Work Text:
“so much for summer love, and saying "us"
'cause you weren't mine to lose
you weren't mine to lose”
Luck is something Moon Min Ho never had. Sometimes he swore bad luck followed him. Probably some ancestral curse from his dad’s side of the family, in his mind they were always to blame somehow. His luck was especially horrible at relationships however. Perhaps his dad’s third wife cursed every Moon’s love life as revenge. So, no, he’s not very good at love and any matters of the heart. He never liked doing relationships, they were temporary and very quick to come to an end. At first he liked to say it was because he fell out of love fast, but really he just never found the one who he felt was right, and so, he went on more dates with anyone willing. Even though his friends called him a playboy he preferred to call it, searching for love. The one.
Gigi, his first love, was an emotional event in his life, but he eventually got over it. He later realized maybe he wasn’t really in love, maybe that’s just what he thought love was at that time, at fifteen, but he grew up. When Maddison broke off their relationship, he pouted and then moved on. Simply another name to add to the list of people he hooked up with without feeling much of a spark, the usual. When he broke things off with Stella, who turned out to be sort of a psycho, he felt betrayed, and decided to officially swear off relationships. Coming to the conclusion that they just weren’t his thing. Normal reactions he’d say.
But nothing quite hurt his heart like when Katherine Song Covey shattered his heart into a million tiny pieces. He didn’t even know that was possible. That it was possible for him to feel such pain. To feel such feelings for another human being. He’d never experienced something so intense in his eighteen years of life and he doubts he ever will again.
So much so that in his journal he wrote in big capital letter, “Note to self, never tell your best friend’s ex that you’re in love with them on a plane! Bad idea!” Yeah, perhaps he shouldn’t do relationships with his bad luck, it’s his fate.
He should’ve known it was bad luck the moment he started to feel something for his best friend’s girlfriend—Or penpal? Roommate? Whichever. It was a horrible idea, but he couldn’t stop it. She was persistent in being in his orbit without meaning to. He simply couldn’t say no to her when she was around, because his heart raced when she was near and his fingertips felt sparks shooting up his arms when she touched him, and curse his inevitability to deny her or keep her far.
Which is the reason she’s spending her summer break before college with him in close proximity, to torment his heart the entire summer. Albeit he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than nothing at all.
“I know it’s a bit early to say this, but this feels like the start of one of the best summers ever.”
“Because of me?” he smirked back, already expecting her eventual shoulder shove and eye roll.
“Must you always be so full of yourself?” she was walking next to him, his skin burning every time their shoulder brushed slightly. They were halfway through the gelatos Kitty had eagerly pushed him through a crowd for. Hers was a mix of raspberry and mango and he chose lemon, or more like, Kitty chose for him, because his first choice was too quote unquote boring.
“It’s my specialty.”
“I’ve never traveled so much in the span of a week. It’s exhilarating.” They were currently in Busan. One of the many stops from the map of Korea Kitty had placed red pins on and declared she wanted to experience visiting one last time before going back to America for college. Something he is dreading every hour that passes. So scared that this will end, that she’ll be far away from him in two months, and he doesn’t know if he’s okay with that. With Kitty not being a main part of his everyday life.
“It is, at first. However, once you’ve done that more times than you can count, it starts feeling heavy, like you just want to stay still, be at home.”
“I can get that,” she sighs in deep thought, and a silly part of him wishes she somehow changes her mind. That she stays, but then shakes that thought away because it’s selfish of him to want her to stay just for him. “As much as I love Seoul sometimes I miss Portland and being able to see my family everyday. Y’know, if my dad was here he’d try every restaurant to find the best food. He still hasn’t found the best bakery though, says nothing compares to Lara Jean’s baking.”
Min Ho shares a faint smile, the idea of a family so bonded peaked his interest, he wondered how that was. “They can always come stop by at one of our stops.”
“They can?” She questioned with furrowed brows.
“Yeah, I can just send a private jet to pick them up,” his shrugged like it was the most minuscule task in the world.
Kitty fought back a smile and shook her head, “No, you don’t have to—“
“I want to.”
She took a deep breath because she knew fighting with Min Ho was useless when he’s determined. Even though in her head she already decided she wasn’t going to take him up on that offer. Part of her just wanted to spend time with just the K.I.S.S crew before it became a rare occurrence in her life. However, she still beamed up at him, her stomach feeling funny at the thought of him doing anything in his power just so she was happy. “You are a very thoughtful person, you know that?”
“A Kitty Song Covey compliment?” He fake gasped to hide the way his heartbeat increased at her words, the edge of his lips turnt upright in a smirk. “I’ll carry that with me, before you throw one of your usual insults at me.”
She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips remained. “You always start,” she accused, her pointer finger directed at him.
“Me? Blasphemy.”
“Oh gosh, you’re so irritating,” she shakes her head and he laughs, because getting her worked up secretly thrills him. Which she suspects and she’s fine with that.
“We all have our endearing qualities.”
Kitty just shook her head once again, like that was going to clear her head from the swarming thoughts of Min Ho, and took another bite of her gelato that was starting to melt. “Yuri said she was meeting the rest of us tonight at the restaurant, and Q has to leave us on our next stop. It’s all already starting to feel real, like things are changing, it’s happening.”
“Yeah, it sucks, but that’s how life usually works. Things always end eventually.”
“I know, but I don’t want it to end,” Kitty admits in a quieter voice, and he can’t help his longing gaze from falling to her eyes as if searching for something unattainable.
“Me neither, Covey.” He doesn’t want to stop seeing Kitty every day and planning outings with their friend group just so he could spend time with her. He doesn’t want whatever they are to each other to ever stop, but he doesn’t know if she thinks the same. If she also feels her heart beating out of her chest whenever they’re together like he does. “I-I have to tell you something.” Maybe, the way she was currently staring at him in that moment got him in a trance, but he felt the words slip out before he could process them.
