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Forever.
Yerim knew it was too much to think they'd be together forever, but the optimist in her wanted to believe. Believe that they'd be together for a long time, or at the very least they'd finish school and take graduation pictures together.
It was beautiful pipe dream, a dream she found in Hyejoo's eyes and one that was taken away from her before she had a chance to try and save it. It was a dream she couldn't keep alive, yet another regret in her life she had to suppress and hide behind a smile.
Maybe the odds were all against her and she was blind. But she wanted to believe.
Was that so wrong?
Hyejoo, the eternal pessimist, said nothing last forever. She even wrote a poem on the wrapping of her breakfast "Try as you might, you won't get the result you want."
Wow that was dark.
This was the last thing Yerim imagined waking up to. Nor was it something she wanted to start the day with.
"Or maybe you'd be pleasantly surprised!" Yerim tried her best to salvage this gloomy mood.
She mindlessly stared at Hyejoo for a moment, wondering what kind of upbringing Hyejoo went through and what went on in her head to exude negativity like no tomorrow. Hyejoo must have come from a place where it always rains.
Yerim knew Hyejoo's mind has always been dark, but she had hoped to change it with unconditional love, to be a ray of light in Hyejoo's mysteriously deep and dark world. That she could be the guiding light in the other's life and save Hyejoo from herself.
In a strange way they complimented and needed each other, Hyejoo was there to keep her blind optimism in check while she helped Hyejoo see the silver lining in every situation. She thought it was fate that they met.
Yerim would do anything to ease Hyejoo's pain, to tell her she was not alone. She was willing see it through if Hyejoo let her. If only Hyejoo let her.
Only she didn't.
For the very first time Yerim couldn't see the road to take them back. She has hit the end of the line and now she has lost the strength to even try. It was naive to think her optimism was endless; she had never felt so lost and confused in her life.
Yerim knew it was out of her control but she can't help but shed a tear. Because all that's left now are memories.
~~~
She still remembered that beautiful spring morning, the cherry blossoms bloomed and the sun shone through the gap in between petals. The two of them were sharing snacks on the bus back from school when the pink cotton candy like fluffy clouds caught Yerim's attention.
Despite Hyejoo's protests, Yerim took her arm and made both of them alight at the next stop to enjoy a nice stroll under the row of cherry trees.
"What a beautiful day!" Yerim was in the best mood as they walked towards the street full of light pink petals.
"Perfect weather, can't get any better." Hyejoo muttered as she dragged her feet along "We saw them. Can we go back now?"
"Doesn't this view and fresh air make you feel better than staring at the wall back in the dorm?" Yerim closed her eyes and took a deep breath, crisp spring air filling her lungs.
Hyejoo protested "I'd rather lie down on a comfy bed at home and do absolutely nothing."
"Oh come on! This is the only time of year you can see them!" Yerim tugged at Hyejoo's arm, determined to brighten Hyejoo's day and help her enjoy the moment. "You'll like it! If you don't, I'll grant you a wish!"
Yerim happily dragged Hyejoo along, until they made their way up a small incline to reach the row of cherry blossom trees, stopping underneath one particularly tall one.
Fetching the polaroid camera from her backpack to capture the moment, she held onto Hyejoo as she snapped a few pictures of them together under the pink glow of the cherry blossoms.
As if time slowed, a pink pedal drifted down, twirling lightly in the air before softly landing on top of Hyejoo. Yerim thought it looked nice on her, a touch of pink over the wavy raven colored hair.
Hyejoo pouted before taking in a big breath, her cheeks puffed up from the inhaled air before blowing hard to remove the offending leaf.
Yerim couldn't help but smile at the gesture. Hyejoo was probably the only person in the world who would take exception to a harmless pedal. It was what made her unique and... cute.
Shaking the polaroid pictures, traces of them magically appear gradually over the pitch black film. Yerim had the brightest smile in direct contrast to Hyejoo's signature pout. Flipping to the next one, she held Hyejoo a little closer, with a trace of happiness on the other's face.
"See, I knew you'd like this!" Yerim was pleased to see Hyejoo's faint smile, even if it was just for a moment.
Hyejoo was glad she went along with it; she was always a fool when it comes to Yerim "Ok, I admit it's pretty. You win. What's your wish?"
Yerim paused for a moment "Hmm, how about a promise?"
"What kind of promise?" Hyejoo's voice was slightly hesitant, wondering where Yerim was going with this
"Promise me no matter how hard it got, we'd be there for each other and graduate together!" Yerim held out her pinky, looking at her intently, patiently waiting for the taller one's response.
The silly request brought a smile to Hyejoo's face and she hooked their pinky fingers "I promise."
These two simple words were enough to make Yerim's heart bloated to the maximum. Under their cherry tree, she couldn't help but pull Hyejoo into the tightest embrace.
When it came to Hyejoo, even simple things like this delighted and warmed Yerim's heart. By the same token, the little things Hyejoo did that hurt her also cut much deeper.
Like the day Hyejoo broke their promise, something within Yerim broke along with it.
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A/N
I feel like writing angst lately...