Memories.

They're a perculiar thing aren't they? A mental filing cabinet. In it we store all kinds of recollections of our past and present.

We remember the bad as much as we remember the good, sometimes more vividly than we'd like.

For reasons unbeknownst to me, one particular memory came flooding through my mind, out of nowhere, catching me off guard.

Why? Why are we burdened with the memories we'd love to forget? Damn you hippocampus!

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"Earth to Penelope!" Hae says waving her hands infront of my face..

"What's with you? Are you alright? You totally zoned out in my face! That's rude you know, unless you were so taken by my other worldly beauty - then of course you're forgiven!" She says smirking to herself as she goes back to reading through her mail.

I didn't answer. I didn't have to. Hae-Won had the attention span on a goldfish when she had the time, like right now, sorting through her catalogues. Whatever I say would go into the one ear and straight out the other. And yet, I loved this weird specimen I called my best friend.

We had been together for almost ten years. We met back in high school, went to the same College and here were are today, still together, still roommates, still best friends. I was lucky, despite her getting on my last nerve. I loved her, flaws and all, and I knew she reciprocated those feelings too.

I started doing the last few dishes before retiring to my bedroom. It was a chilly autumn evening. We had ramen for dinner and hot chocolate. All I wanted to do was cuddle up in bed , watching a nice, good movie.

Hae had plans to go out with a few of her work colleagues so I had the place all to myself. Not that it mattered anyway. I planned on having a fairly chilled, fairly early night.

My room felt cosy, toasty because of the little heater I had turned on earlier before leaving my room for dinner. I closed my slightly ajared window and made my way across the room, tidying up the last bits that I knew would annoy me if I didn't see to it when I had the chance.

Once satisfied, I opened up my bed, making sure to fluff the array of light and feathery pillows. Keeping busy, I showered up, making sure to spend extra time on my hair. After spending a good account of time cleaning up, and drying up, I quickly changed into my matching striped , pink and black pajamas that I had laid out in the bed. Doing a quick blow dry to my hair, and the usual evening facial routine, I scanned the room one last time to make sure everything was in place before hopping straight into bed.

Looking over at my bedside clock out had taken me all of one hour and 15 minutes to get everything done. I thought proudly.

"Not too bad Penelope. Not too bad" I thought nodding to myself.

My phone's vibration catches my attention. Immediately my heart leaps. There's only one person that could be.

"I can't stop thinking about you. I miss you" flashed across my phone screen. I smiled. My heart doing somersaults, and all kinds of acrobatic movements.

Making sure I was comfortable in bed, I grabbed my phone, sinking deeper into my big, fluffy comforter.

"I miss you more. Counting down the hours until you return to me my love" ... I paused. Was that too forthright? I didn't want to come on too strong. I mean... It was fairly new. But... He was my love...

Second guessing myself, I removed the "my love" from my text.

"I miss you more. Counting down the hours until you return. Eat well and sleep even better Taehyung" I smiled, satisfied with my response. I hoped he was. He could get so wrapped up in work he'd often forget to eat, or he'd sleep minimal hours just to please everyone else despite having a busy schedule the next day.

I admired his work ethic though. I learned so much from him.

"Just a few short days and I'll be back. It's driving me crazy being away from you. What is this feeling? 😂🙈 . I am eating well, sleeping less, reality is too good right now to waste on sleep little bear. What are you up to?"

I squealed! Kicking my legs and flinging my arms about! Were those butterflies fluttering about? Surely my beating heart would frighten them off, or maybe they were in sync to the wonders of my heart. How could another make me so happy, make me so giddy? Make me so excited for my present? For my future. With him.

"Taehyungie! 🤭 Ever so charming! What's gotten into you?? Whatever it is. I like it 😂🧸 I miss you just as much but before you know it we'll be reunited again. I'll get to annoy you with my persistent kisses and cold feet and hands. Your favourite 😂"

He had been very forthright the last few days. Seemed as though I was rubbing off on him. It made me giggle. We freaky Friday'd . Absence makes the heart grow fonder... However, the longer we spent time together, the harder his absence hit me. The first few days were always the hardest. I dreaded thinking about it.

"😂 Really? Must be something in the water. I cannot wait P. I never imagined I'd ever say this but I'd take your cold feet and hands over this distance anyday. I have to go now. Please eat. Get some rest. I will call you as soon as I can. Charge your phone. Please! Don't miss me too much💜"

My heart sank. As quick as it came, it left just as fast. Im not saying it wasn't an adjustment because it was. It still is. It probably always will be for as long as we're together... But it never gets easy. I doubt it ever will. It was part and parcel of the package deal...so I'd just have to deal with it.

"I'll take a few bottles please 🤗. I'll hold you to it. Please be safe. And be careful. I'll be here. Good night TaeTae ❤️🥰. "

I smiled a small smile. I shouldn't be sad, I should be happy, I was so lucky, no. I was so blessed to live the life I live , surrounded by the people I love, being with someone so sweet, and kind and generous like Taehyung.

I shook my head. Expelling whatever morbid thoughts I had running though my mind. It helped to count my blessings, it always brought me down to Earth, humbled me in more ways than one. It made it easier to digest and accept.

Grabbing the remote control off my bedside table, I flipped through the array of movies. There were so many to choose from. I settled on a mediocre romcom who's name I didn't bother to remember. I fell asleep half way through dreaming of my Prince Charming, and being reunited with him soon.

Time couldn't pass by fast enough.