Kitty then smiled and he felt adrenaline coursing through his veins. Was this it? Was he going to confess his feelings on the sidewalks of Busan with melted gelatos in their hands and racing hearts?
“That my pores have looked better since I’ve started using your cleansing balm? I know, I already told Margot and Lara Jean to add it to their routine too.”
His smile dropped slightly, the anticipation wore off and he blinked multiple times trying to regain his train of thought. “I knew the bottle looked empty,” he faked a shocked face just to make Kitty giggle shamelessly.
“B-but it’s not—“
In that moment the sound of a message rang from her pocket, which made him push back whatever he was going to say. It was bad luck, he determined. With a muttered sorry, she fished her phone out her shoulder bag to see who was the culprit. “It’s Dae, says the group finally woke up,” she informs Min Ho. “They are going to the cable cars now.”
“Then we should start heading there.”
She nods in agreement, but a hint of disappointment remained, wondering what he was going to really say. “Thanks for waking up early with me. Got to cross some things off my list.” She raised the shopping bags in her arm where she had brought gifts for her family. A pretty new journal for Lara Jean, a pearl bracelet for Margot, funky compression socks for her dad, a cute trinket for Trina and a tourist hoodie for Peter to add to his collection.
“No problem, Covey.”
They didn’t talk much the rest of the day until that night. The rest of the crew had gone off to sleep, but Kitty stayed. She stared out the window from the restaurant they had gathered at, but she didn’t feel like getting up. Min Ho ignored her protests telling him he can go rest, that she could take care of herself, and stayed seated in front of her on the large booth. Smiling politely at the waitress who began cleaning their table awkwardly before storming away.
After a long silence, Min Ho spoke up. “Kitty, I think they’re about to close soon. You alright?”
She shook her head, her lips lightly trembling and his concern grew tenfold. He reached over the table, placing his hand on top of hers, hoping it brought some sort of comfort.
“I spent so much time trying to come to Korea. To learn more about my mom. To search for something new,” she spoke slowly, like she was still gathering her thoughts correctly. “I didn’t really ponder much on when I had to eventually leave. It’s like, I’m leaving a life I never knew I had before. A life where my mom was there.”
His eyes softened at the vulnerability and he caressed the top of her hand with his thumb. A moment passed before he spoke again in a whisper. “Your mom would be very proud of you. No matter where you are in the world.”
Her eyes welled up with tears at his words, and he immediately got up from his side of the booth to slide in next to her. Once he was near she instantly let her head drop on his shoulder. “I know people say I’m brave because I take risks. Like, randomly moving to a foreign country all by myself at sixteen. But sometimes I only feel brave enough to do it because I feel like I don’t want to let my mom down. Anything that I do, everything that I am, she’s my light through it all. If only she could see me graduate and going to college. I wonder if she’d like who I became.”
Min Ho simply sat there listening to her, the way her voice trembled, or when she stopped for a second because the words felt stuck. He stayed there, anchoring her.
“I think you’re pretty solid, Covey,” he whispered, scared to speak any louder and break the sacred bubble they created. He softly brushed her hair away from her face, his thumb dragging across her cheek to flick away any stray tears. “And I think your mom does too. Her presence lives through you no matter where you are in the world, because you’re her bloodline, and as long as you’re alive, your mom lives too.”
“So, this is it,” said Kitty holding on to the handle of her bright yellow suitcase with sweaty palms. Summer was officially over. Excitement and nerves were now dwelling in the pit of her stomach.
“Try not to cause too much trouble at NYU.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Min Ho grinned before releasing a shaky breath. He was never really good at goodbyes. “I-I,” I love you, “I’ll miss you—we’ll miss you.”
“Me too.”
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her face even if he tried. As if he was trying to engrave her face to memory for the last time. His hand was itching to brush away the fallen stray curl in her face, but he chose to keep physical contact at bay.
“I-um,” he cleared his throat, hating how nervous he was. “I got you something. It’s a little going away present,” he explained, reaching inside his left pocket and taking out a small red box. “Open it.”
With curious eyes, Kitty took the small red velvet box that matched her red nails and opened it, immediately gasping at the sight.
“I saw it when we were shopping in Busan. I thought you’d like it.”
“I love it!” Kitty exclaimed, her fingertips caressing the small shiny diamond in admiration.
“It’s real diamond so it won’t tarnish. Which means you can wear it everyday, and therefore,” Min Ho inhaled, finding it hard to even speak when she’s looking at him with those soft eyes filled with appreciation. “You don’t forget,” me—he paused. “All of us here in Korea.”
“Forget you all?” She scoffed with a smile. “I think that’s pretty close to impossible.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Thank you, Min Ho.”
Kitty then stood on her tip toes, and before he could even process her sudden closeness, he felt the softness of her lips gracing his cheek. It lingered and he almost choked on his own air. Min Ho wished he could hold his eyes close for three more mere seconds just to process the lingering feeling of Kitty’s lips on his cheek. However, he opened his eyes again and finally said, “Goodbye, Covey.”
She shook her head immediately, the sound of the word goodbye feeling odd in her stomach. “No, not goodbye. See you later.”
“Okay,” He replied softly. “See you later, Covey.”
With that she held her suitcase with a harsher grip and turned around, merging with the sea of people departing to different parts of the world in search for something new. While he stayed stuck, because a life without Kitty saddened him deeply.
Min Ho stayed in his spot until he couldn’t see the yellow of her bright headphones anymore, and that’s when his heart felt truly broken.
