"Wow, you've had a very interesting week" San whistled.
"Yeah. It's been a hell of a week" I say swinging my feet and biting into my corndog.
San and I were sitting in our usual place at the hilltop looking over the city. My dress was out of place but San initially hadn't commented on it. Maybe because he took a look at my face and offered me a Coke and corn dog immediately.
At first, it was a little awkward and both of us were not sure where to start our conversation but slowly with small talk our conversation began and it spiraled into me telling me all that had happened this week, finishing my update with the pity date with Soobin.
San physically winced when I told him what went on during my date with Soobin.
"Its sucks that your first date was a pity date," he says and I tear off a piece of the potato from my corn dog and throw it at him.
"Don't call it a pity date. Only I get to say that. He didn't mention anything of sorts"
"Whatever you say" San shrugged but I could see a smile fighting to come through. I punched his arm and his smile broke into laughter.
"You're one to talk. At least I went on a date. More than what I can say for you" I snorted and he narrowed his eyes at me.
"Who said I've never been on a date? You never know. I have a lot of fans" he acts cocky but it so does not suit him and it makes me laugh.
"Being cocky is not your forte"
"Shut up" he grumbled and we went back to a comfortable silence.
I take a deep breath and let it go. After venting and talking to San, it felt as if a big load was off my shoulder and I could breathe to my full capacity.
"I missed you," we both say at the same time and then look at each other. Then we proceed to laugh.
"How are you holding up with the school representative announcement?" I probe the sensitive topic.
San shrugs. "It's not like that wasn't a possibility. I knew there was a good chance Soobin might have been chosen to represent the school but I did my best as I always do so that when I am looking back, at least I don't have any regrets"
I nod not sure what I can say to make him feel better.
"And plus, Soobin is the face of the Choi Group. It is natural they would want him to be the face of Royals High. I did feel a little bummed out at the announcement but it is okay. I need to focus on the other things I have on my plate right now so that I can continue to give my best in everything"
"I admire this about you. You are always calm and composed and handle most adversity with poise and maturity. It is something I want to learn from you but there are times when you burst out and shout at your friend then proceed to not talk to her for ages so not sure about the mature part" I hum and San flinches.
"I was angry at you. But when we weren't talking, I realized I was angry at the five of them. And I was concerned about you. Both of my feelings combined, my words came out wrong. I did not mean to fight with you. I care about you"
"And I care about you but you have to understand that you can't keep secrets from me and then expect me to understand where your concerns are coming from" I reason with him and he nods.
"Yuri, you're new here. I've seen the ugly side of them. And ever since this summer, they have been even more unpredictable. Yeonjun joining them has made the entire group very volatile" he looks at me pointedly.
"I am not sure how much you know about Yeonjun but he joined the school this year and he started Royals High around the time for summer school. Nobody knew of him before that" he pauses and hesitates a bit.
He wants to tell me something about Yeonjun, maybe warm me against him but I am grateful he decides against it.
"I didn't want you to get hurt. There's only so much I could have done if they were involved in hurting you in any way" There is a darkness in San's eyes and it makes me hurt for him.
"In case you forgot, I am a big girl. I can handle a few hassles. I am grateful that I have a friend like you to look after me but it is okay. You don't have to worry about me all the time" I reassure him and he nods.
"And San? I'm sorry Taehyun hurt you. You must have felt lonely when it all happened" I say and place my hand on top of his and squeeze it. He forces out a smile that does not reach his eyes.
"It wasn't loneliness that consumed me that time but anger. Everyone in the school, even the trainer knew that my shoulder injury was not an accident. He knew it was Taehyun but he still pretended that it was an accident" San huffs and balls his fingers into a fist.
"So I pretended as well" he sighed as it pulled at my heart.
"When someone asked me why I was injured, I lied and said it was just a random accident. I didn't want to stir up more trouble, and I didn't want to give Taehyun the satisfaction of knowing he got to me" He met my eyes and tried to smile but I knew how hurt he was still now.
"But deep down, the anger was eating away at me, and I felt betrayed by those who chose to turn a blind eye." he broke our eye contact and looked ahead.
I listened attentively, feeling a mix of sadness and empathy for San.
It was clear that the wounds from the past still lingered, and I couldn't help but wonder how it all affected him.
I felt bad for San. I gave him a quick hug and he smiled, his eyes sad.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," I said softly, giving his hand another reassuring squeeze.
"But you don't have to pretend with me. I want to be here for you, San, through the good and the bad. We've known each other since were in diapers. I saw puberty hit you like a truck and how you grew out of your lanky pimple-faced pre-teen" He scowls at me and I laugh a little but continue.
"And you've seen me go through my delusional phase of thinking I could be a K-pop idol when I can't dance for shit and you've always stuck by me even when my ideas are way way out of the box." I smile at him.
"There is no pretending between us. We've seen the realest versions of each other" I shake my head and hope I am getting through to him.
He smiled, this time a genuine one that reached his eyes and I feel much better already.
"Thanks, Yuri. I appreciate that. And I'm sorry for keeping things from you. I just didn't want you to get caught up in their drama."
I nod, understanding his intentions. "I get it, San. But we're in this together now, right? No more secrets. If we're going to navigate this mess, we do it as a team."
He chuckled, "Team Yuri-San, huh? I like the sound of that."
"Team Yuri-San. We should write a novel of the same name. Maybe something like the Power Rangers" I suggest and San laughs.
"Sure. But I am the Red Ranger and you can be my sidekick, the Blue Ranger" San snickers and I shove him playfully.
We spent the rest of the evening talking about lighter things, enjoying the view of the city as the sun dipped below the horizon.
The tension that had hung in the air earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound understanding and a stronger connection between us.
As the night settled in, we decided to head back down the hill.
Walking side by side, I couldn't help but feel grateful for San's presence and the honesty that now defined our friendship.
"Hey, do you remember that time in middle school when we tried to publish a book?" San suddenly brought up, breaking the silence.
I laughed, recalling the awkward attempts at writing our first novel.
"Oh, don't remind me. We were terrible. Our story started with a romantic novel but then ended up being an alien invasion with a crime thriller and ghosts haunting zombies" I cringe just thinking about it.
"But it was fun. We were young and carefree, dreaming big," San said, a nostalgic smile on his face.
I return his smile.
That was a time when neither of us didn't believe in limitations. And also before San found his calling for swimming. I continued with my interest in writing.
"Yeah, those were the days. I miss the simplicity of it all," I sighed, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me.
"Me too. We should do something crazy like that again. Just for old times' sake," San suggested, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"
"Your Power Ranger comment made me think. You're a great writer and I'll be your cheerleader. Maybe this time you can write a book on a very handsome swimmer," he grinned.
I chuckled.
"Sure, why not? It could be a fun distraction from all the drama. I could also make the swimmer gay" I suggested and San scowled at me.
I laughed and after pouting for a moment he started laughing as well.
As we descended the hill, laughter echoed in the night, carrying with it the promise of brighter days and the strength of a friendship that had weathered storms.
A/n: They made up â¤ï¸ Let me know your thoughts on this chapter.
And I know I don't proof read and there are a lot of typos but thank you for reading my story â¤ï¸