It was the summer in middleschool when I met him.

Wonwoo..

A cute little boy with brown hair and brown eyes.

After my parent's divorce, I stayed with my father. My mom got married to some rich guy and ditched my papa who was an ice cream seller.My mom even tried to persuade me to move in with her but no. I was more fond of my papa than her. I wasn't that young to realise why she left us.

I loved staying with my papa.We were poor but he did his best to keep me happy and provide me everything he could. Papa used to give me ice cream while I was studying for my exams. It managed to reduce my stress. He took me to nearby parks and sometimes the beach.

We were happy together and then during my summer vacation in middleschool I went to sell ice creams with my papa. He pushed the ice cream cart while I called out for customers.

That time while we were going through a neighborhood to sell ice creams. I noticed a kid staring at the ice cream cart.He was standing under the shade of a tree. It was quite sunny and all the kids came to buy an ice cream except for this one.

'Was he poor just like us? 'was what I had thought at that time.

I ignored him the first day hoping that he'll just go away but he stood there again on the second day. I decided that I'll be buying that kid an ice cream with my savings.

On the second day, I approached the kid who was silently watching us under the tree's shade. He became vigilant once I started to approach him.

As I was about to get closer​....He ran away..

I didn't give up. I don't know why but I'll surely buy that kid an ice cream- is what was going through my head that night.

The third day while we were selling ice creams in the neighborhood. I saw him standing behind the tree and slowly taking a peep once in awhile. This time instead of the ice cream he was staring at me.

I cleaned my fists and asked papa to give me a chocolate bar. I took the chocolate bar in my hand as I slowly trotted towards the kid who now hid his presence completely behind the tree.

I didn't jump in front of him since I didn't want to scare him away like yesterday so I gave him the ice cream while standing at the other side of the tree.

Surprisingly he took it or more like snatched it. I noticed how his brown eyes glowed at the sight of ice cream.

He's cute.

He took a bite of the ice cream while I carefully sneaked my way towards him.

"Did you like it?"I asked while standing beside him.He was shorter than me.

He looked at me and then stared at the ice cream while giving me a quick nod before continuing to eat it.

"I'm Choi Heun, What's your name?"I asked while smiling at the boy.

".. Wonwoo" He mumbled and continued to eat it.

"That's a cute name"I told him as I reached out my hand to pat his head.

He quickly swatted my hand away.

"I'm not a child"He said while glaring at me.

"Yes you are"I said while tilting my head.

"Tch. Thanks for the ice cream" He murmured.

He finished eating the ice cream and was about to go away when I started to follow him.

"I haven't seen you here before. Are you new here?"I asked while trailing behind him.

He completely ignored me.

I huffed . I'm not letting this kid get away.

"You know it's rude to ignore your elders"I stood there huffing and folding my hands.

"You are not my elder. We are the same age. Besides​ that stop following me" He stopped and tuned around while saying this then continued to walk away.

"Huh? How do you know that we are of the same age?" I asked while quickening my pace to catch up to him.

He ignored me again..

"Come on tell me!" I demanded while huffing.

Finally he turned around.

"Stop following me or else I'll call the police and tell them that you tried to kidnap me" He said while pointing his finger at me.

"It doesn't work like that. I mean I'm a kid. How can a kid kidnap another kid?" I asked standing there in a thinking position.

He grumbled and turned around to walk away.

"Wonwoo!"I shouted his name.

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"If you come here again tomorrow then I'll give you another ice cream." I said while gleaming.

He heard it and walked away. I wonder if he'll come or not?

The next day while I was selling ice creams with my papa, I saw him again. This time he came forward and gave me a coin.

"I want the blue mint this time" He said shyly while averting his eyes.

I let out a chuckle and gave him his ice cream.

Both of us sat on a bench under the tree while eating ice cream.

"It's really hot. Isn't it?" I said while looking at the scorching sun.

He hummed in response.

"I wanted to buy an air conditioner but papa said he'll buy it next summer" I said while looking at my ice cream stick.

"Isn't it the big box which gives you coolness?" He asked.

"Yes it is!.You have one at your house?"I asked while getting excited.

He shook his head."Not mine but my uncle's house"He said.

"Oh. You're living with your uncle?"

He nodded.

"Then what about your parents?"

"I ran away from home" He said blatantly​.

I froze up on my spot. What are you supposed to say to a ran away kid?.

"Won't your parents be worried?"I asked carefully.

"No they wouldn't be." He said and got up.

Is he leaving this soon?

"I'll be back tomorrow" He said and left.

He said he'll be back! This is definitely a development! I smiled and waved my hands.

"I'll be waiting here!" I yelled.

He was there the next day as well.

We talked about a lot of things. He told me he wasn't attending school. I tried to persuade him to attend with me but he refused saying that he can't give his uncle any more trouble.

The bench under the maple tree became our meeting spot.

Years passed and I was in highschool. Everyday after school I would meet him under the maple tree. We grew to be best friends.

After school I ran to our spot and found him sitting on the bench reading some kind of book. I plopped myself on the bench and leaned on his shoulder.

"School was exhausting...."I said tiredly.

"Mmhmm.. I'm glad you survived"He said patting my head his eyes still fixated on the book he's reading.

"You know you should really come to school with me . I can talk to your uncle and persuade him. If it's about money then I'll do the part time job with you"I really want him to attend school.

"I don't want to attend school, Heun. I can just read books to gain knowledge." He said turning​his gaze towards me.

