"I know I can't stop you so... just call us the moment something happens, okay?"

I nod my head. "Sorry, I just..."

"I'm afraid I can't say anything else. So just go and see for yourself."

My two best friends look at me with sadness in their eyes as I grab the door knob.

Me leaving that building is a walk of shame. Until I see him standing on the other side of the street.

I check my clothes for the last time before crossing the road. I put on a smile, trying to cover the nervousness and anxiety that are wildly dancing within me.

"Hi, Hyunjin," Seungmin greets me.

"Hi," I breathe out, scratching the back of my head.

"Let's go somewhere else and talk, shall we?"

"Of course," I nod my head. Deep inside, I feel something yelling at me.

Don't go anywhere, Hyunjin, don't follow him. You know how it ended the last time you'd done so.

I usually listen to those voices but not now.

I crave him more than I thought was possible.

Just now do I realise how I've been telling everyone (myself also) how I didn't miss him anymore, saying how I got over him so long ago, when actually I'm thinking about him more than just often.

"Where are we even going?"

"To a café. I think you know it, I've seen you with their cup a few times already."

Did he notice such a small thing?

Does that mean he still cares about me?

Every damn time, it's these little actions that make me feel appreciated. It was like that with so many people before, it's like this again.

We sit down by a window, my eyes scanning the outside as I feel his gaze on me.

"Hyunjin," he says. Something in his voice is demanding and that's exactly what makes me turn my head his way. "I missed you, you know."

I swallow down the big lump in my throat, trying not to break down as I squeak out: "I missed you too."

He looks down to his coffee. "And I was thinking... maybe we could give us a second chance?"

I'm staring at him, not understanding how could he be so straightforward. And how could he...

Faces flash in front of my face as I remember every kiss. "I... Seung-"

"It doesn't have to be like right now, of course. That... would be awkward, to be honest," he smiles in that way he'd always do - it's like if he found something funny but uncomfortable as well.

"No, I-"

"Just take your time, okay?"

I'm not being let to finish what I want to say and so I give up on trying. "Sure."

He smiles. "So... How have you been?"

It's like a help from above that my phone starts ringing. I check the name that pops up and give Seungmin one unsure look before getting up. "Sorry, I need to pick up this one."

He just nods his head as I walk away.

"Yeji, what the hell? You literally never call-"

"Jin, shut the fuck up. I just wanted to surprise you at yours and happened to see you with... well, your ex who I thought has fucking hurt you?"

I sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "I... I know, Ji, okay? I just..."

"I won't judge - yet."

I scoff at that playfully. "Of fucking course," I whisper, a woman sitting nearby with her two grandchildren giving me a stern look in return. "Sorry," I mumble before getting back to the call. "I actually don't like it. Could you like... come and save me?"

"Why don't you come to me yourself? Look out the window to your right."

I turn there but don't see her face anywhere amongst the strangers.

"Fuck, that was the other right."

I laugh. "Oh, those damn directions, am I right?" Eventually, I spot her. We wave at each other and I nod my head. "Okay, I'm coming, give me a sec."

"I think it'll take you a bit longer to come here."

"Shut the f..." I look at the old lady warily as she eyes me again. "Just... I'm coming, okay? Be there every minute."

I rush back to the table, picking up my stuff. "Sorry, I need to go."

"Oh- Okay...?" He looks offended and deep inside I just hope it's because he doesn't want me to leave and not because he wants me to walk away from him.

"Sorry, really. It's Yeji, you know."

I try to walk away but he gets up, catching my wrist. "Wait!"

I look at him and feel my heart shatter to pieces yet again.

"We'll meet again, right?"

"Sure. Just text me," I say before saying the last goodbye.

I've changed my phone number.

-★-

I hug my sister close. "Fuck it, Yeji, I missed you so much."

"Missed you too, Jin."

I pull away, smiling bright. "Did you change your hair colour?"

"While you still had not, as I see." Her gaze travels to somewhere above my head. "He's watching us."

I shrug my shoulders. "And...? He doesn't matter anymore."

"Really? Why'd you go get that coffee with him then? Oh, speaking of coffee," she adds quickly, snatching the plastic cup out of my hand, "I take this as a: 'thank you for saving me, my lovely, amazing, beautiful, smarter and simply overall better sister'."

I scoff. "Sure, keep it. I'll make myself my own when we get to my dorm."

"How is it even? Living on your own and stuff."

"I love it," I admit. "I'm free. No one's telling me what to do so I can schedule everything the way I want to, you know."

"Sounds great."

"What about your streams? Sorry I hadn't checked recently, I was... well, I'd like to say studying but I don't wanna lie."

She raises her eyebrows, humming curiously. "Now you've got my attention."

"Just... don't tell parents, okay?"

"Like I'd ever."

I smile. "True. Anyways... I'm partying a lot."

"Not like you've not been the kind to do so, yeah. But...?"

"But what?"

"Our parents know you're partying, they say it's a part of the university life. So there must be something else to it."

I grab her around her shoulders as we're crossing the road near my dorm. "Let's talk about it inside, shall we?"