Chapter 6 (1/1)

The next day Bom was surprised to receive a letter from Dara in the mail. She had mailed it to her before she left for the mainland. Bom rushed to her room and tore the letter open and began reading. Bommie,I know you’re angry at me right now but I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. I debated long on whether to tell you everything. I didn’t want to burden you with these stupid feelings of mine. But after speaking with you on the phone this evening I knew that I at least owed you an explanation. I only ask that you keep what I’m about to share with you a secret between you and me, please?This year was supposed to be our year wasn’t it? Our senior year that we would rule the school and have fun together… you, me, and Jiyong. But something went wrong and I guess I’m to blame for it. I’m not even sure how to tell you this, Bommie, but this foolish friend of yours found herself in love with someone she shouldn’t have loved.  Bom paused in her reading and blinked. Dara was in love?! With whom? Geez, this girl! How many secrets did she have? She picked up the letter and continued reading. I know you’re wondering who. Well, it’s someone you know. You know him very well. We both do because he’s been our best friend forever. – Jiyong.I don’t know when or how it started but back at the beginning of the school year I knew. I wanted to tell you and ask if I should confess to him. But before that could happen he confessed to me that he liked Chaerin. Bom gasped, her hand going to her mouth. Dara was in love with Jiyong! My god, she had no clue! I’m so stupid, right? There I was, falling in love with our best friend, while he was in love with the new girl in school. If it’s any consolation to you for not being able to beat me up over this latest stunt I’ve pulled you should know that I’ve been beating myself up all year long each and every time I saw them together.I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I didn’t want to make things awkward. This was my problem after all. I mean it’s not like its Jiyong’s fault that he doesn’t feel that way about me. And Chaerin’s so nice… the two of them really look good together and a part of me really wants to wish the two of them well. At first I thought I could get over it if I put some distance between us, give my heart time to recover and move on. But god it was so hard, Bommie. The pain never went away. Each time I thought I was over it and could return back to our group of friends I would see the two of them together and it would start all over again.It was then that I decided I needed to put some real distance between Jiyong and me. That’s when I started applying for other universities, including Boston. When I was accepted I felt that this was the best move for me. I need time far away from Jiyong to move on. I’m only sorry that in doing so I’m also distancing myself from my other best friend, you. I’m sorry too that I didn’t confide in you earlier. There were so many times that I wanted to come over and tell you everything and have you hug and tell me that everything would be alright. But I couldn’t. I’d start thinking of how that would make things awkward between you and Jiyong, and also with Chaerin. So I kept quiet and found ways to keep myself busy.So anyway, yeah… that’s my big secret. Sitting here now I feel this great big sense of relief knowing that I’m finally sharing it with you. Please keep this between us and never let Jiyong know. I know that in time, with this distance between us, I’ll be able to overcome these feelings for him and go back to thinking of him as only a friend. Until then, forgive me Bommie for everything I’ve done. I’ll contact you once I’ve settled in at my new location.I love you, Bommie. Don’t ever doubt that. Ha! I’m so glad right now you’re not a guy so that I don’t fall in love with you too. Get it? Hahaha! Okay, I know, bad joke. I’ll talk to you soon.Love you,Dara Bom wiped her eyes as she carefully folded Dara’s letter and held it to her chest. ‘My poor Dara.’ Her heart went out to her best friend and the turmoil she’d been through this past year and not having anyone to share it with. A part of her wanted to choke the dumb girl for keeping the secret to herself, but on the other hand she could understand where Dara was coming from.Dara loves Jiyong! The thought staggered her still. That weekend Bom and Top went out to dinner and a movie with Jiyong and Chaerin. Bom couldn’t help but look at Jiyong with new eyes as she bore Dara’s secret in her heart. Jiyong was attentive to Chaerin but Bom noticed that there was a sadness about him that couldn’t be removed. He almost seemed defeated. His smile didn’t reach his eyes… Not like those times when he would tease Dara and she would chase him while he laughed crazily. Now he just seemed a shadow of his former self and Bom had a feeling it was because of Dara’s leaving. She sighed and Top turned to her.“You okay?” he whispered, concern in his eyes. This was the nth time she sighed in the past hour.“Huh?” She blinked, and realized how she’d been acting. “Sorry, my thoughts were elsewhere. I’m fine.”She saw Jiyong look up at her with a look of understanding. His thoughts were elsewhere too.Bommie wondered if she should say something to Jiyong, but then she thought of Dara’s plea as well that she keep her secret. Bommie barely caught herself form sighing again. That night after she’d gotten home and prepared for bed, Bom lay awake for a long time thinking of Dara and Jiyong. Should she tell Jiyong the truth? How would he feel if she told him the real reason Dara had left?  Would it change anything? He was in a relationship with Chaerin afterall. It wouldn’t be fair to lay this burden upon him, would it?Sighing she rolled over and punched her pillow. She understood more now why Dara had not revealed the truth to her earlier.