It was summer again. The first summer of Kitty’s first year of college. Something she has been waiting for the whole year. The K.I.S.S crew has been texting in the group chat about spending the summer in LA at a beach house. The anticipation she felt as the days passed grew the more Min Ho texted her about anything and everything during the school year. She couldn’t wait to finally see him, in person.
She wondered if he looked different in person than in their FaceTime calls and the pictures he posted on insta. Did he grow taller? Did his hair grow longer? Did he smell the same? Or did he change his expensive cologne some time in the year? Was his skincare routine the same? Has his coffee order changed?
“Tonight is going to be fire,” Quincy beamed next to her. They were on a cab on their way to the beach house Yuri had picked out. “Juliana and Yuri are already there and they texted that they already bought every drink under the sun.”
“Cocktails, the beach, my friends,” Kitty sighed happily. “The perfect summer.”
“Definitely one to remember,” Q agreed, his fingertips tapping his phone screen enthusiastically sending messages to the group chat.
“Is everyone already there?”
He nods, “Yeah, everyone except Min Ho. His flight gets here a bit later.”
“But he’ll be here in time for the party tonight?”
“Yeah,” Q suddenly snapped his head away from his phone to look at the auburn haired girl next to him, a growing smirk full of mischief now on his face. “Why do you ask?”
Kitty shook her head, trying to appear nonchalant, but the pitch in her voice gave her away. “No reason.”
Q chuckled, flipping his phone face down and placing all his attention on his best friend. “Uhuh, you clearly don’t care about whatever Min Ho has been up to all year right? What he’s been doing? Who’s he’s been seeing—“
“Seeing?” She interrupts with a huff. “He hasn’t mentioned he was seeing anyone to me.”
“Why would he mention that to you?”
Kitty shuffled her fingers nervously against her lap. “Because we’re friends. We tell each other things like that.”
“Friends? That’s what you call whatever you two have? Whatever strange, undefined and honestly—“
“We’re just friends!” Kitty cuts him off with a roll of her eyes, but that wasn’t going to make Quincy Shabazian budge. Two can play that game.
“Right, that’s why you spent the double date I set you up on, with the prettiest redhead girl that was very into you by the way, with you texting him all night instead?”
“That was just an unfortunate crappy day for me, and he was telling me something important,” she tried to explain in a defensive tone, but Q was clearly not convinced in the slightest.
“And you haven’t dated anyone serious the whole yea—“
“I’ve been focused on school. Psychology is not as easy as some people may think—“
“You’ve been focused on never taking that necklace off,” he pointed towards her neck to the shiny piece of diamond that only someone like Min Ho could afford at eighteen.
“It’s special!”
“Because Min Ho gave it you?”
“Quincy!” She let out an annoyed grunt, crossing her arms and facing the window instead. “I really didn’t come to Los Angeles for an interrogation from you.”
He simply shrugged, a smug grin decorating his face knowing that he won. “Whatever, keep denying your feelings and suffering for another year. You have fun with that.”
Kitty just brushed his words away, her hand unconsciously going up to fidget with the necklace that sat on her neck in a nervous tic.
When Min Ho arrived at the beach house with his Louis Vuitton luggage and the sheet mask he put during the uber ride still on his face, all he could think about was Kitty Song Covey. The fact that she wasn’t miles and miles away from him anymore but just steps away from him.
Dae was by the door to greet him and help him with his luggage, but Min Ho’s eyes kept drifting over and scanning the room in hopes of meeting her big brown eyes. Noticing his wandering eyes his best friend laughed, “그녀는 밖에 있어요.” Dae ignored Min Ho’s sheepish expression and snatched the sheet mask off his face. “Try not to make yourself look too desperate.” With that Dae walked away with his friend’s luggage and a knowing grin. (She’s outside.)
That’s how Min Ho found himself at the balcony, staring at the girl he couldn’t stop dreaming about. She was sat on the ground chugging down a glass of margarita like it was water, and even then, in his eyes, she was the most beautiful girl in the world. “You should slow down there, Covey.”
He saw how her hair flipped to the side as she quickly turned her head at the sound of his voice, and before he knew it she was on her feet running towards him. “Min Ho!”
The day had gone by in a blur the moment Kitty and Q had arrived at the beach house. Greetings, hugs and conversations about the smallest things turned big things. Before she knew it, Yuri had set up a makeshift DJ station in the living room, and all her friends have been having the time of their lives. She was too, but once midnight hit she needed to take a breath. Especially because she couldn’t help but notice that Min Ho hadn’t arrived, and asking her friends again for him would probably make her sound desperate.
“I’m so glad you came,” Kitty gushed, throwing her arms around him without a second thought. She noticed his cologne hadn’t changed, and she blames the alcohol for the way she nuzzled her face deeper into his chest, hoping he didn’t notice.
“Wouldn’t miss another summer with you,” he admits, his arms wrapping around her like they did a year ago. Oh, he’s missed this.
Reluctantly Kitty let go of the hug, albeit slowly. When she did so his eyes couldn’t help but fall to her neck. Confirming that the shiny diamond still sat in between her collarbone.
Min Ho cleared his throat, feeling his jaw clench. “Uh, why aren’t you inside?”
“Just needed to take a breath,” she answered, her eyes drifting down because his gaze was so intense it made her stomach feel funny, and she thought she might just do something crazy. Like kiss him. “Here,” she handed him the rest of her drink that she clumsily picked up from the floor. Ignoring the way his fingers graced hers when he took the glass. “There’s so much for us to catch up on. I can’t believe it’s been a year already.”
So much has changed and yet not much at all.
He sipped the red colored drink, feeling the burn in his throat. “How many of these did you drink?”
