TAKE THE DIVE

Chapter Eight

After all the intense hours and painful last weeks of preparation - the exhibit was ready, well the research and write ups were done and the opening would be happening in two weeks. I could finally relax and breathe. The last final touches were not in my field of work so I was given flexible hours to work on other projects - the new boss had recognized my hard work and was rewarding me with some more time to myself. The universe had truly aligned because JongHyun had invited me to a relaxed cafe music night which happened to be tonight. I would be meeting the rest of his band as well, I wasn't sure why I was so nervous we were just friends anyways.

I left work earlier than normal to get ready for the event. I wanted to change beforehand into something more comfortable since it was still cold outside. I left my work and saw JongHyun waiting for me outside...

"Are you tracking my moves JongHyun?" I walk down the stairs to meet him.

"It's just simple intuition." JongHyun smiled and shrugged. It was true, he had an odd sense of knowing when I was free, leaving work or getting home. Honestly I did not mind. He was bundled in a black coat with a white turtleneck underneath, he looked so soft. "Are you heading home my dear?" JongHyun asks. My dear.

"Mm yeah..." I trail off. My head still caught up in the softness of his voice... his aura.

" Then let's go! " JongHyun reaches for my hand and entwines his fingers with mine. I just take it that he is someone who likes physical touch, even with his friends so I allow it. The warmth of our conjoined hand makes my heart swell, I swallow my feelings down into the depths of my soul.

We. Are. Just. Friends.

We reached my apartment and I grabbed my keys which in turn meant unlocking my hand from Jonghyun's. My hand felt lost and cold. We enter my apartment and I leave JongHyun to his own devices in my living room while I change. I opt for a black turtleneck with a sweater on top and some black jeans. Comfortable. I walk out of my bedroom to find JongHyun snuggling with my cat on the sofa. They both look up at me and I plop myself down onto the sofa with them.

"The exhibit you've been working on, is it almost done?" JongHyun asks while continuing to give my cat attention.

" Yes. " I sighed out of relief, "we are having an opening in a couple weeks."

JongHyun turns to look at me, "may I come? I want to see your hard work - you deserve people to notice that." JongHyun states.

I simply nod, he always catches me off guard with his forward nature. I couldn't help but wonder if JongHyun knew that we had met at my last gallery event...I was hesitant to ask. What if I had made up those twinkling stars and pearl aqua auras floating around us, wouldn't I look like a fool?

-

We enter the cafe together and JongHyun flags down a group of people at a table. The band. JongHyun introduced me to the members: Minho, Key, Onew and Taemin. Apparently they had all met in university in South Korea and mutually agreed to follow JongHyun here to continue working on their music. It seemed like they had an unbreakable bond - it was truly a sight to behold. It was beautiful and rich. I had only seen them on stage but up close they all gave me a soft energy; completely different from their stage presence. We all sat together sipping on our beverages and having conversations in between the performances of musicians. I used to go to open mic nights a lot during my undergrad, I had really missed this kind of atmosphere...so this made me happy. I couldn't help but smile.

A singer steps off the mini stage and JongHyun excuses himself and heads to the stage and he picks up a guitar. My heart races and I have to control my facial expressions. He smiles in my direction - I blush.