A Homecoming

I Will Be Found

"You still think he'll show up"

Jisoo's eyes wandered around the vast sea. Other surfers are starting to paddle back to the shore as waves become less and less frequent. It was time to go back, but part of her still expects him to show up. Sighing, she looked at Lisa, "I just thought I was able to.. to break into him last night.

Adjusting her bikini top before leaning on her board, Lisa turned to Jisoo, "Give him time. What he went through was intense, and we don't know what recently happened to trigger this again, but let's be hopeful that he'll show up for himself. Have faith, and get ready to be surprised coz it might be sooner than any of us expected."

Chuckling, Lisa splashed water toward Jisoo, "You're thinking about him too much! Is this a crush or something? Come on! The sun is getting too hot!"

Before Jisoo could defend herself, Lisa started paddling toward the shore, leaving her with a thought that's been growing persistent since the day he worked on the coffee machine. His name became an ear-worm that every time she hears it, her tummy flutters a little. And his smile, that shy smile that makes the edges of his lips turn up ever so slightly..

Fuck.

Hurriedly, she leaned on her board and paddled back to the shore, catching up with Lisa who just looked at her with that knowing smile of hers. "I cant believe I'm right again!" she called out, laughing, as they paddled back to the shore together.

As they made their way back to the resort, Lisa still couldn't help but smile teasingly. Even without saying anything, Jisoo knows what is currently going in on her head. "Look," Jisoo started, rolling her eyes, "I just.. I'm just concerned, okay? The guy went through a lot and maybe surfing can help so I just offered. That's it!"

"You don't have to explain yourself! I was just-"

"Oh come on, you won't shut up about this ever. I know you!"

"And why are you so touchy about it? If it's not true then you could just say so, right?" Lisa turned to her and started to open her mouth again but instantly closed it. Instead, she smiled brightly and waved to the person behind Jisoo. "Good morning, Haein!"

The sound of his name made Jisoo freeze right on the spot. She was caught between still being pissed at Lisa's unnecessary reading, and the sudden intense relief from knowing that he is outside of his dark room finally. She exhaled slowly, trying to calm to calm down because her heartbeat decided to up its pace, before turning around to face Haein.

He was wearing a plain white shirt, and against the soft morning sunlight, this just made him look like he's sort of glowing. Jisoo's throat felt uncharacteristically dry, not because of the seawater, but..

"Hi Lisa, Jisoo. I.. uhm.. I woke up late, I'm sorry. I was really planning to join you paddle out but.. I think I overslept." He rambled apologetically, pulling at his ear as he look at the two girls. Jisoo noticed how he does it, pulling at his ear, whenever he feels anxious. She finds it adorable how bashful he can be at times, knowing also how he can be cold and cutting the next.

"Oh. Oh it's okay!" Lisa said, waving her hand in front of her to emphasize her point. "We usually surf everyday, sometimes twice a day - during dawn and at sunset - so there's plenty of time to join! Just let us know, as long as the waves are there, we can surf, right unnie?" Lisa turned to look at Jisoo, expecting her to say something. Instead, she just nodded, which made Lisa's shoulders droop in disappointment. Oh god, unnie. Stop staring. You're absolutely giving yourself away.

Her offer made Haein smile, "Thank you. And I hope I didn't make you wait or whatever." Nodding, Haein started to turn to leave the two girls, but he stopped last minute and instead, turned back to Jisoo.

"Thank you.. for last night."

Jisoo stood, taken aback by Haein's sincerity. She couldn't put a finger on it, but she felt like something within him has shifted for the better. Like a cloud lifted, allowing hopeful rays of sunlight permeate the darkest corners of his being. Before, she didn't believe in hope too much. In her head, what keeps one going is a complicated mix of spite and desire to prove something to someone. Seeing Haein now, she realized that a simple thing such as hope can push someone as wounded as Haein to keep on living.

"You're welcome, Haein. It's good to see you."

Another smile crept into his lips, probably one of the first ones in the past few days. Upon seeing this, Jisoo couldn't help but smile as well. "It's good to be around."