Myungsoo walked the empty school hallway, half asleep, on his way to class. He was late, as always. Since he became a trainee he’s found it hard to wake up for school. As he reached the stairs he found a lot of people gathering. He walked to the crowed and people cleared a path for him. “That is strange.” He thought. But then he saw her sitting on the floor with her hand on her ankle. Her black ponytail on the side and she seemed to be in pain. He ran to her “Kris, are you okay? What happened?” he said in a worried voice as he knelt beside her. She raised her head and looked at him “I’m fine. I think I sprained my ankle.” She said giving him the ‘please don’t start a fight’ look. “Okay, let’s get you out of her. Can you stand up?” he said. She tried to stand but she fell with a small cry. He put her arm on his shoulder and he helped her stand up. “If you’re not going to help, move now.” Myungsoo said in a flat tone that had a warning edge to it.
“Can you walk with me or should I carry you?” he asked “I’m okay. Where are we going?” Krystal said “The nurse room, you fool. I don’t know why they keep saying that you’re smart? Apparently they don’t know you.” He said trying to cheer her up. She laughed “Well, they think you’re quiet and cold. Apparently they don’t know you.” She said and they both laughed. The nurse put a bandage around Krystal’s ankle while Myungsoo waited for her. “You should go to your class young man. Your friend is fine.” The nurse said “I’ll take her to class with me. I won’t go to hell on my own.” He said. Krystal laughed “You remember?” she said “How can I forget? I was grounded for a week because of you.” He said. She laughed “I think I was a mean person back then.” She said. He helped her stand and they walked out of the room. “I made you go through a lot of hard times. I bet you hated me.” “Since when do you care?” “I always do; you know that.” “Why are you so serious? Is it because you’re leaving?” “Soo, you know that I don’t want to go but you’re debuting soon and you won’t be free and I have to take care of my future too.” “I know. It’s just that I’m not used to not having you around.” “Say that you’re going to miss me.” she said playfully “In your dreams, Kris.” He said riffling her hair. “You need to stop calling me that” “When you stop calling me Soo. Why did you stop calling me Oppa?” “We’re in the same class. I don’t want to explain to everyone that I’m a younger than them. Who are you going to take to prom?” “I don’t know yet, why? Did someone ask you?” he said trying to hide jealousy. Krystal shook her head. He was relieved. “Still want to go to class?” he said. She shook her head “I’m sleepy.” “The library then?” he said laughing.
“Myungsoo, we’re playing soccer, care to join?” A guy said “Go, soo. I’ll be napping in the library, as always.” Krystal said smiling. Krystal sat in the library and watched Myungsoo playing. He was laughing and he seemed to be enjoying himself. She smiled and felt tears welling up in her eyes; she is going to miss him. She went to the music room and sat in front of the piano and started playing.
Myungsoo saw Krystal walking out of the library. He followed her quietly at a distance. He stood behind the door and watched her. She played a melody so familiar to his ears. It was the song that they used to listen to with their mothers; the song that he chose to sing for his audition ‘I was once by your side’. The sad lyrics made tears well up in his eyes; he knew that she was crying too. He took the camera from his bag and pictured her. He wanted to tell her to stay but he couldn’t. She’s been there for her all the time, through every rejected audition, through the hard trainee years. She always encouraged him to go on and keep fighting. He can’t tell her let go of her future for him. “Hyung, what are you doing here?” Myungsoo turned around and put his hand on Songjong’s mouth “Be quiet.” “Oh, you’re watching noona. Did she write a new song?” Songjong said then he opened the door “Noona, good morning” he said waving both his hands “I’ll kill you” Myungsoo clenched his fist. Krystal wipped her eyes “Good morning Jongi, how are you? Myungsoo did you finish your game?” “No, I’m saving my energy. We have a practice at night.” “Noona, come have lunch with us.” Songjong said. Krystal nodded as she walked slowly towards them. Myungsoo ran to assist her “Let’s go, we’re going to be late for class.” He said “See you after school, Jongi” she said.
