Flashback
"C'mon, Sayeon! You're too slow!" shouted Jeonghan as he stood in front of the ice cream parlor.
Sayeon ran as fast as she could, laughing. "Yah, calm down, Hannie! You know I hate running!"
She finally reached him, hands on her hips as she tried to catch her breath. "Ah, why did we have to run?"
"Because it's fun to watch you run and complain." Jeonghan said, opening the door and letting her go in first.
"You are very evil, Yoon Jeonghan. Just like Joshua."
"You love us, though." He said, giving her a pat on the back."
"Yah, you better buy me ice cream."
He ruffled her hair. "Only for you, Sayeon."
Flashback 2
It was her 16th birthday and she was spending it by herself. Her parents were working all day, and Joshua was at college hours away. He had called early that morning and talked for an hour. She was expecting a package in the mail from him. Sayeon didn't have many friends from school. She was very introverted. Instead of going out, she'd rather stay home or go somewhere quiet and read books and listen to music. Or hike along trails.
Her phone rang. She grabbed it and looked at the screen. Hannie. She sat up and leaned against her headboard and answered it.
"Annyeong, Hannie."
"Happy Birthday, Sayeon-ah! "
Sayeon giggled, a big smile on her face. "Thank you, Jeonghan."
"Are you busy today?" He asked.
"Um, no, I guess. Why?"
"Come downstairs and let me in. I have something for you."
"Wait, what? You're here?" She asked as she stood up from her bed and left her room. She walked down the hallway towards the front door. She hung up and slipped her phone in her back pocket. Sayeon opened the door, and there he was. Jeonghan had a cupcake with a lit candle in his hands and a small gift bag hanging around his wrist.
She smiled at him. He knew how to make any day better.
"Make a wish, Sayeonie!"
She closed her eyes and made a wish, and then she blew the candle out. She stepped aside and let him in. They sat at the kitchen table, sharing the cupcake and chatting away. Jeonghan then gave her the small gift bag, a big smile on his face. She opened it and took out the tissue paper. A small square box was at the bottom.
She took it out. She slowly opened the box and gasped when she saw what it was. It was a necklace. A pearl one.
"Jeonghan, it's beautiful."
He smiled. "I was taking a break from studying and saw this in one of the shop windows and knew it would be perfect for you." He took the box from her and picked up the necklace. He set the box down and turned towards her. "May I?"
Sayeon nodded her head and turned around so her back wad facing him. She felt the cold chain touch her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Once Jeonghan was done, she touched the peal, turning to face him.
"Thank you, Jeonghan. This has been the best birthday yet."
"It's not over yet! Let's go grab some sushi!"
Sayeon felt the vibration of the plane landing. She opened her eyes and saw Incheon Airport. She grabbed her handbag from under her seat, preparing herself to get off. Those two flashbacks she had while napping were some of the fond memories she had with Jeonghan.
Five minutes later, everyone was walking off the plane. She stepped in the aisle and slowly made her way to the front of the plane. Once off, she followed the crowd to baggage claim. Her phone vibrated, and she took it out of her coat pocket. Shua.
"Hello, Joshua. Just landed."
"Oh good! I'm on my way home now. I have dinner. Did you find Jeonghan yet? Tell him to join as well!"
Sayeon rubbed her head. "Aniyo, haven't seen him just yet. I'm going to grab my luggage first. I'll message you when we leave the airport."
They both ended their call, and Sayeon went over to the baggage carousel and waited. She watched for her suitcases as she played with the pearl that was around her neck. The one that Jeonghan gave to her 12 years ago. She never took it off unless she showered or swam in water. She was hoping that maybe she would still have a chance with him, but a lot had happened in those 12 years. He was probably dating or even married by now. Sayeon looked up just in time to see one of her suitcases. She grabbed it and set it beside her and waited for her second one.
