Hye POV

I groan as I wake up in my bed, sweating profusely. What the hell happened?

I rack my brain to recall the events that occurred earlier today:

"Jung Hye!" My stepmother had called angrily from the kitchen.

"Coming!" I had sped down the stairs so as to not make her angrier.

She held up a ceramic plate that seemed fine to me from where I was standing. "Tell me what is wrong with this plate." She said in a low voice.

I walked forward and, upon closer inspection, saw a small stain near the edge.

"Why was this dirty thing on the drying mat? You were supposed to wash the dishes, dumbass!" She exclaimed.

I was pissed at that point, but I gave her one more chance to redeem herself and bowed slightly. "I'm sorry. It will not happen again."

"Damn right it won't." She took all the dishes I spent so long scrubbing and rinsing to perfection and dumped them on the ground. A loud crash! followed.

"But Appa just paid for a new floor-"

"And if it's dented it will be your fault." She spat. "Now, go and clean each pot, cup, and utensil until your arms fall off. If I see a mistake like this again-"

"A mistake like what?" I demanded, blood starting to boil. "A fucking stain on a plate does not excuse this scene you made." I gestured to the dishes now on the floor, thanks to her.

Her anger was not hidden as she squinted and cracked her knuckles. "How dare you talk like that to me, bitch!"

"Lady, I'm leaving tomorrow anyway, so your blackmailing and mistreatment no longer effects me." I sent her one last glare before running back up the stairs and to my room.

I locked the door and fell to the ground, tears falling freely. I was wrong. I was wrong because, as long as she was married to my father, she affected me. Her words and occasional slaps and demands. They all affected me.

A 'click' sound vibrates in the air before the door squeaked open. Panic surged through me and I immediately stopped sniffling. If it was my stepmom, I'd be in deep trouble.

I wiped my tears before standing up and swerving around. But I didn't see anyone until I looked down.

"Soomin?!" I had exclaimed. That was unexpected. "How did you get in here, sweetie?"

"Shilly!" She shouted, pointing to our dog Mongshil who, as if on cue, came bounding in.

"Mong Mong!" I exclaimed, happiness coursing through me as I affectionately petted him.

As I scratched his neck my arm brushed against something cold. I looked down and saw my room key in his mouth.

I took it from him and chuckled. Did Soomin actually climb onto Mongshil to get to my room? Thank goodness my handle is low, I thought; they both could have gotten really hurt.

Loud footsteps brought me back to the present as I heard Eomeoni coming up the stairs.

"Soomin-ah." I put my hands on her small shoulders. "If your Eomma asks where I am, tell her you don't know, okay?"

She nodded quickly and I kissed her cheek before turning around and running to the window. I swiftly grabbed my wallet and an extra key to Kyung Mi's place, opened the window and climbed out, closing it after me.

Ever since we moved here, there was a metal ladder hooked to the roof that was high enough from the ground that thieves couldn't come.

Before, it was a spark of curiosity in me.
In my later years, it became my escape.

When I reached the end of the ladder, I jumped off and, as soon as I was on the ground, started running.

I sprinted until my lungs couldn't do it anymore and I stopped, hailing a cab. The next thing I knew, I was outside Kyung Mi's apartment complex.

As the memories come zipping back to me, I feel a headache coming. Just how drunk did I get?

My phone lights up and buzzes and I look over, but I see a folded piece of paper next to it.

"What is that?" I pick it up.

Dearest Hye,

You'll be going to Busan tomorrow. And it is the most painful thing for me.

I realize that this is kind of lame and cowardly for me to do this, but I don't have the courage to tell you in person. Not yet.

Hye, growing up you were a dear friend to me. And I hated to admit it, but as I got older I started feeling that you were becoming dearer and dearer. Almost too dear.
Almost like...I developed feelings for you.

But I didn't want to screw up our friendship, or make Kyung Mi feel like a third wheel if you, by any chance, returned my feelings.

I know it's not our time to start dating. Our paths will split for now.

But, I believe that, if we're meant to at least give us a try, we will get the chance. Be it a month, or fifteen years.

I just wanted to let you know that I'm waiting for you.

~Ha Joon
PS - if you don't like me back you can just treat this like another prank. Let's keep our friendship at least.

Tears I didn't even know were there escape my eyes, watering his beautiful words and mixing them with my happiness.

I immediately call him.

"You bastard, where are you?" I demand.

"I'm outside."