| Fan Fiction |
by Take_Flight
OH..and do tell me if the chapter is getting too long for you to read. I can shorten it up for an easy read.
I'll reply to your comments in the next update =)
Thanks! Enjoy this update!
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Ri In bit into a carrot stick and watched as the kids goofed around at the playground while being watched over the watchful eyes of two elderly. They were Sun Mi’s grandparents actually, and they’ve been sitting at the bench, observing their grandchildren running around, screaming and playing Tag. Ri In smiled to herself watching how blissful the couple looked, holding hands and simply sitting there in comfortable silence.
“Don’t you just envy them?” Sun Mi asked, standing beside Ri In. She sipped on her cool lemonade and Ri In nodded in agreement. “So many years…and they’re still going strong” Sun Mi added with a wistful smile.
“I’m sure you and Yoochun will be that way” Ri In assured her, finishing her carrot stick and then motioning to where Yoochun, Junsu and a few guys were playing soccer near their picnic spot. Yoochun and Junsu were in a struggled trying to get the ball while the onlookers were cheering at them and then hooted with laughter when Junsu swiftly stole the ball from Yoochun and the latter fell to the ground on his back.
“Ouch!” Ri In commented while Sun Mi laughed. “Can’t blame him, he’s not much of a sports person” Sun Mi said as they walked back to the picnic bench. Ri In reached out for an egg sandwich and then Sun Mi’s phone rang. Sun Mi let out a frustrated groan and Ri In glanced over at her in surprise. “It’s work” Sun Mi said and then excused herself to answer the phone.
Ri In thanked her lucky stars that she’s not stuck in an office job where their associates would not give their workers the time of their life. She simply could not imagine having people breathing down her neck and rushing for deadlines. She loves her current job to bits. She loves being a librarian and being surrounded with books, books and more books. She was busy in her own thoughts while chewing slowly on her sandwich that she did not realize that one of Sun Mi’ cousin, Young-Soo, came and sat beside her, helping herself to whatever food that was left on the table. Ri In had made jelly tarts and brought it to the picnic but it was gone in seconds, to her surprise. Most of them were practically gobbled up by the kids before they ran off to the playground.
“I didn’t even have a chance to taste them!” Junsu had grumbled and Ri In laughed at his silliness. “I’ll make some more next time araso?” she offered much to her boyfriend’s delight.
“So the four of you are close friends, I heard?” Young-Soo asked, biting onto a cheese cracker. Ri In nodded. Young-Soo was almost the same age as her and Sun Mi but she had a more matured look compared to Ri In. Perhaps, living in the States can make you look more sophisticated with their updated fashion and make-up range. And Yoochun had also told them that Sun Mi and Young Soo were inseparable best friends ever since birth and Ri In had this guilt feeling overcoming her when she heard that.
“How come?” Junsu had asked when they were standing a few feet away from Sun Mi’s family and relatives.
“Because….they’re best friends. Ever since they were in their mothers’ womb” Ri In pointed out and Junsu raised his eyebrows, not quite getting her.
Ri In rolled her eyes. “Girls are rather sensitive when it comes to this issue. You know, Young-Soo was supposed to be the one helping Sun Mi out with her wedding plans, not me. I’m just a mere stranger whom Sun Mi kept calling ‘Gingersnap’ when we first me, and then POOF! We’re best buddies now! I even helped her chose her wedding dress! How do you think that would make Young-Soo feel?”
“Ri In, I think you’re being overdramatic here. Did you see the cousin charging up to you with a knife when we first came here? No. She looked REALLY pleased meeting you. In fact, the whole family’s been genuinely nice to us. I’ve never seen someone smile so much… that my face hurts from seeing them smile like that!” Junsu had joked.
It was true though. Sun Mi’s parents can’t stop thanking her for helping Sun Mi out even though they both just met and their hospitality were beyond words. Ri In actually felt at home and didn’t need Junsu’s company while she happily tucked in to the great spread while Junsu joined the rest of the boys to soccer and rugby. Ri In was usually not used to talking to a large group of people but Sun Mi’s relatives were one of a kind. They were so warm-hearted and full of laughter. The younger ones were bursting with energy while the other ones talked about random stuff under the good spring weather and Ri In and Sun Mi had laughed until tears were rolling down their eyes with the lame jokes they heard.
Ri In focused her attention to Young-Soo after finishing her sandwich. “So you’re studying in the States?” she asked.
Young-Soo nodded and poured two cups of apple juice for the both of them. “Yeah. Will be finishing my degree this year. I’ll probably take a year’s break after that” she said, handing a cup to Ri In.
Ri In took the cup and took a sip. The cool liquid felt nice when it coursed down her throat. “Break? Back packing?”
“Maybe. I’m thinking of Europe. You know, I was hoping of bringing Sun Mi along. Just the two of us. But she’s getting hitched! Now I need to get myself a partner” Young-Soo said.
