04

August 2014

                It was the last therapy visit before school started. There were two more weeks till class sessions, but the hospital generally liked to give this time period to the patients as a “vacation.” I was half elated though. During the school year, I don’t frequent the hospital as I would during the summer time. But it also meant I wouldn’t be seeing Myungsoo.

                Thinking about him again makes me smile. Coincidentally, my phone rings.

                “Hello?”

                “Let’s go to the beach today and skip the hospital therapy camp.” His voice fills my eardrums. It automatically triggers my smile.

                “What a rebel.” I mutter before finally conceding. “Where do you want to meet?”

                “I’ll pick you up today.” My heart thumps before I softly agree with an “okay.”

                “Don’t you have to go to the hospital today?” My mom shouts. I reply with an equally loud sentence, “No!” I’m ditching.  Suddenly, I hear my mom ask, “Whose car is outside?” She glances out the window. “Is that a boy coming out of the car? Oh my goodness, Min Jung, is that a boy?” My mom seems to be in more disbelief than I am. But I am flustered nonetheless. I didn’t know Myungsoo would ring the doorbell…

                “I’ll answer that!” My mom quickly says as she hears the doorbell ring. I bury my face into my hands. She can be so embarrassing at times. “Hello! I am Min Jung’s mother! And you are…?”

                “Kim Myungsoo, ‘mam. It’s nice to meet you.” He bows respectfully before handing a flower bouquet in her hands. “This is for you, ‘mam. It’s our first time meeting so I hope you like flowers.”

                “Of course!” My mom says without a moment of hesitation. “Come in, I believe Min Jung should be ready by now.” She scurries to the kitchen to find a vase for her new roses. I emerge from behind a wall, glaring at Myungsoo. “You got my mom flowers but you didn’t get me any? I’m hurt.” I cross my arms, feigning sadness.

                “Sorry Ms. Grandma Teeth,” he ruffles my bangs. “Maybe next time.” Myungsoo looks around. “Where’s the bathroom? I need to use the toilet before we go.” I point down the hallway and he nods. Just then, my mom comes out with cookies.

                “Oh? Where did that handsome lad go?”

                “Bathroom,” I say boredly while eyeing the platter in her hands. “You never let me bring those to school. How come—“

                “You’ve never brought a boy back home before, Min Jung,” my mom hushes me instantly. “Let alone, a handsome boy. Besides, he’s so polite for bringing flowers for me. This is the least I can do.” I sigh, frustrated. It seems like my mom’s hitting it better with Myungsoo than I am. I stare at her cookies.

                “You can take them with you later,” she persuades. “Don’t be mad, honey.”

                The corner of my lips twitches upwards. Deep inside, I’m glad my mom likes Myungsoo as much as I do. And maybe, I like those cookies just as much as I like Myungsoo…

                “Wow. This is gorgeous.” I glance at the black sand. The two-hour drive was really worth the view. This was nothing compared to the normal beaches. Immediately, I run to the crashing waves. “This is beautiful. Thank you, Myungsoo.” I hug him. “You’re honestly the best.”

                We stare at the night sky in awe. Not only did the stars shine brighter at this beach, but the full moon was out and about. “This is gorgeous.”

                “Much better than the hospital, don’t you think?”

                “Definitely,” I respond with a hearty sigh.

                “I love summer.” I roll over in the sand so that I’m facing him.

                “I don’t. I like winter more,” I say. “In summer, the weather is so unpredictable. I wouldn’t be surprised if any weather forecasters were fired because of the summertime,” I exaggerate. “In the winter time, it either snows or there’s clouds.”

                “But that’s what I like about summer,” Myungsoo replies. “It’s so unpredictable. In a way, summer is like life. Life can throw several curveballs at you, as will the summer weather patterns. Besides, summer gives me a chance to finally breathe. I can escape a suffocating town for this every summer. How could someone not love summer?”

                He sits up and looks down at me. “Winter’s so predictable. You like safety don’t you? You prefer to keep to the same pattern over and over again.” I am surprised by his observation. Ever since my eating disorder came about, I didn’t like taking risks. It was better to fall through with the same routine everyday than lose something by taking a risk. I arise from my resting position and sit up. I glance at him.

                “But summer’s the time to let loose, Min.” He nears me. “Take risks, Min.”

                I feel his lips brush against me. He draws away before he looks at me.

                I am flustered, but thankfully, the night sky is hiding my obvious blush. “Is that why you’re here for every summer? To take risks?”

                “More or less,” he shrugs. “I can escape my hometown every summer for the therapy session at the hospital. Summer’s the season I always look forward to.”

                I won’t be able to see him until next summer. “…are you leaving soon?”

                “Tomorrow,” Myungsoo says. “I’m going back to my hometown.”

                “Let’s keep in contact then,” I say with a frown – I don’t have the time to fake a smile. Myungsoo can see through me.

                “You don’t seem very pleased about that.”

                “I don’t know what I’m going to do without seeing you for another nine months.”

                “You sound like one of those desperate k-drama leads, Min.”

                I slightly smile. “I’ve already fallen for you, Myungsoo. I can’t help it.”

                “Then let’s guarantee you’ll remember me until we meet again.” Myungsoo draws me closer to him as his face comes closer to mine. This time, we both kiss with passion and longing. It’s the kiss that will last me a lifetime. When he draws away, he connects his forehead with mine.

                “I would have never imagined kissing someone with grandma teeth.”

                As the clock on his dashboard says 3:00AM, we pull up onto my driveway.

                “…I love you, Myungsoo.” It’s been a while since I’ve ever said this so openly to anyone. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve had such an adventurous summer. And it’s all thanks to the mysterious boy, Kim Myungsoo.

                “I love you too, Min Jung.” We hug in the car before I finally get out.

                I enter my house and wave from the doorway. He speeds off into the night.

                Next summer, I wonder if he’ll be there again.