Love Without Love

eight →

Mark sat alone at Starbucks, drinking a latte while a frappuccino stood in the middle of the table. It was obvious he was waiting for someone, and as he was sitting there he noticed someone. The quiet jazzy music sunk into his ears, making him tap his foot against the stool he was on. An umber haired girl walked right by the large pane of glass that was the wall of the cafe. He stared at her, watching the soft hop to her step, in an instant he noticed she was a dancer just because of her very physique. Of course she was lithe, her body ideal for many girls, though he wasn't admiring her in any way. It was because Mark knew this girl. He watched as her delicate fingers wrapped around the handle and pulled the metal door open, letting a couple go in before her. He turned his head, just watching silently as she fiddled with a golden ring on her index finger. She wore it whenever he saw her, so he assumed it was an everyday piece. It was a thin band, fragile flowers across is in a zigzag pattern. He knew it was her, and she would probably recognize him any second.

Unexpectedly, it took until she ordered her coffee and was about to walk away for her to notice him.

"Mark?" Her voice was little, like what a breeze would sound like if it had a voice. Turning his head to look at her, he put on a happy expression and nodded a bit.

"Nana, how've you been? What are you doing in Korea?" Being polite as he could be, he extended a hand, and she shook it in her soft grasp.

"I moved with my father, he got transferred overseas so that he could be promoted. He couldn't turn it down since we need the money." Letting go of his hand and bringing her own up, she brushed her fringe away from her darling hazel eyes. "I've been okay, it's just a big change for me. And I had to leave my mom back in Canada, since the health care there is better. She's not even in shape to go on a plane over here."

Mark's smile faded, he couldn't even fake it after such a sad truth. He felt bad for the girl, since he hadn't seen her since last summer. They met every summer, since he went to visit his own mother. It all fell into place really. Mark's father knew Youngjae's which is how he knew Eunmi, and Eunmi went to a school next to Nana's. They all lived close together, and Nana worked at a flower shop he always stopped by to buy a bouquet for his mother.

"That's too bad... Do you still dance?" From the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar face.

"No, not in classes or anything. In spare time, sure."

----

I walked across the road, looking left and right as the light for the crosswalk remained as the tiny walking man. I messed around with the swirls that were my hair today, I figured I should try to look decent since I have been under the weather for the longest time. Finally I was feeling okay. Eunmi was here, I talked to Yugyeom, Jaebum decided he'd take care of me, and I was getting coffee with Mark. Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it.

When walking by Starbucks, I peered in to look around. Seeing Mark almost instantly through the shiny glass, I then noticed the thin woman next to him. Stunning, she was someone I was automatically jealous of. Every hair on her head was perfect, her face was young, and her body was something I would die for. Pursing my lips, I wandered in and looked her up and down. Even her choice of clothing made it look like she just walked out of a fashion magazine. A cute sundress down to her knees was what she wore, it fit her nicely and her makeup was perfect, it made me wonder if she did this herself or if she had professional help.

"Mark! Sorry I took so long." I spoke, quite rushed as I walked around her to go to the opposite stool. Though I stopped to look at her, turning to face her, and I smiled.

"Oh gosh, I didn't see you.. Hi, I'm Yujin." I put a hand out, and she shook mine with her ridiculously pretty ones. She could be a hand model if she wanted, or just a model in general. She was gorgeous, and I looked like trash next to her even though I tried hard to look good today.