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Haerin can see the car waiting for her outside. It's not something that she should turn away from. She does anyway.
She lingers by the window, glancing at the car. Her manager raises an eyebrow, but doesn't immediately gesture for her to get in.
In any case, they always arrive early for their flights. Haerin reminds herself to thank her manager later.
Someone stands at her side. Haerin knows that it's Danielle without even having to look. "Haerinie, what are you waiting for?"
Haerin shrugs. "I don't really want to leave, Dani–unnie."
Danielle puts a soft hand on the small of her back. "You'll be back soon. We'll all be waiting for you, I promise."
"I know." Haerin fidgets with her hands. "I'm just going to miss you a lot. More than I should."
"That's okay," she whispers, moving her hand up to Haerin's face. "I'm gonna miss you, too."
Haerin can't help but freeze as Danielle leans into her. The feeling of her lips is gone just as soon as it came, but Danielle's lip gloss is smudged. She burns the picture into her brain.
"I'm gonna miss you so bad," Haerin murmurs. "So, so bad, Dani-unnie."
Danielle gently presses their foreheads together. "I'll miss you, too. Call me when you have time?"
"There's such a big time difference," she sighs. "I don't think I'll be able to catch you."
"You will," Danielle soothes. "Just call me whenever. I'll pick up, no matter what time it is."
Haerin feels her heart swell. She just wants to cry, wants Danielle to hold her and keep her frozen in time forever. Her heart is so full and Danielle knows, almost as if she's speaking aloud. Danielle just knows her. "Unnie…"
Danielle holds her. Haerin feels every time her chest rises and falls, feels the older girl's heart beat sync up with hers. Tears pool in her eyes.
"You need to go," Danielle mumbles. "I don't want to get you in trouble."
"I wish you did," Haerin warbles, all watery and she just needs to keep Danielle talking so she can stay.
"I know," she says in return. "But I'll be thinking of you, Haerinie."
You can't say that! Haerin wants to cry. You can't say that and expect me to leave!
Danielle begins to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too," Haerin breathes, and she gently takes Danielle's hand off of her face. "I'll call you, I promise."
And Danielle gives her a hug before she leaves. It's gentle and firm and it just feels like she's being wrapped in viscous honey.
She ushers Haerin out of their dorm, watching her leave from the doorway. "I know you will."
Even after she gets in the car, Haerin doesn't roll up her window until she's completely out of sight.
Her manager looks at her through the mirror wordlessly.
"I'm sorry I took so long," she apologizes, and even though she doesn't regret taking her time with Danielle, she does feel bad for keeping them waiting.
"You're okay," they respond. "I'm glad you have each other."
Haerin blushes. "I'm glad I have her, too."