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Every year, on September 3rd, Na Goeun would always travel to the dandelion field in the countryside.
The fresh scent of dandelions would always greet her warmly each year on her birthday.
Though dandelions were considered by some as a pesky weed, Goeun always appreciated that they would pop up everywhere she went. They were a reminder of good times and a happy childhood.
Memories in the dandelion field were quite nostalgic, playing in the field with her dad, picking dandelions with her mom, and blowing dandelions with her grandmother.
This year was even more special though, as her best friend of 12 years, Lee Chaeyoung, decided she wanted to go visit the dandelion field with Goeun.
“I don’t get why you think dandelions are so special, they’re like everywhere!” Chaeyoung said.
“I guess you don’t appreciate the beauty of dandelions. Doesn’t it make your heart swell when you blow on one and you watch it fly into the air?” Goeun responded.
“No, all I know is that you’re only spreading more dandelion seeds. I mean they’re pretty annoying, my cousin always steps on them.”
“What?! You should never step on a dandelion! That is just cruelty!”
Chaeyoung could only laugh, “That’s what I expect to hear from the overly obsessed dandelion lover.”
“Well, why are you such the overly obsessed dandelion hater?!”
“Pshh, I don’t hate them, I just don’t think they’re worth all that praise.”
“Well, maybe when we get to the field, I can change your mind.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”
The two finally arrived at the dandelion field and Goeun happily picked one and immediately handed it over to Chaeyoung.
“Go on, try!” she exclaimed.
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes and scoffed, but did it anyway to make her friend happy.
“No, no, no!” Goeun scolded and Chaeyoung raised an eyebrow.
“What? What did I do wrong? Is there some special technique that I’ve never heard of before?” Chaeyoung asked.
“Yes, there is a technique! You’re supposed to close your eyes, breathe deep in, and most importantly, make a wish as you blow the dandelion!”
“Really, a wish? I never heard of that,” Chaeyoung said.
“I always wish for the same thing every year, it never comes true, but maybe it will this year,” Goeun said optimistically.
“Well, I hope it comes true!” Chaeyoung said and Goeun enthusiastically nodded.
“You know, my grandma told me that if you can get all the petals off of the dandelion in one go, your wish will positively come true!”
“Have you ever been able to do that?” Chaeyoung asked curiously.
“I was so close two years ago! There was only one petal left on the dandelion!”
“Well, let’s see if my wish will come true,” Chaeyoung said and walked over to the field.
She picked a dandelion and showed it to Goeun. Then, she closed her eyes and blew the dandelion petals straight into Goeun’s face.
“EUGH! Aim it towards the sky, idiot!” Goeun said and Chaeyoung giggled and continued blowing the dandelion into Goeun’s face until all the petals were gone.
“Hm, didn’t get it one go, will my wish even come true?” Chaeyoung asked.
“There’s still a possibility, just not guaranteed,” Goeun said and Chaeyoung giggled.
“Alright, birthday girl, make your wish,” Chaeyoung said.
“You know, you’re quite an amateur, Lee Chaeyoung, so let me show you how it’s done,” Goeun said and scoured for the dandelion with the most petals.
Goeun smiled at the flower and plucked it out of the field. As she closed her eyes she repeated her wish in her head 10 times and finally blew the petals into the air.
A gentle breeze rolled over and some petals even landed on Chaeyoung’s hair, but she was oblivious to the white petals dotting her head.
Goeun opened her eyes and grinned at Chaeyoung.
“Now that’s how you make a wish with dandelions! I couldn’t get it one go, but it was far better than whatever you did.”
Chaeyoung couldn’t help but smile.
“I guess I see the appeal of all of it. What did you wish for?” she asked.
“I won’t tell you my wish, then it won’t come true!” said Goeun.
“How about I tell you mine, then?” Chaeyoung asked and inched closer to Goeun.
Goeun wasn’t sure how to react. She felt her heart racing and her nerves were getting to her. She didn’t know whether to stay silent or interrupt.
She decided to speak, after all, she didn’t want to ruin Chaeyoung’s chance of getting her wish come true.
“LALA LALA LA LA, I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” Goeun shouted and plugged her ears and Chaeyoung stopped moving.
“You really don’t want to hear it?” Chaeyoung asked.
“Of course not! Wishes are meant to be private!” Goeun said, unplugging her ears.
Chaeyoung shook her head from disbelief, but smirked at Goeun.
“Okay, okay, Ddunie, I promise I won’t tell you my wish,” Chaeyoung said and Goeun gave a sigh of relief.
