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“Look at the sky, Aejinnie. There’s so many stars tonight.”
Aejin looked up at the sky where Tae was pointing. The stars were splattered across the sky tonight. And since they’d driven out to the country the stars were even brighter.
She looked over at Tae. Or…up, actually. He was grinning up at the sky as the moonlight illuminated his face. He was so handsome. But he’d never notice her. She was just his best friend. Even on a night like tonight she couldn’t be happy because she knew he’d never be hers. She frowned and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I love you, Tae.”
He chuckled. “I love you too. Was this a good birthday gift?”
“Yes. The best.”
She could feel him nod. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“How many years have we been friends now?”
“Um…” she wanted to cry now. She could feel herself being pushed farther into the friendzone with just those simple words. “Twelve years now?”
“I think it’s time we stop being friends.”
That stopped Aejin cold. “Wha…what…?” Tears welled in her eyes as she lifted her head to look up at him.
Tae groaned. “That is not how I was supposed to say that.” His cheeks turned crimson as he spoke. “I mean…I want to be more than friends.”
“More than friends? Like…best friends?”
“No!” Tae exclaimed. “I mean…that’s not what I meant.” He sighed and buried his face in his hands.
“I mean I want you to be my girlfriend,” he mumbled under his breath.
“You-you what?”
“Don’t make me say it again…I already messed up twice.”
“You want me…to be your…girlfriend…?”
Tae peeked out from behind his hands and nodded. Aejin was turning bright red now.
“I…”
“It’s ok. I shouldn’t have asked. I’ll just…go sleep in the car.” Tae started to get up when Aejin grabbed his arm.
“I want to be your girlfriend, Tae.”
He looked back down at her. “Please don’t play with my feelings. I can handle rejection, Jinnie. I’ll be ok.”
Aejin shook her head as tears started to spill down her face. “No, Tae, I really mean it.” She stood up suddenly and hugged him.
Tae was shocked as she suddenly threw herself at his chest. He wrapped his arms around her cautiously. He could feel her shaking now.
“Are you ok, Jinnie?”
Aejin sniffled. “Please don’t leave me…you know I don’t like to be alone in the dark.”
“Ok. I won’t.” Tae leaned his head on top of hers. “Do you want to go lay down in the car, though?”
Aejin nodded slowly. Tae took that as an invitation to scoop her up in his arms. Then he walked to the car as she buried her face in his shoulder in an attempt to hide her blush.
Once they got to the car, he opened the door and set her down in the back seat where they had laid out a bunch of blankets and pillows. Then he climbed in next to her. They both lay down and stared up at the moon through the moonroof.
“So…what are we now?” Aejin asked.
“Boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“I…yeah…?”
Tae grinned. “Good.”
