Fifteen Months Later…
Audrey POV
“Wake up, sleepyhead” Kwa young voice echoes in my ear. I grunted, turning to the other direction, bringing the duvet more nearly to my head.
“Just get up already, will you?!” She yelled, pulling the duvet from my body.
“What's your problem Kwa young, don't I get to sleep peacefully in my own bed again?!” I barked, with my head up, but my body was still lying on the bed.
“It's 8:00 am, Audrey,” She announced, glancing at the wall clock in my room. “So?”
She grimaced lightly and scoffed.
“Are you suffering from amnesia now?”
“What do you mean?” I murmured and just then, reality lingered through me.
“Shit!” I exclaimed as I quickly jumped off the bed. “Why didn't you wake me?!” I yelled as I scurried towards my closet to pick my dress.
“I just did,” She replied, dryly.
F**k,
How could I have forgotten a day like this? I thought as I opened the closet.
“Min jun is waiting for you downstairs,” She announced. I turned my head to face her, abruptly. “Tell me you're kidding me,” I bit out as my heart plummeted. Isn't it funny, despite how long we've been together, I'm still not used to his unannounced visits.
“I was kidding you” She slung me a mischievous grin and my fist clenched in anger. “You're so dead this morning”
She ran out of my room before I could get her, laughing hysterically.
“Don't you dare step a foot into my room again, do you understand?” I barked as soon as I stood by the door, holding the doorknob.
“Why are you getting worked up over this, sister?” “You'll definitely see Min jun at school today, isn't it?” She reminded, a smirk glued on her lips.
“Just get out of my sight before I lose my temper”
“Whoa, calm down sis” She laughed.
I rolled my eyes and shut the door, foolish girl.
“Hurry and take your bath sis, I had mine already” I quickly opened the door on hearing that from her.
“How could you take your bath before me, you're not the graduand, are you?” I peered my head out and asked her in a mockery voice. “Whatever” She rolled her eyes and started walking away.
“Someone is pained” I tucked my tongue at her, chortling. “You wish!” She yelled as she headed for the stairs.
I stopped laughing and closed the door again, silly girl. Kwa young and I became best of friends and now, we've turned into super sisters. Though I must say she's one annoying sister at that, but I always give it back to her in her own coin.
I picked the small picture frame of Hazel, Kwan, Ryan and me on the nightstand. My mouth curved to a big smile as memories of that day reeled through my head. It was indeed a memorable day for Aaron, it was the day his Mom and Dad came back together as one again, officially. And I hope nothing gets to separate them ever again.
My eyes fixed on Hazel in the picture, she has graduated some months ago, but she'd promised to attend our valedictory ceremony, nevertheless. I carefully returned the picture frame to its position on the cabinet.
I hope she keeps to her words, I miss her so much… I thought as I dashed into the bathroom to take my bath.
******
I walked into the dining room and all eyes settled on me. I smiled as I went to peck Dad cheeks. “You're looking stunning, my dear,” Dad complimented, smiling widely.
“Thanks Dad” I said as I bent to kiss Mom's cheeks too. “I'm sure Min jun will be lost for words immediately he sees you,” Mom joked as I sat down beside the sulking Kwa young.
We all laughed for a moment at Mom's joke. I turned to face Kwa young, who was glaring at the food in front of her on the table.
“What happened to my sister?” I glanced at mom and dad with raised brows.
They both chuckled softly.
“We've been asking her as well before you came in, but she wouldn't say something, so we concluded she just wanted to be silly like she always does,” Mom says, and she and dad erupted in laughter.
I tightened my lips in a line, refusing to laugh.
“Come on baby girl, don't mind them”
“Now let's eat” I proffered a fork to her, but she's not taking it.
I sighed and brought my mouth to her ear.
“Do you want me to tell Daniel the truth?” I whispered softly, and she quickly lifted her head to look at me.
“You can't do that, Audrey,” She pouts, giving me her puppy eyes. “Then let's eat, you wouldn't want us to be late on my valedictory day, would you?” She nodded curtly, and collected the fork from me.
Good. “Whoa… What did you tell her that changed her mind in a blink?” Dad asked, amazed. I chuckled as I shred my steak into pieces.
She has a huge crush on Daniel, her classmate, she doesn't want him to know about it. So ever since I found out, I threatened her with it each time I wanted her to obey my orders. Well… I'm sure Daniel also have a thing for her, she's just too blind to notice it.
“It's a secret, Dad”I winked, and he frowned instantly. “You've started hiding things from me?” He asked, eyeing me suspiciously, and I laughed.
He regained consciousness three months after he went into a coma. The cops couldn't trace who'd shot him and after several months to no avail, Dad let go of the case.
I forgave him, and we became super close friends, we shared gists, advises and lot more. Mom got jealous most times. Honestly, I'm glad I could forgive him, the Joy of having a father is unlimited.
“We need to hurry,” Mom's voice snapped me out.
Min jun POV.
I was combing my hair when someone suddenly barged into my room.