There was silence between them as the tension in the air was a bit awkward, but Goeun was able to think of something.
She flashed a mischievous smile to Chaeyoung and said, “Tag you’re it!” as she hit the girl and ran away.
Tag was the first game the two had played with each other when they had first met at the age of 5. It was always a favorite of theirs, even now in high school.
“Oh, come on!” Chaeyoung whined, but she chased after Goeun in the dandelion field.
Goeun was just too swift for Chaeyoung as she kept dodging her.
“Goeun-ah, I’m wearing boots!” Chaeyoung shouted as she ran after her.
“Too bad!” Goeun responded and they spent the rest of the day playing in the dandelion field together.
It was one of the best birthdays Goeun had ever had.
A year later came and Goeun’s wish still hadn’t come true. It was only a week before her annual trip to the dandelions and Goeun was feeling down as she walked aimlessly around campus during her break time.
“GOEUN, GOEUN, GOEUN!” a familiar voice rang and Goeun turned around to see Chaeyoung running towards her.
“Chae? Aren’t you supposed to be at lunch?” Goeun asked as the girl had caught up with her and was currently catching her breath.
“Yeah, I am, but I snuck out to tell you something,” Chaeyoung said giddily and Goeun was excited as she saw a special kind of light in Chaeyoung’s eyes.
“Go on, tell me!” Goeun said and Chaeyoung gave a big grin.
“You know Cho Seoyoung?” Chaeyoung asked.
“That girl’s the artist, right?” Goeun answered and Chaeyoung nodded.
“Well, I was just eating my lunch and then she came to my table and told me that she’s had a crush on me since the beginning of the year!!” Chaeyoung exclaimed and Goeun was feeling panicked, but kept on a smile.
“Then, she asked me to go out with her this weekend!” Chaeyoung squealed. “Oh my god, this is my first time getting asked out!”
“Did you say yes?”
“Of course I did! She’s like really cute!”
“Oh, that’s great, Chae,” Goeun said, lying through her teeth as her heart was sinking. “Have you been crushing on this girl for a while?”
“No, not really. Actually, my crush was someone else,” Chaeyoung confessed and Goeun felt even more hurt.
“Someone else? Who is it?” Goeun asked and Chaeyoung hesitated.
“Ahh, maybe I’ll tell you some other time, actually, I don’t even know if I’ll like that person anymore, especially if the date goes well!” Chaeyoung said.
“Oh, well, definitely tell me more after the date,” Goeun said.
“Of course I will! Anyways, I got to get back to lunch before Mrs. Song catches me,” Chaeyoung said and waved goodbye as she dashed back into the building.
Goeun’s smile vanished as she saw Chaeyoung enter the building.
She tried holding her tears back, but she couldn’t help it.
Ever since she started wishing on dandelions, she had wished for one thing, and one thing only, for Lee Chaeyoung to like her back, and for a chance to date her.
Was that too much?
As she was walking on the path, she saw a dandelion plant growing through the cracks of the it.
For the first time in Na Goeun’s life, she looked at the plant with disgust and a scowl on her face.
“Fucking dandelions,” Goeun muttered and she stepped on the plant as she made her way to the bathroom to calm herself down.
A week later, on Na Goeun’s birthday, she didn’t bother to go to the dandelion field.
And she would never return to it.
...
But, your actions have consequences and one decision can change everything.... forever .
“I won’t tell you my wish, then it won’t come true!” said Goeun.
“How about I tell you mine, then?” Chaeyoung asked and inched closer to Goeun.
Goeun wasn’t sure how to react. She felt her heart racing and her nerves were getting to her. She didn’t know whether to stay silent or interrupt.
She decided to stay silent as Chaeyoung kept inching closer to her.
Chaeyoung took that as a signal to keep speaking, and so, she did.
“I like you, a lot. I’ve always liked you, Na Goeun. I love your smile, your personality, everything about you makes my heart flutter in a way I can’t control. I know this is selfish to say this on your birthday, but I can’t hide my feelings anymore. My wish is for us to be together, for us to date and fall in love.”
Goeun felt pure euphoria as she heard those words come out of Chaeyoung’s mouth and suddenly a burst of confidence coursed through her veins.
“You know what’s funny?” Goeun asked as she picked a petal off of Chaeyoung’s head and leaned in closer so their noses now touched. They both could hear each other’s hearts beating wildly.
“I’ve been wishing for that ever since we met.”