Sungjoon walked out of the room, leaving Kini sat up and motionless. Her dreams overwhelmed her but she was almost drowned with his kiss. That unexpected kiss. You're not my type, her memory whispered. She covered her ears with both hands and shook her head. She was staring blankly at the horizon when a rectangular object caught her eye. It was placed on the chair beside her bed, where Sungjoon spent most of his time waiting. Her hand took hold of it, it was a sketchpad. On the cover, Sungjoon's name was written. Kini fought against herself not to open the sketchpad, but her curiosity won over and before she knew it, she was leafing through the pages.
Every turn of the page was a revelation. With every strokes, lines and figures that made up Sungjoon's sketches, unleashing not just his talent in sketching but also the matters of his heart. On the first page, a man carrying a woman on his back was drawn.
I saw this girl at the bar. The stranger was beaten up. Lucky for her I was there.
Kini turned the page, she saw a girl who was sleeping peacefully. It was sketched the same day as the first one. I want to go home but I'm enjoying drawing this girl. She talks in her sleep. I'm having fun here. The next page showed a ramyeon, Sungjoon drew it in a way that color was the only thing missing and it would be mistaken for a picture. Cold ramyeon. I can't believe I'm sharing this house to party girl. Her sister is Hyung's ex girlfriend. For me, party girl is prettier. The word prettier was crossed out and replaced with stupid. Kini did not notice but she was smiling, she turned the page and saw a sleeping girl again with NBA posters on the wall. Party girl in my room. Aigoo, she stained the bed! So embarrassing, I had to buy her a napkin!
The next page was blank and the page after it. Kini thought Sungjoon's sketches ended there, until she noticed blotches of charcoal, so she continued leafing the pages. Then, she found a drawing of human sticks. A girl sandwiched by two boys. Annoying Kibum, Party Girl, Sungjoon. There were bubble thoughts above Kibum and Sungjoon. Kibum said, You are so pretty. Sungjoon said, You are so stupid. Kini said, I am stupid. Below the three human sticks, a big smiley was drawn saying, We are stupid!
Kini even uttered the word stupid unconsciously. On the next page, two girls were drafted. The girl with a wedding veil and the girl crying. Party girl cried. I know the reason why. She loves him. I wish I didn't hear that! There was another drawing finished on the same date. A man and a woman at the bar. Annoying Kibum and Kini at the bar! Grrrggg! Wait, she needs to wash the bed sheet. I'll pick her up. Right, I'll go and get her!
Time flew so fast, and Kini was surprised she was down to the last page. A woman sleeping with oxygen attached to her nose. How many times have I watched you sleeping? Will you also dream about me if I keep on watching you? Wake up sleeping beauty! Will you wake up if I kiss you?
--------------------------------
Ara was sauntering through empty streets on her way home. Cognizant of Kai's presence behind her, she would stop from time to time. Her last stop would be under the street lamp, next to her apartment. She turned around to face Kai and when she did, she was surprised to see his face so closed to hers. Ara almost lost her balance. Fortunately, Kai was able to catch her and found themselves in a ballroom like position. It was really awkward but they remained on that position a little bit longer. Soon, Kai's face was moving closer and closer and his lips found Ara's.
Under the street lamp, in the empty and underlit street, Ara got her first kiss. Kai tried to deepen the kiss but Ara was too nervous that her reflex spoiled the moment and slapped Kai.
"I'm sorry." Ara said, her face had gotten red. Kai gave her a smirked, touching his cheek where Ara's cruel hand had landed.
"It's okay. Good night Noona." said Kai and kissed Ara on the forehead. Ara remained standing under the street lamp, she couldn't believe what had just happened. After 25 years, she got her first kiss from a kid. Her hand moved involuntarily and her fingers found her lips. Then, she screamed like sasaeng fan seeing their oppas. Then, she jaunted her way to the gate and she screamed again, this time like seeing a ghost.
"Yesung?! Did you-" Ara was cut off by his stare. His eyes showed a blazing fury.
"I saw everything. So you're dating that kid now? What are you? A pedo?" For the second time that night, she slapped someone on the face. This time was harder.
"You're just a friend, right? Who I want to date, where and when, is none of your business. Leave." Ara said and held the metal bar of the gate. Yesung stopped her.
"Yes, we're just friends. But it doesn't mean we can't be more than that. I like you and I want to protect you from those sasaeng fans."
"Really? Well, I don't need you or your sasaeng fans. Leave me in peace okay?!" Ara yelled at him and ran to the door.
--------------------------------
Suri took the train to Mokpo, bringing her camera, recorder and Times magazine featuring Jeremy Lin on the cover. Though, she did not go to Korea for Jeremy Lin, an interview with the NBA sensation would prove her worth in the company. However, she knew that if her engagement with Heechul pushed through, she had to quit her job in New York. To be honest, she wanted to leave Seoul, even just for a day to forget everything. Jang sisters, falling in love with the same person.
She was deep in thought that she did not notice the train leaving Seoul, even the man who occupied the seat next to her.
"Suri ssi, where are you going?"
"Lee Donghae?!" It surprised Suri to meet Donghae in the train. He smiled at her but he couldn't hide the sadness in his eyes. "I'm going to Mokpo, how about you?"
"Really? I'm going to Mokpo too. What will you do there?" Donghae asked with enthusiasm.
"Jeremly Lin is in Mokpo." Suri said in a low voice. Then, put her index finger on her lips. Donghae laughed at this.
"Arasseo, I won't tell anyone."
"Donghae ssi, why are you going to Mokpo?"
"I'm going to visit my father's grave." Donghae said, his face became a bit serious. But it didn't last long since he forced a smile. Suri knew how tough his breakup with Helen must have been. She suddenly felt the guilt.
"Are you okay now?"
"I'm trying." Donghae looked away, staring at the horizon through the glass window. There was a moment of silence, an eerie feeling of quietness. Then, Donghae spoke. "Right now, I want to punch this window. I want to bleed. I want to cringe in pain, so I can cry."
"Then, do it." Suri said, Donghae gave her a look and smirked.
"I might end up in jail."
"At least, you'll learn something."
"What?"
"The glass used in that window is no ordinary glass. Even if you punch it many times, you won't break it. Like your heart."
"My heart?"
"Unlike ordinary glass shattered in pieces when broken. A broken heart remains intact. Am I right?" Donghae broke to a smile. This time, he flashed a genuine smile after a week.
----------------------------------
He woke up with his aching head. He tried to move but his sore body prevented him. A girl in a habit attended to him and helped him sat up.
"Where am I?" He asked
"You're here in the orphanage. The fishermen found you by the shore and brought you here. There is no hospital in this town. What's your name?" The nun asked.
"Siwon. My name is Siwon?"
"What a great name. Siwon, where are you from?"
"I don't know. I can't remember." A throb of pain hit his head again that he cringed.
"Aigoo! Drink this." The nun said, handing her a glass a medicine and a glass of water. Siwon took it and drank, his hand was trembling that almost half of the water spilled. "Are you okay?" Siwon just nodded, when he found himself more relaxed he spoke.
"Thank you. May I know your name?"
"Stella. They call me Sister Stella here."
