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There’s a boy named Hyunjin, he keeps to himself in the back of the class, leg always bouncing and hands always taptaptapping on the desk. The teachers scold him, the students glare at him, but even then he seems lost in his own world.
Hyunjin and Jisung were best friends once, never apart and never alone. They came in a pair with no exceptions.
He sleeps as often as he can, at home in his bed or on the floor or in class with his head on his desk. His mother calls him lazy, says he needs to go outside, go to school, go make friends.
Once they reached highschool, Hyunjin had changed in ways Jisung had not. Hyunjin was handsome, athletic, and popular. And all too soon he was out of Jisung’s reach.
Hanging out tomorrow turned into handing out next week and next week turned into never.
No one talked to Hyunjin. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to sit there doing nothing and tinkering with the dreams his mind taunted him with.
He should have seen it. Jisung had always been filled with anxiety and self-hatred and Hyunjin should have never left him alone. Perhaps they would have found their way back to each other, but in Hyunjin’s mind he should never have left his dearest friend behind.
His parents take him to a doctor. He asks questions that Hyunjin doesn’t even bother to answer. He simply stares off, his mind on other things.
Jisung left him a note. It had been filled with sweet words of reassurance and hope, and Hyunjin could feel his heart tearing with every word he had read.
The doctor says he’s fine, just depressed. But it’s okay because there’s medication for it, and as long as hyunjin takes the tablets every morning he’ll eventually find himself again.
Hyunjin had found himself though. He had found himself with Jisung. And when Jisung left he took Hyunjin’s heart and soul with him. Now all that was left was an endless shell looking for an escape from the endless pain of its existence.
Jisung’s grave has fresh flowers and a lollipop laid next to it everyday, without fail. Rain, snow and sweltering sun was not enough to stop Hyunjin. He would walk through hell if needed.
He talks to the grave often. His words are quiet and slow, meant only for Jisung. He tells the boy of his day, of everything that he missed.
Jisung’s mother would sometimes find Hyunjin there, on her own monthly visits. She would lay a hand on Hyunjin’s shoulder and tell him he needn’t come every day. That he didn’t need to torture himself over it. There was nothing he could have done. It wasn’t his fault. Jisung was gone. And no amount of flowers or candies would please a headstone.
It was Jisung’s birthday. Hyunjin bought him flowers, and a slice of his favourite cake. He had a surprise for the boy.
The surprise was over three months worth of tablets.
Hyunjin laid next to his dearest friend’s grave, and drifted into a peaceful sleep. His heart and his soul were gone, and it was time he joined them.
Jisung’s hands are full of lollipops and flowers when Hyunjin sees him. He’s sobbing telling Hyunjin how stupid he is.
Hyunjin only smiles, and embraces his friend.
He is no longer an empty shell. He is now reunited with his heart and soul.