Painted With Your Smile | Lim Jaebeom & Lee Donghyuck

Fever

   Mariji silently laid in her bed, leg lazily resting on top of her enormous suitcase. The rhythmical sounds Suyu's steps made, as she was energetically crossing the corridor synchronized with her heartbeat. She almost found herself humming to that rhythm. Never had she ever thought that a day like today, would find her in this strange mood. To know that she would finally be able to be with her best friend and take on her first job in her life should be a bit more... exciting(?)

   She knew though, that a different feeling had resided in her heart. She felt, heavy. And that same heaviness, that almost physical burden inside, had crept all over her body. Every inch of her skin, it was like it wanted to stay still, put in the same position it was. She wanted to know why, most of all she wanted to get rid of it, but still it was important to know what it was that brought her to this state. It could be the fear of starting a new life; as most of you would know, a long trip away always seems like an adventure, a getaway place, the responsibilities, fears and dangers take their place in their passenger's seat. They are ready to take charge though, when this long trip turns into a permanent one.

    So that, for sure had taken a toll on her. But then there was another peculiar and vague sentimental state she was finding herself in. Donghyuck's presence, oh boy, had it awakened her long-forgotten feelings about him. Being reminded of their intimacy, his presence in her life and especially the fact that he was in a time of need, they were all pushing her towards him. She did love him after all. Like smoking after a year of having quit; you instantly remember how good the feeling is, how easy it is for you to keep puffing the smoke in and out of your body, how it felt like it was just yesterday that you last smoked. Yes it still remains addicting and intoxicating. Mariji was ready to take the cigarette and put it out, however, in the ashes collected the would see Jaebeom's face forming. The anger, sadness and yearning she felt towards that picture would almost make her want to place the slender stick on top of her lips again.

   The thing was, she didn't even let herself think about Jaebeom so much, setting up a mental barrier for her brain as soon as she was tempted to. That alone could throw her into a whole different abyss of feelings, confusing thoughts and indecisiveness. So instead of overanalyzing, she decided that it's best to leave that story be. And truth be told, she probably wouldn't even see him again, or at least that's what she thought, until the day she saw that letter of acceptance in her mailbox. Maybe keeping distance would be for the best.

   Her phone's beeping noize pulled Mariji head back to the surface of reality, and once again, she saw her favorite person's name on her screen.

*Danny ♡*

 -"Hello?", she let out, her voice still croaky from laying down.

 -"Oh, hi. Are you okay? You sound kind of dead."

   Mariji let out a giggle at her friend's upfrontness . "Yes. to both."

 -"So it seems... I can't wait for you to be here Mar, really. These times feel rough, especially without you around."

 -"My feelings exactly."

    Mariji heard the suble chuckles from the other end of the line,"So, are you ready yet?"

 -"Wait, I am literally having the biggest dejavu right now. Dan we've been throught this before."

   After a small pause, the girls bursted out laughing.

 -"You know what? You would be surprised, see, Suyu is sending my boxes tomorrow and I locked my last suitcase last night."

 -"Oh wow. That's impressive. I am completely speechless."