fever | ateez lore story

| the biker |

memory
/ˈmɛm(ə)ri/
noun
1. something remembered from the past
"to that place in our memory"

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Everyone else is happy, so why can I be?

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to figure out a way to make it look presentable. Nice, at least.

"This is ridiculous." I whisper, aggressively combing through my dark locks with my comb. Nothing's taming this mane. I might as well not try.

I hate this person, staring at me through the mirror. Why can't you just look...decent? That is all I ask; decency. It's not much, is it?

I glance at the clock on my bedside table, and in a panic, I throw on my backpack and rush out. I almost trip as I skip down the stairs, hurling my shoes out of the cupboard and quickly throw them on, wasting no time.

"Seonghwa! Eat breakfast first!" Dad yells from the kitchen, setting a dish of kimbap on the table.

"I have no time! Save some for me please." I answer, grabbing the keys to the shed from the key-hook and heading out the door.

Can't believe I'm late. Again. Getting ready does not need to take this long.

I haul the bike out of the shed, locking it and peddling like tomorrow didn't exist. I cycle on the road, as I have no time to worry about cycling carefully on the biker's lanes on the side. I just need to get to school.

I reach the main road, feeling more at ease as I watch the spring blossom petals dance in the wind. I suddenly felt incredibly nostalgic, like there was a memory as heavenly as this scenery I stored inside my dull mind. I couldn't help but admire the rain of pink falling upon me, and I smile silly. I shut my eyes, feeling the wind against my hair and the sun warming my skin. This is what beauty feels like?

When I peel my eyes open, I spot a wanderer approach the road I ride on, not stopping their trip.

"Oh shit!" I gasp, gripping the bike breaks so harshly that I almost bruise the palms of my hands. The bike stops right in front of him, his blonde hair bouncing as he paces back. We lock eyes, and he blinks at me before bowing.

-"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

His voice was shaking, but it was hidden behind this...friendly smile he had on his innocent face. No one has ever given me that smile, before.

I bow, not fully but enough to tell him an apology.

"I-it's okay. Neither was I." I say, timidity washing over me. After a moment of silence, I head off, realising the shortage of time I had left to get to class.

I realise as I finally collect my thoughts - he's wearing the same uniform as me.

That face of his...that must've been the class captain! I don't think I have ever spoken to him before, or seen him often. He's absent quite a lot, and none of us know why.

Maybe I'll finally appreciate his kind presence, especially after that little, awkward exchange.