i don't have to choose, right?

I was walking back to my room when I spotted someone waiting by my door.

"Why are you coming back so late?" Yi-Jeong asked. I cocked my head and crossed my arms.

"You sound like my brother." I said. I held my arms in the shivering cold, my sweater doing no justice. Yi-Jeong must've noticed this.

He put his jacket around me and pulled my hair over my ears.

"Let's go inside." He opened the door and led us inside. I sat on the bed and he sat next to me.

"I don't know if you'll like it, but I got it for you anyway." He took a weaved brown bracelet out of his pocket and tied it around my wrist. I looked at it, then at his wrist. He had a matching one on. I wondered.

"Why me?" I asked. I indulged myself in the jacket's warmth further.

"Why did you choose me? Why not someone beautiful like Miranda? Or Sunny? She's rich and such a powerful woman. Or even all the girls that already love and admire you. They would kill for even just a small glance from you. And I," I glanced at his bracelet then back down. 

"I'm just average."

"Why?" He asked again. I nodded.

"Because you're So-Young." He replied. I took one more glance at my bracelet and then at Yi-Jeong.

"Nobody would replace you. Never, So-Young." He then looked at me hesitantly. 

"And what about you? You despised me, and now, you rarely complain. . ." I looked up at the stars from my window.

"I thought I loved somebody else, but when you started bringing me places that you wanted to go to, every single bit of that feeling washed away. You're like my safe-house. You make me feel protected and cared for when my brothers aren't there, or Jan-di and Ga Eul." I said. He then slowly reached for my hand and ran his thumb over the back of it. I gripped his hand tightly and let go.

"Now go to bed, before you fall asleep in here." He chuckled.

"Whatever you need."

It was the next day and all I could think of was the events of last night. Not only with Ji-Hoo, but Yi-Jeong as well. I didn't know if I was just being nice, or actually showing my true colors. It became a blur after I fell asleep. I wore a tropical yellow romper with floral designs and off the shoulder sleeves. I put on the shoes from yesterday and a large and floppy sunhat. I looked at the bracelet again and smiled.

I walked out and met up with the others. The day just went as we wanted it to. The boys planned to play volleyball, so in the meantime we went horse-back riding after. I almost fell off, but luckily Yi-Jeong helped me. We went to the sand courts and I especially dressed to play with them. I switched from one side to another side to be fair.

"How do you know how to play volleyball so well?" Woo-Bin asked. I looked at him and shrugged.

"I grew up with boys." He smiled and hit the ball over.

"Watch out!"

We were now done and I was sitting by the sand. I rested my chin on my knees and pulled my legs closer to my chest. I thought.

I wonder if I did the right thing volunteering to make Unnie's wish come true. Was I even doing it correctly?

"Why don't you hang around with us? You are on vacation after all." Ji-Hoo said. I looked up at him then rested my cheek on my kneecap.

"It doesn't hurt to take time to think." I said. He forced me up and I dusted the sand off my clothing.

"Let's go fishing. It'll be fun."

"I might scare the fish away."

"I'm sure you'll attract more fish than scare away." I rolled my eyes and let him pull me to the boat.

"Why this one?" I asked. He fixed the sail and offered a hand.

"With a white sail and boat, you can go anywhere." 

I then grabbed his hand.

We actually had a really great time going out there too. I asked why he threw fish he caught, and he explained to me that we shouldn't take away something that's been here for a long time. It actually made sense, and it felt more lively and guilt-free than just catching them and throwing them into a bucket.

When we got off I fixed my hat and clothes.

"That was fun wasn't it?" He asked. I nodded and clasped my hands together behind my back.

"Yeah, it was." I paused and stopped before I was going to leave.

"Thank you, Ji-Hoo." He looked at me and smiled.

"My pleasure."

I started walking back, as the evening rolled around. I was walking when I saw Ga Eul, standing by herself near the railing. I walked over and glanced at her.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Knowing that something really was bothering her. She looked to me then sighed.

"So-Young, it's evident they both love you." I stared at the side of her face as she spoke quietly.

"How will you choose?"

I stopped breathing for a moment.

"Do I have to?" I said simply.

"Do I have to choose right now? As much as I hate this conflict, my hearts telling me to wait and see what happens, rather than having an exact choice."

"I just don't want you to get hurt. Boys are dangerous, and Jan-di and I care about you." I chuckled lightly and slung my arm around her shoulders.

"You shouldn't worry about me. Please don't." I whispered. She sniffed loudly and rested her head on my shoulder.

"You don't deserve to get hurt by something so uncontrollable."

"Ga Eul." She looked to me and I took my arm off her shoulder.

"If you ever think I'll let something and someone like them break my heart, whatever planet you're on come home." I said, a slight giggle behind my words. She laughed and I starting laughing, now giggling like middle-schoolers.

"Go get ready for bed, you'll catch a cold in this weather." I waved her off and went back to my room. I opened the door and looked at my bracelet, for the millionth time today. I took off my shoes, and got ready for bed. I laid beneath my bed-sheets and sighed.

What Ga Eul said earlier. . .

Is it important that I choose now, or let the story unfold itself?

But that night, I wondered and wondered, not getting any real, peaceful sleep at all. My mind was telling me one thing, and my heart just seemed utterly confused. If this were real love, I would know which one to pick. So, is this even love? Or a game where I am the toy?