>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Sorn can’t contain her happiness when she goes back to school. She’s blooming. She’s totally blossoming. She chats with her colleagues with a genuinely sweet smile all the time. She’s feeling so special right now, it shows. It’s possibly one of the happiest parts of her life.

Jun glances at her every time and he can’t help but smile. She’s pretty simple. She’s pretty simple but very pleasing to the eyes. He’s starting to really fall for her. And he intends to do that so he can finally start a journey with her. And obviously, it’s gonna be soon.

While Jun and Sorn are in between their flourishing relationship, Jisoo is still holding onto some hope. He chooses to stand in the dark, blindfolded before the truth. He’s resolute and he won’t give up till the very last minute.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Their last class for the day has just ended and her colleagues have gone ahead. She has something to work on and she needs to have it done by the coming week. Sorn is still preparing her things, ready to leave for the dorms. She has a couple of things in her mind when someone stands beside her. She fails to notice that it’s Jun so she’s surprised when she hears his voice.

“Do you have some time off?” Jun asks her.

He finds it funny, her reaction is a bit grand. It seems like she almost had a heart attack. She closed her eyes as if hearing something shocking.

“Don’t scare me like that…” she says trying to calm her insides as she glances at him.

“I wasn’t scaring you though. I was just asking you.”

She sighs at him. Well, she was surprised not cuz she got startled, but cuz she heard his voice. It should’ve been obvious to him.

“What did you ask? I didn’t really hear it well.”

She continues to pack her things, avoiding his gaze. Her heart is rampaging inside, she might probably faint the longer she stares at his handsome face, but stays as calm as she can.

He obliges and repeats his question, “I asked if you have some spare time.”

“Why? I’m actually going back to the dorms early. I need to add something to my songs. I’m just a little bit behind for next week’s deadline.”

“Is that so? Then maybe tomorrow? Can we go out for dinner?”

She halts. He’s asking her out. He’s really asking her out for a change. She’s glad enough that he’s giving her the attention she wants. But he’s really starting to act like she’s someone important to him. It’s overwhelming her. She feels like dreaming.

“Dinner?” she retorts, “Actually, I want to grab something to eat before heading back,” she smiles sheepishly at him. She can’t let this chance pass after all.

Jun smiles at her. He’s acting all composed and shy right now. But to be honest, he’s actually nervous. He can’t believe he can be like this. He was too different when he was going after Seunghee. But now with Sorn, he’s more self-conscious, a bit awkward, and a little insecure. He used to just disregard her, but now all he can see is her. It’s like a whole new world for him. But he likes it more, he wants it more.

“Shall we go?” he asks.

“Yeah, sure,” she answers.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Spending dinner for the first time in a year, it’s an extravagant feeling for both of them. For her who only wished for this to happen and for him who has wished for this to happen soon. They used to be friends who just laugh at each other. But right now, as they sit across one another before this meal, it feels so much different. Both are purely quite nervous, as if it’s the first time they eat together like this.

Jun gives off a silly laugh, obvious of the fact, “Ah… what is this? Have we not known each other long enough? This is ridiculous. I’m getting nervous infront of you.”

That somehow pinches her heart that it makes her blush a bit. Sorn giggles too, trying to calm herself, “I know right? Why are we like this? And why am I even asking? Come on Jun.”

She wiggles her hands in her sides, trying to brush away the awkwardness.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to calm down? Waa… my nerves are killing me. Come on nerves! Calm down, will you?”

He pauses for a bit and laughs out loud right after. Sorn kinda gets offended.

“Why are you laughing?”

“We’re just too funny. I can’t take it,” he continues laughing.

His laugh makes her laugh. Soon enough, she finds herself laughing.

“Let’s just eat this before it gets cold,” she utters.

“And let’s get rid of the ridiculousness.”

“Yeah.”

Jun and Sorn finally leave the awkwardness behind and talk like usual. Though there’s a big difference compared to before. They used to only talk about school stuff and Seunghee before. But this time, it’s only just about them. Just about each other.

“Have your parents called?” he asks.

“They usually call during weekends. But I don’t think they’ll call this time. Dad is abroad and mom is busy for my brother’s birthday party on Saturday. I think I’ll call them instead,” she simply shares.

“Then would you like to come over? Why don’t we have dinner at home on Saturday? What’s your favorite dish? I’ll have it prepared for you.”

Jun says this so smoothly but she’s astounded. The ridiculous feeling is creeping in her heart once again. But she chooses to hide it.

“What’s in it on Saturday?”

“Nothing. Just plain dinner.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“What? No, you’ll come. I’ve arranged it with the chef already.”

It somehow ticks her off, all of a sudden, he’s getting all high and mighty again.

“Ah… so you’ve had it scheduled. What’s the use of asking me anyways?”

It’s a whole new experience for Jun. What he used to ignore, now means everything to him. Her small gestures and facial expressions all matter to him now. And for a start, right now, she looks kinda angry. It’s enthralling.

“Are you mad?” he asks.

“I’m not,” she answers but her face tells otherwise.

Even if he originally really set it already, looking at her reaction at the way he used to do things to her, he tells her differently, “I’m joking. I haven’t scheduled anything yet. Of course it’ll all depend if you’d come.”

She’s not responding though.

“So you don’t want to?” he adds.

“I want some chicken curry on Saturday and some nice cold desserts,” she plainly states.

His facial expression lightens and smiles at her.

“Lay low on the sweets. It’s gonna be hard to burn the excess-“

“I hate you.”

“What?”

“I’m not going.”

“Come on Sorn…”

“Eat those all by yourself.”

