty that you didn’t tell me you have a girlfriend? Did you two have a fight? Don’t worry about it, it’ll pass.”
“Hyerin.”
“And don’t be sorry for not telling me. We all have secrets to keep and I get it if-“
Jongin’s arms moved and his hands cupped Hyerin’s face to turn her. His eyes were bold and there were emotions there Hyerin didn’t have enough experience to decipher. Their faces were so close that their breaths mingled lightly together.
Hyerin waited. She had no words to say.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“...Then why-“
“Like I said does there have to be a reason for me to ask you questions?”
Jongin’s lip tilted upwards, and a grin replaced his stony expression. Hyerin relaxed, but her heart continued to race, fast enough for butterflies to emerge.
“Usually, other people do.”
“Well I’m not other people.”
Hyerin rolled her eyes. “Obviously.”
Jongin chuckled before releasing his grip. He jumped to sit on the couch as Hyerin made a move to get her laptop. But she was stopped suddenly when Jongin pulled her to him, his arms encircling her waist.
“Hey pervert, I need to do my essay.”
“Would it kill you to call me oppa?”
Hyerin proceeded to choke herself, gagging like she was about to die. Jongin clicked his tongue at her actions and pinched her nose.
“Let go! I can’t breathe!” she yelled, her voice nasally.
“I know, that’s why I’m doing it.”
Fortunately, Hyerin had managed to slap his hand away from her nose. She cradled it protectively before glaring at the criminal.
“You suck.”
Jongin laughed obnoxiously. He pulled her closer while turning on the TV. Hyerin ignored their close proximity and her overheated face. She passed it off as being unable to breathe earlier.
“I seriously need to finish my essay.”
“You seriously need to relax because I know that essay isn’t due for another two weeks.”
“How did you...”
“What can I say, I pay a lot of attention to my roommate.”
“Sure.”
“I do. You’re the light of my world.”
Jongin said with a serious face, but Hyerin picked up a lilt in his voice that let her know he was just teasing.
That didn’t stop her heart from exploding though.
--
Hyerin walked towards a small café by their university. She was to meet one of her high school friends, Sunmi, to catch up as she was currently visiting Seoul. Fortunately, Hyerin managed to worm her way out of Jongin and his friends’ grasp. Being close to Jongin meant being close to his friends, and while Hyerin holds them all close to her heart, sometimes she just needs another girl to talk with, no matter how “tomboy-ish” she is.
Sunmi spotted her first, already seated at one of the booths. She waved enthusiastically and Hyerin returned the gesture. The other pulled her for a hug and Hyerin didn’t resist.
“I’m so happy to see you again Hyerin-ah!”
“Me too unnie.”
Sunmi gave her a playful look. “Still indifferent are we?”
“I was never indifferent.”
“Uh-huh.”
They chatted about college and new friends and the stress of grades. It wasn’t long until Sunmi really dove into asking the things she’s been wanting to know.
“So Hyerin-ah, anything boyfriends yet?” she asked, smiling slyly.
Hyerin didn’t seem fazed by the question. “Nope.”
“No? None? Really?”
“Yep.”
“There’s got to be at least one.”
“Sorry, but no.”
“Seriously?” Sunmi frowned, “are you still in love with that boy in the picture?”
At the mention of it, Hyerin remained silent. She didn’t know herself.
“Hyerin-ah, you can’t be. It’s been eleven years! You can’t honestly tell me you still love that boy.”
“I don’t know unnie...”
Sunmi sighed and took Hyerin’s hand to hold. “Listen dongsaeng, you can’t keep clinging to the past. There are so many opportunities out there, and I’m not just talking about relationships, that are out of your reach because you keep holding on to things that aren’t supposed to happen. I’m sure there is a guy, the guy, out there that can be perfectly imperfect for you. You’re going to miss him if you keep holding on to that boy.”
For once, Hyerin’s thought became clear. This is why she was in need of more girl-friends.