Jeonghan walked through the sliding doors of the airport and looked around. He didn't have her number, anymore since he had to get a new phone so he couldn't message her. He should have asked Shua for her number. Jeonghan walked further in, glancing around until he something caught his eye. Sayeon always wore a gold ring on her finger that she never took off. He squinted, and it was the exact same ring that she wore. He was there when she bought the ring. Joshua, Sayeon, and himself were on a road trip to Busan, and they had stopped along the way. That's where she saw the ring.
He walked towards her. Jeonghan was a little nervous about seeing her for the first time in a while. He stopped midway when she turned and saw him. Their eyes connected and never left each other's.
Sayeon felt like someone was watching her. She took a deep breath and slowly turned and saw him. Jeonghan. Wow, she thought. He had gotten more handsome. His hair was longer, shoulder length, and black instead of brown. Those beautiful eyes that she used to get lost in and even now, as she's looking at him, she's getting lost in them. Forgetting where she was, it was just him and her.
He walked over and stopped in front of her. She was absolutely beautiful. She was a few inches taller than the last time he saw her, but he was still taller. Those same eyes that he would get lost in whenever they talked and her small thin lips that he wanted to kiss but never had the confidence to. Afraid that she would reject him.
They stood a foot apart, in their own little world. Jeonghan spoke first.
"Annyeonghaseyo, Sayeon. It's been a while."
"Annyeong, Jeonghan. Indeed, it has. How are you?"
"I'm good. And you?"
"Good. I'm still waiting for my other suitcase and then we can go."
They both turned towards the baggage carousel and kept an eye out for her last suitcase.
"Ah, there it is. " She said, eyeing her large, blue suitcase.
She was about to grab for it, but Jeonghan her to it. "I got it. "
He set it on the ground, pulling the handle up. "Ready?"
Sayeon nodded her head, lifting up the handle of her smaller suitcase and adjusting her handbag on her shoulder. They walked out of the airport and headed over to the parking lot. Once they got to his car, he popped the trunk and put both suitcases in while she went to the passenger side and got in. Jeonghan got into the drivers seat and started the car.
There was awkward silence for the first ten minutes of the drive. Both didn't know what to say. She cleared her throat.
"What have you been up to the past couple of years?"
Jeonghan looked over at her and then back to the road. "Working for my father's company now."
"Really? You guys must have rekindled your relationship then. "
"Not quite. He threatened me if I didn't work for him after college. It's not bad, though. How about you. How was Switzerland?"
"It was wonderful. I graduated with a bachelor's in history. I have a job lined up starting Monday at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. "
"Wow, that's amazing, Sayeon."
They continued to small talk until Jeonghan got an incoming call. He pulled it out of his pants and answered it.
"Yah, what's up?"
Sayeon could barely hear whoever was on the other side of the phone. She looked out the window, not wanting to intrude on his call.
"OK, give me an hour, and I'll be there. Yea, see you soon. "
Sayeon looked over at him. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's just work related. I'll drop you off and then leave."
Sayeon nodded her head. They finally reached Joshua's apartment complex, and he was standing at the entrance, waiting for them.
Jeonghan parked the car, and Sayeon got out. Joshua walked over, arms open.
"Sayeonie!"
"Oppa!"
They hugged one another while Jeonghan took her suitcases out and placed them on the sidewalk. Sayeon and Joshua pulled away from each other, and he went over to his friend.
"Thanks again for doing this, Jeonghan. I owe ya. Would you like to stay for dinner? Got takeout from Olbaan's."
Jeonghan shook his head no. "I would, but I have some business to take care of."
Sayeon was curious as to what business he was talking about. She glanced over at her brother, and he seemed to know what Jeonghan was referring to.
Joshua looked at him and sighed. "Just be careful, okay?"
"Always am, Shua. I'll see you later. " He walked over to the drivers side and opened the door. Before getting in, he looked at Sayeon.
"Glad to have to have you back home, Sayeon. See you around."
Her heart started to beat faster. She gave him a small smile. "See you around, Jeonghan."
Joshua and Sayeon watched him drive away. When his car was out of sight, Joshua took both suitcases and rolled them inside, Sayeon following. She glanced back one more time, thinking of him. She fiddled with her necklace, thinking to herself. There might still be hope for her.