“A couple,” she giggled with a careless shrug.
“Yeah, we’re getting you water next,” he murmured under his breath before finishing the drink in one gulp, and Kitty couldn’t help but stare at the bob of his throat when he swallowed.
She suddenly felt hot all over her body and her breathing was growing heavier. God, she still liked him. Q was right, fuck, she cursed inwardly.
“Uh, wanna walk on the beach?” Kitty asked, shifting in her place, and if Min Ho noticed her sudden nerves he pretended not to.
“Walk and talk? Yeah, I can do that.” That was the start. The start of something that would change their relationship forever and they couldn’t have guessed it in that moment.
“Covey, stop running!” He ran after her. He had rolled up the bottom of his pants to his knees, the water and sand clinging unto his legs as he ran after Kitty. Her red dress and long auburn hair flew with the wind as she giggled and ran, not caring for the splashes of water dampening her dress.
Eventually, he caught up to her and tackled her back to his chest. Breathing in the scent of the salty ocean air and the faint smell of her fruity floral perfume mixed in with the alcohol she had.
“I won,” he mumbled, taking notice of the way Kitty closed her eyes and the way her chest heaved rapidly under his arms.
“You okay?” He turned her around to look at her. She met his eyes, wide and wanting, and perhaps something else. She licked her own lips and electricity shot up through her arms the moment he followed the action with his eyes.
Maybe it was the drinks they had, or the rush from running they were feeling two seconds ago, but the tension was ever growing.
As if testing the waters, Kitty raised a hand to his cheek, her thumb slowly nearing closer to his lips. Ever so curious as to how they felt and that was enough for Min Ho to loose all his self control. She was messing up with his heart and making the tips of his ears hot.
“Katherine,” he breathed unevenly. Fuck it if it was obvious, she needed to see that she made him a mess. “What are you doing to me?”
“I’m—“ she paused, because he was leaning in closer now and she couldn’t think.
“You w—“ he didn’t get to finish his sentence because Kitty Song Covey’s lips were on his, and it was glorious.
He finally confirmed that her lips were soft. They tasted of margarita and her strawberry lipgloss. It was perfect.
His hand traveled up her waist, feeling the skin of her bare arms all the way up until he reached her neck, angling her head higher so he could kiss her deeper. Their lips danced against each other like they’ve done this before, and maybe in another lifetime they did. Min Ho would even argue she’s his soulmate in every lifetime, if there was such thing as that. Her nails scratched the back of his hair making goosebumps erupt along his skin, and he then declared they where in fact each other’s missing puzzle piece, because nothing else made sense as to why they fit together so perfectly.
“Min Ho?!”
Their lips broke apart immediately. Both of them breathing erratically with shock on their faces, still trying to process that they weren’t dreaming and their kiss was very much real.
“Min Ho!” They heard the voice call out again.
They saw Dae in the distance, walking up to them with someone behind him.
“Min Ho! There you are!” Exclaimed Dae, walking up to the pair, completely oblivious to what had just taken place two seconds ago. “I was looking all over for you. Look who came to surprise you.”
“Marius?!” Min Ho shouted in surprise once Dae stepped aside and his old friend was standing there with a smug grin. “I thought you weren’t gonna make it.”
The taller boy with the satin button up waved a hand dismissively. “I thought so too, but I had a change of plans. This is about to be a wild summer bro.”
“Let’s go!” Min Ho dapped him.
Marius laughed, placing his arms around both Dae and Min Ho, appearing like the embodiment of the three musketeers. “Parties, drinks, hookups and games, all of it! You know the vibes!”
“Y’know I’m always down!” Min Ho exclaimed with a grin on his face, before turning to Kitty who was standing in the same place with her arms crossed and lips pursed together. “Uh, Marius, this is Katherine Song Covey.”
”Kitty to my friends,” she spoke with a friendly smile.
The boy squinted his eyes, searching his brain for any recollection of that name, before snapping his fingers together. “Oh, yes! I remember you guys mentioned her. The American girl who lives in New York now? My friends speak very highly of you. They say you practically changed their lives in high school.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty remarkable in that way,” Kitty joked, shaking his outstretched hand.
Dae then suggested they head back to the party to watch Q and Jin play ping pong, and ever since, she hasn’t been in a room alone with Min Ho. Kitty hoped they could speak about what had just happened the next day. Unfortunately, that day the group went to a random concert and she never really got any alone time with Min Ho. Not with people screaming lyrics in their ears. The following days were no better.
“You seem pretty frustrated lately,” Q acknowledged one afternoon. They were at a carnival in town and he was peacefully eating an ice cream cone Jin got him. “Is it because you haven’t taken your daily dose of Moon Min Ho today?”
The athlete laughed hysterically at the death glare Kitty sent his way. “Don’t worry, Kitty. Contrary to what others may think I’m an amazing friend, obviously I’ll help you.”
“Really?”
“Tomorrow night there’s a romantic movie coming out in theaters. It’s starring that really popular actress that was in that K-drama we used to watch in high school. You could mention going to the movies to the group and then sit in the back of the movies with your…friend.”
Kitty grinned at the plan. It was the perfect way to talk to Min Ho and also make it a date. The next day, she carefully picked out her outfit and did her hair twice, just to make sure it was perfect. However, once she was done getting ready, she noticed how quiet the house was. She walked down the hallway where Min Ho’s room was, but frowned when she saw the door was wide open with no one there.
“Hey, have you guys seen Min Ho by any chance?” Asked Kitty by the door of the large bathroom where Yuri and Juliana were leaned over the counter applying makeup.
“Yeah, Marius dragged all the guys to a club or something,” answered Juliana applying a silver glitter eyeshadow to her eyelids. “Is it too much?” She then turned to her girlfriend.