“I think I get what you’re saying now.”
“Good, because I’m one second away from pulling your hair to make you understand.”
“Since when did you get violent?”
“I learned from the best.” Sunmi gave her a pointed look.
Hyerin feigned a hurt gasp. “I couldn’t have possibly influenced you for so long.”
“Oh shut it.”
“Huh. Maybe I did.”
Sunmi moved to slap her, but Hyerin was quicker. They laughed before Sunmi smiled.
“So, who is he?”
“Who’s who?”
“The guy you were just thinking of. The guy you like.”
Hyerin choked on her smoothie, coughing it out viciously. “E-Excuse me?”
“Please child, you can’t hid anything from the love master. I know how a first love would look on you.”
“On me?”
“Yes on you. Not counting your obsession with picture boy, this is your first real love Hyerin-ah,” Sunmi clasped her hands together while sighing dreamily, “I’ve been waiting for this moment since high school!”
“You are such a creep unnie.”
“Take one to know one.”
“...Touché.”
--
Hyerin ended up bring Sunmi back to her apartment. She didn’t expect to see eleven extra guys lounging inside her humble abode. They all looked up right when she opened the door.
“What’s up Hyerin-ah!”
They all greeted at once before she could utter a word. Sunmi gasped quietly beside her. Hyerin counted to ten to calm herself down.
“Not that I don’t want you guys here but, what the heck are all of you doing here?”
Luhan sat up with a pout at her question. Sunmi gasped again.
“How cruel. It’s been a while since we saw each other and this is how you greet us? Me?”
Hyerin blinked. “We saw each other three hours ago.”
“And I’ve been worried sick! Three hours is like three years Hyerinnie!”
“...Okay. Aside from Luhan-oppa, why is everyone else here?”
Chanyeol paused the game he and Baekhyun were playing to answer with his blinding grin. “Since you ditched us earlier, we thought we could chill here until you come back.”
“And Jongin was okay with this?”
“Actually,” Wufan called out, “he’s the one who suggested it.”
“What? Why? He’s the one who doesn’t like everyone crowding and messing up the apartment.”
Sehun raised his hand to bring Hyerin’s attention to him.
“Cause he got all pissy when you left for your date. He wanted to mess with you, I guess.”
Hyerin tilted her head in confusion. “Date? What date?”
“The date you were just on. The one with your high school sweetheart.” Jongin came out of the kitchen, a hand resting on his waist.
There was silence before Hyerin sighed in exasperation. She then pulled Sunmi from behind her so everyone could see her.
“If you think my high school sweetheart is Sunmi-unnie then okay, you guys caught me.”
Another awkward pause before Jongin opened his mouth. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.”
The whole apartment shook with laughter as eleven guys toppled over themselves.
‘Really. They should all get lives if they think this was funny.’
Hyerin whispered a small apology to Sunmi, who nodded dazedly. She told her to wait inside her room before facing Jongin again. Hyerin led the way to the kitchen so they could at least have some privacy.
“What made you think I was on a date when I told you I was going to see an old high school friend?”
Jongin shifted, uncomfortable. “You looked too happy to be talking about a friend.”
“And that automatically made you think I was in love with them?”
“Well, no but...you looked interested?”
“Did you think I was replacing you as my best friend or something?” Hyerin sighed.
Jongin looked at her for a moment before sighing - in frustration - as well. He ran a hand in his black, smooth hair while answering.
“Yeah. Or something.”
Suddenly, Hyerin was smiling. She stepped closer and began to pinch Jongin’s cheeks. “Aww, our Jongin was jealous~ don’t you ever worry, I’ll never replace you. You’ll always be my number one!”
Before she could continue, Jongin took her hands and pulled them off forcefully from his face. Hyerin was about to apologize sincerely, worried that she had gone too far. But Jongin pulled her closer, his own hands settling on her waist as he buried his face in her neck.
