Ｍｅｌａｎｇｅ

Compass Rose (SVT)

I always have a sense of my north. It is always changing and moving, but it is always my center.

Everyone has a special emblem on their hand, I hear it ranges in different places. In my town at least, we bear compasses. Always on the palm, they say.

My mother always found this to be special. She has always told me, "Take care of your hand, walk under those cherry blossoms with your hand open. If a petal falls onto your compass, your other half is sure to come."

Every day on my walk to school I kept to the cherry blossom path, my mother has never steered me wrong before. I keep my hopes high and my thoughts positive. I know that one day I will find my perfect match. The world wouldn't give you something this special without intending for it to be used.

I kept on with my normal bounce in my step as I raised my hands high into the blossoms. The soft silken petals grazed my fingertips but never did I pull one off. Disturbing them would be like trying to magnetize my compass to a different north. 

Each day, my palm came so close to blooming but at then end the petals folded themselves back into the compass. Today has to be the day.

The blossom petal in my hand confirmed it.

[C]~~~

I bounded up the the lunch table after fourth block. Mingyu and Minghao were already sitting in our usual booth table. Sometimes I wondered if they even went to class.

"Hey Mings!" I greeted brightly.

The two of them waved, and Mingyu scooted closer to the wall the booth was connected to. I took my place next to them and set my bag at my feet.

"Something good happen to you Seungkwan? You're more cheerful than usual."

I gently took the silk petal from my pocket and displayed it to them proudly. Minghao's face contorted into a confused expression and Mingyu was blank faced.

I sighed and began to explain it to then when the two of their faces lit up.

"Oh! The story your mom always told you about blossoms and stuff!" Mingyu recalled.

They both laughed at the memory of when I first told them. "My soulmate has to be close today guys, I can feel it!" I couldn't help but smile, "By the way, where are Soonyoung and Seokmin?"

Minghao's nose scrunched at the mention of the duo, "They're off doing who knows what. Wait, nevermind, they're in the lunch line together. And now they're walking over here. Who's that with them?"

"You're narrating again Minghao," the boy besides me reminded. But he did note that the two were dragging along a third wheel.

Once at the table, Soonyoung and Seokmin grabbed the booth seat next to Minghao, their third standing at the table edge like an outlier.

"So this is Hansol! He's new in my and Seokmin's class," Soonyoung introduced.

I nudged Mingyu to scoot closer to the wall as I kicked my bag further under the table. The third took his place next to me hesitantly. His foam tray squeaked against the plastic table.

"So for further introductions!" Seokmin announced cheerfully, "The guy next to me is Minghao, he's the drama and active guy." Minghao waved and flashed a grin. "At the far end of your seat is Mingyu, try not to mix up the names." He laughed as if it were a joke. "And closer to you is Seungkwan. He's really squishy when you get to know him."

Suddenly Soonyoung slapped his hand on the table. "Did you guys realize we all have either S or M for our names. Well, Hansol is the exception."

Minghao snorted, "You barely got that?"

"You want to throw some hands?" Soonyoung glared.

I waved my hand to dismiss those two and turned to Hansol, my hand held out as a greeting. He tensed but relaxed a second later and shook it. I noticed on the back of his hand there was a silver lock. He must not be from this town.

"That's an interesting mark, no compass?" I remarked.

He rubbed the mark with his other hand and chuckled nervously. "Ah, yeah. I'm from a couple of towns over. A lot of people have been commenting on it. I heard you have compasses?"

I grinned and held up my palm for him to see. "Yep! Proudly on display!"

He tilted his head and glanced over to Seokmin's hand. "Do all compasses have red roses at the center?"

"What?" I shouted and nearly shoved my palm into my face. "Guys! What the! How!" I yelled out words.

Mingyu yanked my hand from my face and turned my palm in every light. His expression was hard to decipher. "I can't believe it."

I looked at everyone's compasses in return. Everyone had their palms up to compare to mine. No one had roses. And then I glanced to Hansol. He was more confused than anyone.

"Hansol, was the lock on your hand always opened?"

He touched his lock with a shaking finger. "No, no it hasn't."

He looked at my rose and then at my face. His eyes traced every detail. I couldn't help but do the same. His bright eyes looked so full of life. And his smile was brighter than any star or sun in the universe.

His hand reached for mine and our fingers intertwined. There was an electricity that I couldn't note the last time. But now it was true.

Minghao whistled, "Looks like we have a couple of lovebirds. When's the wedding?"

Mingyu and Seokmin slapped his arms not a second later.

Hansol's lips pursed but he couldn't help but smile again. "I'm Choi Hansol. What's your name?"

I almost choked out a laugh, or maybe a happy sob. "I'm Boo Seungkwan." My voice strained as if it wanted to yell out the answer.

Hansol teased a smile, "Choi Seungkwan. Boo Hansol. I think you would work better with my last name."

Minghao just about died laughing.