AUGUST 5, 2023.

I walked into the restaurant, eyes searching for his familiar black hair. I took a few steps forward and it peaked over a barrier of wood, his eyes searching swiftly through the menu. So, I chuckled and strolled over, taking a seat right in front of him. "I didn't know you enjoyed such a quiet ambiance," I commented, making him peek over the edge of the menu. "I thought you'd like to go somewhere a little more loud so you wouldn't feel as embarrassed."

"I'm not Soobin, Yewon," He frowned, almost making me laugh again. "I'm not afraid to be seen with you in public, but I wanted something a little more formal since we haven't seen each other in a long time since I... misunderstood you. I'm sorry about that."

"First of all, Soobin isn't afraid of being seen with me in public either, he just doesn't want to be seen with me when I start spouting quote-on-quote nonsense," I winced, picking up the menu. "And second, all is forgiven. I didn't mean to leave you with the impression that we were fixing things, when in reality, it was the exact opposite. I'm sorry about that, too."

"There's nothing to apologize about. I should've trusted you," Yeonjun had the same habit that Beomgyu did, but with his ears. He played with one of them, my eyes observing as they turned a crimson red. "I feel like it was a stupid little thing, anyway. I should've been the one who contacted you first, but I got nervous that you wouldn't forgive me. After all, I'm Soobin's friend."

"Yeah, but you're my ally," I reminded, making him slowly smile. "I always forgive allies. Besides, it's only your first mistake. I won't hold it to heart especially when that whole event was a bit of chaos. Don't feel stupid."

"What did you guys talk about that day, anyway?" He asked, but before I could answer, the waitress came to take our orders. I let Yeonjun order because I didn't know most of the menu, and I figured since he offered to pay over text, I'd let him handle his bill. When she left, he asked me again, "Back to what I was saying. What were you guys talking about that day?"

I had to recall it, humming in thought.

"Again, I was being honest. I knew the host, and I knew Minah. If she didn't want it in her clips, she'd remove it," I bit my cheek, looking out of the windows. It was pouring down rain. Maybe Beomgyu would like to go to the arcade. Soobin leaned in calmly, eyeing me. "I can't lie and say my first love didn't make me the person I am now. She's sitting right in front of me–even then."

I turned the other way. I looked at all the tables–and almost gave myself a shock. People from Yonsei. I saw film classmates and people from my other classes, all of which gave us a glance and would start talking. I inhaled sharply as I felt my life flash before my eyes, tracing my way back to his stare.

"Don't say that," I replied curtly. "Don't do this here, either."

"What's the issue?" His gaze was innocent as he leaned back. This was a trap. I should've known that being beside campus would cause some students to trickle in. Now, if he spoke any louder, the whole thing would be misconstrued. "My first love is very important to me, Yewon. She goes to Yonsei now, she's a film major, and she's y–"

"Say another word and I'll show you who the fuck she is," I whispered harshly, pushing my straps back up my shoulder. "I should've known better than to face you after so long. You're still so conniving."

"He trapped me," I chuckled, fiddling with the edge of the table. "He said it would be a civil talk, but Soobin decided it would be smart to try and air out everything to the rest of Yonsei. I mean, the possibility of us fixing things was going to be slim anyway, and I had no intention of doing so, but for a second, I really thought he had plans on changing. I should've known better at that time–and now, I do."

"Oh?" That piqued his interest. "Really?"

"Yeah," I nodded, finding more courage to open up. As much as Yeonjun could possibly tell Soobin all this information, I couldn't care less. "I submitted my film a week ago for the Seoul Film Festival. I don't know if he told you, but it's about our past, you know–and, to be honest with you, I don't care anymore what he thinks about it. I don't care if he tries to burn me in hell or drive me down under. I've found the courage to live."

"I'm glad to hear that," Yeonjun nodded. "Especially after everything you've been through, the last thing I want is to let my friend discourage you. He's the one who should burn alone."

I shook my head. "You don't mean that," I denied. "He's still your friend."

"But, he did horrible things to you."

"If you cared about me a little more, Yeonjun, you would've left him already," He seemed to realize I made a good point. "But, I don't hold that against you. I know it's difficult to abandon something–especially someone–you've come to care about for a long time. Even if in this lifetime, you don't, I know that you're a good-hearted person."

"I don't know if I am. I need to tell you something," Yeonjun fiddled with his fingers. "I'm the one who told Soobin that you've been airing out his business to other people, and I told him it's good because that means everything between you both have cleared up."