“God you’re stupid. Didn’t you hear me? I said ‘or something’.”
Hyerin gulped, nervous. Her hands settled on Jongin’s chest since they had nowhere else to go. “So?”
She could’ve sworn he growled, but he indulged her anyway.
“So. It means I wasn’t jealous as a best friend Park Hyerin. I was never jealous as a friend. I was jealous as guy. I was jealous as a guy because I was afraid someone was going to take the girl I like.”
Jongin pulled away so he could face Hyerin. Their eyes connected and the emotions Hyerin couldn’t understand were there again.
“Oh.”
“Oh? Is that it?”
“Yeah. I mean, what else am I supposed to say?” For some odd reason, Hyerin could taste déjà vu.
Jongin’s hands came up to gently run them on Hyerin’s face. He leaned closer.
“You’re supposed to say that you understand. You’re supposed to say that you feel the same way. Hyerin, you’re supposed to say you like me too.”
The pounding of her heart, the sweaty palms, the butterflies, and the blush were all there. Hyerin didn’t ignore them.
Shakily, her hands fisted Jongin’s shirt.
“Okay then. I like you too Kim Jongin.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
It was a soft push of lips on lips. Nothing grand, but fireworks exploded inside Hyerin’s chest and she couldn’t help but wonder if kissing Jongin would always feel like this. Slowly, cautiously, Jongin moved his lips and lead Hyerin to do the same. It was simple, no tongue, as if to get the message of feelings across the other. Then, their lips stopped and rested on each other. Jongin’s eyes were half-closed, watching for a reaction.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a while now.”
Hyerin opened her eyes to see Jongin smiling softly down at her. He wasn’t grinning his dazzling grin, but it was the most dazzling smile he’s ever shown her.
“I guess...me too.”
“You guess?”
“Shut up. I’m just getting used to the fact that I just kissed you.”
“I understand. It’s like a dream to you isn’t it?”
Hyerin slapped Jongin’s chest and glared at him while trying to move away from his (warm) embrace. He chuckled quietly but pulled her back to him, pecking her lips lightly once more.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Hyerin refused to acknowledge her red cheeks and fluttering heart. “Away from you conceited face.”
“You’ll never get away from me. You’re mine.”
Hyerin felt her face combust and smoke come out of her ears. She looked down to prevent Jongin from seeing her love-struck and embarrassed expression. At the moment, he was kind enough not to comment but his splitting grin showed that he has seen it.
“What? No comeback?”
“Will you just...stop.”
“Sure,” Jongin paused before adding, “honey.”
“Oh my god.”
“I’ll take that as an okay?”
Hyerin slapped his chest once more before untangling herself from him. Her efforts in trying to put out the fire on her cheeks were failing. Hyerin was embarrassed but she needed to get this out of her chest.
“What are we now?”
Jongin blinked.
“I-I’m not going to be your on-and-off buddy or anything like that. Since you took my first kiss, I’m expecting you to take responsibility.”
“That was your first-“
“I’ve never been in a relationship and I’ve never been on a date before so you better know what you’re dealing with before you decide.”
Jongin blinked again. “I don’t understand what this has anything to do with us now.”
Hyerin faltered. She licked her lips, sounding too unsure.
“Look. What I’m trying to say is, I don’t have any experience in things like this. I don’t want you to be disappointed when I don’t see things you want me to see. I can’t remember dates for anniversaries and I can’t comfort you the way you expect a girlfriend should because...I don’t know how. I don’t know anything Jongin, and I think you deserve someone who does.”
They were quiet again. Hyerin thinks this day has been the most awkward for them.
“Is that what’s stopping you? Because I think it’s not a problem.”
Hyerin looked up, and her heart soared when Jongin was smiling that smile again.
“I like you Hyerin. I like you a lot. One of the reasons why I like you so much is because I know you’re not experienced. I like the fact that you’ve never done anything intimate with anyone before because that means you’re all mine. I don’t want someone experienced, I just want you.”