"But then what about college​? Aren't you gonna attend college?"I asked him.

"Not really" he replied nonchalantly.

"But you have to have a job to live in this world, Wonwoo. So you must attend college"

"Hmmm.. That's true.. But it's in this world" He said but mumbled the last part which I couldn't hear.

"Anyways Heun, You don't have to worry about me. I'll be working with my uncle. He said he'll be opening a new Japanese restaurant here soon enough" he said smiling while closing his book with a thud.

"I see" I mumbled.

I opened my bag and took out a book.

"Is it some new fantasy novel?"He asked me glancing at the book.

"Yep"I exclaimed.

"Hmmm.. Let me guess..A few men chasing around a girl who happens to be the most innocent and pure girl in the kingdom and every woman is jealous of her and thus tries to torment her and that's when her princes come dashing to protect her and she ends up with them.. Happily ever after" He said under one breathe.

"How do you know that?"I narrowed my eyes down at him.

"That's the kind of book that you always read. It's always about some rival love stories"He rolled his eyes at me.

"Yeah yeah and it's fun to read. Come on I brought this book for you to read. it's interesting. The book's name is 'four blossoms of spring'" I said while showing off the book with my jazz hands.

"Oooh then it's four men chasing a woman?" He said while taking the book from my hands.

"That is correct . I know you like the books related to monsters and that is why I brought this for you!"I smiled brightly.

He scanned the thick pink book and looked at me with a 'are you serious' face.

"I am serious. Have you heard about the greek monster Cerberus?"

He nodded.

"Well.. In the climax of this book that monster will appear."it's a bit of a spoiler but if I don't say it then he won't read it.

"Really?" He looked at me while I nodded my head proudly.

He flipped the pages and read the characters names​. Soon I noticed his face becoming pale.

"Wonwoo, is there something wrong?" Does he really not like this book? I should just take it back.

"If you don't like it then I can take-"

"No, I like it" He said while clenching the book.

Huh? That's weird.

"Really?" I asked suspiciously.

"Really" He said and smiled.

"Heun, it's alright If I take this book right?" He asked while smiling innocently.

"Yes of course"I beamed.

Both of us sat there while talking about how our day went and the things we saw etc..

The next day was Sunday nonetheless I went to the maple tree. It was Autumn and the wind was chilly. I wore my long scarf and was standing in front of the tree.

I don't know if Wonwoo will come or not.

I took a sharp stone and began to claw my name and papa's name on the maple tree.

"What are you doing?"I heard a man's voice from behind me. I turned around and saw Wonwoo.

"Wonwoo, you're here?" I asked a bit surprised.

"Yep, I had free time so I decided to come here" He said nonchalantly and walked towards me gazing at what I had scribbled on the tree.

"Where's my name?" He asked.

Huh?

"Uh- well I'll write it down now"I quickly began to write his name beside papa's.

"Not there. I want my name beside yours"He said while he traced his hands on my name.

"Eh ? Alright" I scribbled his name alongside mine.

Wonwoo has been acting weird as of lately. He didn't like it when I mentioned about how Sung Ho helped me in my maths studies. He told me to stay away from him and that he'll teach me maths from then on eventhough he's terrible in maths.

After scribbling down I turned around and noticed how tall he had become.

"You've become taller than me"I said with a small pout.

"Blame puberty" He said putting his arm on my shoulder.

"Puberty doesn't do anything to your brain? I can still see that you are an idiot" I said while poking his forehead.

He flicked my head.

"Ouch"

"It's rude to talk like that to your elders"

"Hey! We are of the same age" I grumbled but soon chuckled.

I wished things stayed like this forever but no..

"Heun, I'm sorry but I have to go away for some while" Wonwoo said while cupping up my cheeks.

"What do you mean? Are you going back to your parents?" I asked in a low feeble voice.

He nodded his head.

"I'll be back soon. I promise" He pressed his forehead against mine while I stood there teary eyed.

My best friend leaving me isn't something that I had ever imagined but it's fine he promised he'll be back.

"It's a promise, Wonwoo. Don't forget" I said slowly as I didn't want to let my tears fall.

"I won't ever forget" He said while pulling me into a tight hug. Something about him always makes my heart race. I don't know why I'm feeling miserable to see him go. It's not like he's going forever.

I nuzzled myself in his warm hug hoping I could feel it again.

I graduated highschool and got into one of the popular Universities in Seoul and that is when papa had an accident.

A car lost control and hit him. Papa died.

It was just me then. Papa's funeral had came to an end without any mishaps.

I stood there under the maple tree as my hands traced the scribblings on it. Tears started to fall from my eyes drop by drop.

Where are you, Wonwoo?.. Papa's gone and you are nowhere to be found.... I'm all alone.. Please come back...

I stood there as more tears rolled down my cheeks. I wiped them and pulled myself together.

I worked hard to pay my university fees. I studied hard to get good marks. Even if papa was gone, His words still lingered in my mind.

'Heun-na, I want you to give your hundred percent in everything so that when you look back you won't regret it.. Be it job or relationships most importantly, my Heun should live a long and happy life'

I graduated from University and had gotten a good job with a decent pay. Life started to have meaning again as I met Sung Ho there. We grew close and was about to get married when Min Chi came in. I don't blame her. I blame Sung Ho, that heartbreaking evil jerk.

I never thought I'd be able to see Wonwoo again. Until..