Our Summer || SOOBIN TXT

Lighthouse

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Theme Song: Debussy - Clair De Lune
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I feel my palms start to sweat. The temperature of the room seems to have increased tremendously. Why is it so hot?

"Park Eun?"

I hear a voice but I see no face.

"Park Eun are you okay?"

"Hmm?" I look around me. All the students stare at me, their gawking eyes feels like they are looking into my very soul. This is too much. I avert my gaze to the instructor.

"Are you okay?" He asks again.

"Oh, y-yes." I start pulling on the sleeves of my cardigan.

"Then you may proceed." He gestures to the piano.

The piano? Why? Oh, yes. I have to play it, I have to play a solo. Slowly, I make my way towards it once again and sit down.

"Whenever you're ready, don't be nervous dear, we are all open to something new," he says.

Something new. What exactly does he mean by that? Arg. This has escalated in the wrong direction way too fast. I breathe slow even breaths. I can do this. Why else have I been practicing since the age of five? This is second nature. I gently lay my fingers on the keys. But, what do I play? I do not know what makes me play this specific song, but I do. Breathe in and out and begin. I play Debussy's Clair de Lune. It is my most absolute favourite classical piece. As I play, the world around me slowly begins to fade away. Each key I play drifts me further and further away from reality, I become entirely engulfed in the music. The silence of the room aids in the oblivion my mind creates, where it is just me the piano and the music.

This particular song has always affected me emotionally in a way I that do not understand. And I almost feel myself shed a tear. It reminds me of a deep loss. Once I end off the song the sound of my breathing is the only thing audible in the dead silence of the practice room. I am brought back to reality when it is all over. I turn to look at the class, some of them continue to stare at me others whisper words I cannot fathom. Was I that bad? My thoughts race.

"Miss Eun, where did you learn to play like that?" the instructor asks.

"Er, a classical music afterschool program in London."

"The precision, the emotion," he says, his lips forms into a huge smile. "I must say, you impressed me quite a lot."

I am at a loss for words.

"Some of these students definitely can learn a thing or two from you," he says.

"Thank you, sir." I eventually find my voice.

"I would like to hear more from you in the near future Miss Eun."

"Yes sir." A small bud of happiness blooms within my chest.

"Okay everybody, it seems like our time is up, I'll see you all again next week." The instructor says exiting the practice room.

"Wow, Mia you were so good!" So Hyun gleefully cheers.

"More like amazing, you definitely got everyone's attention," Mi Rae adds.

"Thanks." I am being flooded with so many compliments all at once that my heart can barely take it.

"Hello," a familiar voice says. It is Beomgyu. Did I mention that he is really handsome?

"Hello." Both So Hyun and Mi Rae greet.

"Park Eun." His smile is so calm. "You played beautifully."

"Uh." Why can I not speak rationally here? "Thank you Beomgyu," I bow.

He chuckles. "You should teach me sometime, it would be nice to learn something new."

"Er, sure." I look to my friends. "You should let me know, so we can arrange for a practice session here."

"That would be great." He slides his hands into his pants pockets. "I have to go now, you should all enjoy your day." He gives one last smile and swiftly walks away.

"He's so nice," Mi Rae sighs.

"Do you know him?" I ask.

"Basically everyone knows him. He's very friendly," So Hyun says.

"And the fact that he's an idol." Mi Rae points out.

"An idol?"

"Yeah, his group recently debuted."

A part of me feels honored to have been in the company of an idol, however, I know that people living those lives only live for their career. Love, relationships and family, those things are not in the job description. I know all too well the consequences of being close to or loving someone in the spotlight. It never ends well.

"Mia?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's go?" So Hyun gestures.

"Ah, yes."

When classes are done for the day I greet So Hyun and Mi Rae as I part ways with them and exit the school grounds. I shield my face against the strong rays of the sun as I look up at the sky, not a single cloud is present. The weather is nice and sunny today so I decide to take a stroll. The bus stop is quite a distance from the academy so I take the time to enjoy the scenery as I walk. People are already wearing floral and colourful attire, it is almost Summer here in Korea. I smile to myself, it would be so exciting to explore Seoul with my new friends once Summer break starts.

"Mom." A girl wines.

"Yah, I'm only looking out for your health." An elder women says to the girl. "So take these okay, you know your mother worries about you."

The girl smiles. "Thank you mom." She embraces the women.

I do not know why this display causes a minor pain in my chest. But the pain soon floods my throat. Mom. I wonder if she would have brought food over to my apartment once I start university. If she would worry about me like that. If she would hug me. . . A memory flashes in my mind like a kaleidoscope of pictures.

She rubs my hair softly. Her hair still styled and makeup beautifully applied. She wears a red evening gown and blood red lipstick to match.

"I missed you hunny, how was your day?" She smiles.

"It was nice, I made a friend." I feel proud of my accomplishment.

"That's nice." She kisses my forehead and pulls the blanket over my chest. "Sleep tight my dear."

I nod and close my eyes. "I love you," she whispers.

"I love you too mommy." I yawn.

She had attended an awards ceremony that night, I told my dad that I would not go to sleep until she returned home. I was so excited to tell her about my first day at preschool. Something warm and wet slithers down my cheek. A tear. I do not even know how I end up crying. Soon more start pouring but I remain calm, not wanting people walking by to notice. So I hang my head. It is a pity though, considering that the cherry blossoms look quite beautiful today. I walk anyway, staring at the fallen flowers on the path. It angers me how I hoped to have left all those old memories behind once we left London, but somehow they continue to haunt me.

"Mia?"

Without thought, I look up at the mention of my name.

The person's face is blurred by the immense amount of tears clouding my vision. The cherry blossoms fall like it is a movie scene and I almost laugh but I am still numb from the sudden wave of emotions. Who could it be? My mind wonders. I blink once and the face becomes clearer.

He looks at me, concern etched in his brows, a look I have never seen on him. He always smiles, the kind that makes me feel happy in a way I cannot comprehend. His presence is like a beacon of hope amidst my thrashing sea of emotions. I almost feel relieved to see him.

"Soobin," I whisper.