Sunrise/ Golden Child

Chapter 4 - If it's chaotic, it's Golden Child

The first few minutes Hwayoung just stared at the mountains while holding her pencil. She remembered when she sat there the last time. For the past eight years her family didn't go here for vacation and since her father was working overseas they didn't want to go without him. 

She remembered the last time she had met the boy on the picture and smiled a bit. He had been smaller than her at that time but she was sure he grew a lot. Both of their families had known Ms. Lee and they had met each other during winter holidays. Every year she had met him and they always promised to meet again. But then something happened she still regretted. 

She had caught feelings for him. She had been 12 during that time and one could say it was only a crush. Maybe it had been but Hwayoung then made a mistake: She confessed to him. His reply was something she'd never be able to forget. 

What? Of course no! You're joking, right?

Of course she had been deeply hurt by his reply. After that she had never met him again and ruined a great friendship. Hwayoung shook her head. She shouldn't think about him. But of course her mind wasn't following her plan. 

Hwayoung knew there was probably no chance to meet him again. He told her about his dream of becoming an idol. And he did it. Of course she was proud of him but at the same time she couldn't help but worry. Despite her mistake she still cared about him as a friend. 

Unconsciously she had started to draw his face but when Hwayoung realized she didn't stop herself. Someone who didn't know her story would probably think she was just a crazy fangirl but as she continued she suddenly remembered more and more details. 

Hwayoung was so caught up in drawing the girl didn't notice two cars pulling into the parking lot. The moment someone jumped out of one car and yelled something about freedom her attention was drawn to them. They must be the other group who's staying here, Hwayoung thought and smiled a little as more and more people started yelling in happiness.  

"WOAH! Look at the mountains!", someone yelled. 

"Calm down, there are probably other's as well." 

"Okay. Woah! Look at the mountains!", the same person said slowly. 

"Yah! Pay attention! Your bag hit my face!" 

"Even my bag wants to punch you." 

"I did not sign up for this." 

Now curious Hwayoung let her pencil sink and glanced over the balcony. The first thing she noticed was many people carrying their bags inside. All of them wore masks and hats so Hwayoung couldn't really see their faces. They obviously were excited about their holiday but one person took a bit longer to get his luggage. 

Hwayoung didn't want to stare at him and seem creepy but something made her stop. As the boy slowly walked to the entrance he stopped to look at the view and sighed. 

"Kim Jibeom! You idiot, what are we supposed to do?", someone yelled making the boy turn around. At the same time Hwayoung quickly sat down on the balcony again, shivering but not from the cold. Could it be? She wanted to throw another glance at him but didn't dare in case he'd notice her. After she heard the door being closed she sighed and made her way back into her and Siyeon's room. 

Siyeon was sleeping peacefully on her bed while Hwayoung tried to calm herself down. Nervously she walked up and down the small room and started talking to herself. 

"What the hell are you doing?", Siyeon asked after being woken up by the voice of her friend. "Are you holding a speech? For yourself?" 

"I am trying not to freak out.", Hwayoung replied. Siyeon immediately stood up at her best friend's shaking voice and wrapped her arms around her. Meanwhile Hwayoung knew she had to tell Siyeon now. 

"What happened?" 

"The boy you saw on the picture with me.", Hwayoung slowly explained while Siyeon held her hands. "He's here again." 

"Didn't you want to meet him again?" 

"No, but actually, yes. It's complicated.", Hwayoung said. "We were friends. Every winter we met here and promised to do so the next year. I was young and dumb." 

"You fell in love with him.", Siyeon figured surprising the other. Sometimes Hwayoung wondered if her friend could read minds. 

"I did. And he rejected me. After that we never met again." 

"Oh. And he's here?", Siyeon asked to which Hwayoung could only nod. "Are you sure it's him? I mean you haven't seen him in 8 years." 

"That's not really true.", Hwayoung whispered and couldn't help but smile at her friend's confused look. "He became an idol. So it's kinda easy to know what he looks like. The thing is, I know I'm not in love with him anymore, but I'm just scared how he'll react when he sees me. Actually I think he doesn't even recognize me." 

"Do you think you could handle seeing him again?" 

"The funny thing is-", Hwayoung explained sadly and wiped away a single tear. It felt good talking about something she tried to forget for years. Not even her mother knew about this. Only Ms. Lee knew about that because she cheered her up with hot chocolate and sang her a few songs. "I wished to see him again, always imagined what would happen, but now that he's here. With his group, I don't know what to do anymore." 

"Why don't we find out?", Siyeon suggested bluntly. "They are going to spend their holiday here in the same house as us and I won't let you stay in this room just so you can hide from him. This is your holiday and I won't let another boy ruin it." 

"So then what am I supposed to do? Pretend I don't know him or his group?" 

"First.", Siyeon answered and looked at her watch. "We are going to eat dinner." 

"Perfect. I'm hungry. Don't you da-

"Hello hungry, I'm Siyeon." 

"I hate you." 

"Love you too." 

The two girls didn't bother to change and just went downstairs where they met Ms. Lee. She was holding a few plates and her face lit up when she saw them.

"Lovely. Could you please bring the other plates as well? They're in the kitchen.", she said and pointed with her head in a direction. The girls made their way to the small kitchen. 

"Watch this.", Hwayoung said and managed to balance four plates on her hands. 

"Watch this.", Siyeon replied and simply took two causing her friend to smile. Sometimes Siyeon had the habit of dropping things or tripping over, well, nothing. So she decided to just take two. 

The two friends walked into the dining room in which four tables already stood. The tables were decorated with beautiful wood carvings and cloths making the room seem more comfortable. Hwayoung breathed in the familiar smell and smiled at it. Jiwoo and her spent most of their time in this room playing games with each other or just simply eating. 

"You're the best.", Ms. Lee said and took the plates. "Sit down." 

Just like Ms. Lee said the girls sat down in a corner looking out of the big window covering almost the whole wall. Sitting in silence they started eating and Hwayoung couldn't help but gasp at the taste. 

"Tastes just like when I was younger.", she laughed and emptied the plate in half a minute. The stew reminded her of how Jiwoo and her sneaked into the kitchen just to get more. When Ms. Lee had caught them she gladly gave them more saying they needed the energy to grow up. 

The irony of the story. Hwayoung was only 1,65 m tall. Sometimes she envied Siyeon, who was about a head taller than her, but at the same time she thought her height made her look cuter. 

When Hwayoung wanted to tell her friend about this, she heard loud footsteps running down the stairs. Knowing the only other guests were his group, she gulped and avoided looking in that direction.