The Flowers You Left For Me.

“Nado.” I whisper, making his eyes widen. “I’ve missed those days.”

I fiddle with my hands and wait for his reaction, but he stays speechless, expecting more. So I continue.

“Chanyeol…” I bit my lips. “I waited for years Chanyeol.”

Suddenly, all the words I’ve been containing for the past few years come spewing out without my control.

“I waited... waited at the place you told me to. You promised you’d come back, you promised to visit, but you never showed up. I thought maybe you were busy, maybe, you were looking for the perfect time to come see me.”

I find myself holding back tears, remembering all the memories I’ve made with him as a child.

“It was like you had forgotten about me.” I say dryly, tearing my eyes from his. “I moved on Chanyeol, but nothing was like before. I stopped trusting people, I couldn’t put myself in another relationship, because- because I was scared they were going to leave me!”

I look at him once more. His eyes are wet and tears are falling down his face.

“Just like how you left me.” I whisper.

He stiffens and puts one foot back.

“Is that what you wanted to hear?” I swallow hard and hold out my chin. “You promised to come back. A simple visit, ani… even a letter would’ve kept me going. But, you didn’t. And you expect me to forgive you so easily with that water lily? With your little reenactments of the past? That notes you took for me this morning? Just like I did for you way back when? ANI. You’re wrong.”

“That’s what I’m trying to say now.” He sniffs and takes a step towards me, hands held out for me. ”Let’s start over, I’ll make it up to you.”

I just stare at him, unsure of what to do.

“You weren’t the only one who suffered.” His hands fall uselessly to his sides. “You can’t imagine how bad I wanted to come see you, but I had no money, no time on my hands to even write you a letter. I thought about you everyday, and I still do. I can’t forget. I can’t forget the love we had. Even though we were young, it was real.”

It was real, but it’s all in the past.

I walk towards him, closer and closer until we are a few feet apart. I lift my injured hands, and wipe his tears. He closes his eyes and a small smile creeps up his lips, assuming I’ve accepted his proposal.

“The only mistake I made... was letting you into my life.” I mutter bitterly. “We’re going to be late for work.”

His eyes open in surprise and I turn away to walk towards the exit of the park. I feel his arms around me before I have the chance to take a step.

“Just, just let me hold you this once.” He whispers, holding me tight.

His chin digs into my shoulder and I attempt to bite back the urge to turn around and hug him back.

I’m sorry Chanyeol. For acting like this after everything we’ve been through.

“I love you much.” He says in my ear between his cries.

“Mm. I know.” I say, quietly.

It takes him a while to bring himself together. I just stand there, acting as comfort, my heart pounding really fast.

It’s been awhile since we stood like this. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in Chanyeol’s arms. It’s been years.

Finally, Chanyeol let go. He wipes his remaining tears with his sleeve.

“Okay.” He sniffs. “We should really go now.”

“Arraseo.” I say and walk ahead of him.

His hands are hesitant as he lets me walk out of his reach. It takes him a few seconds to catch up to me, but this time, he walks next to me.

“Can you forgive me.” Chanyeol asks.

“If that’s what you want.” I say quietly.

I feel his mood lighten beside me.

“But I’m never going to forget what you did to me. Never.” I steal a glance at him and frown. “Don’t act like we’re close because we aren’t. We are no more than just acquaintances, and we never will be.”

I see a small smile grow on his face. His face is bloated and his eyes are puffy.

“If that means we can still be in touch, I’m willing to leave it as acquaintances.” Chanyeol says, unsure of what more he can do.

“Eo.” I reply, sticking my hands in my uniform pockets.

We take the bus to the diner. We sit next to each other, and I take out something from my bag. I place it in his hands, leaving mine there.

“Here.” I say. “Take this back. If you don’t mind, I’d like to forget our past. And this, this just brings them back in a flash. I don’t want to be reminded every time I see it.”

He looks down at my hands, at the jar with the water lily, wide eyed.

“How could you be so cold.” He mumbles and pouts. “You’re not the same Ari I know.”

“It’s Areum.” I say, somewhat annoyed.

We lock eyes. I see the light fade from his eyes and the joy disappear from his expression. My throat tightens as he tries to form words and I break the stare. My hands, on it’s own will, release its grip from the jar and rest on my lap.

The rest of the ride is silent. I think I was too harsh on him.

