13 Dances (A Seventeen Fanfiction)

-16-

"You look refreshed for once after a memory", Sabrina smiled softly at me. I stretched myself thoroughly. "It was a nice memory and a nice time back in the real world", I answered satisfied. "Then I don't have to worry about pushing you too hard, I reckon?", she went on. I shook my head: "I don't think so." "Well then", she said, "Rest well, I'll be back for your next memory soon." "I will", I promised and let myself sink back into the bed. Just a few more minutes.

<3

I sat in the garden, amazed by the scent surrounding me and the refreshing water I could feel. I still couldn't believe the progress I made recently. Yet, I still was here and I didn't get why. Even though this world got more and more beautiful to me, I didn't want to stay here. I wanted to go back. "Are you ready for the next memory?", I heard Sabrina behind me. She didn't surprise me anymore, I kind of felt her aura whenever she was around.

"Why am I still here when I want to go back?", I asked in return and lay back into the grass to look at her. She sighed. "We had this so often, there still must be one doubt left", she shrugged and sank into the grass next to me. I thought about it. So far, I only realized one thing. "I mean, one won't ever believe a person like him decided for one. It's natural, isn't it?" Sabrina tilted her head and looked at me. "Maybe. But you can learn to not be afraid of not being enough and instead embrace how someone's love can mean loving everything of you", she then said. We were silent for a second, then she got up and held out her hand: "I might just have the perfect memory for you." I shrugged: "Let's try."

I stepped into the ballroom and for once it seemed I was late. I squinted my eyes to see the stranger at the very back of the room better. He was really tall, but not familiar. Not really at least. Something inside me seemed to remember him but I couldn't recall it. Well, that just meant I was more curious for the memory. I walked up to him and we met half way in. He still looked like a stranger but by now I wasn't shy or scared of those moments anymore. I held up my hand first and he took it gently. We started dancing.

"It's okay", I said to my sobbing flatmate, helplessly patting her back. "No, it isn't", she complained, "I am such an idiot and he surely hates me now." "Has he told you that?", I gave back. "Oh, come on, I know it myself", she sniffed. "I can't imagine he hates you. He might be offended, but-" "You are not really helpful, you know?", she interrupted me and I flinched. I had met this girl like two days ago and she was already crying her heart out in front of me. I didn't even know her, only moving in with her because I didn't find something else in the short period of time I had after surprisingly getting the promotion – a promotion that made it necessary to move. I was feeling rather overwhelmed with the situation. What even did she want to hear? A ring on the door freed me from this awkward situation. "I'll open", I announced and quickly got up.

As I peeked outside, my eyes fell on my flatmate's boyfriend. I slipped out of the apartment and positioned myself in front of him, arms crossed. I might not yet really know the girl I shared my new home with, but I wouldn't let him hurt her on purpose. "Are you here to say useless mean stuff?", I asked. Well, being willing to defend her was one thing. Being good at being intimidating was another one. And him being so much taller than me wasn't helping at all. He looked at me confused. "What?", he asked. He had a quite low voice. "I asked if you are here to make it worse?", I repeated defiantly. "No!", he exclaimed, looking slightly disbelieving. I dropped my arms. "Then why are you here?", I wanted to know, genuinely curious. "I wanted to talk it out", he explained. I raised an eyebrow. "Really!", he defended himself. Maybe I wasn't half bad in the role of a guard dog. "Okay", I said carefully, "But don't make her cry more, you hear?" "Promised", he said, holding up two fingers. I squinted my eyes at him before stepping out of the way.

I didn't want to eavesdrop, I really didn't want to, but he forgot to close the door fully behind him. So, I sat in the hallway next to it and listened, not sure where else to go. Plus, I had to prevent someone else listening to this stuff. I was at least somewhat tangled up in it.

"I forgive you", was the first thing he said. My flatmate was silent. "It wasn't the right thing to pretend like you don't even know me in front of your brother but it's okay", he went on, "I thought you were ashamed of me at first. But then I remembered how you told me that your brother is very protective. And now I wonder if you just wanted to spare me the trouble. Until you will officially introduce me." Very interesting thought. "I chickened out", my flatmate mumbled, "What if my brother hates you? I don't want to lose you." "Hey, it's okay", her boyfriend said gently, "I'll be on my best behaviour, I promise. If we're meant to be, we will be." "Actually... I am convinced that they'll like you, it was just... I wasn't ready for it yet, I guess", she went on. "We'll do it whenever you're ready. Don't stress", he gave back. That was pretty sweet. "Thanks, Wonwoo", she sniffed. I smiled. Cute. "Don't mention it", Wonwoo assured her.

After the eight dance I learned that love forgives mistakes.