your option

「prologue」

A single red rose lied aloof on a white wooden desk. Eyes were staring at its petal, at the edges of each they had darkened and curled under, yet it did not tarnish its beauty. A hand reached for the rose as fingers wrapped around the green stem. She held it up and an exhausted sigh escaped from her mouth. Her brows creased, curiosity building, whilst plucking a petal; another fell on the warm wood.

Putting down the flower, she grabbed the glass of warm milk her father had prepared and drank it. Somehow its taste soothed her from deep thoughts. Milk is her soft spot. 

She shrugged her shoulders and finished quaffing. 

Her body was startled when a deafening ring of her phone thronged the quiet room. She took a quick glance before turning it off. "Tch. I'm having my time here, people." She grimaced.

Just as about she takes another last sip of her milk, it rang again, seriously enticing her throw it out of her window. Annoyed, she answered the call without giving a look of the contact number on her screen.

"J-jisoo?" Her eyes enlarged as she heard a very unfamiliar voice of a man called her name. 

Curiosity really killed the cat, so she responded. "Do I know you? How did you know my-"

"Jisoo... please don't hang up. L-let's talk." The voice cracked in midst, restraining from letting sobs to be heard. As she was eager to know who was this stranger who just called that late night, her eyes peeked at the rose. Perhaps it somehow rang a bell yet it partially said it didn't.

Taking in deep breaths, she asked. "Who are-" Again, the stranger pushed her button by not letting her finish anything she was trying to say.

"Please. We'll fix this. I-I'll be there." Less than a minute, the line died, leaving her dumbfounded. The phone clutched in her hands had shut down, but she remained astounded and speechless. 

Several questions popped into her head. Who is he? How come he knows my name? Why is he talking about? Wait- did he just said he's coming here? Did he? What should I do? I must have done something to him, but I don't remember completely. She gnawed at her lower lip, calming herself down from absurd and panicking thoughts. 

"Yah! He c-can't. I don't even know him at all and I bet he has no idea where I live. Unless..." she uttered, her voice nearly cannot be heard at the last word. 

Her hands had life on their own as she picked up the flower. "It can't be from that strange man." 

Earlier at school, she visited her locker only to see a quite stale rose inside. It might have been there since yesterday. She wasn't surprised anymore to receive such presents and things. Ever since the first week, random guys had been giving and sending her anything either to be friends with her or hit on her. However, none of those evoked her interest. 

But something caught her attention. It was a note without a five letter word attached on the hard stem of the flower. What had gotten her to deeper curiosity was the fact that most men who gave her presents would send her love letters and confessions. Yet this was quite different. 

As far as she can remember, she never had any misunderstandings or fight with someone at school this past few weeks. It can't be a small thing to make that person do this. What could have that 'someone' done to her to feel apologetic and leave a rose which make it somewhat romantic? In fact, she was the one to feel sorry for him for rejecting. Letting out a defeated sigh, she dropped her head on the desk. 

"I will soon find out." She declared with full conviction.

--

Note from chi,

I know my englisheu sucks a bit. It's not my first language by the way. If you have a problem with that, I'm sorry you'll have to discontinue reading. But hey, thank you.