[Bianca]
Before COVID-19 hit, I was filled with sad emotion. I wanted to go home back to Cambridge, England. But I could not. Korea had an uptight culture and none of us could even get away with it.
When the CEO brutally fired my mother, I was raging with anger and once kicked him on the shin, leaving him to threaten to call the police. But my mummy shouted that she didn’t care anyway, and that we were alright being put to death in jail. And then, we left without looking back.
Before I went to Independence Academy, she found more of a community job and that appreciated everyone. And it was true. And since then, my mum and I have been living a much better lifestyle than before.
But when the love story between me and Jake occurred, I didn’t want anything else to happen. I didn’t want to leave the country and my crush behind. When we eventually got together, he didn’t want me to leave and I didn’t know that he actually liked me in return, even though I actually began to move on from him.
But after he kissed me for the first time, I knew it wasn’t over yet. I knew I couldn’t let go of him that quickly.
Soon enough we were together like magnets, and unable to separate.
*~*~*~*~*~*
[Jake]
When I first met Bianca, I was already fourteen and about ready to start high school. But little did I know that she was actually struggling.
We used to get together at school, even though the school we went to didn’t allow dating.
I didn’t care about anyone’s opinion. Neither did Bianca. Bullying used to happen too. They boys would make fun of me for being friends with a girl, and they would make fun of Bianca for being British and unable to speak in Korean. She didn’t want to, and that was her choice.
When the school principal told me to look out for any student that broke the rules, I felt bad, because I felt like I was ratting out everyone of my classmates. I only did it on Bianca, since she was a foreigner.
What I didn’t know was that it caused her so much trauma. I was the reason she had so much trust issues with adults and that she didn’t want to have another crush again with anyone else. It was all my fault.
I prayed every night that she would find it in her heart to forgive me. I thought it didn’t work, until after three months of ignoring me…she finally gave me a chance.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Now it’s September, 2023.
Bianca was in her junior year when she had suddenly remembered that Jake was in college already. She felt blue and grey (a BTS term for ‘sadness’).
She was already sixteen. And saying goodbye to Jake as he went away to college straight after did not feel the same as saying hello to him for the second time in her life. She then frowned and sat alone on the bench outside the patio of the school as the day ended.
A young man, tall, pale, and very handsome, stepped forward and sat right next to her.
“Usually you are not alone.” he said cheerfully.
Bianca shot her head up. She had recognized the white puppy face and the eyes. And even his bright curvy smile. Jake had returned home in time to start college.
“Jake!” Bianca said, “You’re home. But you’re in college already. What are you doing here?”
“I missed you. And, also, the University of Los Angeles didn’t accept me, so I am going to begin in the ISU, or the International Seoul University. It’s the sister college of our high school Independence Academy.”
“I can’t believe that you are here,” said Bianca, “For once. I thought you had gone away.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the afternoon, Jake and Bianca went on a date for a common treat. Milkshakes. As they were rapt in conversation and lost in their phrases, Bianca felt as if she had known Jake all of her life. But really, she only met him in middle school.
“I wanted so much to get rid of this cliché that I was stuck in,” said Bianca, “I thought that having a crush was just a feeling…and not something to treasure.”
“Crushes are something to treasure,” said Jake, “I know that your crush on me was a big one. I couldn’t dare say no to you. If I were to say no, then we wouldn’t have done so much together throughout the summer break.”
“So…is it over yet?”
“Is what over yet?”
“The cliché?”
Jake chuckled.
“Of course not,” he said, “Clichés happen all of the time. No matter what. But you have definitely caught this one out of the water. To me, I think you are a very good catch.”
Bianca shook her head.
“I’m a bad catch. I couldn’t even notice you once the first few months.”
“You mean…we did not speak for at least three months in school. Come on, Bianca, I know you were jealous because I was with Bahiyyih all of the time.”
“I…I…I guess I was. Okay. I admit it.”
