I SHOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY

THE DATE AND THE NEW GUY

“Judy,” a faint voice called my name repeatedly. It sounded so familiar.

“Judy… come on, wake up. It’s morning already,” the voice said again, louder this time.

I groaned softly, still half asleep. The curtains were already open, and bright sunlight poured into the room, hitting my face.

“Come on… close the curtains, Mrs Laura,” I muttered weakly. “It’s weekend… no school today.”

My eyes were still shut, my arm covering my face to block the light.

Mrs Laura laughed softly. “I know it’s weekend… but isn’t today special to you, Judy?”

She sat beside me on the bed.

I turned away immediately and pulled the pillow over my face. “Allow me sleep, Mrs Laura… give me some peace,” I groaned.

“Alright then,” she said teasingly. “I’ll give you peace… but I just remembered… isn’t today your date?”

Immediately, my eyes flew open.

My heart jumped.

“What time is it?!” I screamed, sitting up fast.

Mrs Laura stood up laughing. “If you’re ready to go out, just tell me,” she teased as she walked away.

“Mrs Laura!” I called like a child, stretching my hand toward her.

She only laughed. “Stop being a baby and get ready.”

She closed the door behind her.

I froze for a second… then jumped off the bed.

“Oh no… my date is by 9!” I screamed, rushing around the room.

Today was my big day.

A date with Ray.

I had dreamed about this moment for so long, and now it was finally real. My heart kept racing every time I thought of him.

I had even planned everything carefully with Mrs Laura. We went shopping together for my outfit—a soft, pretty sundress she picked for me. I also bought colorful makeup, even though I had never really used makeup properly before.

Today was supposed to be perfect.

I also bought a blue rose.

Ray and I had agreed—he would bring a red rose, and I would bring a blue one. It was supposed to be a symbol of our connection.

I smiled to myself while getting ready.

But then came the problem.

Makeup.

I tried again and again, staring at the mirror. It kept coming out wrong. I looked like a clown every time.

“Ugh!” I groaned after almost 30 minutes. “Why is this so hard?!”

I looked at the time.

8:30.

My eyes widened.

“Mrs Laura!!!” I screamed in panic.

She rushed in immediately. “What is it?!”

“I can’t do it! I can’t fix the makeup!” I cried.

She stared at me for a moment, then sighed with a soft smile. “Judy… I thought you said you could do it yourself.”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t know it would be this hard,” I said almost crying.

She softened. “It’s okay. I should’ve helped you from the start.”

She came closer and gently wiped my face. “Let me do it.”

I nodded quickly. “Please… I have to be at the station before 9.”

“Alright, sweetheart. Let’s hurry.”

In a few minutes, she finished my makeup and fixed my hair beautifully.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

I was stunned.

I actually looked… good.

Not long after, I left the house with Mr Samuel, our driver, who took me to the station quickly. The train was almost leaving when I arrived.

I ran in just in time.

My heart was still racing, not from running—but from excitement.

It was my first time on a train.

I sat down quietly as it began to move. I had told Ray I had been on a train before, even though it wasn’t true. I didn’t want to disappoint him.

I held the map tightly in my hands.

This was my guide to Hongdae.

I kept reading it over and over.

“This is going to be easy,” I whispered to myself. “I just have to follow Ray’s instructions.”

“You’re going to burn a hole in that map if you keep staring at it like that,” a calm voice suddenly said.

I jolted.

I turned quickly.

A boy was sitting opposite me.

I hadn’t even noticed him before.

“Hi,” he said softly.

He looked around my age… maybe slightly older. And he was really handsome.

I blinked. “Hi…” I replied quietly.

“What are you looking at?” he asked with a small smile.

“Em… it’s a map,” I said quickly, hiding it behind me.

“Are you traveling?”

“No… I’m just going somewhere,” I said.

“How long have you been sitting there?”

“About… 20 minutes,” he said.

I froze.

“You’ve been there that long?!” I said embarrassed. “I’m sorry… I didn’t see you.”

“It’s okay,” he replied. “You looked focused.”

We became quiet for a moment.

Then he asked, “Where are you going?”

“Hongdae,” I said.

