13 Dances (A Seventeen Fanfiction)

-14-

"I actually wanna try something today", Sabrina told me after waking me up. I looked at her dazed. I had barely understood that I indeed was awake. "Hmm?", I wanted to know. I wasn't yet able to form words. I was so tired. So, so tired. Sabrina pulled me up regardless. I gave off some noises that could count as protest, but she didn't care, dragging me behind her.

The outside smelt fresh and my brain slowly started to work. What were we up to? Wasn't this the same way as the one we took to the rose arch? Indeed, we halted in front of it. "Sab- Keeper of memories, wait a second", I managed to get out as I saw her already reaching out for a rose. She turned to me. "We always had at least three to four days in between the memories. Why are we here now again? It's barely been a day", I investigated. "Simple. How are you feeling?", she gave back. "Tired", I answered. "Good. Now, what are you smelling?" "Fresh air or something." "And you had quite an intense sleep after the last memory. Do you get it?" I shook my head. She sighed.

"You can feel tiredness. You told me you moved your finger in the real world yesterday and then went on about how nice the flowers smelled. You return to your world more often and longer. We're on such a good way!", she exclaimed. My eyes grew wide. She was right. "Oh my gosh", I mumbled. She chuckled and nodded. "It is a risk to show you the next memory right away but not a big one. It won't do serious damage if we try and fail. But if it works, you'll be out here in no time. So, I'd say let's go for it. What do you think?", she continued. "Heck yes, let's go", I said enthusiastically. She laughed and opened the portal casually. "Off you go", she invited me, "And good luck."

My dance partner this time didn't let me wait for long. And he was well known to me too. I grinned from ear to ear. I had lots of good memories with him. He was easily my most happy ex. I was almost certain this dance would mark the start of a good day.

"You will like them, they are really good", my boyfriend promised me while we waited for the band's performance to start. I chuckled. "Don't worry, I trust your opinion. If it wasn't for your good taste in music, we wouldn't have met", I gave back. "Well, yes, that is true indeed", he thought out loud and laughing, I leaned against him. I had met him at a concert where he almost ran me over as he was running away from a bug. Totally cliché, he caught me and as we looked in each other's eyes something reacted within me. He had let go of me again and apologized. I had just laughed it off. Yet, we somehow continued talking and ended up experiencing the concert together.

I hadn't expected it to be such a nice concert after Jun abandoned me spontaneously for the sake of a new movie audition. I understood him though. Soonyoung was already having plans for the evening, so I sold the leftover ticket to one of his other friends who I barely knew though. When I ran into Dokyeom, it felt like I met an old friend again. One thing led to the other and we became a couple. And today was our six months anniversary. We decided to spend it at a big music festival.

The band came on the stage and Dokyeom started to cheer loudly. I grinned at him, clapping along shyly. I wasn't much of an outgoing person and I felt embarrassed quickly. But looking at him not caring at all, I felt more at ease. If he wasn't ashamed, why should I? I pecked his cheek. Yep. That cute, lovely idiot was mine and everyone should know. He smiled at me shortly before focusing back on the band.

It was only the third song they played but I already decided to become a fan. I hadn't even realized how I had started cheering loudly, not only surprising myself but probably all the others as well. If there was a part that was easy to catch on, Dokyeom and I screamed along at the top of our lungs, otherwise we sticked to clapping, cheering and dancing until we were breathless. I grinned proudly at my boyfriend as I heard him screaming along to the chorus again. The time seemed to stop as I watched him. He was a decent singer and I got goosebumps by his voice but right now it didn't sound soft and warm at all. Yet, it was still dazzling to me.

I threw my head back and released the laugh that had made his way up from the bottom of my heart. In all this noise and chaos around me, I was calm and simply happy. Every inch of my body was satisfied with how life was right now. I knew it wouldn't last forever but for as long as it did, I would enjoy it. I grabbed Dokyeom's hand and started jumping to the music's rhythm. From jumping I went to dancing crazily, ignoring all the weirded out looks from others. All that mattered to me right now was how Dokyeom smiled at me whenever our eyes met. I didn't need the attention or appreciation of others as long as I had his. Life was good.

After the seventh dance I learned that love means that you can be embarrassing together because you know the other one not only accepts but also loves this weird side.