Jeon Jungkook's POV
"Oh damn he is cute." Those words and everything that happened last night was the only thing that was occupying my mind.
"You should stop practicing, you might reach your limit and get sick Jungkook." Taehyung said as he gripped my hand mid rehearsing the same moves that I couldn't pick up.
I have been feeling disoriented lately, as if I have lost purpose to my life. Am I even talented enough to pursue my dreams at this point? As she crashed into me yesterday and made me, who felt nothing but lost and out of my way, suddenly elated. I needed that right now.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Tae, this is not the time can you please just let me be. I have been trying to learn this move all morning and nothing is working out for me. I need to practice more that's the only way.". I said as I started panting heavily.
"What you need is rest!", he retorted as he left with a sullen look.
I left the building reluctant. My steps moved the opposite way of my house. I really didn't know where I was going but I had the urge to go anywhere but home.
I walked with no purpose and destination as I kept thinking to myself, the illusion, the shadow of what I want my life to be. I couldn't see it. I have been pursuing for my dream for the longest time with no actual improvement.
Whereas my chest started feeling heavier, I couldn't grasp my breath any longer. Instantly, I feel a comforting air around me. Looking back, I'm met with a familiar face. She looked at me astonished and as if she was at loss of words.
"Heejin? What's wrong, why are you looking at me like that?" I ask her.
We have been trainees together for the longest time but we never had a proper conversation together.
Why do I suddenly feel the urge to talk to her?
She is also dressed differently, not the usual feminine vibes. Just a casual black shirt and highwaisted jeans.
"Jungkook?" She asks in shock.
"Uhm, is there something on my face?" I responded bewildered.
As she started stuttering "No nothing never minds, what are you doing here?"
"I am here to get some air, are you going for practice?"
"Practice?? I am lost can you help me go to the building please?"
I looked at her in confusion. Lost? How could she be lost. Does she not even walk around in the streets around the main building?
"Okay..." I told her as I suddenly remembered Tae would be extra infuriated at me if I go back.
Midst stepped into the building, I told her to go take a break with the others in the cafeteria, but she insisted on going to the practice room. Seeing that she firmly decided she would go, I felt the need to go too. So we left anyways.
I knew I would probably be dead meat if Tae comes in any moment, but I wanted to try one last time.
I opened the same song I got sick of listening to, and looked into my reflection in the mirror. I noticed the sudden change in Heejins features.
She was engaged with the music from the start, as the beat went off she beautifully danced step by step, with no precision just a natural flow of her own, it's as if she was searching for her inner self through her movements. And when she reaches that one part, I always lose track off, she does it effortlessly.
"Teach me how to do that." I said as she stopped and stood in confusion.
"Teach you which part?" She asked.
"The last part, how do you not lose rhythm and do it so smoothly. Isn't it tiring?" I said astound at how she keeps her energy through the whole dance.
"Show me how you dance then."
After I reached that part, I gasped and fell over again. Considering how bewildered she was at first, standing there gazing at me with a smile; she finally spoke.
"Sometimes you just need to slow your pace to be able to show consistency, be it your life or dancing. I am not as good as you, I am sure of that. I could really feel your natural talent and hard work."
As I rested my head in the floor trying to grasp what she said.
"You are really talented." She suddenly added.
I looked at her gazing at me again as I promptly remembered Jieun. She looked at me the same way the night before.
Why can't I get her off my mind?
——
Lee Jieun's POV
"So Jeon jungkook right? you're a highschool student too?" I said while taking every type of chocolate I could see from the same supermarket he got a water bottle and smeared it into my face to wake me up.
"Yeah, I am in my last year but are you sure you're okay you literally just fainted?" He said all bewildered.
I can't believe I made a stranger pick me up off the streets like that, thinking about it, he has a really muscular back.
"Yeah I am fine it happens a lot." I lied knowing it was different from usual.
He was out of words and I felt the awkwardness, I expected sympathy right after.
Suddenly he breaks the silence, "You like chocolate that much?" He said taking one of the many chocolates off my hand.
"Yeah, it helps me out when I am stressed out." I replied comfortably.
We talked for a while, where we study and our usual routines and turns out he is a trainee.
Our conversation went on about our dreams and our struggles.
I don't know why it was so easy for us to open up at that moment but everything felt right, and we talked comfortably. Maybe its because we knew we might not meet again.
I did check my phone every 5 minutes to make sure if my parents even realized my absence. Not a single call.
"Why do you keep checking your phone like that?" He cackled.
"I am worried about what my parents would say but in the same time I think I want to them to call me." I forced a smile.
I felt he realized my sudden change in my mood.
"Do you want me to show you my favorite dance?" He got up and looked back at me cozily smiling.
——
While he started the music and kept checking for people passing self conscious, he abruptly changes his facial expression and started dancing without stopping.
As if all the embarrassment faded away and all I could percieve were his emotions through his movements.
I was out of words, he did every move so effortlessly and everything appeared easier than it actually was. He made it seem effortless.
The moment the music stopped, he slightly smiled looking down gasping air.
"That was amazing." I admired.
He laughed looking up at me, realizing I was gazing at him astound.
——
"You can't go all alone its dark." he says he insists to take me home.
"Why would I trust you either though?" I chuckled.
"I am the one who shouldn't trust a stranger who had her hands all over my chest". He teasingly smiled till his mouth corner dimples softly appeared.
My sudden interest in him sparkled and I couldn't take my eyes off him. He felt my glare and looked back at me, I tensed and blubbered.
"It's not like I meant it." I grumbled as he giggled.
——
I didn't want to go home yet, but I felt heavier and hotter as time passed by and at some point, I decided I should just go home.
Jungkook suddenly clasps my hand, "you should really take care, if anything happens just call me okay?" He softly spoke with his other hand sliding through my pocket taking my phone out.
I was deeply touched; his words were simple but unexpectedly warming .
"You're worried about a stranger? You're too nice!" I cackled nervously trying to hide my sudden appeal to the difference in size and how gentle his grip was.
"You fainted in-front of a stranger, what do you expect?" He smiled.
——-
I went inside slowly opening the door, I found no one waiting unexpectedly in the living room. To give me a whole lecture about leaving the house with no permission.
I was extremely fatigued and I could barely open my eyes properly.
I entered my room and went to bed carelessly knowing my dad probably didn't even realize I was gone for a decade now.
If I knew that was the case, I would have never been an obedient daughter and just sneaked out whenever I could.
I closed my eyes. My headache kept getting dreadful, and my vision slowly shifted into a vivid light. I let my body blend into the brightness till I could see flashbacks of memories that aren't familiar.
The warm air full of gasps and squeaking of shoes through a practice room. The desires of fulfilling dreams, with sounds of approval of people around me. Everything I have always wanted.
I hear a familiar sound as I glance close into the light, I see Jungkook and another girl.
What the hell, am I that smitten by him?