String of Fate || K.C.W

Chapter 1: 4 Memory

" Are you okay? "

A girl offered her hand towards me as I gazed upon her facial features. I grabbed her hand and she pulled me up effortlessly. Her hand was warm despite the weather being cold.

" I'm Kim Chaewon; What's your name? "

I brushed myself off and attempted to make myself look more adequate for her.

" My name's Choi Y/N. "

I saw her soul through her smile. It made me grin for no reason too. She suddenly grasp my hands, wanting to say something to me.

" Let's be friends! "

She is a bold person. How could I possibly refuse an offer from her? I nodded my head in response to that statement and we spent the entire afternoon at our local playground. I've never had this much fun before.

" Let's meet again tomorrow! "

" Okay! "

We had to go home as it was getting late. I waved goodbye to her and she waved back with excitement. I began to smile without noticing. I headed home with my mom and I babble to her about my entire experience.

" Did you have fun? "

" I sure did! "

I went to take a shower as soon as I got back home. I went to sleep afterwards. I got more impatient as the minutes pass by. Eventually, the sun poured into my window.

" Breakfast is ready Y/N! "

" Coming! "

I got out of bed without hesitation. I ate my breakfast with my family. My older sister looks at me with a mischievious look.

" Did something good happen? "

" It's probably because of his new friend! "

I hid my face in my hands out of embarassment. My mom was delighted to share the experience I had yesterday since she has never seen me with a cheery smile. I went to wash my dishes to avoid the conversation. I walked briskly to my front door afterwards.

" Can I meet her today? "

My older sister was eager to meet Chaewon. Her enthusiasm is going through the roof. She would constantly pester me if I did not bring her along. I sighed in agreement as I wore my shoes.

" We'll be going now! "

The both of us left the house together. It was spring. A carnival of scents blew in the air. My older sister tapped my shoulder with a smirk on her face.

" Wanna race there? "

" Definitely. "

I accepted her challenge despite being smaller than her. She had longer legs than me. I find it quite disadvantageous on my part.

" Ready....Go! "

As expected, she ran faster than me. My competitiveness is going to be my downfall. I almost regretted my decisions. Luckily, I gained some distance on her and almost won against her. She was celebrating despite having an advantage. I had to take a breather and looked towards the ground.

" You seem tired. "

" Oh? "

That voice was familiar. I directly looked up and saw Chaewon. I wiped the sweat that accumulated on my forehead. My older sister saw this as a chance to introduce herself.

" Hello Chaewon! My name is Choi Yena! "

" You must be his older sister! "

They talked as if they knew each other for a really long time. All of a sudden, Yena decided to go back home as she did not want to disrupt the tension between me and Chaewon.

" Good luck, champ! "

" It's not what it looks like! "

Yena ran back home while waving at the both of us. Chaewon tilted her head in confusion. She did not understand what Yena said to me. I cleared up the awkward atmosphere by saying it was an inside joke between the both of us. Chaewon did not question further and she dug into her pockets. She took out a string bracelet and placed it on my hands.

" Wait, why? "

" It is a proof of our friendship! "

" Thank you so much! "

As always, she captures joy with her smile. I ended up smiling with her. I tied the bracelet to my left wrist and she tied hers to her right wrist. We both grinned at each other before going towards the playground swing. I decided to treasure this string bracelet. I hope Chaewon does the same. We spent a lot of time trying to know more about each other.

" Im 12 years old. "

" Woah same! "

Honestly speaking, I had the assumption that Chaewon was older than me by a year since she seemed more mature than me. She was the first girl that wanted to be friends with me. Our first encounter was really embarassing for me though. Suddenly, Chaewon wanted to know more about my goals.

" Hmm, I'm not too sure... "

" Is that so? "

" Mhm. "

I wanted to ask her the same question but she looked at me and teasingly said that she would not tell me. I pout in response and she threw back her head and laughed at me.

" Why won't you tell me? "

" We'll find each other through this bracelet anyways. "

" But what if we don't meet? "

" Fate would bring us together! "

She looked at me with determination in her eyes. She grabbed my hands and gave the biggest smile ever. Her perfect row of teeth fits her well. My heart fluttered, making me have butterflies in my stomach. It made me more nervous than usual. My palms started to sweat.

" Haha, are you okay? "

" I think so? "

I find it amazing how Chaewon doesn't give a big reaction upon holding my hands. I may have overreacted. I kept my composure and continued our conversations on the playground swing. I wish this moment could last forever.