Aespa Oneshots/Imagines

Karina: Aura

Inspired by song of similar title. Trying a different style of writing

Summary: when you meet that special someone again. Acquaintances to something more.

There you were again. No matter where I looked, you always appeared in front of me. You were literally everywhere, be it malls, billboards, articles, social media and videos. I just couldn't get you off my mind even if I wanted to.

*flashback*

We met in high school where we shared the same class. You were the campus crush that everyone admired while I was a nobody who was just looking to graduate and find a job. You had everything ranging from beauty to a great personality while I had nothing. It was no surprise that I admired you and had developed a crush on you.

I could only watch you from afar in the class while you were getting all the attention from everyone. Despite being a few seats away from you,we felt so distant. So near yet so far.

We had a few brief exchanges with each other but could never hold a conversation for more than a couple of seconds. Why was it so awkward between us? Was it because we didn't have a common topic to talk about or did you secretly not like me?

I doubted that it was the latter. How was I so certain? Well, you liked everyone in the class and I probably wasn't the exception. Plus, you had a seemingly permanent smile on your face whenever we had those brief exchanges or when our eyes met in class.

No matter the reason, I felt like there's always a barrier between us that we could never overcome. Maybe it was just me who felt that way because I put up the barrier.

I was afraid of striking up a conversation with you. It seemed to me like everyone in the class was demanding your attention and wanted you to hang out with them. I figured you had all those people and your close friends to attend to. I didn't want to be another person you had to entertain. If you wanted to know me better, you would have approached me already but it seemed like that wasn't the case.

Anyways, at least I could admire you from afar. That was my motivation to attend classes. I was going to come to school everyday with hopes of becoming more than acquaintances with you. You were the strength I needed to continue moving forward. Nothing was going to change that or so I thought.

My whole world came crashing down when I heard the news that you were going to drop out of school to pursue your dreams of becoming a singer. This meant that I would never see you again. Everyone knew how talented you were at dancing and it came as no surprise that you would want to be a performer.

I remembered you performing at the school festival. The students were cheering you on and shouting your name. You were really as popular as I thought and that was the day when I realised that I never stood a chance with you. Just like me, everyone was hoping to get a chance to be with you. No way would you notice a nobody like me and want to be with me. You were too popular for that.

On your last day, I came to school in low spirits and my mind preoccupied with thoughts of you. Being able to see you from afar everyday was enough for me but I couldn't even have that anymore. I knew I had to live with the fact that it was the last time we would see each other but I wanted to always remember how you looked. I wasn't paying attention to anything taught in class, staring at you the entire time. Making one last memory of you before you were truly gone from my life.

Soon, it was near the end of the day and you were standing in front of the class saying your farewells to everyone. After a short speech, you began handing out letters to your friends until there was just one left. Holding onto the final letter, I saw you looking in my direction and walking towards me.