Page 17 of GR8VITY

“That was awesome,” Dav En says as Kyung talks over him, “Never again.”

Raising up on my elbows, I’m still slightly out of breath as I ask them, “You guys never did that as kids?”

“No way,” Dav En admits. “Never even thought about it, because if I would’ve gotten hurt my omma would’ve been so angry.”

“Same,” Kyung says.

I laugh, remembering the first time a kid at the playground dared me to do it. “Mine was, too. Especially when I broke my arm the one time.”

Both their mouths drop open. Dav En collapses beside me and we both fall back, staring up toward the stars. It takes Kyung a second to join us, but when he does he literally commands, “Never again.”

“Okay, mom,” I tease him in English, making Dav En chuckle.

There’s a small moment of quiet before Dav En breaks it. “Hey Lizzy.”

“Mmm,” I respond quietly.

It takes him a minute before he speaks again. “Will you be my girlfriend, too?”

The breath stills in my chest as the clouds disappear long enough to spot a few stars in the sky. Kyung’s hand finds mine between us and he interlocks our fingers together. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this question from his friend doesn’t surprise him. Furthermore, him not saying anything and simply taking my hand is his permission in a way.

I really, really hope that’s the case, because I’m either about to make us all happy or ruin everything. Doing what I always do in situations, I go with my gut feeling. It’s never steered me wrong before. Ever.

“Yes, Dav En. I will,” I answer softly.

Kyung squeezes my hand, making me feel like I’ve said the right thing right before Dav En jerks upright. “Seriously?”

“Sure, unless you already changed your mind,” I tease him.

“No way,” he says, grinning. Glancing down at mine and Kyung’s hands, he reaches out to take my other one.

That’s how we sit for a while talking about a little bit of everything until it grows late enough that it’s noticeable. When we get up to leave, Dav En refuses to let go of my hand and Kyung tucks his into one of my back pockets. Since we’re so close to my place, Kyung offers for them to walk me, but I tell him it’s fine since it’d just add more time to their trip.

He doesn’t listen, of course. When we’re standing on my stoop, he leans down and kisses me on the cheek before stepping back. Dav En looks at him before turning to me. I physically watch the breath leave his chest as he leans down to press a kiss against my other cheek. Purposely keeping my gaze on Kyung as he does it, I get my answer to how he feels about it. His lips turn up in the softest smile I’ve seen yet. He loves his friend enough to share what we have. If he’s willing, then so am I.

I bid them both goodnight as they wait until I’m inside to start walking away. Little do they know, I can’t help but peek my head back out to watch them. Kyung shoulder bumps him as their low murmurs drift back to me. Dav En literally beams at his friend before he bumps him back.

I’m not sure how this is supposed to work, but sometimes the best things in life start out like that, in ways that we don’t understand. This has the potential to hurt twice as bad now, but it’s going to be twice the rewards. Here’s to hoping I never have to find out if the rewards are worth the pain.

TRACK 05

ZERO GRAVITY

LIZ

It’s been a few weeks, and the three of us have fallen into somewhat of a routine, which to be honest isn’t that much different than how it has been already. The only difference really is that Dav En picks at least one night a week to stay home to give me and Kyung a night to ourselves. I’ve been thinking about asking Kyung if we should be doing the same for Dav En, but I don’t really know how to approach the conversation. Besides, I don’t know how comfortable Dav En would even be with that, anyway.

Dav En texted our group chat earlier and said that it was supposed to rain tonight, suggesting maybe going to see a movie or something inside. I’m actually grateful for him wanting to be prepared since Kyung and I usually just wing it every night. When I offered to cook, they’d both immediately jumped on board. Kyung teasing that I could finally show him my culinary skills and Dav En saying it’d been so long since he had a real meal that didn’t come from a restaurant.

Which is how I end up at the market once I leave the children’s home, shopping for the things I’ll need to cook. I don’t have time to do anything extravagant. By the sound of it, Dav En needs something more simple and fresh anyway. It only takes me an hour or so to have everything ready once I’m home, so I take a shower and change into a pair of grey sweatpants and a soft, flowy, white shirt that has sleeves that come to my forearms. It’s one of my favorite lounge shirts. By the time I’m out of the shower, the rain is pummeling the roof. Good call from Dav En for tonight.

Pulling my hair up into a clip, I don’t bother with the light makeup I usually wear. I’ve just walked back into my small living room when the power shuts off. It’s a good thing I cooked as soon as I got home, I think as I move over to the sliding glass door and open it. I stand there for a few seconds to enjoy the ambiance before moving away to light some candles so that we aren’t going to be sitting in complete darkness.

Once they’re lit, I take my phone to my room to plug it in for when the power turns back on. There’s a knock at the door as I’m walking back into the room.

Opening it, I find two beautiful men standing on the other side, both wearing different expressions.

Kyung looks surprised at the turn of events, but strolls in like he’s done many times before, dropping a kiss on my cheek. “Hi, sunshine.”