To Carry a Torch | KTH ✅

Chapter 10: You Got that Home

Lily's POV 🌺

"Hi Yeona, how are you doing?" I ask when I finally find her tiny office.

"Lily! Hi!" Yeona replies, surprised by my presence.

"Cute office. Do you love it?" I ask, knowing that if she is indeed having a rough time at home, this space is probably her safe haven.

"Oh my gosh, I adore it! They even gave it a fresh coat of paint for me! Can you believe they did that for me?"

I adore how excited she is, and the fact that she is in such awe of this tiny closet really seals the deal for me that my instincts are correct.

"That's the least they could do for you," I tell her and watch her shyly lower her eyes, unable to admit she is worth more than a utility closet.

"Well, I came by because I spoke with Eun-Ji about a project I'd love you to help with. You should actually see an email from her about it in your inbox. See, I always like to document some of the recording process with pictures and use them for promotional materials later. I've asked if Tae and I could borrow your talent for the afternoon. Would you mind?"

"Me? Are you sure? I'm still a novice..." she says hesitantly while she locates the email from Eun-Ji.

"I'm sure. My gut is always right," I say casually. "Eun-Ji already had a staff member bring a camera and some lenses to the studio for us. What do you say? Are you in?"

I watch a glint of excitement catch in Yeona's eyes, and I'm thrilled to help ignite that flame for her. As much as I am passionate about music, helping people reach their true potential is equally important to me.

"Let's do it," she smiles, and I happily lead her toward the studio Tae and I are working in.

"Lil! Where are you going?" I hear as Hobi materializes beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Studio picture day," I reply with a grin, happy to see my best friend.

"Oh wow, it's going well then?" he says affectionately, and I love that he understands my process so well.

"Yes, we've been working hard! Hobi, this is Yeona. Yeona, this is my best friend Hobi. Yeona is going to be our photographer, and she is also one of our family now."

Yeona blushes and tries to speak, but no words fall from her lips. I'm sure this amount of acceptance is still overwhelming for her. I know how hard it is to accept kindness when you've never truly experienced it before.

"You must be pretty special then," Hobi grins.

"You all are too nice to me," Yeona replies, the shyness creeping up again.

I swing the door open to the studio and find Tae playing the piano, which makes me so proud, having taught him how to play. I slide onto the bench next to him and take over, playing one of the songs we have been working on, and he jumps right in, singing the jazzy song with me, unbeknownst to him that Hobi and Yeona are in the room behind us.

Back and forth we go, and it makes my heart swoon to hear how well our voices mesh together for the chorus.

Yeona materializes next to us, swiftly assembling the camera, and begins snapping pictures. I see Tae out of the corner of my eye, look up, surprised, and watch as his face lights up when he sees Yeona behind the lens. I know this face; it's the way I look at Yoongi.

I watch the two exchange looks as Yeona walks around confidently with her camera; the shy woman from our hallway exchange is long gone, and I see a woman passionate about her art form as she kneels, grabbing interesting angles and trying different approaches. This is the woman we heard listening to Etta James and speaking so confidently with the female trainees when she thought nobody else could hear the conversation. My heart sings for these two people that I desperately hope will be able to find their way to each other's hearts someday.