We walk into the diner to find it packed with people. The boys and Minah ran around everywhere, taking the next order and delivering food. The other girl was nowhere to be seen, something urgent must’ve happened.

“Yah, Ari, Chanyeol.” Baekhyun calls annoyed. He pulls me into the back room, Chanyeol following. “What took you guys so long.”

He takes my apron and pulls it over my head, tying it for me.

“It won’t happen again Baekhyun.” I say. “I can assure you.”

Chanyeol tosses me a glare before he leaves the room. Baekhyun sighs and purses his lips, then gets up to serve tables.

“Do your hands still hurt?” Baekhyun asks me, taking a look at my hands.

“It’s no problem.” I reply. “I can endure it.”

“Just work with Kai at the bar area. It’s one of the easiest jobs here.” Baekhyun furrows his brows in concern. “I hope you get better quickly.”

“Thanks.” I respond and leave the room before he does.

As I leave, I hear a murmur of his voice behind me. “She thanked me.”

I know I shouldn’t, but the corners of my lips lift into a small smile.

At the bar, Kai makes most of the drinks. I offer to help, but he flicks me away.

“Not with those wounds.” Kai observes my wounds.

“You don’t have to worry about me.” I push him away. “I’ve had it worse. Just let me help you.”

“You sure?” Kai blinks.

“Since when did you care about my well being.” I say under my breath, then move to greet a new customer.

The bar closes after a while, Kai and I watch the others continue to serve tables. He hands me a drink.

“Thanks.” I look at it and raise an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Cola.” Kai smirks. “I’m not legal to serve alcohol to you. You’re younger than me.”

I chuckle flatly and take a sip.

My eyes fell on Minah in the corner of the room. She doesn’t converse with anyone, unless she’s telling them an order from a table. She keeps looking at Baekhyun, making me curious as to what she’s feeling. Most likely, broken hearted, I assume. She deserves it.

“What are you thinking about?” Kai waves his hands in my face.

“W-why?” I look at him.

“Chanyeol told me you rejected him.” Kai swirled the drink in his hand. It looks like some kind of pop, but I wouldn’t know. “What a cold heart you have.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” I scoff. “Besides, you don’t know him the way I do.”

“What do you mean? He’s one of the nicest and friendliest people I’ve met. That’s why I’m so close to him.” Kai leans closer to me and I don’t move away.

“We used to be like that, but things change, people change… he changed.” My voice fades out.

I just don’t want to be hurt anymore, or to hurt anyone. Like how I may have hurt Chanyeol earlier.

Kai stops and stares at me, tilting his head slightly to the side.

“Was it something I said?” I raise my eyebrow.

“No.” Kai finishes his drink with one big gulp. “Just, fascinating.”

The diner closed at 10 pm. Everyone’s gone except for Baekhyun and I. I’m sitting at the table once again, working at my homework. Baekhyun peers down at my work and puts a plate full of food before me.

“Eat up.” Baekhyun orders. “You’re going to have no energy tomorrow for work. Saturday is the most busy of the days you know?”

“Ah, right.” I reply. “I forgot today’s Friday.”

“Don’t worry, we close the diner earlier on the weekends.” Baekhyun smiles at me. “You know…”

I look up at him with a frown. “What now.”

“Why do homework right now when you could finish it at another time?” Baekhyun asks, then smirks, leaning closer to me. “When you could be playing with me.”

I flick his forehead and close my books.

“I’m going home.” I announce as he laughs lightly.

He watches me get ready to leave, leaning on his broom.

“It’s late. Why don’t you stay for the night.” Baekhyun suggests. “You’re going to work here in the morning anyways. Plus, it’s raining outside.”

I look at him in disbelief. Excuse me?

“Stay the night? With you? No thanks.” I say flatly. “I’m leaving.”

“See you tomorrow-” He says and I close the door behind me, not letting him finish his sentence.

I walk into the rain without looking back. I didn’t bring an umbrella, on top of that didn’t expect it to rain at this hour.

“Ari.”

-----

7 am

I don’t know why, but I wake up earlier than I usually do. After a small breakfast, I head out for work.

I walk down the streets to the diner. The door’s unlocked, but the sign reads, “closed.” I blink and enter the diner cautiously, eyeing the surroundings for any signs of a person. I take my jacket off and head to the back room where I tie my hair up. I put my apron on, but I struggle to tie it once more, so I just leave it hanging loosely.

