Closer than Ever

Chapter 11 - Invitation

I hold my breath while Taehyung listens intently to my guitar track for the demo of Never Tomorrow. His eyes are closed, and he bobs his head slowly in time with the beat. It's a strange feeling, since I can't actually hear the song - Tae is using headphones - but I know it so well that it's playing note for note in my head.

Right at the end, his eyes fly open and he tilts his head quizzically. He hits rewind, and listens to the end again, his lips pursed in concentration. I shift from foot to foot nervously.

"I love it," he says as he takes off his headphones. "The acoustic feel is really nice, really mellow. The only part I don't like as well is the last couple of measures." I try not to let that sting, as he switches to room audio and plays that part for me. "It's just... not as interesting as the rest of the song?" he says, obviously trying to be gentle about it.

I nod thoughtfully. "Yes, I hear it now. Out of habit, I ended on the tonic because that's what western music does. But I know that you usually don't compose that way. Since this is a V song, you should give it a more interesting, more Korean chord progression. Teach me your ways, oh wise one!"

Tae smiles and rolls over to his keyboard, where he plays the last couple of bars but leaves the ending to just fade away unresolved. "How about that?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say, nodding. "I like it. That makes so much more sense with the lyrics, too. We can't have a full-stop resolution to a song about how tomorrow never actually arrives!" I grin at him. __________________________

It's almost eleven p.m. on Friday night, and I'm feeling good because it was such a productive day. We got quality demos recorded for two songs, and polished the lyrics for a third. Suddenly I notice that Taehyung is acting a bit nervous and odd, for some reason.

"What's going on, Taehyung-shi?" I finally ask; his fidgeting is starting to really distract me.

"Eunen Sae-shi, are you busy tomorrow afternoon and evening?" he asks in his most formal Korean.

"I have a hot date planned, but I can postpone it," I say, grinning at him. "Why?"

"Date? Oh, OK." He winces and turns away.

"I was joking," I say softly. "My hot date was with my cat and Netflix. Maybe some popcorn. Do you have a better offer?"

He turns back, beaming. "Yes! Tomorrow is the online streaming version of the Boseong Jazz Festival. I am inviting a few friends over to watch it and have some snacks. Will you join?"

"Oh, that sounds fun!" I say. "How many friends are you expecting?"

"Maybe six or seven. Not too many."

I nod, thinking that everyone will easily fit in his living room. "Sure, I would be happy to come. What can I bring?"

"Nothing except yourself and your love of jazz," he says, looking earnest.

"Wow, that was cheesy," I laugh. He clutches his heart and fake-cries. "So, uh, do you happen to own any whiskey glasses?"

"Yes, why? I said you shouldn't bring anything," he reminds me.

"But wouldn't it be fun to do American cocktails from the Golden Age of Jazz? Great Gatsby style?"

He tries to act reluctant, but can't hide his grin. "OK, that does sound fun, yes. But don't give yourself any trouble, alright?"

"Is it a casual event or fancy? Can I just dress like an entry-level office worker, like I usually do? Are you going to be all dolled up?" I know that I'm talking a little too fast now, but I can't actually remember the last party I went to, and I'm getting excited.