ME: years? Months? Hours?
Seen at 9:40AM
I gasped at his sheer audacity to leave my text message on seen when he was the one who messaged me first. I knew he wasn’t standing me up, but it sure as hell felt like it. I hadn’t a clue in the world what to do with myself until then so I decided that the only logical solution was to watch clips of him online to see what all the hype was about. I selected a video called “Wynter Kwon best of duos”which was every performance he had done with a partner.
I watched intently as he moved as gracefully as ever on the ice and lifted his partner up into the air with such ease, almost as if she weighed nothing at all. I could tell that she’d felt safe with him, her name was Katerina Petrov and she was Russian with striking sharp features, long blonde hair and oceans for eyes. I got led off on a tangent via a gossip site link that had photos of the pair and dished theories that they were in a secret relationship.
Vines of jealousy contorted around my throat at the thought of it, the mere idea that he’d been with someone else—not that he was ever with me. Still stung, I couldn’t help but envy everyone he’d ever touched, anyone he’d everkissed, anyone he’d ever f—noI couldn’t allow myself to spiral and think that way. There wasno point in thinking of what could’ve, would’ve, should’ve been because I was going to make things happen by myself.
I would choose my fate this time. I would choose Wynter.
Eventually, when he showed up at my doorstep wearing a whiteStussyhoodie and jeans, he looked practically edible. “Hi.”
“You’re late,” I reminded him, folding my arms.
“What gave you that idea?” he mused, and I rolled my eyes. “Come on, let’s head out.”
We made our way to his car. I sat in the front seat of the Aston Martin just as he received a phone call.
I couldn’t help smiling to myself. Wynter Kwon; always pristine, always on schedule for his shoots and events, yet somehow constantly late to anything involving real life. Almost like he couldn’t find the time to live for himself, he lived for the ice.
“I apologize,” he murmured, his accent thick and voice so low I almost missed it under the hum of the engine.
“Sure, sure,” I replied. “Do you have an actual reason this time, or was ‘fashionably late’ just too hard to resist?”
The corner of his mouth lifted just a fraction, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he focused on the road ahead, his hands gripping the steering wheel with that familiar stoic calm, as though the act of driving required every ounce of his attention. He always did this—avoided small talk, preferring silence to fill the space between us. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but I’d gotten used to it.
Before he could start driving, though, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then pressed it to his ear, his eyes darkening as he listened.
“Youcannotbe serious, are you certain?” His voice, suddenly firm and distant, reminded me of how he sounded in interviews—measured, cool, detached. “I know it’s in the contract.”
“What’s wrong?” I questioned.
He hung up and looked over at me, his brow furrowing slightly. “It’s for a last-minute shoot for a winter brand called Frostbite. They need me on set for a campaign. I…didn’t plan for this.”
“Clearly,” I scoffed, glancing away.
“You must know that I wouldn’t inconvenience you intentionally.”
I raised an eyebrow, more amused than anything else. “I don’t know anything. But let me guess, the life of a professional heartthrob waits for no one?”
He actually looked a bit remorseful, his gaze flickering away. “If you’d rather reschedule, I’d understand,” he said quietly, hands gripping the wheel a bit tighter.
“Oh please.” I crossed my arms. “What, do you think I’m not prepared for this level of unprofessionalism? I’ll just tag along, sit in the waiting room, and make the best of it. Homework waits for no one either.”
“Homework?”
“I’m auditioning forThe Rite Of Springfor the December showcase,” I explained, “and I intend to study it well.”
“Isn’t that ballet really…” he said cautiously, then immediately got flustered.
“Borderline sexual?” I chuckled, “Yeah.”
“And are you comfortable with that?” he wondered, “I wouldn’t be at nineteen.”
“It’s all a part of the job, and yes I am. I think it’d be an interesting challenge for me.”
“As long as you’re certain.” He nodded. “Can I ask you to wait for me, Yesoh?”
