The Road We Walk On

118 | Sharing

432 Park Avenue, New York

A couple of days later, the gang finally met. They decided to have lunch at Rona and Seokhoon's house. To save time Rona offered to have their chef prepare lunch for everyone. Rona selected a variety of dishes, mainly asian style dishes so that everyone could share them and try different varieties.

At 12:30PM, everyone arrived at their place. They gathered around the dining table and began to eat lunch. As they ate, laughter and chatting filled the house. Rona realises how lovely it is when the house is actually filled with sound. Not that it was lonesome for Rona but it reminded her of the happier times with her mom in Seoul. Before they moved into Hera Place, even though life was tough, it was much simpler than. Now, it was a lot more complicated and dangerous.

After the meal, everyone helped to clean up the dishes and table. Ryo and George had prepared some fruits and pastries for dessert. They gathered around the sofa and chatted.

So how is it going with you two? Stephanie began to ask as she eyed Seungho and So Hyun who were sitting beside each other. Seungho blushed a little and took a glance at So Hyun.

It is going well, we are still getting to know each other. Recently dance practices have been extended so we haven't really met yet.

Haha, everytime we get a break time in classes, Seungho will run all the way to the Faculty of Dance to catch a glimpse of So Hyun.

So Hyun laughed, she knew of this. It was a bit strange at first because her classmates had told her there was a weird guy who was always coming by and he would be just standing outside their practice room, peeking in. One day So Hyun wanted to know who this person was and found out it was Seungho. Even though she was a bit surprised by his appearance, realising how he often would come over, she was actually secretly very happy.

Aha, can you believe it in about a month or less, semester 1 will end. Somehow time flew by but yet it felt so long.

Yeah I know what you mean Yoo Jung. I guess things got intense when we had that whole fiasco with Gabbie. At the mention of Gabbie's name, everyone turned to Rona, worried that she would be upset. Rona noticed everyone looking at her, she smiled softly.

Guys I am okay. I don't know why and what I did that caused Gabbie to act the way she did but I can't change how she views me. All that matters is how you guys and Seokhoon see me, that is all.

Rona you are one of the best people I know. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have these guys to call on as friends. Yoo Jung truly meant it, if it weren't for Rona's friendship, she would never have met the rest. Rona also really helped her with her singing, by giving her advice and coaching her along the way. Yoo Jung knew she had improved greatly compared to when she first entered Juilliard.

No no, I am not that great of a person. If anything, Seokhoon and I have our past and our mistakes. It was then that Rona decided it was time to tell them everything. Rona never planned to hide what she had gone through or she had done when she was in Seoul. But even then, such things need a proper timing to be shared. Rona felt, now it was the time, if it weren't for these friends, there is a high chance that Gabbie may have done more damage to her.

Seokhoon circled her waist, he was holding her hand. Rona started to share everything from the very beginning. From how it was always her and her mother, to how they moved into Hera Place. With that, all the drama and pain that followed. Her friends did not say a word throughout her sharing. They just kept silent and listened to Rona's story.

After Rona had finished, Seokhoon picked up from there. He knew that Seungho and George had known him prior to Juilliard but even then, they only knew him very briefly. Seokhoon too started from the beginning, he talked about his parents, his sister and all the bad things he had done in Chungah High School. He talked about how when he met Rona everything changed for him. What they had to go through both individually and as a couple while they were in Seoul.

After they both had finished, there was silence. You see, with what we both have done. The versions you met were versions that had grown and changed. So I don't think we are good people, I think we are trying to be.

Thanks for telling us all this, you two, I can imagine it was not easy to share something so personal. George started the conversation. Soon the rest chimed in, thanking the two of being so willing to open about their lives. After a while, So Hyun decided to share about her life as well. Seeing Rona being so brave, she also wanted to share. She felt no shame in her background, and so she shared openly about her family and how she had been working since she was 13.

Wow So Hyun, I admire you so much! Yoo Jung exclaimed, she felt so amazed at So Hyun. She had been independent and really someone who helped contribute  to her family, since she was young. When So Hyun was talking about her family, Yoo Jung could see just how much she cared for them, and how much she loved them. Despite having to work and not really able to enjoy life, she could tell how much So Hyun wanted to contribute.

Well, I have been hiding something about myself from everyone. Yoo Jung finally decided to share her story.