“It’s just enough,” confirmed Yuri, leaving a chaste kiss on her lips.
Kitty frowned, “But I thought we were all going to the movies.”
“No, you and Maddison are,” corrected Yuri with a scoff. “No one wanted to see that cheesy movie, no offense.”
Kitty rolled her eyes. “It’s not cheesy, it’s romantic.”
“Right, so that’s why you chose it? To watch it with Min Ho?” Asked Juliana with a smirk, and laughing when Kitty stuttered like she was caught.
“What?! N-n-no! W-why would you think that?!”
“Oh, come on Kitty!” This time Yuri rolled her eyes, closing the tube of her lipgloss. “Don’t you think you two are too old now to be tip toeing around each other still? Grow up and say how you feel.”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Juliana sighed, “Whatever, come on Yuri. Let’s go have fun at the best queer pub in the city while Kitty spends her entire night sulking that Min Ho is out partying with God knows who doing God knows what.”
“Lets,” smiled Yuri, looping her arm through Juliana’s and waving at Kitty goodbye as they walked out the bathroom together without a second glance back.
Kitty couldn’t help but lean her head back on the door and exhale. Her mind suddenly clouded by what ifs and a thousand questions of Min Ho.
They kissed and haven’t talked about it. She needed to know if it changed anything. If it meant something to him, because to her, it meant everything. Or was it all in her head?
Hey
The girls told me you and the guys went to a club
Don’t drink too much, remember tomorrow morning we’re watching the sunrise?
Have fun, xoxo
sent ✔️
She never received a reply back. She won’t lie and say she wasn’t twisting and turning all night thinking about it.
“I think you need another one bro,” Marius proclaimed, snatching Min Ho’s phone away and instead gave him another drink to hold. “I thought you were going to forget her.”
“I was, I tried, it’s just,” he halted and ran his hand across his face in despair.
Marius rolled his eyes, taking a sip from his beer. “From what I’m understanding you said she broke your heart—“
“Not intentionally,” Min Ho interrupted.
“Then she basically friend zoned you and moved across the country for a whole year. Yeah, bro it’s time you let it go.”
Min Ho shook his head, “I can’t, I don’t want to.”
“So you’re gonna simp over her until when?” Marius scoffed. “Look at all these girls and guys here. So many options to choose from.”
“I’m not hooking up with anyone.”
“Min Ho, that’s like, part of the way life is.”
Rolling his eyes the Korean boy took a long sip of his own beer. The lights and piercing music already beginning to give him a headache. “You have fun, I’m fine.”
“Are you serious dude?”
“Very, who else will keep Dae out of trouble tonight.”
“Okay, first off, Dae never gets in trouble, he’s an angel. Second of all, if I say you haven’t hooked up with anyone ever since you’ve been hung up on that girl I’m incorrect?”
“I’m not hung up on her. It’s complicated, you wouldn’t get it.”
“Well, are you going to at least try to make a move on her this summer? Soon you’ll both be back in different countries. At least try something man. Don’t be pathetic, it’s embarrassing,” Marius advised him before standing up and making eye contact with a tall blonde at the bar. “Anyway, while you sulk around I’m going to greet that handsome guy over there.”
With that he walked away, leaving Min Ho to ponder over the conversation they just had. He just couldn’t get Kitty and her glossy lips out of his brain no matter how many drinks he gulped down.
The next morning Kitty found herself alone on the balcony waiting for the sunrise. Everybody was too drunk and too tired from last night. With a frown, she swirled her coffee mug with her hand, contemplating on rescheduling this later. Perhaps on the last day of the trip, when she knows no one would be drunk out of their minds, they could watch the sunrise together.
Although, those thoughts didn’t take up too much time in her brain because soon she heard the soft sound of footsteps drawing near.
“Covey.”
Kitty whipped her head around already knowing who that voice belonged to.
“You’re hungover,” said Kitty, giving him a glance over. Min Ho stood there with messy hair as if he literally just rolled out of bed and the first thing he did was walk to the balcony. His eyes were a bit squinted as if still trying to adjust to the light, yet he still sent her a soft smile.
“A little bit,” he replied, with a slight shrug.
“You could’ve stayed sleeping, I understand,” she told him, observing the way he ran a hand through his hair messily as he walked up to her.
“Nah, I couldn’t miss this sunrise with you, Covey. You’ve talked about it since we got here.”
She couldn’t stop her blush from forming at his words, and in silence, they stood side by side looking over the balcony. They looked up at the sky, at how the colors of the sun slowly began to blend with the blue of the sky and into shades of oranges and hues of lilac.
“Min Ho?” Kitty whispered.
“Hmm,” he mumbled matching her low tone, and when she turned to look at him she realized he was already looking at her.
“We haven’t really had time alone to talk since we got here, and I, um, we haven’t talked about,” she paused, feeling the words get stuck in her throat.
“About?” He asked still in a whisper. He glanced down at her lips and she knew he just wanted to hear her say the words.
“W-what happened on the beach.”
He hummed, unconsciously licking his own lips at the thought of what took place on the beach, like he could still feel the ghost of her lips on his. “I think we both know what happened.”
“And what does that mean?”
“We’re here!” Dae exclaimed, walking towards the duo with Eunice’s hand in his. The rest of the group walked in behind him, holding their heads and coffee mugs.
Kitty gasped in surprise, “You guys remembered?”
“Min Ho sent us a loud reminder this morning,” Yuri rolled her eyes, but her eyes then grew at the sight of the colorful sky. “Woah! It’s beautiful. Babe look, it’s like the colors you use in your paintings.” She laced her fingers through Juliana’s whom face beamed like she was the luckiest human in the world.