They continue arguing pettily like that. It’s too cute. They know they’re only trying to get on their nerves for the fun of it. It’s their way of bonding from the start. But this time it’s deeper, more heartfelt and more shared. Cuz this time, their lives are getting intertwined along with it.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Everyday doesn’t end without a moment not being together. It suddenly becomes like that for Jun and Sorn. And they’re both enjoying it, getting to spend more time with each other makes a strong start for both of them. It’s not good to rush things. They both know they have to take one step at a time. And it’s working well for both of them.

Jisoo is still visiting Sorn sometimes, he’s still calling her, sending her messages, asking if she has time to go out. But this time, all he gets are either, ‘I’m sorry.’ or ‘I’m busy.’ or some things of the like. It’s dawning on him but he refuses to see it. Until she says it’s game over, he will not stop. That’s how hard he’s become to himself. That’s how much he wants this girl.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

It’s eighth period and Jisoo is hanging out with Seungcheol by the lounges. He’s staring at his phone, surrounded by this gloomy aura. And all there is to stare at his phone is her picture. He sighs occasionally while at it. Then Seungcheol taps his shoulder to liven him up.

“Hey, I asked if you’re good to go tonight. Jeonghan said he’ll try to come,” Seungcheol says.

“I don’t know Cheol. I’ll call you later,” Jisoo replies.

Seungcheol sighs and is about to tell him something when his phone rings which he answers quickly, “Yeah, I’m here. I told you a few days ago I can’t make it tonight right? What?! Come on Nayeon…”

It’s Nayeon and Seungcheol is getting worked up. Jisoo only listens to him and it makes him feel even more pitiful. Their situation is a bit hard since Seungcheol can’t even take Nayeon with the group. But at least he has his girl with him. That’s the best part. That’s better than not having the girl and seeing her with another man. He grips his palm and grits his teeth. By this time, Jisoo is almost losing hope and it’s almost killing him.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

After the class she’s not sharing with Jun, Sorn quickly goes out of the room sending Jisoo a message. It has to be today, she tells herself. She’ll finally tell him the real score.

Meanwhile, Jun is sitting on his seat as his peers are going out of the room. He wants to see her. It’s like a disease. He gets his phone and types some words but erases it otherwise. He ponders for some time and on second thought, he decides to search for her instead. He’s getting the feeling like when he used to chase after Seunghee. Now he’s quite sure he’s enchanted by this girl. And this time, he’ll definitely get her.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

“I haven’t seen you in days. I’m glad we could meet today,” Jisoo starts.

They are at the park, sitting together under the biggest tree. There aren’t much people around. And the afternoon wind is calm and cool.

“Yeah, I just have to see you today oppa,” Sorn starts, thinking about how to tell him as she looks at him.

Jisoo smiles at her. She looks a little disturbed and uneasy. It’s completely obvious to him why she has to see him. She cannot hide it anymore and he cannot avoid it anymore. Seeing this as the fated day, he tries to calm her down by dismantling her resolve with some music. He puts out his music player. This time, equipped with the right memory card and headset, he taps the play button.

“The song, I want you to listen to it here. Shall we?” he hands her the right side of the earphone and she willingly puts it on her ear with a smile.

The music starts and they indulge themselves in the music.

The story starts laying in the dark with someone new
I’m feeling tired from all the time I spent on you
But I know I’m strong from all the trouble I’ve been through
The story starts where the story falls apart with you

Don’t lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see when you fall asleep?
Cause I know it’s you I dream about every night
Giving me a feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I’ve never felt with another
Don’t lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see?
Tell me I’m not dreaming alone

The story starts lying in the dark broken and bruised
I count the scars left in my heart from losing you
And I was wrong but let’s be honest you were too
I miss the part where I was falling hard for you

So don’t lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see when you fall asleep?
Cause I know it’s you I dream about every night
Giving me this feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I’ve never felt with another
Don’t lie, bright eyes
Is it me that you see?
Tell me I’m not dreaming alone

I can’t take back the things I said
And I won’t say that I regret
Any day that I was yours

Don’t lie, bright eyes
I know it’s me that you see when you fall asleep
And you know it’s you I dream about every night
Giving me this feeling like
Love in the summer
Way I’ve never felt with any other
Don’t lie, bright eyes
It’ll always be you and me, so why are we dreaming alone?
Woah oh, woah oh, woah oh
It’ll always be you and me, so why are we dreaming alone?

“It’s such a nice song oppa,” Sorn says.

“I wrote this thinking about you. I don’t know why, but the idea just keeps coming to me. So the lyrics came out like this,” he explains.

She feels like this is the right time to tell him. She’s getting the hint that he’s somewhat aware of the truth. Of the blooming relationship between her and Jun.

“Oppa, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

“Sure, what is it?” he doesn’t look at her but he’s actually afraid deep inside. He’s scared that this is the last time he’ll be able to be with her like this.

She stares at him and suddenly, kisses him on the cheek, making Jisoo feel confused. He turns to her with wide eyes and then she utters, “Thank you for being nice to me. But oppa, I think you have to stop now. I…I still love Jun. And I never really stopped loving him. It has always been him and I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you from the start.”

This revelation shatters his world. Part of him refused to expect it to be this way but part of him has already accepted the truth since that night in Busan. He hasn’t felt this much for a girl before and it’s really making him crazy. But she can’t reject him. Not today, when he’s falling so in love with her already. Not today, when all he wants to hold her close.

It hazes his mind and leaves all his gentlemanliness aside, he pulls her close and presses his lips against hers. Sorn lays there in his arms frozen. She doesn’t want it from him. Not now, not ever.

What’s worse is that Jun is passing by at the scene in search for her, where by chance he sees the moment they’re sealed with a kiss, with her enveloped in his arms in a tight embrace. He stares at them right there, unable to move from where he stands. Unable to truly believe what his two eyes are witnessing. Unable to accept his supposed to be very cruel reality.

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

To be continued…

(16.08.17)