death by a thousand cuts

PART I - Chapter 2

PART I

Chapter 2

"Please don't ever become a stranger"

Winter's POV

There she was. Eighteen and evergreen. She was tall for an average girl's height. She was standing amid a group of freshmen who were equally befuddled. She was alone with her two grey luggage, while others were dropped off by their loved ones. When I first saw her, I was astonished by how small her face was. Her eyes twinkled like diamonds, but they were filled with worry.

It was the week allotted for freshmen to settle into their assigned dormitories and prepare for the start of classes. I moved in two weeks before the official start of the moving-in week. My mother worked as a professor in the university's social science department. Before I became a college student there, I used to come to the campus and hang out. My mother informed me that I would be guiding the newcomers during move-in week for whatever reason. I didn't know what came over her when she told the dean that I'd be interested in guiding the freshmen students around the campus. I was a freshman myself! But how could I say no when my mother said she was going to buy me a new scooter for my birthday?

"Welcome, freshmen! My name is Eric, and my fellow tour guides are beside me. Each of us will be in charge of ten students, so I'd like it if you could cooperate with us. Remember, we're here to help you settle in before embarking on the best and worst four years of our lives," Eric announced.

Some freshmen wore smiles on their faces, while others wore worry on their forehead. After Eric handed each of us our list of students to oversee, I began calling out their names.When the tall girl I saw before approached me, I was on the last name. Before speaking, she cleared her throat.

"Uhh... Karina Yu. It's me," her words barely audible. I chuckled.

"Hello, I'm Winter Kim. Are you Korean by any chance?" I asked. She nodded. "Cool. I'm Korean, too."

When I said it, her eyes widened. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"Seriously?" she said in Korean. I couldn't help but smile. Cute.

"Seriously," I grinned.

"This is great! I was really nervous because my English isn't good yet," Karina admitted.

"Don't worry. I'll do what I can to help you," I said. "For now, let's get you settled in?"

She nodded excitedly.

We didn't realize it at the time, but that was the start of our journey together.

≈

There we were. Twenty and dainty. One more year and we'd be out of there. Though I was excited to graduate, I was also worried about the future.

Will I be able to handle the rigors of adulthood? Will I be able to find a job that pays well? Is this the right career path for me? What will the future look like for me and Karina? What if she decides to return to Korea instead? Will our relationship be able to endure the huge storm that awaits us once we become responsible adults?

Since we turned twenty, all of these questions had plagued me. I used to think my fear was irrational since Karina was always there to remind me that no matter the circumstances, we would get through it. Unbeknownst to us, the hardships we endured in college paled in comparison to the difficulties we would meet as adults.

We always made time for each other in college because, in addition to being roommates, we were also part of the same group of friends. Despite the fact that Karina was in nursing and I was in marketing, and despite how far apart our buildings were, we always seemed to have the same schedule of vacant time.

We were best friends before lovers. Maybe that's why we were so inseparable. It's as though the cosmos were constantly in our favor. It's as if nothing could ever stand in our way.

"Hey, Win. Can I ask you something?" Karina mumbled. I responded with a hum. "No matter what happens, you'll always love me, right?"

I laughed. "Of course! Where did this come from?"

Karina pouted. "I'm not sure. I just don't want to be loved by anyone else. I want you to be the one to love me."

"Okay. It's a deal, my lady," I gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Will you be there with me even if things get difficult?"

"Yes. Even when things become mundane. I'll be right there with you,"I took her hand in mine and squeezed it tightly. "Besides, I'm certain that I'll never be bored with you. It turns out that you're a lot of fun to be around."

Karina let out a giggle then rolled her eyes. "You won't get tired of me?"

"No, I will never get tired of you. I should be the one asking that," I raised my brow. "I'm kind of annoying."

"That's true," Karina nodded.

"Ya! So you agree?" I pouted.

"Sometimes."

"Fine. You'll sleep in your own bed tonight."

"You're annoying, but I love how annoying you are. Happy?"

"Good night, Karina."

"Are you sure? I thought we were going to make out before going to sleep?" Karina smirked.

"We were?" my eyes became big. "Uh-huh, I am not going to fall into your traps, Karina! I am not down bad right now."

She took her top off and threw it on my face.

"Alright... who am I to reject you, your highness? I am nothing but your slave," I joked. She slapped my arm.

"You're so annoying."

"I know. And you love it."

She climbed on top of me and kissed me on the lips.

I was ready to kiss her back when I paused to admire her beauty. That night, her eyes were so brown that I could nearly see all of the world's wonders in them. Moonlight illuminated her face. She looked so ethereal.

"What? Is there something on my face?" she was out of breath and so lost in lust.

I grinned. "Yes, there is something on your face."

She looked confused and attempted to wipe the non-existent dirt off her face. I laughed and shook my head. "Stop doing that."

"You said there's something on my face!"

"Yes, and it is beauty," I winked.

"Ugh! I thought there was dirt! Can you be more annoying!" She groaned. I just burst out laughing as she pinched my side.

"You're so adorable right now, baby."

"You ruined the moment!"

"I'm sorry. I can't help it," I giggled. I kissed her right cheek. I flipped our positions. She was now the one beneath me. I threw my top on the floor and kissed her passionately as she deserved.

"I love you, Karina," I said in between kisses.

"I love you, too, Winter."

I feel so loved that I could fly to the moon. Even though we'd been dating for almost a year, I couldn't believe she felt the same way. I've never felt so lucky in my life. I wish time could be suspended indefinitely so that we would never have to face the end of this beautiful moment.