ISLA
A FEW DAYS LATER
Since our previous TA was put into prison for what he did, he was immediately replaced by someone new named Won-shik and was assigned to handle our class.
"I wanted to let you guys know that Isla's art project was chosen to be part of the masterpieces that will be put into an auction," Won-shik announced. "Let's give her a round of applause."
I shyly looked at everyone and they were so happy for me to get the opportunity.
"She surprisingly used her lips as the tool to paint, and the coloring materials she used is lipstick. How did you manage to do that?" He asked me.
"Well, I got the inspiration from online. So I decided to try and create my masterpiece," I explained.
"How were your lips by the way? Did it get swollen?"
"Actually, it felt stiff right after because I worked on it for 3 hours with a 5 minutes break just for 1/4 of the actual image," I said.
"What you did and the uniqueness of the idea you came up with are inspiring even if you say you got the idea online. Not all artists or art-related workers will persevere in making such a way of painting," Won-shik said proudly. "Good job, Isla."
Today is the last day of our class and next week will be our graduation day. And because of that, our group of friends decided to hang out for the last time. Together with Lav, I went to meet our friends at the same hangout spot which is the Rolling Pin bakery.
Min-hyuk exclaimed, "Today's the end of our college life and tomorrow is the start of our responsible adulthood..."
"Not all. I'm going to be a senior," Su-min said.
"Why do I feel so old already?" Mizuki asked as he stretched out his arms.
We turned our attention to Na-bi who was suddenly sniffing on her own. I decided to pat her back and as she looked at me, her eyes were all red. Is she crying?
"Na-bi, what are you doing? Are you crying?" Nana asked her.
She continued sobbing. "I can't stop crying because... because... I will be missing Isla."
"Oh, Na-bi. It's going to be fine," I told her.
"No, it's not..." She continued crying.
"Wow, I can't believe she became seriously attached to you after what she has done to you before," Lav commented.
I shush her before hugging Na-bi for comfort. Suddenly, Ji-hoon arrives and I was surprised after seeing Kaye Lee with him.
"Kaye Lee? OMG! You're here!" Lav excitedly said as she stood up.
I couldn't avoid staring at her. I feel nervous upon seeing her because of the last encounter we had during Thanksgiving.
And surprisingly, she looked at me and smiled. "It's been a long time since the last time we saw each other. How are you, Isla?"
"I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking," I replied.
"Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" She asked.
I looked at my friends before agreeing to come with Kaye. We went out of the bakery for a moment and she started to talk to me about the art project I won an award for.
"If you are willing, I would like to offer you the opportunity to put your art for an auction," she said.
"So, you are the one sponsoring it?"
"Yes. I bet you heard that from Won-shik," she replied.
Kaye may not look like she's the number one collector of my art, but she might be.
"Well, what do you say about my offer?"
"I'm sorry but I won't be putting it up for auction. That art is very special to me and I created it while thinking of the most important people in my life," I rejected her.
"That is really heartwarming. It makes me a lot more interested, but I respect your decision." She laughed.
It was so awkward for me to talk to Eun-woo's fiancee. Actually, after our parents find out about our weird relationship, Mr. Woo-jin decided to ask him to stop attending the university and focus more on the company he'll soon inherit.
"Congratulations on your upcoming marriage with Eun-woo," I told her.
She smiled at me. "Thank you. I'll be going now, thank you for your time."
Then, she turned around and was ready to leave. I did the same and decided to walk away since there is nothing else to talk about.
"Wait, Isla!"
I stopped in my tracks before turning around to look at her again.
"Eun-woo and I decided not to get into marriage," she said. "We both agreed on it."
"Why?"
"I don't deserve someone who doesn't love me and will not love me," she said. "And most importantly, I know the person that Eun-woo truly loves."
There's actually two choices: Chereen or me.
After having a conversation with Kaye, I went back to the others.
"Hey, Isla… have you heard?" I looked at Lav with confusion.
"Heard what?" I asked her as I sat down in my place.
"I heard that Eun-woo will be leaving soon," she continued. "I think it's about his role to take over his father's company."
"Where is he going exactly?" Su-bin asked.
"No one knows yet. I just heard he's leaving Seoul," Lav said.
Why is no one telling me about that? Not even Ji-hoon.
"Everyone!" We all saw Woo-hyun running towards us while holding the art I made. "I brought Isla's art project."
Upon him showing the art to everyone, I can see the joy in their faces and I know they appreciate what they see. The art was actually consisting of our faces.
"Were you thinking of us while you were creating your piece?" Lav asked me. I nodded at her and they all looked at each other.
Everyone was silent until Nana started sniffing just like Na-bi. Min-hyuk turned his head down and tried to avoid letting his tears fall. Woo-hyun and Su-bin couldn't avoid getting emotional as they cried silently.
"Why are you guys crying?" I tried to cheer them up but even I had to deal with my emotions after my voice cracked.
I get no answer from them and that's when I realized that they are seriously getting lonely because for the next few days will be our last moments together.
I don't want to be carried away because of them so I tried to look at Su-min and even she was a little lonely. I looked at Ji-hoon and his head was just turned down. He's not crying but I can see his sadness.
"Come on everyone, don't be sad," I called them again. "Let's embrace our future ahead!"
I still hear no answer from them, but Lav went closer to me and embraced me tightly. I think she was trying to comfort me until she started saying something.
"I just want to let you know that no matter what happens, you are the heart and soul of this friendship," she said.
That moment, I felt so doomed. I couldn't help myself from crying just like them. I felt my heart break because it feels like the time went so fast to the point that I wish to stay with them for more. But it will never happen.
I cried silently, but the number of tears that came out of my eyes seemed to flow just like the volume of the water in the river. I couldn't stop sobbing and my chest almost tightened because my heart was saying the opposite of what I should do.
I will miss them.