Hyerin laughed because Jongin was absurd. She laughed even when she was enveloped with his arms again. When she finally stopped, the smile on her face was blinding. Hyerin wrapped her arms around Jongin’s neck this time.
“You are so stupid.”
“Sorry, I ate too much cheese today.”
“Mhmm. I can tell.”
This time, they both leaned in. Their lips touched softly and nothing could ruin this moment. Not even the shouts in the living room because Baekhyun beat Chanyeol again.
--
Hyerin opened the door to her room only to see Jongin on her bed, staring at something in his hand. But she couldn’t really pay attention, since the only thing keeping her nude is a towel on her body.
“What the- Jongin!! Why are you here?! Get out!”
Jongin looked forward to see Hyerin’s current state. He blinked before smirking.
“I didn’t know we were at this stage of our relationship already.”
The crimson blush on her face spread to her ears. Hyerin clutched her towel tighter. “Get out you creep!”
Jongin slowly sat up, something in his right hand. He smiled at her and stretched out his left arm.
“Calm down, I know you’re not ready. Come here.”
“No.”
“Hyerin, come one. I already said I won’t do anything.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll turn around so you can get dressed. I have to talk to you.”
“Can’t you just leave and come back after I’m done?”
“Nope.”
“You are such a douche.”
“Is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Hyerin bit her lip, “Promise you won’t peek?”
“Promise.”
“Pinky promise?”
“Do you want to come here and pinky promise?”
“No. Just, make sure not to look.”
“Kay.”
Hyerin cautiously moved to her drawers to quickly pull out underwear and a baggy shirt. Her eyes never left Jongin’s back.
“I can feel your eyes burning my back.”
“Don’t move.”
Hyerin swiftly slipped on her underwear under the towel and turned around to put her shirt on before the towel fell. Successfully covering herself, she took a pair of basketball shorts and slipped them on as well.
“Okay, I’m done.”
“Took you long enough.”
“If you’d have just left, I wouldn’t have a problem.”
Jongin turned with a smile. “Uh huh. Now come here.”
Hyerin took his outstretched hand and allowed herself to be pulled on Jongin’s lap. It felt uncomfortable first, the skinship, but Jongin made sure to never touch her inappropriately.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“I saw something for the first time.”
“What?”
Jongin opened his right hand, her locket resting on his palm gently.
“My locket,” Hyerin said, “you see my locket every day.”
“I see your locket every day, but not what’s inside.”
Hyerin thought of the picture.
“Oh.”
Honestly, she hadn’t thought of the picture in a long time now. Ever since Jongin had moved in with her, they had become so close that Hyerin always found herself with Jongin and the other guys. The first time the picture came to her mind again was when Sunmi mentioned it in the café.
“Who’s this?”
Hyerin glanced at Jongin but he was looking at the little boy in the locket. She looked at it as well before smiling fondly.
“This is my first love.”
“First love?”
“Yeah. I found this picture when I was little around a bush I fell in. After that, I tried to find him but I never did. I liked him for a long time.”
“How long?”
“Hmm...Like nine to ten years?”
“Wow.”
“Yeah...But I stopped thinking about him after I met you one year later.” Hyerin said, blushing at her own words.
“Huh. Why don’t we add one more year then?”
Hyerin turned to face Jongin in confusion. He was smiling that smile again.
“What are you talking about.”
“Hyerin-ah, my mom lost this picture when I was nine years old.”
The clock kept ticking and Hyerin couldn’t believe her ears.
“This...This little boy...was you?”
“Yeah.”
Suddenly, Jongin had her under him, arms around her form and smile still perfectly dazzling. Maybe even more.
“Is it too early to say I love you?”
Hyerin wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed.
“I think it’s been delayed. I love you. I love you Kim Jongin.”
“I love you too.”
Their lips brushed and then there was a peck. It’s as if they were children, learning how to kiss for the first time.