Ri In kept quiet for a while, unsure of what to say. She wanted to ask if Young-Soo was unhappy about the fact that Sun Mi was getting married but she did want the girl to get the wrong message. “Well…umm..maybe you should get yourself a partner…you know…” Ri In trailed off, giving Young-Soo a small smile and the girl laughed.
“God no! I don’t wish to be in another relationship again! Not for the time being” Young-Soo said. “Being in a relationship can be so…suffocating” she added, giving Ri In a pained expression.
“What happened?” Ri In asked. “If you don’t mind me asking” she added in quickly, not wanting to sound like a nosey head.
Young-Soo snorted. “Yeah well…we’ve been dating for almost two years..and last year’s Christmas party, I saw him snogging MY best friend at the broom closet…and there was no mistle toe present. HAH! How about that?” she said, crushing the paper cup in her hand and Ri In gulped seeing it.
“Uhh..yeah. I…” Ri In stammered, finishing her drink in one gulp. Young-Soo then turned to her and flashed her a smile. “But don’t worry. I’ve long forgotten about it. I almost put myself into rehab you know, just thinking about what a wretch he is, but that’s what being a youth is about right? Stuff like these..heartbreaks, lovesick bla bla..it’s normal to experience them am I right?” Young-Soo asked, tossing the paper cup into a nearby bin.
Ri In nodded, refilling her cup with the apple juice. They then heard Sun Mi’s laughter coming from the playground and Young Soo turned around to see Sun Mi joining the kids playing Tag along with her mother and one of their aunts.
“I’ve never seen Mimi so energetic and happy before” Young-Soo commented turning around and picking on a slice of pear from platter of fruits. Ri In smiled to herself when she first heard that Mimi was Sun Mi’s nickname.
“She’s going to get married to the guy she love…why won’t she be all smiles?” Ri In pointed out, taking a grape from the platter that Young-Soo offered.
Young-Soo nodded and then looked gravely at Ri In. Ri In chewed slowly on the fruit, suddenly feeling as if her body was on fire when she saw the intense look. “Wae?” she asked Young-Soo.
“She didn’t tell you? Or Yoochun..didn’t tell you?” Young-Soo asked in a low voice. Ri In frowned slightly and then turned behind to see Yoochun still caught up in the game with Junsu and the rest. Ri In faced Young-Soo with a confused expression. “Tell me what?” she asked again, feeling uncomfortable with the weird vibe going on.
Young-Soo sighed and rubbed her nose. “I..How should I say this” she said, picking on another slice of pear and chewed it slowly. “Mimi..wasn’t the only child in the family. She had a younger sister”
Ri In’s ear pricked up when she heard that. “HAD..a younger sister? You mean…?”
“They were two years apart. When Mimi was eighteen, Kyung-Mi was sixteen. She died in a car accident” Young-Soo told her, now taking small bites of her fruit.
Ri In gasped and almost dropped the cup she was holding on to. “W..What?..”she asked, too baffled for words.
Young-Soo nodded. “I’m sure you’ve heard of how me and Mimi were best buddies since birth, but truth was, she and Kyung-Mi were closer than ever. When Mimi flew to the States to join me in boarding school, Kyung-Mi was made to stay in Korea to continue her education here. Both sisters were devastated to be separated from each other but Mimi said that she will come back and visit the baby sister often. I heard that Kyung-Mi cried every night not seeing her elder sister everyday” Young-Soo paused for a while to look behind her, making sure Sun Mi was still playing with the kids. “Anyway, Mimi was due to come back for Kyung-Mi’s sixteenth birthday but—
“But she didn’t make it?” Ri In guessed and Young-Soo nodded. “Stupid flight got delayed..Kyung-Mi’s born on Christmas Day itself so it’s not surprising that the airport will be jammed packed. Everyone assured Kyung-Mi that Mimi will be back ASAP…and me and Mimi were still stuck at the airport, cursing the damn flights and heavy snow fall. I knew that we couldn’t possibly make it on time but Mimi was positive that we’ll make it. She’s always the optimist you know. That’s one thing I like about her”
“So what happened after that?” Ri In asked. “Kyung-Mi was told to get some sleep..it was already past 3am in the morning..and that Mimi will be there first thing tomorrow morning when she wakes up. Kyung-Mi wasn’t convinced however, but she went back to her room only to wake up again and sneaked out of the house to go to the airport..and well…” Young-Soo stopped talking and Ri In noticed that her breath had gone shaky and her eyes were glistening.
Ri In bit her lip as the two of them sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. “I..I didn’t know about it” Ri In spoke softly.
Young-Soo shook her head. “It’s not your fault Ri In” she assured her, patting her hand. “Mimi..blames herself for her baby sister’s death you know. She totally shut the world out for a long time…feels like a decade to me…until she finds solace in Yoochun. God bless that guy..and to you of course”
Ri In looked at Young-Soo. “Me? Wae?” she wondered. “I..I don’t know. But when I first saw you just now, I find a tiny resemblance of Kyung-Mi in you. I think it’s your hair” Young-Soo said, leaning back on her seat and observing her.
