Later that evening, the world softened as if dipped in velvet.
Not dramatically. Not cinematically. Just… gently.
Like someone turned the volume of life down a notch and let everything breathe.
The ocean stretched beneath us, endless and calm, reflecting the stars like it was holding onto secrets.
The campfire below crackled, throwing warm light into the dark. Laughter floated up in uneven bursts. Hana shrieking about burnt marshmallows, Asher pretending he didn't burn them on purpose, Taehwan loudly announcing he was emotionally oppressed by couples.
Jaeon and I had drifted away without trying,
One second we were there, the next we were sitting higher up on the cliff, side by side, legs dangling over the edge like kids who didn't know fear yet.
"So…" he started, tossing a pebble into the sea It disappeared without a sound. "Do you always confess in front of an audience?"
I gasped, turning to him. "You are not mocking me right now." I said, folding my arms dramatically.
He smirked. "A little."
"Unbelievable. You should be honored. That was a once-in-a-lifetime performance." I said with a proud huff.
"Oh, I am," he said, pretending to bow placing a hand on his chest like a knight pledging loyalty. "I've been confessed to by the bravest, loudest girl I know who took four years to confess"
"You didn't just tell your girlfriend that" I gave an exaggerated pout, crossing my arms and turning away. "Don't sweet-talk me now."
He chuckled softly. "You're cute when you act mad."
"Stop."
"Can't."
"Stoppp"…. I laughed before regaining my angry pout
" I can't."
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye after seeing his sad puppy eyes, i lost the battle of feigning to be upset and a smile broke through anyway.
He noticed. Of course he did.
"Impossible," I muttered.
"Yeah," he said softly. "But so are you."
The wind tugged at my hair. Before i could tugged it behind my ear, he did so. I turned to face him. The ocean shimmered. His gaze lingered—not intense, not rushed. Just… sure.
"I liked you way before today," he added, quieter now. "I was just waiting for you to stop being scared."
My heart tripped. Hard.
Before I could say anything stupid or emotional, he leaned in and kissed me. Slow. Careful. Like the world had finally given us permission.
But Taehwan's voice cut through the moment like a siren, did bro have to interrupt right now;
"YAHHH! YOU TWO! GET MARSHMALLOWS BEFORE YOU START A WHOLE K-DRAMA UP THERE! THINK OF THE SINGLES!"
"ASSHOLE!! THAT WAS MY MOMENT DID YOU HAVE TO INTERRUPT; GO FIND A GIRLFRIEND AND STOP BOTHERING US COUPLES" I trekked back before laughing as the the entire beach including all the ajummas 'and ahjussis' erupted in laughter.
Jaeon groaned, resting his forehead against mine. "I'm never hearing the end of this."
"Go," I laughed, nudging him. "Before Hana eats everything."
"Don't move," he said, standing up. "I'll be right back."
"I'll be right here. At the end it's in your arms i belong" I say cheekily.
He winked kidding my forehead, then jogged down the cliffside toward the others, laughter and firelight swallowing him up.
I stayed there, legs dangling over the edge, the sea glittering beneath me like it was keeping my secret. My heart felt full enough to light the whole sky, the thought of it being an exaggeration was slim cause truly i felt heavy with happiness. Maybe for the first time ever, everything's finally okay, I've got my dream boyfriend, a sweet but psycho best friend, my family… due to the happiness, I didn't notice the footsteps until they stopped right behind me.
"You're back so soon" I said getting up and turning to face…
"Minseo??" I say looking at my seatmate. I don't know why but there was something eerie in her gaze. And why am I just seeing her now.
"Hi sweetheart, so tell me did you have a good time with Jaeon? I just came and Boi did I never expect you confessing to him"
"I beg your pardon?" I was confused why was she acting creepy and weird.
"Ohh sucker, don't feign innocence, you knew I liked him and I was even planning on pledging an alliance with his family but you confessed your feelings to him and you knew he can't deny you cause he loves you" she spat out, I was at a loss. What does she want and why did I have to be at a perilous ledge right now.
"I never knew until today" i cried out, for some reason I was oblivious to, the tears dropped out.
"Even so… why did you confess your love, you should have graduated as the loser and only black sheep of the school. I wonder why he liked you. You're a nobody, a weakling and nothing you're nothing so why did he choose you over me" she said crying then she smiled, that type of haunting smile that makes your stomach twist.
'Okay this is too much, I've got to get out of here.' I say cause with that look in her eyes, i knew she wasn't thinking straight. I grabbed my bag about to walk out when she pulled me back by my braids .
"Let go of me Minseo, what's gotten into you" I cried trying to push her away but she used her elbow to hit me on my ribs. I screamed in pain.
"Sorry but no sorry, today unfortunately we will lose a soul but as your dying wish I am sure, you'll want jaeon to be happy so i promise to take care of Jaeon until he forgets you ever existed" She said with a smile before pushing me.
"Jaeonnnnnnnnn" I tried yelling the first thing that came to my head but for reasons my lips couldn't part. My chest tightened.
No no I don't wanna die, save me. Noo—
My thoughts caught short as I felt my body sink into the water