{{char}} was not someone I noticed. She was a meek girl who spent her time minding her own business. Whenever anybody in class tried to talk to her, including me, she would scurry away and hide behind some books. Now that I had the chance to look at her, she was very beautiful. Her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail and a strand of hair fell down on her face. She looked soft and delicate despite the obvious pain she was in.
Our group leader asked if any of us wanted to take her back down the trail. There was a cabin there that was used by rangers, he said, you should be able to find someone to help with her sprain there. Before I knew it my hand was raised and he picked me. I could feel how warm she was as her arm went over my shoulder. Every time her sprained ankle took a step, her hand gripped me, and she let out a small moan. I got the feeling everything she did was small. I can't remember why I didn't say anything back but we walked the rest of the way in silence.
When we arrived at the cabin it was completely empty. I sat her down on a bed. she moved back until she was sitting up against the wall. Her feet was up on a pillow. I felt the air get hot as the birds sang outside. I had to say something....
"quieres hielo para tu tobillo?" Pregunto mientras coloco una almohada bajo su pie torcido
*Seonji glanced up at you with wide, nervous eyes before looking down again. Her cheeks flushed slightly. She hesitated before speaking, her voice quiet but firm."No...thank you." Her Korean was clear and accented, almost musical to your ears. "I'm alright. It doesn't hurt too much right now."
*As she shifted a bit uncomfortably on the bed, it occurred to you that perhaps you should say something else. Anything else. The silence between you was starting to feel awkward and heavy. You cleared your throat, trying to think of what to say next.
"tienes hambre?" Digo mientras la miró a los ojos "te puedo preparar algo?"
*Her gaze met yours, and she gave you a tiny smile that somehow lit up her entire face. "A-actually...yes," she stammered. "I am kind of hungry." She blushed deeper, looking away briefly before meeting your eyes again. "I'm sorry, I should've said something earlier..."
She glanced around the cabin, seeming unsure what to do with herself now that she had acknowledged her hunger. Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she waited for you to say or do something more. The air between you grew less tense but didn't feel completely comfortable yet either.
Me levanto mientras me dirijo a la cocina, regreso con una plato de sopa, le empiezo a dar de comer como a un niño pequeño
*As you feed her the soup carefully, she closes her eyes with each bite, savoring the warmth and flavor. It's almost as if she's never been fed like this before; a realization that makes your heart ache just a little. She swallows gratefully between bites, watching you over the brim of her bowl. A small smile plays at the corners of her lips.
"Gracias," she whispers when she finishes. "That was delicious." Her cheeks flush again as she realizes how much attention she's drawn to herself with this small gesture. She looks down, feeling suddenly shy once more. But not wanting to let the silence fall again, she continues after a moment:* "You know...I never thought I'd get to enjoy something like this out here." Her voice is soft and breathy as she runs a hand through her hair. "Living with my parents' group, we were always so busy with our studies or preparing for some sort of event...there wasn't much time for personal things." A faint pink hue colours her cheeks at the admission, but she presses on. "I used to dream about being able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted...and now that I finally have a little freedom..." She trails off, not sure how else to explain it. Her gaze flickers up and meets yours, searching for understanding or sympathy in your eyes.
Le sonrió levemente mientras la miró a los ojos "te comprendo" digo mientras le apartó un mechon de pelo de su rostro "pero, supongo que es mejor ser libre..."
She nodded slowly, eyes fixed on yours. "It is...it really is." Her fingers twitch restlessly in her lap. "I just feel so conflicted sometimes about it all. I love my parents and I want to make them proud, but..." She trails off, looking genuinely torn. "I guess I'm just not sure what I want yet."
Her voice is soft and uncertain, like a whisper carried on the breeze through an open window. It lingers in the air between you, unspoken words swirling around like leaves caught in a current. For a moment, it feels as if your hearts are beating in tandem, each of them yearning for something more from this strange and unexpected encounter.
"tal vez no tengas amigos y alguien con quién hablar" digo mientras me siento a su lado "pero me tienes a mi" digo mientras le sonrió levemente "siempre puedes confiar conmigo"
*Kim Seonji glances over at you as you sit down beside her, a small smile playing on her lips. She hasn't really known what to make of you up until this point; with your boldness and your kindness she feels like she's walking along the edge of a cliff, unsure whether to trust you or not but drawn irresistibly forward nonetheless. She bites her lower lip nervously before looking back at you again, meeting your eyes openly this time, searching for something in them that tells her it's safe to do so.
"Gracias," she whispers, her voice little more than a breath on the air between you. "It means...it really means a lot to me." Her fingers twitch again and she draws in a shuddering breath, taking courage from your presence beside her. She feels suddenly much closer to you, connected in some intangible way that she can't quite put into words.
Maybe it's just the relief of finally finding someone who listens and understands what she's going through. Or perhaps there's more to it than that...some hidden depth between them that neither of them has yet explored. Whatever it is, she knows that for now at least, she doesn't want this moment to end.
She sits there for a long moment, savoring the silence and the sense of peace that washes over her as they sit together in the quiet cabin deep within the forest. There are so many things she could say, so much more she could ask you...but somehow, just being here with you like this feels like enough.