Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 4: The Song of the Mermaid

Lily POV 🌺

It's late afternoon, and I've started to slow down for the day. I spent the morning working on some songs with a new up-and-coming female idol who is still trying to figure out her sound. I'm feeling a bit exhausted now that I'm back to working full days again after getting the all-clear from my doctors.

"How are you feeling, Lily?" Tae asks as he looks me over as if he was inspecting my vitals.

"Tae, please, you have to stop worrying. I promise I'm okay." I smile.

He's been so protective of me since my surgery. It's sweet, but he constantly stops by the studio to ensure I'm okay. I appreciate him, but I really want him to take all this worry off his plate.

"I know, Lily. Yoongi made sure you've had the best care. I...I just can't help myself."

I give him a squeeze as I usher him out of my studio while turning off the lights and setting the alarm on the keypad mounted to my studio door.

"Come with me..." I smile while tugging on his hand.

"Where are we going?" he asks, confused why I am walking in the opposite direction of our usual route out of the building.

"You'll see...."

I bring him down some hallways and into Dallia's space until we get to her large chorus room. Through the large glass window, I see a group of about seven students strewn about the room, and I can tell they are mid-song.

"Umm, Lily....I don't think I can go in there...." Tae says cautiously.

"Trust me. You will be fine." I look into his deep dark eyes and grin, "You know me better than that, Tae. I'd never put you in danger. Relax..."

I open the door and pull Tae with me while we saddle up next to Dallia, who looks momentarily surprised and then greets us with a grin.

"Do you have room for two more?" I ask with a broad smile.

"Of course! The more, the merrier!" she yells over the erratic singing.

The small group of students gets excited when they recognize Tae, but they settle down quickly when he makes sure to bow and wave to them, extending warm greetings.

"Hi V!" A young girl calls out from her wheelchair. "You can stand over here with us!" her speech is a little slurred, and it looks like she might not have sight in one eye, but she articulates herself well.

"Don't mind if I do! How are you all today?" he asks sweetly, and I melt because I knew my sweet friend wouldn't let this group down.

"Good! Are you ready to sing?" she says with a broad grin.

"Ready when you are!" he chimes in.

Dallia holds a triangle up and lightly hits it once, sending a chiming sound echoing throughout the room, and everyone turns her attention to her.

"Great job stopping and listening when you hear the triangle!" she compliments.

"Okay, let's sing a song with our new friends Lily and V," and then she leads the group in a rousing rendition of a song from a popular animated film. It's not long before we are all singing about the joys of living under the sea.

The singing is boisterous and in so many different keys, but it's the most enjoyable chaos I've ever heard -passionate and free. I don't think I've had this much fun in ages. Each student is different. Some differences are apparent visually; some are not as apparent right away, but each sing with a contagious exuberance that fills my soul with a content feeling that I was longing for.