“It really is beautiful,” Marius agreed. “This was not such a bad idea, Kitty.”
“And this coffee you made is perfect by the way,” Madison comments, blowing on her cup to cool it off before taking a sip.
“I’m just happy we’re here together again,” Kitty says, wishing every summer could be like this.
On their last day in Los Angeles, the group decided to finish it off with a view of the Hollywood sign, and every tourist trap they could think of, much to Min Ho’s dismay. “I’ve seen the Hollywood sign a million times, my mom lives here.”
“Well, too bad! We’re seeing it,” said Q.
“Yeah, some of us don’t have tv star parents,” added Jin.
They were walking as a group instead of taking a cab, and Min Ho had to take out his small portable fan to help the beads of sweat from dripping down his face. The heat was unbearable that day.
“Don’t worry, Min Ho, your ridiculous expensive sunscreen is for sure cancelling out all the uv rays from your skin,” Kitty quipped.
“Ha ha, Covey,” he dry laughed. “Maybe I should share my sunscreen with you. I can already see the tan lines on your face from your sunglasses.”
“Wait, are they?!” She placed her cat eye sunglasses on the top of her head and smoothed out her nose with her fingers like that was going to solve anything.
He then decided to slow down his step, letting the rest of the group walk before him, feeling the need to be close to the auburn haired girl for a bit longer. He nudged her shoulder to grab her attention again. “There’s this little boat by the beach. I thought we could go there later before the sunset to talk.”
She blinked up at him, trying not to show how much she wanted to jump in excitement at the fact they were finally going to get a chance to talk. “Yeah, that sounds perfect. I have a lot to say.”
He leaned down near her ear, his lips slightly gracing the shell of her ear as he whispered. “I hope it’s all good.”
Min Ho then finally put away his portable fan to fully grab the Polaroid camera hanging from his neck to snap pictures of the group. He has been taking pictures of the group the entire summer, candid and planned. Kitty was definitely going to hound him until she saw every single picture he took.
“Smile, Covey,” Min Ho told her, holding the camera up to his face and getting the angle he deemed correct. He snapped the picture, smiling at the way she posed so happy and carefree, just like the way he always pictures her in his mind.
“You have to show me all the pictures you took later. You probably took about a hundred today alone,” she mentioned, watching him place the camera inside his bag. He had brought a small duffel with a change of clothes just in case. Which is why right now he was shirtless. He only had on blue swimming trunks and Kitty would be lying if she said she could control her eyes from wandering.
“Yeah, don’t worry. I just don’t want to forget this summer,” he told her, threading his right hand through his hair to push it back.
“Me neither,” she admits. “Because I,” she kept going. This was it, there was no more turning back, and she appreciated the fact that he never once looked away from her, too focused on her. “I did something I was too coward to do last summer.”
“W-what was it?” He muttered.
“Do you want me to show you?”
He nodded at her question. Then her hands were on his cheeks, caressing the soft skin under her fingers and his breath stopped when she kissed him again.
A satisfied sound released from deep in her throat, and his hand traveled up to her neck to hold her closer, while he kissed her even deeper, making her loose all her senses.
When he let her lips go and she opened her eyes again she noticed his were still closed. A peaceful look painted his face, a look she wanted to bottle up and store in her pocket for safe keeping.
“I have feelings for you,” she said completely breathless from their kiss. It felt so easy for the words to slip out her tongue, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I have had feelings for you for the longest time.”
“If it wasn’t already obvious, Covey, I do too.”
Kitty bit her bottom lip at his confession, feeling like she was floating on cloud nine and needed something to keep her grounded. “I know I should’ve told you sooner, but I-I was a coward last summer. I was scared and—“
“It doesn’t matter,” he interrupted her. “None of that matters. You have feelings for me and I do too. From this summer on it’s you and me.”
She nods enthusiastically, leaving another kiss on his lips. “You and me.”
“I love you, Covey.”
“I love you too.”
Kitty can’t pin point exactly when she started waiting for summer to come every year. Nothing else mattered but those two sunny months when she could stop worrying about college and Min Ho would drag her anywhere and everywhere, and she never cared as long as she was with him.
She ached for summer.
Min Ho visited her many times during the year, he claimed long distance wasn’t an obstacle for him, not when it came to her. He sent his dad’s private jet for her whenever she wanted to visit him in Korea, but it was only ever for a couple days. But in summers? Summers they spent every waking hour together.
On their very first summer as a couple, Kitty had convinced him to spend it in Portland. The plane ride was spent with Kitty giggling at him for being nervous, trying her best to reassure him. “Oh, calm down, Min Ho. My dad doesn’t bite.” However, her words did very little to calm him down, he still fidgeted in his seat the closer they got to landing.
“There’s my kiddo!” Dan Covey exclaimed once he saw his youngest daughter in the sea of people. His arms were wide open with a warm smile on his face, and his daughter immediately dropped everything she was holding to leap into his arms.
“Dad!” She sighed into his bear hug.
“I’ve missed you so much kid,” Dan admits, ruffling her hair, to which she grunted and shoved his shoulder for, before smoothing it down with her hand. That’s when Dr.Covey’s blue eyes met the tall, and well dressed for a college student, Korean boy standing behind Kitty holding both their suitcases. “And you are?”
“Dad, this is Min Ho, my boyfriend.”
“So, you are the famous long distance boyfriend my daughter keeps on yapping about?” His tone of voice changed to something deeper, trying to be intimidating but failing.
“Dad!” Kitty scolded, nudging his arm with her elbow.
“In the flesh, nice to meet you sir,” Min Ho vowed politely, but Dr.Covey placed his hand out for a handshake instead.
“You can call me Dan, most people do.”