His eyes widened slightly. “Hongdae?”

“Yes… it’s my first time.”

“Really? Everyone knows that place,” he said surprised.

“Well… everyone except me,” I muttered shyly.

He smiled gently. “It’s okay. First times exist for everyone.”

Something about his voice made me relax.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I’m going to see my uncle. He lives near there.”

I nodded slowly.

For a moment, the train felt… peaceful.

Then my phone rang.

It was Ray.

“Hey Ray,” I answered quickly.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“I’m close… really close,” I said nervously.

“You’re still on the train?”

“Yes… I’m almost there,” I said.

“Okay, I’ll wait at the station.”

I ended the call.

The boy across me smiled slightly. “Boyfriend?”

I shook my head quickly. “No!”

He just smiled and looked away.

“What’s your name?” he asked suddenly.

“Judy,” I said.

“I’m Zayn,” he replied.

After a while, the train slowed down.

“We’re here,” Zayn said.

I looked at him.

He stood up. “It was nice meeting you, Judy.”

Before I could respond properly, he was already walking away.

Just like that… he disappeared into the crowd.

I sat there for a moment, confused.

Then I got off the train too.

The station was crowded.

I quickly checked my bag.

The map was gone.

My heart dropped.

“Oh no… I left it on the train!” I said in panic.

The train doors closed and moved away.

I stood frozen.

“Judy!”

I turned quickly.

It was Ray.

I ran straight into his arms and hugged him tightly.

“I thought I lost you,” I said breathlessly.

“It’s okay,” he said gently. “I’m here.”

I looked up at him, still shaken.

“You lost the map?” he asked.

I nodded slowly.

“It’s okay,” he smiled. “That’s why I came early.”

My heart softened immediately.

Then he looked at me.

“Did you bring the rose?”

I paused.

My eyes widened.

I reached into my bag quickly.

And there it was.

The blue rose.

I didn’t even remember putting it there.

Zayn…?

I froze for a second.

But Ray smiled and took it.

“Thank you,” he said warmly, handing me his red rose.

I smiled back.

And for a moment… I forgot everything else.

We both held hands as we walked towards the playhouse. I was very happy being alone with Ray, and I couldn’t control how I felt. Ray kept smiling at me, and then he suggested, “Let’s go to a coffee café and talk.”

I nodded quickly and held him tighter.

Suddenly, I heard my name.

The voice sounded familiar, but my body went cold with strange chills. My heart sank immediately. I turned around.

It was Nancy’s voice.

From a distance, I saw Nancy and Jessi walking towards us. I became shaken instantly, my whole body reacting in fear.

“What are they doing here?” I stammered.

Ray looked at me. “I don’t know either,” he said softly as he held me.

“What’s wrong, Judy? They are your friends,” he added.

I turned to him sharply. “What? Why do you keep saying that?” I said in shock.

He looked confused, and we both stared at each other. My happiness vanished in an instant.

“I’m so sorry, Judy,” he whispered as we watched them approach.

“Hey Judy,” Nancy said with a smile.

I forced a small smile. “Hello…”

Jessi hugged me, but I didn’t really respond. I just stood frozen.

She stepped back and studied my face. “Are you still angry with us?”

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked coldly.

“We came to have fun, Judy,” Nancy replied softly.

“Why are you so upset? It’s in the past now, can’t you just let it go?” Jessi said loudly.

I frowned. “Did you follow us here?”

Nancy paused, then looked away. “It was Jessi’s idea. We should all have fun together.”

“We came to have fun, Judy. Can’t we join you?” Jessi added.

“You can’t, Jessi,” Ray said firmly.

I turned to him, surprised, as he stepped closer and held my shoulders.

“This isn’t for everyone. It’s just for the two of us,” he said protectively.

“That’s not fun,” Jessi complained.

“Let’s go,” Nancy said coldly, scoffing as she turned away. “They can enjoy their little time alone.”

She walked off.

“Nancy,” Ray called.

She stopped and looked back.

“I’m sorry. Not this time. I need to be with her,” Ray said calmly.

Nancy glanced at me. “Alright. You’re lucky, Judy. I didn’t know Ray could love this much.”