Ri In reached out to touch her tousled dark brown waves cascading over her shoulder. “M..My hair?” she inquired. Young-Soo nodded. “Yes..I think it’s your hair. Kyung-Mi has the similar shade you know..except hers was straight. And I also think that Fate has got something to do with it”
Ri In was still dumbstruck to hear all of this and Young-Soo laughed at her expression. “I’m not saying you’re an…reincarnation of Kyung-Mi. Although I have to admit, I was pretty jealous when Mimi was telling me about this new friend…Gingersnap wasn’t it? The nickname she got for you?” Young-Soo asked and Ri In chuckled. “Yeah..something like that”
Young-Soo sighed with a contented smile on her face. “I’m really glad she met you. We were all…worried about her. I mean, Yoochun was taking such good care of her..but it seemed like it wasn’t enough. And I wasn’t there for her most of the time when she came back to Korea, and I felt really bad to be away from her. She can’t possibly have those girl on girl talk with Yoochun..and when you came into picture, it was like..the perfect piece to finish the puzzle!” she said triumphantly.
Ri In felt a lump forming in her throat and she knew she was going to cry anytime. She didn’t know that Sun Mi was going through a long heartbreak of losing her dearest baby sister all this time and was looking up to Ri In like her own sister. The thought of that warms her heart. Ri In thought of the time they first chatted about the different teas in the store…and that’s when their friendship blossoms. It’s funny how Fate plays little games on you that you hardly noticed. “So..uhh..don’t tell Mimi about it okay? About this whole..—“ Young-Soo said but then they were interrupted by the guys approaching the table, grabbing iced cold bottled drinks from the chiller.
Ri In winked at Young-Soo, getting her message. Sun Mi then returned from her game of Tag, her face flushed and her hair in a mess, but she looks like she was having fun. Ri In and Sun Mi’s eyes caught and they both grinned at each other. “Having fun?” Ri In asked her as Sun Mi took a seat across from her, wiping her brow.
“Hell yeah…and I really need to get back to my exercise regime! My stamina’s really down chasing after those kids!” Sun Mi said, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she fanned herself. Yoochun then joined her, handing her a bottled water. “How about starting your exercise regime now?” Yoochun suggested.
“A match? Between the ladies and the guys?” one of Sun Mi’s cousin suggested. “Hey! Not fair, there’s not enough ladies here!” Young-Soo pointed out.
“Let’s draw straws then!” Junsu suggested and they all agreed. After drawing the straws, Sun Mi and Ri In ended up on the same thing along with Sun Mi’s father and three of their cousins while the rest were on Yoochun’s team.
Just then Yoochun planted a kiss on Sun Mi’s forehead and then the whole crowd swooned at the sight. “Hey..it’s for good luck!” Yoochun defended himself while Sun Mi blushed furiously before hurrying back to her team.
As soon as the game commenced, there was a flurry of activities. The kids cheering on their favorite team and the players throwing their hundred percent energy into the game. Sun Mi’s team was doing surprisingly great and got their first three score in fifteen minutes flat..or maybe Yoochun’s team was testing them for a bit.
“Just be careful guys. I think they’re up to something” Ri In told her team when they huddled together.
“Yeah…Yoochun’s got that nasty smirk…I can tell” Sun Mi’s father said, his face turning beetroot red. “No mercy for him…well, only for today” Sun Mi said when the rest gave her a surprised look.
As it turns out at the end of the day, Yoochun’s nasty smirk was immediately wiped out after they successfully beaten him and emerged as winners. “Ho yeah!!” Young-Soo cheered, jumping up and down. She had been so-called the Head cheerleader for Sun Mi’s team and was yelling her lungs out together with the kids.
“No way!” Yoochun shouted above the din but he had a huge grin plastered on his face as he placed his arm around Sun Mi.
Ri In laughed at the way everyone can’t stop talking about the victorious game and didn’t realize when Junsu stepped beside her, handing her a drink. “That was fun huh?” Junsu asked, surveying the happy family.
Ri In nodded. “It’s one hell of a picnic” she said, quenching her thirst.
“I hope our family will turn out this way as well” Junsu said suddenly, his eyes fixed on the smiling faces. Ri In glanced up at him with wide eyes. “Huh?”
Junsu looked down at her and ruffled her hair. “You know what I mean” he said as he kissed her lips and walked off. “I’ll go get changed. Be back in a while!”
Ri In watched him go, her cheeks reddening…not sure whether it’s was from the running or she was blushing too furiously. Either way, the kiss felt good. And so does whatever Junsu said before that.
Ri In then turned her attention to where Sun Mi was standing a few feet away from her family and was in Yoochun’s arms. They were both lost in each other as they gazed into each other’s eyes and when they shared an intimate kiss, Ri In looked away, feeling slightly rude to stare. But she was happy for Yoochun to finally found his happiness..and as well as Sun Mi. The girl had probably put so much faith in Ri In…that she felt that it was pointless thinking about the old fling she used to had. It was all gone with the wind now wasn’t it. No point hanging on to it…and Sun Mi doesn’t have to know….right?