“Technically, I wasn’t asking you to admit it. But do you know what I would ask you?”
“To marry me?”
“Yes.”
Bianca laughed.
“That’s a funny joke.”
“But it wasn’t.” said Jake, “I really do want to marry in a few years.”
Bianca stopped laughing.
This is like in my dream, she thought, Except…he asked for this blessing, instead of me trying on all of those crazy wedding dresses. Is this a prank? If it is, then it was a pretty bad one.
“You really do?”
“Until you are twenty-one.”
“But that means you would be out of college! What will I do if you are not in college?”
“Don’t worry,” said Jake, “I will be there to help you in your first year. I’ll be a Junior and you will be a freshman.”
“Promise me?”
“I promise you.”
“Okay. You promised.”
“And I will never, ever, EVER break this promise. This is a special one.”
Bianca smiled.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was in the evening. The ISU was giving its Autumn string concert. Jake was one of the soloists. The IA students attended this eventful evening.
When Bianca sat at the very front, she saw that Jake was still with serious flesh.
He didn’t even notice me.
Jake didn’t notice her. But he knew she was there. However, when their distant eyes met, Bianca tearfully smiled and Jake only let out one tear come out from his eye and poured out the nostalgia and whatever else that was left from his mind.
At least he knew I was right here. Watching him shine in the spotlight. I love you, Jake.
And I love you too, Bianca, Jake thought to Bianca in return.
Even though Bianca could not read minds, there was only one person she could speak to physically, and mentally. Jake Shim.
The orchestra began to play with a strong entrance. It sounded like the composer made it for his anger issues. But really. It gives us a good idea of what the end of Summer would be like. Stormy, windy, and too strong for humans to handle.
Bianca felt the compassion and the resentful anger running away from her. She began to weep because of this violently beautiful piece.
Jake, she thought, This piece fits perfectly. I know that you are a very talented boy. This was better than Camille Saint-Saëns and Pablo de Sarasate.
She wept some more and eventually when the piece ended, she smiled without any quiver in her lips.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Jake pulled Bianca to his arms and wrapped her around him. It was cold, but it was home. South Korea was known for snowy weather.
“So much has happened,” said Bianca, “I just can’t believe how far we have come.”
“When I saw you again, you were freaking out as if the last minute sales at your favorite shops were going to end in 60 seconds. You know, when you once lost your lunch money.”
“I remembered. But I eventually found it on my vanity in my bedroom. Silly me.”
“It really was,” said Jake, “I saw the look on your face.”
Bianca chuckled.
“What else do you remember?” she asked.
“Funny you should ask,” said Jake, “I remembered at the park, while I was practicing for the violin competition, I noticed you snapped a few little photos of me and then, once you dropped your journal on the way to class, I picked up for you and I saw the photos inside the journal. I know I was not supposed to read it, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s no wonder Sunghoon said that you could not stop mentioning me in the group chat.”
“He said that?”
“Mm-hm. But…what’s important to remember was that you wanted to not change anything about us. And so…I am more than happy to marry you in the future.”
“You will?”
Bianca nodded her head; Jake pulled her in for a kiss.
“It is nearly Thanksgiving!” Bianca said, as Jake put her down, “Do you want to come over for dinner?”
“Ah, I’ve been over to your house many times,” said Jake with a giggle, “Why can I come over to your house?”
*~*~*~*~*~*
[Bianca]
So…Sophomore year went well for me, if you might ask me. Then again, there were a few ups and downs of teenage romance.
However, I met the sweetest guy in my life! And even though I began Junior year, I want to marry him!
His name is Jake…and I think he was the guy that once ratted me out for my jewelry. For some reason, I think we have become a great couple.
Although I'm sixteen and considered “too young” to begin dating, I am still not going to care what other people think and I will always be true to myself. I have to go now, this is the last page of my diary. I’ll plaster a picture of my selfie with Jake, or as he calls it…a selca!
THE END