In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Nine | Matching Socks

Vivian Jones

"How long have you volunteered here?" A quiet voice asks U So-Yong.

"I don't really consider it volunteering honestly," U So-Yong responds as she continues to wipe down the majestic horse in front of her. Terrible scars are cut down the animal's side and she takes special care to avoid spooking it as the man next to her watches her intently.

"What do you consider it then?"

U So-Yong sighs, "Kar Goon, coming here isn't volunteer work. It's not even work. Coming here is like... taking a breath the first day on vacation. It's relaxing, it's freeing, it's..."

"Home." Kar Goon finishes for her.

My eyes water as I watch the interaction between the couple in front of me. Their chemistry is unreal as they both reach for the brush simultaneously. I rub at my eyes as U So-Yong giggles softly and Kar Goon hands her the brush.

The black stallion next to them leans 'stumbles' into them and to steady her, Ka Goon pulls U So-Yong to the side, tucking her into his chest. My heart stutters as the two of them draw near and I feel the moment of anticipation build for everyone in the room.

"And CUT!"

I look over and see Bu Seok grinning widely as the two actors in front of me high five at the end of the scene. He hurries to talk to them, and I take the moment of distraction from the team congratulating one another on a successful scene to wipe my tears and recenter myself.

"That was a fun scene to watch! What great emotion!"

Lee Young-min stands next to me with a bag of pretzels in hand as he stares fondly at his costars. Gar Yung-Hee chats away with Lee Hoon, the man playing Kar Goon's character, and I smile as the two of them tease each other about which one of them the horse likes better. I try and subtly wipe the remaining mist from my eyes.

Did he see me cry? He probably thinks I'm a freak for crying over my own story.

"Yeah, it's definitely an emotional moment for sure," I comment, trying to keep my voice neutral.

"Hopefully U So-Yong and Kar Jin-Ho have as much chemistry as U So-Yong and Kar Goon," Lee Young-min teases.

"I guess that just depends on how well we write their next scene together. Or maybe how well your acting comes into play," Bu Seok chimes in, joining us on the side of the set.

Bu Seok and Lee young-min bump fists and I chuckle at the males' competitiveness.

"I'll have you know that our scene from last week was the #1 Romance scene of the week on Drama Weekly!" Lee Young-min announces, smiling broadly.

I roll my eyes as they begin to argue about whose job made that happen and just sit back and enjoy the show.

"And my performances of course!" Gar Yung-Hee joins the crowd, smiling as she sees me.

As the actress playing the female lead, I couldn't have been happier with her personality and continuing performances.

Gar Yung-Hee was beautiful, with a petite frame, long legs, and cupid's bow lips. She had a sweet smile almost permanently plastered on her face and seemed to know how to keep both Lee Young-min and Bu Seok in line. Her baking skills didn't hurt my opinion of her either.

If all of the ramen and tteok-bokki doesn't make me gain 20lbs in the next year, her sweets surely will.

"Miss Jones, what did you think of the scenes?" Bu Seok asks, turning to me. "Whose was better?"