Wow. He must've gone south if I was going north. "I tried to take it back, but his ego was too high to come down, and that's probably why he's been the way he is. I'm sorry," Yeonjun pouted, clearly not aiming to gain sympathy, but with that expression, who could resist? "I know that it's the complete opposite and you're probably not telling everyone, so–"

"Yeonjun," I called out so he'd stop spiraling. "It's fine. I told you already, I'm not worried about the reparations. If all goes to shit, I won't cower. I know you said it out of anger, and I'd be angry too. Please, don't worry."

"Are you sure?" He winced, and I nodded for reassurance. "Okay. Then, can I ask you about something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"What did you do to Soobin to make him so... quiet?" That's a first. What does that mean? Is he surrendering, or is he up to something?

"Can you elaborate?"

"Soobin has been pretty unresponsive to us, acting curt. He only gives us one word replies and doesn't socialize with our friends when we go out," I'm going to assume the 'we' in question is him and Kai. "It's not like when he cried for a few days. This time, I'm certain he's suppressing some kind of emotion, and none of us can read him. But, he's been suspicious."

Oh god. "How so?"

"He's been going out a lot more, but not with us. Soobin just goes out alone, returning back after a few hours," Soobin hates going places alone. That is suspicious. "What do you think, Yewon? Did something happen between you both?"

"I cut him off," When was my food coming? All this talking is making me hungry. "Blocked him and called it quits. Just had a feeling you should."

Yeonjun widened his eyes. "Wow. Teach me how to let someone go as easily as you do."

"When you dislike someone, Yeonjun, it's like breathing air," I smiled softly. "It comes naturally. You don't have to hesitate or learn how. It's just a matter of doing."

I read the script, marking in red where grammatical errors and plot holes begin to form. I noticed that Professor Park was watching, so I lifted my pen off the empty margin. "What? Am I doing something wrong?" She shook her head. "Then get back to working. As much as I am your successful student, I will not act as your co-teacher."

"Like in a million years you'd ever think of taking up that job," She rolled her eyes, fixing her reading glasses. "I'm staring because you're such a harsh grader. All of my students are going to hate me when they read your comments. I guess I'm going to have a bunch of 'Han Yewon's by the time I finish this semester."

Hah. Good joke. Nobody can outdo me. People can one-up me, but nobody can replace me.

"Good. Welcome to university. They tell you about this stuff in high school, do they not?" I huffed, looking back at my paper. "Some of them are really interesting and good, but others, like this one, are suckish. They definitely are doing this as an elective."

"Don't be so cruel if you can tell, then," She reprimanded, but I didn't care in, well, caring about what she thinks. "Anyway, the notification for if you won comes out next Thursday. Are you excited?"

"Nervous. I've barely been getting any sleep because it's been weighing on me," She frowned hearing that. "I'm sure it'll be just fine, but I'm discouraged because there's so many great script writers and directors at different schools. Do you think my biography will even be enough?"

"I think you forget that you have what others lack, Yewon–the flaw of being raw," Professor Park smiled, leaning toward me. "Script Writers are perfectionists, and you lack that. You like raw intention. You like emotion. You like characters being weak. That's what real films need."

"You're just saying that because I'm your pupil."

"If I didn't mean that, Yewon, I'd be critiquing you. But, your writing to me is already near perfect," I guess she didn't want to say perfect because nothing in this world is perfect. "I have faith in you and that film, even if I haven't seen it. Trust me."

I huffed, putting aside the script. "I just hope that I'm not wrong about this film. When I rewatched it a few times, it kept moving me to tears. Yoona watched it too and said she couldn't stop sobbing about it," Yoona only saw because she kept looking over my shoulder. I reassure you, Beomgyu would've been the first to see. "I can't let it be my best one, either."

"Well, you've set the standard," Professor Park replied. "And, speaking of a standard, I wanted your help on an upcoming project. It can wait until after you've finished your first year, but there's no one else I want to ask but you."

"What is it about?"

"A script," I rolled my eyes, but Professor Park began laughing. "No, you're not proofreading. I actually wanted your help writing a script. You'll be a co-writer, possibly a director too if we get clearance on the finished script. There's a plot that someone's been asking me to write, and I need your help on making it the way it is–raw. You can oversee it, and I'll advise you if needed if you're confused."

That seemed fun. A sophomore project. That would boost my resume, too. "Okay. I'm down. But, if I do all the dirty work, I better be getting all the money and credit, okay?"

"I reassure you, I'm not going to work you any harder than I have right now," She tapped her fingers against the desk. "Including reading scripts and making a film. Like I said, you're my pupil–a very rare one. I shouldn't let you slip away."

Even if she was going to give me the weight of the world, I don't think I'd slip away.

Maybe the happiest I've been is not when I'm filming, but when I'm depended on by someone.

When I'm trusted, after a lifetime of being betrayed.