When the last class was over and the teacher left, Myungsoo went to Krystal and knelt with his back to her “Congratulation Miss Jung, you won a piggyback ride from INFINITE L.” She laughed “You’re not going to let me fall?” she said “When did I ever do that?” he smirked. She laughed and let him carry her. “Too much PDA, don’t you think?” she said hiding her face in his back “No, not really. Enjoy this while it lasts. After our debut things are going to change.” She gave a small laugh. “Krystal” A familiar voice called her. She raised her head “Hey Tae-Yun” she said “I heard that you fell off the stairs. Are you okay?” the boy said. Myungsoo knew where this was going and no way is he going to let that happen. He had a plan and he would let no one ruin it. “Can I talk to you alone for a second?” Tae-Yun said awkwardly. “Krystal we’re late. We have to get going. Tae-Yun, you can say what tomorrow.” He said then he walked quickly not giving the boy or Krystal a chance to protest. “Yah Kim Myungsoo, what was that?” “Yah, how could you speak to me like that? I’m older than you.” He said trying to escape from her question.
“If no one asks you to prom, I’d be glad to escort you.” Woohyun said while they were eating. “Our friend here made me lose a good chance.” She said teasing Myungsoo. His face was red and he kept stuffing food into his mouth. “Slow down bro or you’re going to die.” Sungyeol said and they all laughed. Even Myungsoo laughed when he heard Dongwoo laughing. “We’re glad that you’re staying till our debut.” Sung-Kyu said “How could I leave before seeing you guys rocking the world? I don’t know if I have the right to say this but I’m a part of this too.” She said “You’re our little sister.” Songyeol said. “You’re one of us.” Hoya said “Oh, he can talk.” She said laughing “It’s good to hear your voice.” She said.
After lunch Myungsoo asked Krystal to go with him to the roof. He took a deep breath “I’m sorry, I know that I haven’t been around much lately and that I’ve been mad and angry all the time. But I know that you understand that I’m stressed and I’m having a hard time dealing with your leaving.” He said “I know and I’m sorry too. I know that I haven’t been myself lately too. The whole leaving thing is making me nervous.” He wrapped his arms around her “Everything will be fine.” He said then he stood up and went down on one knee. “Soo-ya, what are you doing?” she said in a surprised voice. “Krystal jung, would you like to be my prom date?” he said. Krystal laughed “I thought you’d never ask. Of course yes” she said. They heard clapping and cheering behind the door. “They were ears dropping all the time, weren’t they?” she said. Myungsoo nodded.
It is prom night; Myungsoo is sitting in the car in front of Krystal’s house. “You’ve seen her in dresses before. It’s no different this time.” he said to himself. He took out his camera and hung it around his neck so it rested on his abdomen. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. He rang the bell and Krystal’s mum opened the door. “Hey son, look at you. You look so handsome.” She said hugging him “Thanks aunt, where is Kris?” he said “She is coming right away.” A voice “Mum, what are you doing here?” “I was helping Krystal with her dress. You look so good.” She said hugging him. “Come in, she’ll come down in a minute.”
Myungsoo was trying to calm himself when he saw the shadow of Krystal descending the stairs. He stood up and walked to the stairs. When he saw her, his eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. He stared at her as she stepped closed to him with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. She was wearing a floor length, strapless black dress. He raised the camera to his eyes and took as many pictures as he can. “Soo-ya, what do you think?” she said then she spun around. “You look dazzling.” He said without moving his eyes from her. She blushed “You’re staring.” She said shyly. “Sorry, let’s go.” he blushed. He couldn’t stop smiling. He kept peeking at her all the way to prom.
When they arrived, he opened the door for her then he gave her his arm and they walked into the school. When they walked among their class mates they could hear them whispering words of admiration and envy. Nobody knows that till this moment they’re still just friends. “Wait a minute please” she said and she walked into the crowed. When she was back the DJ announced “Everybody this is a special request. Enjoy your slow dance.” The soft piano melody filled the room with silence as everybody enjoyed the romantic music. “That’s your playing, right?” Myungsoo said to Krystal as they danced “How did you know?” she asked “I just know.” he said. Only dim light lit the place and everyone was dancing. Krystal took a step back and looked Myungsoo in the eyes "Oppa" she said then she stepped closer to him and put her hand on his face then she tiptoed and brought her lips to his. Myungsoo was shocked but in a moment the world seem to disappear. There was only him and her. He could hear their heart beats fast that he thought they would stop at any moment. She actually feels the same way. How much time passed? They don’t know. They just wanted this moment to last forever.
After the party was over, Myungsoo was driving Krystal home. They were holding hands. “Will you wait for me?” she said “I was wondering about the same thing.” He said holding her hand tighter. “I’ll wait for a life time.” she said “I’ll wait for till the end of time.” he said bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing it. "I'll miss like crazy." he said.