“Yes sir—Dan.”
“Well, I guess the right thing to do now is to grab some greasy and delicious fast food and interrogate you on our drive home.”
“Um,” Min Ho’s eyes drifted towards Kitty, and squinted his eyes at her when he saw the way she was trying her hardest not to laugh at his fate. Oh, she’s evil, he thought.
“I’m kidding!” Dan laughed breaking the tension, and Min Ho joined in hesitantly. “Of course I won’t interrogate you on the drive. I’ll wait for after dinner for that.”
With that Dan took his daughter’s bags and began walking to the airport’s exit.
“Covey, I’m scared,” he whispered in her ear so her dad won’t hear.
The aubrun girl giggled with mischief. “Oh, don’t be. I told you he’s totally chill. He’s just a gynecologist and you know how they get with certain conversations.”
He gulped at the implications, already knowing his face was most likely as red as a tomato.
“But once that conversation is over he’s literally a golden retriever.”
“Oh my God,” he muttered under his breath, while Kitty simply giggled at him. “You’re literally going to be the death of me, Covey.”
Though, Kitty was right. In the end, after a long and serious conversation about protective intercourse, and how he might drop dead if he makes Dr.Covey a grandpa before Kitty graduates college, everything else was smooth sailing. Min Ho loved the Covey house. Absolutely loved it so much, he jumped at Kitty’s proposal to spend the holidays there also.
“You cooked this dad?” Margot asked, an impressed expression overcoming her features. It was the day before Christmas and the whole Covey family, and Min Ho and Peter respectively, were gathered around the dining room table.
“It tastes good, so of course you know I didn’t sweetheart,” Dan chuckled, making the bells on the elf hat that Kitty placed on his head earlier jingle.
“This was all Min Ho,” Trina chimed in.
Margot took another bite, gathering her thoughts before nodding. “I approve.”
He remembers the way Kitty winked at him and held his hand under the table that day. She was wearing the same onesie as him, (that she forced him to wear, obviously) because unlike in his household, they all wore Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve and not glamorous dresses with fancy jewelry.
They didn’t have maids baking macarons, Lara Jean baked cookies.
“The brand of chocolate powder is essential, remember that,” LJ explained while sifting the flour into the bowl Min Ho was stirring. Kitty sat on a stool watching them extremely intrigued, while Peter nibbled on some of the cookies that LJ had warned him were still too hot but he didn’t care.
They also didn’t sit around couches at boring elaborate Christmas parties. No, they danced to Christmas music and Kitty pulled him underneath every mistletoe just to kiss him.
Yeah, Min Ho loved coming to Portland with Kitty. He didn’t even question when the following summer they found themselves in Portland again, and Kitty brought him to The Corner Cafe once more like she did on their first trip there.
“What do you think?” Kitty had asked the first time they stepped foot inside the diner together.
“It’s a cozy lil’ place,” he acknowledged, looking around him and taking in the retro aesthetic.
“I promise the milkshake here alone is gonna beat whatever ridiculous expensive foods you’re used to in your fancy restaurants.”
He chuckled as they took their seats. “You order then, surprise me.”
“Was already gonna do that,” she replied in a sing song way he found way too endearing.
A beat later, he turned his head to examine the colorful jukebox, and while Kitty skimmed through the menus as if she didn’t already know exactly what she was going to order, he stood up. He fished his wallet for some change and pressed a random button, confused on how to use the machine but hoping it was a good song. Hoping it played a song that Kitty likes just for the sole purpose of seeing her happy.
Welcome to your life, there’s no turning back, even while we sleep, we will find you
Kitty’s head snapped up at the familiar melody and was met with Min Ho staring at the jukebox with an impressed expression on his features.
Acting on your best behavior, turn your back on Mother Nature, everybody wants to rule the world
“This thing is actually pretty cool, Covey,” Min Ho confirmed. “Maybe you’re right.”
When he turned back around he noticed the way Kitty stayed frozen and frowned. “Are you okay, Kitty?”
“Y-y-you,” she shook her head at her stutter before waving her hand dismissively. “Nothing, never mind. Don’t worry about it.”
Confused he reached over to pick up her hand, and plant a kiss on the back. Before realizing one kiss wasn’t enough and smothered more kisses up her arm until she was a giggling mess in front of him.
All for freedom and for pleasure, nothing ever lasts forever, everybody wants to rule the world
However, summers in Portland weren’t their only favorites. One summer Min Ho decided to spend a month with his mom in Los Angeles, and ever since, Kitty developed a strong bond with Dami, to which he was completely thrilled by.
“그녀는 마치 햇빛 한 병 같지 않나요?” giggled Dami, watching her son’s girlfriend excitedly rush to a funnel cake stand on the sides of the boardwalk. (She’s like a bottle of sunshine isn’t she?)
Min Ho chuckled too. “그녀는 정말이다.” (She truly is.)
“You know, I’m happy that you found your person. Even though with the divorce I never thought I’d find love again, all I ever wanted was for my kids to find it.”
Min Ho frowned at his mother’s words. “Mom, come on, you are Korea’s Barbie doll. Your Ken doll is still somewhere out there.”
She laughed at his statement, patting his cheek lovingly. “You’re my Ken doll, my perfect son. I know I’m not the best mother sometimes, but I love you so much, and I am so proud of you, always. That’s all I need. Never forget that.”
“나도 당신을 사랑해요. 그리고 당신은 나에게 완벽한 엄마예요,” he told her with sincerity, and Dami threw her arms around him in a quick hug, before letting go to wipe any stray tear away from ruining her makeup. (I love you too, and for me you are a perfect mother.)
