Euphoria

5: If Fate holds us

Maya stopped, immediately. Her palms covering her lips. He clicked his tongue. His heart wanting her to smile more. As if a pull towards her.
He was about to say something. He was interrupted a deep voice. Another handsome boy with a rather intimidating charm put his arms around his shoulder,
"The shot's ready JK."
He smirked as his eyes fell on Maya,
"And who is this pretty lady here?"
"I-I..."
"COME HERE RIGHT NOW BEFORE I BEAT YOU UP WITH MY SLIPPERS! AISH! THESE MAKNAES!"
Maya looked over, finding herself scanning the man with broad shoulders and a really handsome face. He smiled and bowed at Maya, making Maya do the same.
"Hyung please join them. I'm coming in a second."
His doe eyes glued on Maya. He was commanding the other one. The one with the deeper voice. The one with the deep voice, winked at him as he walked away, almost obeying him. Maya wished that the doe eyed boy would smile at her once more. Maya's wish came true, he waved at her and smiled before turning away.
Maya felt her heart crush slightly. She wanted him to stay a few more seconds. She mumbled,
"If I wish to meet you again, would it be too much to ask for?"
Her eyes devouring every sight of him. She sincerely watched him walk away and fade slowly.

"Maya they are just nightmares."
"No they aren't! They have to mean something! Look, I've seen these dreams from a really young age and that day when I was walking back..."
"THEY ARE JUST NIGHTMARES!"
Choi Sung's voice echoing through the well furnisheddining room. The cutlery clicked against the china plates.
Maya gasped, tears forming around her eyes. Her ears prickling,
"Thanks for this meal but I'd rather starve."
She pushed the plate away, biting her bottom lip. She ran out of the room, wiping her tears.
Choi Heuri hummed,
"She's growing up."
"Too fast, that is."

Tears prickling her cat eyes, her feet taking her to nowhere. Why can't anyone believe her? She rubbed away her tears and sat on a rusty swing. Her fingers gripping on the rusty orange chains holding the swing together. Her cheeks and nose gaining colour. She wasn't a liar. No she wasn't!
She looked around. Where was she? The playground dirty and muddy. The swings almost damaged. The place looked almost out of colour. So out of colour. So grey and rusty. Where even was she? Why did she feel so out of place here? Why did she feel as if she was a part of this place?
She started to wince in pain. The same numbing pain. Her palms aggressively pressing down on her temples. Tears rushed down from both her eyes simultaneously. Her limbs aching as a pain took over her muscles.

"You ugly ass bitch! You ruined my life!"
The woman, drunk out of her wits, threw the green soju bottle at the little child. Her skin tone warmer than honey, fear in her eyes. She ran. She ran for her life. She ran to the place she felt most like home.

Her head spinning. She felt strong gists of air hit her face. Maya shot her eyes open with a pretty loud gasp. Her fingers scarred from holding the chains too tight. With her sore fingers, she scooped away the tears. She can't be this weak every now and then. She has to stand up on her own.

"I saw you were feeling down."
If embarrassment was a feast, Maya was the only one eating. She quickly jumped to her feet. Biting her lips, she saw the same young man from before. Too many coincidences. They can't keep on meeting like this, it's absurd!
"Ho-how did you find me?"
She asked, her hand clutching her chest. She backed away. Was his innocent charms a mask? Just a mask to hide his vicious intentions? She balled her fists in front of her and took a stance. Her eyes and jaws tightened. She should've thought beforehand. Looks do fool!
His eyes popping out of their sockets. How dumb can he be? Of course the girl's scared of him! Of course he is invading her personal space! Dumbhead!
"Ma'am, I mean no harm! I will walk away or leave if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable around me. But I'm completely harmless! I won't do anything, trust me. It's just that, I couldn't get you out of my head. And then I saw you visibly pale and crying. I just wanted to help you. I'm sorry for disturbing you. But your state was worse..."
"You are an idol, aren't you?"
He just giggled. Maya's fists slowly dropped. Her stance a bit more comfortable. She stood there awkwardly, admiring his smile.
"You knew?"
"Knew what?"
"That I was an idol."
"Well, you are too handsome to not be scouted. Besides, your voice is pure heaven..."

"You knew?"
"Knew what?"
"That I was an Idol!"
"Yeah, you are too handsome to not be scouted. And your voice is just pure heaven. Besides, every girl wants you. You are on every billboard. The Hwanggeum Maknae."

"Hwanggeum Maknae."
Maya murmured instinctively. His face lit up. He smiled, someone knows him!
"You know me. Someone knows me."
Maya didn't want to burst his bubble. She doesn't know him one bit. The word just came into her mind. Maya wanted to deny. But she couldn't. Her heart didn't let her. He was way too happy to know that his happiness was for nothing. Maya chuckled through her tears.
"One day, everyone would know you. Everyone. Every billboard will have your face on it. Every girl would die for you. One day in the future."
Maya looked him in the eye. She didn't want to ask him his name. She didn't want to disappoint herself. The feeling of devouring each moment because they are never meeting again is insanely nerve-racking. He was happy, someone knew him atlast. She didn't want to ruin the happiness. He expanded his hand, holding the packet of mochi in his palms,
"But seriously, ma'am. I mean no harm. Let's be friends."

"But I seriously want to help! Ma'am, please let me help you. Please let me be your friend?"

Maya smirked. Her dream, for the first time, wasn't draining out all her strength. Instead it felt prophetic.
"I don't make friends that easy Jeon."