Meet Me Here

Chapter 1: Memory Walk

She won.

Pleased that she won their mini-challenge, Ye Jin yawned and instinctively laid herself down on Hyun Bin's lap. She chuckled a little when she noted how upright the boy was sleeping. It was almost like he was a soldier. With a tiny whisper of "Night, Binnie", Ye Jin was out like the light. That was the first day they started calling each other by their nicknames.

At that moment, Hyun Bin stopped fake snoring and opened his eyes to look down at the girl on his lap. Slowly and gingerly, he removed his jacket and wrapped Ye Jin up in it. 

Deeming her safe, Hyun Bin hummed lightly to himself as he stroked her hair gently, admiring how beautiful his childhood crush looked under the glowing moonlight.

An angel. That was what she was to him. For the longest time, Hyun Bin knew that he saw Ye Jin as more than a friend. Yet, he didn't quite know how to approach her or win her heart. The only way he knew to get her attention was to be mean to her.

Around her, he was always too nervous. There were so many times he would ruin his eomeoni's garden by plucking one of the fresh flowers for Ye Jin, only for him to throw it out before he could give it to her. He wondered when he would ever find that courage to give them to her one day.

But for tonight, he would just bask in his happiness that he has helped Ye Jin. At least tonight, she finally laughed and called him Binnie.

End of memory

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Ye Jin chuckled when she remembered how she rubbed her victory in Hyun Bin's face the very next day. Those were some great times they shared. Come to think of it, Ye Jin was thankful Hyun Bin stopped her that night. His challenge chased away her fears and she had no problems sleeping in camp after that day. 

But she was determined to keep this small little fact away from him. The last thing she wanted was to give him any reason to tease her. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction that his old bully ways actually helped her. That was like admitting to defeat.

Little did she know, everything the boy did was intentional.

Over at the canteen, Hyun Bin was taking a similar walk down memory lane. He too was remembering the fond times they had spent at camp together.

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Years ago – 7-years-old

It was supper time. Kids lined the benches in the canteen as they waited excitedly for another round of delicious supper. Tonight's supper was London rolls and that always led to a fight for flavours as the kids screamed to get the one they desired. Strawberry was a popular choice that year and both Hyun Bin and Ye Jin were waving their arms eagerly in their bid for it. 

Minutes later, one emerged more victorious than the other. Just as Hyun Bin was about to tear open the tiny packet of strawberry London roll, he noticed the tears in Ye Jin's eyes and the cute little pout on her face. Hyun Bin noted down the vanilla London roll and he put two and two together instantly. Of course, he couldn't bear to see his friend upset and he pondered hard for a way for them to exchange their sweet treat.

Hyun Bin had a eureka moment and he tossed his packet over to Ye Jin and took hers before she could react. "Yucks, strawberry is disgusting. I'm taking yours."

Still in shock, Ye Jin watched as Hyun Bin munched on the vanilla London roll as he purposefully averted his eyes from hers. Truth be told, he loved strawberries but for her, he would do anything. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ye Jin smile a little as she bit into the strawberry London roll and he mirrored her smile. At least she was happy.

From that day on, Hyun Bin could never eat strawberry around her for she was convinced he hated them. It took her years to realise he had "overcome" his disgust over the fruit when he never despised them in the first place.

End of memory

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The identical indents on his cheeks were clear as day as he wiped the tables with the rags. No one would ever look that happy cleaning bird shit off the canteen tables. It was all because of Ye Jin. He was immune to the nastiness of the table because of his sunshine.

"Ew! It's so dirty!" Kylie whined; her face twisted up in disgust as she gestured to the bird shit on the table.

"Stop complaining, it's your job." Came Sasha's retort.

Hyun Bin looked up just in time to see Kylie gritting her teeth as she attempted to clean the tables, knowing Sasha was right. She was a picky princess when it came to matters such as these but at the end of the day, she would still do her job. That was until Hyun Bin saved her from the menial task.

"Let me do it, sunbaenims." Hyun Bin offered kindly.

Instantly, Kylie and Sasha swooned at how considered Hyun Bin was. Here he was, offering to conquer the nasty bullets the birds left behind for them. How brave.

Stepping aside, Kylie and Sasha concluded that Hyun Bin was indeed a gentleman. Whoever ends up with him was an incredibly lucky girl indeed.

By the time they were done with clean-up, it was time for dinner. The facilitators gathered to enjoy their first meal together, toasting to the success of Camp ICBM with grape juice. Tomorrow was a new challenge. Tomorrow, the campers arrive. Tomorrow, they would all grow in their new roles.

That night, everyone slept soundly, using every second that they could get to recharge for the days ahead. Once the campers arrive, sleep would be thrown right out of the window. But tonight, they rest.

What would the next four days mean for them?

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A/N

Hello lovelies! Welcome to Camp ICBM! The next few chapters will revolve around camp and you'll get to meet the rest of the facilitators soon! Hope this is an enjoyable journey for everyone so far! Thanks for reading MMH and see you in the next one soon!