“I think he just overcharged me for these funnel cakes, but honestly they’re so good I don’t even care,” Kitty rambled walking up to them, two funnel cakes in her hands, hers already halfway finished. “Here you have to try.” She passed Dami a large funnel cake probably bigger than her face.
“아, 자기야 너는 없었어. 평소에 기름진거 잘 안먹는데 니가 너무 좋아서 반만 먹을게.” Dami gave the other half to Min Ho and smiled at Kitty, before placing her Chanel sunglasses over her nose and walking down the boardwalk nibbling on her piece of funnel cake. (Oh, honey you didn’t have. Usually I don’t eat greasy foods, but since I like you so much I’m gonna eat half of it.)
Kitty simply nodded, watching Dami walk ahead of them with her overly large sun hat and her extremely expensive bag for a walk on the beach.
“You have no idea what she said,” Min Ho noted.
“Nope, not a clue,” Kitty confirmed. “She talks really fast and you know that I can barely make out the words. Do you think she likes me though?”
Min Ho’s eyes softened at her last question, and at her desire to be accepted into his family. He was aware of the conflicts with his dad and how Young Moon was never the biggest fan of his son’s relationships. Although he tried to tell Kitty she wasn’t the problem, his dad was a hater in every aspect of his life. “Your dad hates me, Min Ho, I can feel his death stare behind me,” she had whispered once when he took her to one of his dad’s galas. He hated seeing the pout on her lips. Who was evil enough to hate such a bright soul like Kitty Song Covey? “그녀는 내가 사랑하는 사람이고 당신이 좋든 싫든 그것을 받아들여야 할 것입니다. 솔직히 당신의 의견은 나에게도 별로 중요하지 않습니다,” he told his dad right in front of Kitty and every representative and business man standing around them. He doesn’t think he’ll ever forget the surprise gasps around the room, his dad’s pale face as if he had seen a ghost, and Kitty’s confused expression. (She is who I love and you're going to have to accept it whether you like it or not. Frankly, your opinion doesn't matter much to me either.)
“She’s eating a sugar filled funnel cake,” he said like it was the biggest deal in the world. “She loves you.”
His words made Kitty beam and she nuzzled next to his shoulder. Her hand in his as they followed his mom down the boardwalk. Was it actually possible to hold sunshine in your pocket? Minho swore holding Kitty’s hand inside the pocket of his leather jacket was as close as he was going to get to it.
Every summer with Kitty was worthwhile.
The last summer before senior year of college wasn’t an exception. Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky were getting married, and Kitty couldn’t shut up about it for a second. “Stop looking at me like I’m crazy! I’m literally adding this to my imaginary matchmaking resume, Min Ho, this is major.”
The day of the wedding came quickly, and he made sure to place a handkerchief in his pocket for when Kitty eventually cries during her speech at the reception.
“You look handsome.”
Min Ho turned around in his Prada suit, his eyes widening at the auburn haired beauty standing before him.
“And you’re stunning,” he gulped, taking her in. Her dress was light dusty blue and strapless, it fit her perfectly.
“Thankfully I got one of the better looking bridesmaid dresses,” Kitty commented, looking down at her dress and feeling satisfied. Min Ho reached her and leaned down to give her a quick peck on the lips before she could complain about him ruining her makeup.
“You nervous?”
“That’s an understatement,” Kitty answered. “I’ve never been a bridesmaid before, I don’t wanna mess up.”
“You won’t,” he reassured her. “But even if you do, I’ve got you.”
A successful wedding later, Kitty and Min Ho found themselves on the dance floor of the reception. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, while his hands wound up around her waist in a slow dance. The rest of the world dimmed when he had Kitty in front of him.
“Thank you for freeing me from halmeoni’s awkward conversation,” Kitty thanked him and he laughed, recalling their recent exchange with her halmeoni. “She’s absolutely nuts,” said Kitty. “She just wants more weddings to attend to for the free food and so she could take the centerpieces home. She still has Jiwon’s wedding centerpiece in her living room table, and that wedding was two years ago.”
Min Ho simply beamed down at her, because halmeoni suggesting they get married soon didn’t shock him with surprise, rather with realization. “Maybe we’ll be next.”
Her eyes widened and she stopped her swaying abruptly. “We?”
He smiled, and made a quick shrug of his shoulders before pulling her closer to sway again, but she barely budged, still stunned. “Why not, Covey? Y’know I was thinking—“
“Oh, is that why your head’s a bit warm?” she placed the back of her hand to his forehead, playfulness coating her words. “Please don’t overthink, I like having you around.”
Ignoring her, he simply planted a kiss on the part of her arm he could reach the easiest and pulled her even closer to him. “This year we graduate college. I think we should get an apartment together before next summer, don’t you?”
“In Korea?” She questioned.
“Or in New York, wherever.”
Kitty’s confusion only grew and she furrowed her eyebrows together, clearly perplexed. “But your life is in Kor—“
“My life is wherever you are, Covey,” he cut her off, and he felt warm all over at the tender look she gave him. He loved her so much.
“Well, Min Ho, whatever the future holds all I know is that you’ll be in it.” She left a kiss on the edge of his lips, satisfied with the pleased sound he made.
“Till death do us apart?”
“Woah there,” Kitty giggled, her fingertips playing with the hairs on his neck. “Vows without a ring first?”
“Oh, I’ll get you a ring, just you wait.”
“Make it worth my while.”
“You won’t regret saying yes to me, Covey.”
Next summer they can look at apartments and cities. Kitty will have a new list of things to cross off for their next new step. A couple more years from now when she’s working in her profession in psychology and he can settle down from his duties at Moon Management Company, they can actually begin looking at rings and what that entails. For now though, this summer is for them, and they’re certain every summer after that too.