After the last class ended. Felix immediately took YN out of school to talk to her. On the way out he spoke nothing. The sound of their foot steps and the other sounds are all they could hear.
Then he stopped at the waiting shed. The only bus shed they have the most memories of.
YN took a seat, staring at her shoes. Felix kept pacing back and fort infront of her.
"Stop that, Felix." YN spoke as if speaking any louder would tick him off.
"Where are you going?" he quickly asked. "Why am I only hearing this now? I mean, I know we're not the best of friends who know much about each other but- I thought ...," he stopped, pressing his lips together. "I thought...we...we're close."
It was faint but audible, his voice cracked. He's forcing himself not to cry.
"Are you just...transfering schools?"
After silence, YN finally spoke.
"I... I probably won't come back here."
A heavy and shaky breath left Felix's mouth as he hanged his head low above YN.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning. The flight is at 8 am. To Korea." her hands clenches on the edge of the bench as she looks down on her lap.
"Why are you going there?" he asks.
"Cause of mom...my life is complicated, Felix. I think this is for the best." she then glances up at him, meeting his face.
'He's about to cry' she mentally sighed.
"If I stayed any longer, I'll snap. I don't want you to see me be so chaotic. The anger I've been keeping in for a while...will soon break out. No one will be able to stop me. Not even you Felix."
"I can help you, help you get pass this. I'll stop you. YN, I'm being this desperate because...I realized not too long ago that I like you. I like you even if you tell me that you have problems and your family is not in good condition. I've accepted all that right from the start when I decided to be your friend. And I know this sounds crazy...but even in just this week or so, I really like you that I've fallen for you."
She snickers and raises her hand up to reach his face. "That does sound crazy. Guess I'm even crazier for liking you back."
Felix cups her hand on his face and kisses her palm. "Please don't leave. I'll save you in this mess, I promise."
A thousands sparks spread all over YN's body and her face flushed red. The lingering soft lips that pressed on her palm not to long ago made her forget everything for a second.
The feeling didn't last long, but it was still there in a small amount. YN watches him with sad eyes and a smile.
"I wish I could. I really do. But I have to go."
The supposed to be sunny day becomes dull,foggy, cold and gloomy. The busy street behind them, the arriving breeze shaking the leaves off the trees beside them, the passersby move along their way around them, all sounded and felt like they were underwater.
She let's go of him and stands up. Refusing to look him in the eye. And with a cold shoulder, as painful at it felt for both of them, she walks pass him and hops in the bus that arrived.
He stayed put the whole time, not moving an inch. It's like everything stopped but the time kept running. And the bus didn't stop and kept driving away with her.
Why was it so painful? Why does it feel so terrible? Why me?
These questions kept repeating in their heads. The question why seemed to be the only question they could come up with.
In fact, even though Felix was a happy go lucky person, carefree, positive and funny...he was actually an emotional person and becomes serious when it comes to people his attached to.
On the surface, it wouldn't seem much of a big deal that YN didn't tell what's been going on and about her departure. He understands how hard it is to say goodbye. But he wasn't ready, he wasn't ready to see her leave just yet. There was no sign. If only he had noticed sooner but he was an idiot, he kept saying to himself.
And the tears have finally dropped down on the sidewalk. It turned so lonely, waiting under the roof of the shed. Waiting for a turn of events but he knew it was highly unlikely. But he still hoped.
Though it was rare, the clouds gather up and the icy breeze kept the night cold. The pitter patter of the rain turned to muffled drums from inside YN's room. The clothes in her dresser came lesser and lesser as her suitcase filled up.
She wasn't going to pack much, just a few that she would like to take with her. She takes a break and sits quietly on her bed looking around her room. Her eyes spot a green colored lollipop, laying still on her desk. The uneaten candy she took from the nurse's clinic, reminded her of that day Felix skipped school for her.
"You idiot."
The night became long as she was unable to sleep a wink. The sound of the rain kept her thinking about everything she could think of. Leaving him like that gave her heart a stab of regret.
...
The car doors clicked open and her luggage was in the back. One last look around before she sat inside the car.
"You sure you packed everything you need?" YN's mom asked turning the keys making the car start.
"Yes." the teen answered shortly looking out the window.
Then the car drove off to the airport.
...
A startled start but determined. Running as fast as he could, he kept looking at his wrist watch for the time.
"Tsk! DAMN IT! I need to see her." he cursed stopping to take a short breath before getting a cab.
"To the airport please, I'm in a hurry."
...
People surrounded the place with their bags. Either leaving or coming, the place was busy.
"Your Aunt Ji A will be there when you land. She'll pick you up with her car. Be good to her alright?"
"Yes, mom. You take care too."
She held tight on the handle of her suitcase. And her eyes wonder around her.
Sighing, she decided it was time. She's really leaving.
"Bye, mom." she said and her mother waved goodbye before getting in her car.
She sighed once again and went inside the airport. She has her passport and flight ticket on hand. Each step, she purposely took each slowly.
Wishing...
And hoping...
He would see her off.
"Departure for Seoul South Korea will be leaving in 5 minutes."
....
"Departure for Seoul South Korea will be leaving in 5 minutes."
Was he gonna make it? He has too.
"Excuse me, sorry." he made it through a crowd and pass the airport doors.
5 minutes left. His head searched the whole area, looking left and right. He runs to the waiting area.
...
Close to the boundary of never coming back. She hesitated. And delayed more steps.
...
Close enough, his fast feet take him closer using remaining time wiser. He's eyes scan each person he comes across. Looking for the familiar face he called pretty when a smile is placed on her face.
...
She stopped and placed her hand on her shoulder, remembering the comfort it gave her. The warmth of his lips on her palm and shoulder made her heart fuzzy.
...
And so, not too far away...
He sees the familiar face. He sees her look at her palm, the same hand she used to pet his hair that time in her room as they watched a movie.
And with all his energy left, he shouted her name.
"YN!"
...
"YN!"
Her head snapped and her eyes met with a face scattered with freckles. The freckles she secretly counted and drawn constellations on. His hair that she once ran her fingers through.
"Felix..."
He's feet sprinted to her and arms finally wrapped around her body. The warmth, present once again, and will be the last.
"Felix..."
"YN, I came to see you. And tell you...I'll go after you. We'll see each other again, I promise. I might not be able to find you immediately but I can promise you that we will hug like this again. I'll find you and never ever let you go again."
"Felix..." her voice cracked as she hugged back tightly.
"I'm sorry that I can't protect you now, but I'll work hard and become the person whose going to stay by your side and protect you from anything. Please wait for me, YN." his hands rub on her back as she sobbed on his shoulder.
"I will."
With a sad departure, and lingering touch, they had to go their separate ways. To grow.
Then when the time comes...
They shall meet again.