Then she left.

“Have fun, guys,” Jessi said and followed after her.

For a moment, everything became quiet.

Ray held my hand again. I looked at him and smiled. For the first time, he had defended me. I felt happy.

“Come on, Judy. Let’s enjoy our time,” he said.

We left for the café.

We sat down with our drinks already on the table. I reached for mine and took a sip. It tasted sweet.

“Mmm… it’s good,” I smiled, taking another sip.

“Judy, do you have issues with Nancy?” Ray asked quietly.

I stopped drinking and placed the cup down. “I don’t trust them. I feel unsafe around her,” I replied firmly.

“Then why do you still hang out with them?” he asked.

I looked at him. His expression was calm, unreadable.

“It’s because of you, Ray. Can you stop being with them?” I asked softly.

He didn’t answer immediately. He just took a sip of his drink.

“Nancy is someone very dear to me,” he said quietly.

My heart sank.

“So there is no hope for me,” I thought.

There was silence between us.

“If it’s because of me that you’re hanging out with them, Judy,” he finally said, “then you can stop. I will still be with you.”

I looked at him carefully. “You mean… if I stop being their friend, you’ll still love me?”

He nodded slightly but avoided my gaze.

“You look sad, Ray,” I said softly.

He looked up. “Let’s change the topic,” he said.

I quickly nodded. “Okay… let’s do that.”

“Are you done with your coffee?” he asked.

I drank it quickly. “Yes.”

“Judy, you never cease to amaze me,” he smiled.

“That’s me,” I replied brightly.

He suddenly stood up. “Come on, Judy.”

“Where are we going?” I asked in surprise.

“The cinema. Let’s watch something fun.”

I smiled and followed him.

Inside the cinema, it was dark and full of people. Couples and families sat everywhere. Ray and I sat together with popcorn between us.

I leaned closer. “This is cool,” I whispered.

“I’m happy you like it,” he replied softly, looking at me.

I turned away shyly, my heart beating faster.

Suddenly, his hand touched my cheek. I felt chills and turned to him slowly.

He was staring deeply at me.

“What is it, Ray?” I asked, leaning back a little.

He turned away quickly. “It’s nothing,” he said.

Then he smiled again and fed me popcorn. I ate it shyly.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

We went quiet as the movie started.

After a few hours, the movie ended. Ray barely spoke during it.

“Let’s go now,” he said.

“We’re going home already?” I asked in shock.

“Yes, Judy. It’s late. You should go home,” he said gently.

“I don’t want to go yet,” I said, refusing to stand.

He looked surprised. “Why?”

“Ray… you’re acting strange. Did I do something wrong?” I asked.

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“Don’t push me away,” I said softly.

He smiled awkwardly. “It’s really nothing, Judy.”

I suddenly pulled him closer and kissed his cheek.

He froze. “Judy!”

“You can do it whenever you want, alright,” I said shyly, then ran off.

Ray ran after me.

I laughed as I ran through the garden. He caught up and we both fell onto the grass, laughing.

“Why are you running, Judy?” he asked breathlessly.

“You’re too slow!” I teased.

“I know… you’re just too fast,” he smiled.

We sat under a tree, the breeze soft and cool.

“Let’s stay a little longer,” I said.

“Okay, but only 30 minutes,” he replied. “You need to go home before dark.”

We sat quietly, enjoying the moment.

“Judy,” he called softly.

I turned.

He looked at me closely. My heart raced.

Then he smiled, turned away, and rested his head on my shoulder.

“Are you sleeping?” I asked softly.

“Mm…” he murmured.

“Just 30 minutes,” he said.

We stayed there longer than planned, almost an hour.

Later, we boarded the train home together. Somewhere along the ride, I fell asleep on Ray’s shoulder.

I don’t remember how I got home.

When I woke up in the middle of the night, I was already in my bed.

Confused, I sat up.

On the cupboard beside me was a small note.

I opened it and read:

“Hey Judy, thanks for today. I really enjoyed myself. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

— Love, Ray”

I smiled softly, holding the letter close.

“I miss you, Ray,” I whispered.

Then I lay back down and slowly drifted off to sleep.