Dream of Dreams

Twenty Four Hours: A Summer Solstice

Haewon's room was a simple mess as the clock struck the anticipated eleven forty-five. Countless floral blouses littered the carpet. Heaps of skirts, jeans, and leggings were piled upon the plain bedding. Papers were scattered across her desk, fluttering with the strength of the fan that fought the raging heat. Across the only tan sheet of paper were two syllables.

Summer.

Her slender fingers tugged on her ears, looping the sterling silver through to let the sapphire butterflies fly with her movement. Her frantic hands gently pulled on the tangled hair, tugging and tugging until her hands grew tired and her mind gave up. A simple clip now kept the unruly locks in place.

Finally, Haewon sauntered back with her shoulders eased of tension. She gazed at her reflection for mere seconds before maneuvering her eyes toward the silver locket nestled atop her collarbone, toward the etched initials within the ring she cherished.

A soft smile graced her lips. A quick look toward the clock incited alarm within her. One last glance at the mirror allowed her to take her mauve tote bag and exit her apartment without a moment of hesitation.

Haewon's every step bounced with a nostalgic content—as if she'd performed such routine millions of times despite the odd shape of the gibbous moon that shined above her. She fought the urge to stare at the blush watch that rested on her right wrist and instead trained her eyes toward the night sky.

Just as every night, she stared at the empty canvas—its only saving grace being the moon that dreaded to light the city's sky. Or rather, Haewon could only imagine the rock's feeling. Her mind was blank, yet a single thought whisked within.

If I was home, would I be able to see the stars again?

Haewon could only shrug the thought aside, as she couldn't answer. After all, how would she know whether she could see the stars if she didn't even know where "home" was?

To her, home once existed within the beautiful suburbs surrounding the city. Home existed not as red bricks that shined within the sunlight but rather as the twin fruit bars she'd share underneath the glistening heat of July. Home existed not within the gilded four walls of her old apartment but within the person she found herself excited to return to after a long day of work. The savory foods, the memories of childhood—nothing connected with the word home.

Only him. Her soulmate.

She'd known him her entire life, whether consciously or unconsciously. Her heart always waited for him. And so, when he first entered her life on the first day of high school, she knew nothing could be the same.

It wasn't love at first sight. No. It was something stronger, something more innate. Magnetic—she was drawn to him like the opposite ends of a magnet. She couldn't stop her hand from reaching out toward his shoulder and mumbling one sentence.

"Do I know you?"

Soon enough, their lives were weaved together by the red string looped around their pinkies, refusing to disperse until the Gods of Fate decided the trial they'd have to endure to prove their love as genuine.

For most, the trial is harmless, passable, and merciful. For Haewon, the trial was a torturous curse—one which she was enduring right now.

As Haewon tread on the pavement, she cast her glance down toward the beach. She didn't even need to look down at the watch that shined under the streetlights—she knew the time by heart.

Eleven fifty-five.

Haewon's gaze lingered on the strongest of the waves while her feet unconsciously carried her. She wouldn't stop. She couldn't stop. Once again, the most natural occurrences had allured her. She could feel the wave as it accumulated—as if she were surfing upon it. As the first wave began to descend, she trailed back to another.