Moon nights - a summer romance in Seoul

Chapter 3: Ayla

The moon is pretty, isn't it?
It subtly shines through the clouds
Its always there without asking to be seen
Without blending you
She's like you

_____________________________

After we wrapped up the show's organisation with the production team, which consisted more of talking about the weekly projects we would be doing, such as educational PowerPoint nights, Jonghyun and I were the only two who stayed on the call. Or were ushered to remain on the call. The producer's assistant, Mrs Lee, assured us multiple times throughout the call that we visually looked great together. Each time he received a compliment, he flashed a radiant smile which was sweet the first time but annoying by the third time he did that.

Thank you.

It's not that. Personally, I'm not insecure about the way I look and can't take a compliment.
I'm pretty happy with my appearance compared to how I used to beat myself up as a teenager over my looks and such small details that I focused on, complaining over them when people would only notice them after I pointed them out. The world of a teenage girl is a mystery that, in my personal opinion, should be studied more. Weird, interesting, confusing, funny, crushing, exciting types of changes go through your mind and your body. Sometimes I miss those more carefree days, where back in Izmir, our most prominent problem of the day was an unbounded vocabulary test in school. Then again, I remember how often I felt out of my place, uncomfortable in my own body, as it changed and quickly shrugged off the longing for the younger me.

Now, I'm curvy with bigger arms and thighs, so I wouldn't say I like to wear anything that shows off the size of my upper arms. My stomach isn't flat. But who cares?
I'm finally comfortable in my skin, which is the most crucial part. I'm the one living in my body, not anyone else.
I remind myself of this when I don't feel comfortable or confident in my looks. They sometimes come around and hit you like a truck, which is normal. At least, I think it is. As an overthinker, not having second thoughts and doubts about yourself is an outstanding achievement.

My favourite part of my body is within my facial feature. My eyes. Hazel, almond-shaped eyes. They compliment my dark brown hair that I had been thinking of dying into a more reddish colour lately, just for a bit of a change. They usually fall in natural waves up to my chest, but due to the humid heat in Istanbul that's around almost all year, I put them up in a ponytail most days. Away from my face and neck, and just let a couple of strands of my curtain bangs fall into my face to frame everything more nicely.
I had inherited olive, undertoned, slightly tan skin from my father's side of the family. A typical "Egeli kız," they'd say.

"Anyway, we really should get to know each other. Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you", a voice brought me back to reality, and I could feel his attention on the screen shifted entirely onto me. I glanced back at the screen where Jonghyun's eyes were almost piercing me with attention as if they were trying to read off any information about me that they could get.

"Uhm", I hesitated for a second. Telling something about yourself on the spot never gets easier. "I recently turned 21. I'm in my 4th semester of studying accounting and controlling here in Istanbul, but my family is originally from Izmir. The west coast. I'm more of an introvert; I like to stay home and watch movies."

"What's your favourite movie?" he asked me.

"My favourite movies are the Star Wars movies." I saw the way the corners of his mouth lifted at the mention of my favourite franchise. Did he like them too? That would be a significant green flag if you'd ask me.

"If you could be part of the AU, who would you be?" he then asked me. Rapid fire interview, here we go.

"I'd probably be a morally grey Jedi. I'd bet my story would be similar to Ashoka's. What about you?" I asked him in return, and he thought for a second, weighing out his answer before replying: