Rising Stars

XI - A New Year and A Goodbye

"She was a whirlwind. And I think that's what drew me to her."

- Son Jaemin

January 4th, 2020

"I think that I need to rethink my career plan."

Eunkyung's hands froze above the keyboard of her laptop. "What?"

I interlocked my fingers. "My music. Making music. If it doesn't take off before the end of the year... I might need to pursue something a little more reasonable than singing."

Eunkyung pushed aside her laptop. She adjusted her glasses. "Why? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

"It's just a thought that crossed my mind earlier."

"Are you going to tell Sera?"

"I..." I trailed off, the question catching me entirely off guard. "I don't know. I probably won't."

"What are you gonna do?"

"Maybe go to school again? I'm not sure."

"You can't afford to go to school again."

"And you can?"

Eunkyung narrowed her eyes. "We're not talking about me, Jae."

"I..." I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Right. I'm sorry. Just stressed."

"It's alright." She leaned back in her chair. "There's an easy solution to your problem."

"Which is?"

"Work your ass off," she answered, like it was the simplest thing to do. "Make your music the best it's ever sounded. Try everything you can to succeed. Take risks." Eunkyung grinned. "The only reason you haven't succeeded yet, Jae, is because you're too afraid to take the dive. You're too hesitant."

"But what if I can't? What if the stars don't align for me, Eunkyung?"

"They already have." The grin on her face slowly morphed into a proud smile. "You have grown and changed so much in the last three months... you and Sera. You two, together, will change the world, Jae. You two could sing into the night sky, and the stars would sing right back."

I smiled. "Thank you for your confidence, Noona. It's appreciated."

"It better be." She grinned. "Now get to work. You still have some time before school starts."

I finished the rest of my tea and placed the mug into the sink. "I'll go get some work done then." With my worries settled and my mind put at ease, I headed back into my room, my thoughts already drifting towards a new EP concept.

[;]

The orange sun dipped below the horizon, creating a thin band of gleaming golden light that reflected against the deep blue surface of the sea. A crowd's clamor surrounded both Seraphine and I as we stood side-by-side at the edge of Santa Monica pier.

Sera tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear, her gaze momentarily flicking to me. Her hands were stuffed into the pocket of the large, violet hoodie she wore. "It's a little weird, isn't it?" She suddenly asked after a long moment of silence.

"What is?"

"Having nothing to worry about school-wise. Being on break. Being bored ."

"Our break is pretty much done, so you won't have to worry about being bored for the next six months."

Sera removed her hands from her pockets, placing her elbows on the pier's fence and resting her head in the palm of her hands. She fully turned her head towards me. "Think it'll be a good year?"