“You moron, until when are you going to learn how to use a simple courtesy?” I sparked as I threw the comb at him, which he caught. “You're looking good, bro,”He smiled broadly as he sauntered towards me.
He stretched forth the comb me, I ignored him and went to pick my smartphone on the bed.
“I thought you weren't done combing,” He murmured as he kept the comb on the dressing table. “So, you're ready?”
“Obviously” We both left my room and walked through the hallway, heading for the stairs.
Jordan and I stopped dead on the tracks immediately we saw them, they were both circled in each other's arms, dancing to no song in particular.
“I'm envious of this people, I really can't wait to get married too,” Jordan said, watching them with pure adoration.
I smiled as I stared at him, unknowingly to him. He has really gone through a lot, he had lost his Dad six months ago, he was thoroughly miserable and at a point, he had wanted to commit suicide. Thank goodness I caught him in the act on that fateful day.
After three months he lost his Dad, a lawyer appeared and read out his dad's will to everyone's hearing. His Dad willed almost all his properties to him while the rest was for mom; but mom obviously doesn't need any of it because she has gotten more than enough. In his Dad's will, he had pleaded to mom that she should take good care of his son, he also stated that he trusted mom anyway.
“Come on boys, let's go already,” Dad's voice jolted me out of my thought.
*****
“Stop it Aaron, you're distracting me,” I warned him sternly.
“What?”
“Is it a crime to stare at mine now?” He leaned over and whispered huskily.
I shut my eyes as my whole body vibrated on the seat. I despise my body for always reacting to his words so badly.
We were the last students on the seat, others have collected their prizes and certificate, including Kwan, Ryan, and Jordan.
“Since Busan Foreign High School has come into existence, it has never provided two bests in a year” The principal spoke into the microphone and everywhere became damn silent, as they listened to him.
After a brief moment, I could feel his breath fanning against my cheek, I sighed softly before turning my head to face him and surprisingly, his lips landed on my lips. My eyes dilated, and I quickly darted my eyes around to see if anyone didn't see that. I turned to him again when I was sure nobody was looking.
“Will you compose yourself?”
“The principal is giving his speech, and you ought to listen,” I said seriously, with an impassive expression.
“But I can't help it, not when you're looking so breathtaking,” He said, innocuously. I felt my heart fluttered and for some tensed moment, our gaze locked.
“Audrey Jung and Min jun Lee” We were driven out from our thought immediately.
I took in a deep breath as I sat properly.
“That was close” He winked cutely and just when I wanted to smack his head… “Please come up” The principal said, and we quickly rose to our feet.
We got to the stage and there was a standing ovation, as everyone kept clapping their hands. “The best female student of BFHS 2019 goes to Audrey Jung” The principal announced and there was another round of applause. I smiled as the principal dropped the medal on my neck. “Congratulations dear” The principal shook hands with me after he'd given me the certificate.
I left the stage and went to my family, Kwa young was the first that jumped on me. “Congrats sister” Shortly, “That's enough Kwa young, you're choking me” I bemoaned, and she finally let me go.
“I'm just so happy for you,” She grinned, brushing my hair back with her fingers.
“I've always known you won't disappoint me,” Mom said as tears stung her eyes. I slowly moved into her warmth embrace. “Thanks for believing in me, mom”
“That's enough hugging, I'm also standing here,” Dad groused. I disengaged from the hug and went to his arms too. “I'm so glad to be your father, my dear, congratulations” Dad cooed, and I smiled widely as I pulled away from the hug.
“I have a little surprise for you, by the way,” He announced. “Really?” I beamed.
“Yes dear”
“Congratulations, Audrey” I heard at my back and I spun to see Aaron's mom and dad with Aaron himself, with Jordan right beside him. I smiled at him, he was also wearing a gold medal as mine.
“Thanks Aunt, thanks Uncle” I pecked their both cheeks softly.
“Come here, my boy” Mom says referring to Aaron and I watched as he grinned before going into her wide opened arms.
“There would be a party in the house this evening, and I'm inviting you all,” Aaron's dad said. Mom and dad shared a brief glance. “Maybe some other time, Chun cha and I have somewhere to be as soon we leave this place,” Dad explained. “But Kwa young and Audrey will surely be there”
“Aww… Congratulations Best” Kwan and Ryan jumped on me from nowhere.
“Thanks girls, where's Hazel?” I questioned, glancing at their faces. “Here I am” I heard her voice behind me. I turned around swiftly and ran to her. “Oh my goodness, Hazel, is this really you?” I asked her with brightened face, she has become so pretty.
“We'll be waiting for you in the car, Audrey,” Mom said after they all exchanged pleasantries. I just nodded and they walked away afterwards.
“Of course, baby,” She chuckled.
“Here, meet my boyfriend, Jake”
“Jake, meet one of the best persons in my life, Audrey” Hazel introduced, and we both exchanged pleasantries, I must tell her boyfriend is cute.
“You've got eyes, Hazel” I teased, and she smiled proudly.
“I'm personally inviting you both to our house party,” Min jun said after the exchanged of greetings.