I walk into the kitchen and bump into Baekhyun. He drops a stack of plates and ceramic pieces scatter everywhere.

“I’m sorry.” I gasp and for some reason, a sneeze came along with it.

Baekhyun glares at me in frustration. “Yah, I just washed these.”

“I’ll clean it up.” I offer.

I begin to put little pieces in the bigger ones, careful not to cut myself on any of the sharp edges. He crouches down with me and helps. I sneeze once more.

“Let me do it.” I frown.

“Don’t bother.” Baekhyun says. “Your hands will get worse... and you have a cold too.”

“I don’t, I’m fine.” I sneeze again and he laughs at me.

Together, we clean most of it up. He leans forward just as I was about to and our heads tap softly against each other’s. I freeze, and before me, he does too. We kneel there, eyes locked with each other’s like we’re in a trance. His mouth twitches and his eyes fall to rest on my lips.

He gulps and I feel my heart race.

The timing couldn’t have been any worse. I sneeze, causing us to fall backwards, dropping all the pieces we had just picked up.

He laughs and I follow, laughing loudly along side him. It was funny and awkward.

His expression falls abruptly.

“W-what happened?” I say with a worried look.

I take his arm and check for any cuts or blood. He blinks at me blankly, then breaks into laughter.

“Ani, I’m not hurt.” Baekhyun smiles. “It’s just the first time I’ve heard you laugh and seen you smile.”

I widen my eyes.

My, my smile?

“D-d-did I?” I blink.

“It’s cute. You should do it more often.” Baekhyun beams at me.

“Don’t count on it.” I look down at the ground.

“Well, maybe I can change that.” Baekhyun winks. He helps me stand up, holding onto my arms.

I gave him a nod of thanks. I turn around and brush all the dust off of my apron. Without warning, he puts his hands around my waist, almost hugging me from the back.

I hold my breath and widen my eyes. He’s so close to me that I feel his body heat. With a swift movement, he ties my apron.

“I’ll clean it up. Just take all the chairs down and set the tables.” He whispers.

His quiet voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I exhale.

“A-a-arraseo.” I stutter, fully aware that my cheeks are starting to turn red.

“You look really pretty today, Ari.” He sings as he bends down to clean up the plate pieces.

I shake my head and look down, mumbling words of reason to myself. It takes me a few deep breathes to calm down.

The diner opens at 8:30, about an hour and a half from now.

Kai enters the diner as I sneeze really hard. I squeeze my eyes shut and fall forward from the impact of it. I open my eyes and find myself caught in Kai’s arms. He has on a surprised expression.

“Bless you?” He tilts his head, showing an innocent face, arms wrapped tight around me.

“Thanks.” I cough and sniff, pushing him away, gently, trying to cover my embarrassment.

Eventually, the members arrive one by one. The last to come was Chanyeol. He swings open the door dramatically, making the bell jingle in franzi noises.

He checks the clock in the diner with wide eyes. He's on time, it's only a minute before the diner was open.

“M-m-mian.” He pants. “My alarm died on me.”

“A-arraseo.” Baekhyun responds, a bit startled.

He runs into the back room and changes. Baekhyun assigns me to be the host for the day. It was his job and it made me wonder why he wants me to do it today.

“You must greet them with a happy expression and smile.” Baekhyun informs me, motioning a finger at me.

I knew it. He wants me to smile.

“No.” I walk away without giving him a glance.

“Y-yah.” Baekhyun complains, bringing the attention of Chanyeol, Kai and Minah.

I ignore him and stand behind the counter, feeling kind of bitter at what I was required to do. It’s going to be a long weekend.

Notes

Happy Monday~! *yawns* Ah, nevermind, no one likes Monday's. Nancy and I spent a while composing and editing this chapter. LOL she stayed up until 4 am to finish it... A for effort *winks* kekekekeke. But just a reminder to show you how hard we're working. FIGHTING~!

Hoping school's not hell for you guys rn just like it is for the both of us. Let us know what you think of this chapter, of this story. We accept them hate comments too lol, it just makes us stronger.

VOTE>COMMENT>SUBSCRIBE

See you in the next chapter- ANI, that's not it.

See you next Monday~!

-Alexis Thao