What happens when you can't let go? When a wound 5 years old reopens, in the cruelest way? Its unfair, but life moves on. It must.
The summer breeze teased Liz’s hair, blowing a strand just out of place. We had walked that route from the station to her house a thousand times, and somehow, I’d seen Liz lose every fight to the wind no matter what she tried. Liz let out a huff of frustration now, hurriedly fixing her hair.
“I’ll be glad to be rid of this wind~ It always messes with my hair everytime we walk here.”
I laughed, “ You make it sound like the wind has a personal grudge against you, Jiwonnie.”
Too soon, we stood outside of her gate.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow?”
Liz’s smile tightened slightly. “Good night.”
It hit me as I watched her disappear into her home. “Wait-”
I gasped awake to the sound of my alarm. Bringing my arm to my eyes, I felt the tears that always followed that dream. The memories lingered longer today. Before I could digest it further my door flew open.
“Oppa! Breakfast is ready!”
Lee Hyun-seo. My sister. And currently chasing me out of bed when she should be getting ready for school.
“Come on!! Your alarm rang 5 minutes ago!” Leeseo bounded over, grabbing my arm and throwing her weight backwards.
I blinked away the remaining tears, disguising the act with a yawn. “Alright alright, I’m up.”
The dream usually faded quickly. But I could hear Liz’s words ringing while my toothbrush hung uselessly from my mouth.
“Good night.”
Five years later and I still didn’t know why she left like that. But the day had to go on, and I pushed those thoughts aside. Those thoughts were meant for 3am, not the start of the day. I shuffled to the kitchen, where Leeseo was on the phone. I watched as her eyes widened, then narrowed with a flicker of a frown. She nodded, thanked the person, and hung up.
“Who was that?”
Leeseo flinched, looking up at me. Her gaze was a weird mixture of sympathy, sadness, and anger.
“N-no one…”
“Lee Hyun-seo.”
Leeseo straightened immediately at the sound of her full name. She took a deep breath.
“It's Jiwon unnie. She’s back in town.”
The kitchen suddenly felt too small, the air too thin. I took a seat, hands trembling slightly.
“Oh.”
“She’s back to hand out,” Leeseo hesitated, then took another breath. “to hand out wedding invitations to her old friends.”
It was my turn to flinch. “I see.”
My voice was steady, but Leeseo winced.
“Oppa, you don’t have to- “
“I’m fine, Leeseo. Really.” I forced a small smile.
Leeseo didn’t move.
“...Have a good day at school.”
“I’ll see you later, oppa.”
Then she was off, leaving me to coffee that felt too bitter, and toast that felt like sand in my mouth.
I called in to work sick that day. I barely heard the well–wishes of my boss as I hung up. I never called in sick. The last time I did that was that day, so long ago. Liz convinced me to skip school together so we could go to the amusement park and not need to wait in line.
“Absolutely not. Professor An is about to start teaching about World War II, no way I’m missing that so you can get a free express queue!”
Liz gasped dramatically, smacking my arm. “You’re choosing that boring class over a date with your beautiful girlfriend?!”
“Jiwonnie,” I sighed, “we can just go on a weekend, the queues are part of the experience after all.
Liz pouted cutely, arms folded, legs swinging as she sat on the edge of my bed.
And it worked.
“Fine, but let’s not make a habit out of this. Skipping school is bad, Jiwonnie.”
Liz instantly dropped her act, a saccharine smile returning. “Everyone falls sick sometimes~”
Somewhere between the screaming rides and Liz’s relentless teasing, I forgot we were skipping school at all. High, gut-wrecking rides, and mellow, calming ones. The sounds of people having fun, and bells-
The doorbell rang. Shaking myself out of that memory, I made my way to the door.
I assumed it was Leeseo forgetting her keys, sighing as I opened the door, “I told you to always keep spare keys in your-”
“Hello.” Standing at my door was Liz’s best friend, and by extension, a close friend of mine. Or was.
“Rei?”
Rei pushed herself past me, taking a seat at the sofa. I followed, already knowing why she was here.
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