Euphoria

7: A Dream is a Wish

A bell rang. Maya smiled, already knowing who it was. His eyes glowing, her smile was beautiful. Maya greeted him and handed him his order. Americano. 3 days in a row? That too for an idol who had a comeback coming up? He might like Americano a lot.

I need you girl neon areumdawo
I need you girl neomu chagawo
I need you girl I need you girl
I need you girl I need you girl

His voice was honey. Maya couldn't help but turn up the volume. He smiled. His first win. Their first win. This song indeed is special to him. But she jamming to his voice is a dream come true.  Everyone in this world knows him, more or less that is, but SHE knowing HIM and admiring his work is a different feeling.

He picked the window seat. The idol life dawning on him. Again. It was time for them to start promoting again. They were even scheduled to go overseas soon. Tomorrow it all stops. They need to work on music and choreography. They need to be perfect before they start promoting again. His doe eyes trailed towards the girl serving caffeine and pastry.

She was beautiful. Her skin warmer than honey, her lips plump and red. Her messy locks giving her another different aura. The brown cat eyes hiding something deep. She had some sort of a foreign beauty. A sort he was unaware of.

The faint sound created by the cutlery softly placed on the plate. It was most probably intentional. He moved his doe eyes from the window towards... Her.
Maya didn't dare to look him right in his eye. She wanted to hold the confident image she was always holding. If she looked him in the eye she would melt. She would even tell him his darkest desires.
"Thanks for the chocolate cake Ma'am but I didn't order this."
"It's a gift. You are going to have a comeback soon. And I doubt that you'd have free time to stroll by. You have schedules and promotions..."

Her voice tinted with pain. Of course he would leave. He is an idol for heaven's sake. He may never comeback for another Americano. He looked at her, biting her lips. Of course she knows about his upcoming events! He was the member of the biggest boy group in this world! Everyone knows about his events. Why was he even this famous?

"Thanks."
His lips curved into a small smile. She fiddled with her skirt. Uncomfortably, trying to pull her skirt down. He scooped a spoon out of the chocolate delicacy. Rich chocolate glaze dripping of the soft spongey chocolate chip cake. Garnished with white chocolate shavings.
"Oh! My bad."
Maya mentally slapped herself. Napkins. Of course! How could she forget to give him the napkins? Her hands swiftly pulling out a set of napkins out of her apron pocket. He smiled, with his chocolate spotted lips. His tattooed hand moved forward to get hold of the white soft napkins. Their hands brushed against each other. Maya felt a thin sparking electricity inside her nerves.
Her eyes quickly met his. Maya saw herself in those eyes. A perfect reflection of herself. For the first time in forever Maya felt the need to throw away all the beauty products that promised her beauty. Fot the first time, Maya felt the need to remove the dark red lipstick. Maya, for the first time in forever felt beautiful.

Her feet were killing her. Her skirt constantly riding up. Her heart beating slower. Her mind wrapped around his memories. He was gone. He was an idol. Of course he would walk away. What else did Maya except from him?
He would stay and smile at her everyday? He would just stroll by to have an Americano? How foolish of her to think that! He's an idol. He loves music and is working to achieve his dreams.

"Would you mind taking my jacket Ma'am? You seem uncomfortable with the skirt."
Maya stopped. Her heart missing a beat, only because of him. Him again.
"But... How can I take your jacket? Wouldn't you need it?"
His arms snaked around her waist. He tied the sleeves around her waist, while the rest covered her hips. He stepped back, sensing how flustered Maya was to begin with. He bowed,
"I didn't want to be rude but you just seemed uncomfortable."
"Oh, it's not a big deal. But Thank you! The skirt really is something annoying. It's short and tight..."
His eyes glowing, as Maya spoke. He had never heard Maya speak like this. It was always in a formal and cold demeanour. Today was his day. Wasn't it now?
The situation sunk in. Maya quickly covered her mouth and her eyes widening as a natural reflex. Her eyelashes fluttered, flustered to death,
"Sorry."
His heart, once again pierced by the Cupid's arrow. How cute! She just appealed to him in any way. Whether it is formal or the flustered demeanour.
"Aren't you an idol? Media and people are after you. You shouldn't be out this often, that too with a girl. You can strike up a controversy. Your group is currently at the peak."
She pulled out a mask and made him wear it. Her baseball cap was a bit small on his head, but he managed either ways. He smiled warmly at her, both their hearts warming up each second,
"Thanks Ma'am."
He scractched his nape. His gut telling him to spill. Would it be creepy if he asks to accompany her? Probably yes.
"You want to tell me something, right?"
"Well, I thought about asking you if I can walk with you but then thought it would be rather creepy..."
She found the soft voice and shy lisp cute. It was just simple shyness. Why did it shake her heart up so much?
"I wouldn't mind sir."

"This is it."
Maya slowly murmured. Fiddling with the hem of his jacket. Her small apartment was way too small. Cheeks flushing with embarrassment. How could she ever present herself in front of him when even the bare minimum is a luxury.
"Go on. I would stay here till you enter through the door."
"Why?"
Their eyes met. Both holding in the same dreamy shadow. He chuckled softly,
"It just feels right."

Maya walked through the door, stealing glances every now and then. But it only felt befitting to call him back when he was walking away.
"Wait!"
He turned around, facing her with a smile. Heavens had took in his prayers. She fidgeted with her fingers, contemplating whether to give him back his jacket or not. It feels like him. He stood there, patiently waiting to hear her,
"Your jacket..."
"Keep it with you. So that I have another excuse to come back to you... Um... Miss..."
"Maya."
He smiled, taking off his mask. His doe eyes glowing and his lips pulled apart into a smile,
"Beautiful. I'm sure you know me. I'm Jeon..."

The voice became distorted. Colours merging into a spinning kaleidoscope. And it was dark again.