I was at your house, Such a cold and dull environment. Although it still felt warm, maybe it was because your mom would always light the fireplace whenever I came over or that your p resence warmed the flame in my heart that blew out from the cold years before. You would jump up from your seat whenever your favorite song would come on—dragging me over to the deck and guiding my feet to the rhythm. I never liked the song but I liked the way the song made you smile even when you were sad. I don't think you ever knew the way I felt about you. I didn't even want to believe I'd fallen for you.

Music begins to play

“Wherever u r” (by Umi ft. v of Bts)

Yin returned home, after failing her driving test yet again. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to articulate her disappointment amid sniffles.

"I failed my driver's test again, Yang. Why can't I remember everything? I tried to do everything right, but then I would get—"

I interrupted her before her tears could overwhelm her.

"I'm coming over. I'll be there in 20 minutes. Don't cry while I'm not there, okay?"

There was a moment of silence before she replied softly, "...okay."

Racing through the pouring rain, each droplet on my windshield seemed to echo her tears. I dashed out of my car and up her driveway, ringing the doorbell urgently. When she answered, a solitary tear traced its path down her cheek as our eyes met. I enveloped her in a hug as her tears began anew. We retreated to her room and talked for a while. After she had regained some composure, I knew just the thing to lift her spirits. Pulling out my phone and opening Spotify, she glanced up at me, puzzled by my sudden grin. Then she heard it—the song that wiped away her confusion and replaced it with a smile that thawed even my own heart. She grasped my hand and rose from her place on the bed. With each step, my heart raced faster until I looked into her eyes, feeling as though my heart might skip a beat. It was that night that I realized I had fallen for her.

"Yang?!" a voice echoed, jolting me awake. I was in class, the day before heading home for Christmas break. My teacher sighed.

"Since it's your first time falling asleep in my class, I'll let it slide."

Gathering my belongings, I listened to the last of her lectures on historical figures. Packing up, I headed out, missing the guidance of my absent friend and relying on the memory of the school layout I had memorized in my freshman year when I had no one to help me navigate,finding my way out of school. I walked home,a cold soft breeze. After dinner, I made it to the airport, a sudden realization hit me: it had been years since I last visited my hometown. Holidays and weekends had been spent exclusively with my ex-girlfriend, making me realize what a waste those two years had been. Despite warnings about her character, love had a way of blinding me to her flaws. She struggled with commitment, feeling stuck in monogamy, which perhaps explained her infidelity with a coworker. Regardless, I grabbed a quick bite to eat before boarding my plane, ready to leave the past behind and have a fresh start.

Exiting the plane, I strolled towards the baggage pickup, hands tucked in my pockets.

Ring Ring

It was my mother.

“Yes?” I answered.

“Honey, have you landed? I'm waiting outside the baggage claim,” her voice tinged with concern.