Sweet Pineapple

Chapter 2: Jae's POV

"Jae-Eun! JAE-EUN!"

I hear someone calling my name from a distance, but I don't want to go... I'm in a room full of mirrors...

"JAE-EUN!"

I am not alone here... I hear music... It's a song that I know, the lyrics were familiar...

"Kim Jae-Eun, wake up!"

Oh, look! It's Exy! Exy is there... he is dancing... he moves like an angel... I wanna touch him... I walk towards him and he comes in my direction too... He's looking at me! I can't believe it!

"JAE-EUN!!"

I woke up startled, jumping on the bed. My eyes still blurred while I recovered my consciousness. That was a dream! Fuck! It's so rare! I could kill Berta now... I was dreaming about Exy and she...

"Oh no no no... WHAT TIME IS IT?!" I suddenly realized. I knew why she was trying to wake me up. How could I forget!!

"It's 7:34..." said Berta, tears running down her hazel eyes. "I'm sorry, Jae..." she cried "I'm so sorry!"

My heart is beating so fast it is almost stopping, I couldn't believe I had missed it again... How? Why? No, no, no...

I started the laptop, a mix of anxiety, hope and despair filled my chest and a lump formed in my throat.

"Please, please, fast!" I begged for the machine, holding my breath.

"Jae, I'm...so... s-sorry..." sobbed Berta "I was so... so...tired, I f-fell asleep..."

"Berta, please... let me do this. There's a chance..." I knew there wasn't. But I needed to try. I was being too harsh on her, but I couldn't help myself. I knew Berta was as tired as I was. I couldn't wake up eather. It's just this feeling crushing my heart that makes me angry. The feeling of loss.

Two words that I didn't want to see. But there they were, in that big red font beside all the ticket options. I let out a crying gasp. I'm so frustrated... I lay down on my bed, looking at the ceiling. I couldn't hold back anymore and tears ran down on the side of my face, dripping into my ears.

"Maybe next time..." said Berta, wiping her own tears and forcing a cracked smile on her face. "Right?! Let's not blame ourselves fo-"

"No! No next time!" I jumped and almost made her fall from the bed. "I'm gonna see him, no matter what!"

"But Jae-Jae, the tickets are sold out, how...?"

"I don't know how, I'll figure it out!" I must have gone crazy, but I was determined. I would find a way to see Exy. I had given up many things in my life, I wouldn't give up on the only thing that gives me joy. "I'll find a way."

One side of me was happy that it was summer and we had so much work. The day was passing fast and I didn't even have time to think about how stupid I was for oversleeping this morning. But the other side was crying in a corner in the fetal position.

I checked my schedule as soon as I arrived and it was going to be a good day at least. No prickly clients. Even with the bad start, I was giving my best at that one thing I was good at, makeup. Maybe the solution to my problems would just pop up in front of me. At least that's what I was hoping for. But then, another thing popped up. Or... someone, to be more precise.

The new guy, Nyan, was the topic of the moment in the salon. Okay, he is a handsome man and a skillful hairdresser. For sure a great acquisition to the salon, and a good help for Berta. But for fox's sake! What was all the fuzz around him?! Was he any kind of real celebrity? All smiley and chatty with the clients.... Uhg! I could bet he is a womanizer, the worst kind of fuckboy! The way he smirked and glared all sexy in that sleeveless tee... showing off all those muscles... Wait, what?! Oh my gosh, I'm really going insane...