Clandestine

Wonwoo

With no sanctuary to call her own, Lisa found herself relentlessly pursued by her tormentors-the bullies. Fear clawed at the edges of her being as she sprinted, pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion, ascending staircase after staircase. The only thought echoing in her mind was the urgent need to escape their menacing grasp.

In her frantic desperation, Lisa stumbled upon a concealed door at the staircase's very end. As she pushed it open and stepped inside, she was met by an unexpected burst of blinding light. Shielding her eyes from the sudden radiance, she eventually adjusted and realized she had ascended to the rooftop of their building, a place she had never ventured before-or so she thought.

The rooftop was an oasis of silence, permeated by the faint scent of earth, yet graced by the embrace of invigorating fresh air. It felt like a hidden gift-a sanctuary she could claim as her own, a refuge from her relentless pursuers. As she approached the railings, she beheld the captivating panorama of her school campus. However, her solitude was short-lived, for at the far end of the rooftop, she discovered the presence of a lone figure, his back turned to her.

Caught between curiosity and caution, Lisa pondered whether to approach him discreetly or to withdraw. Yet, her inquisitive nature propelled her forward, urging her to unravel the mystery of the man's identity. Was he an older student or someone her age? What was his story, and why had he sought solace on this desolate rooftop? Her thoughts swirled, unspoken questions hung in the air.

Silently, she watched, her fascination deepening as she observed the man's broad back and tousled hair, tousled by the capricious wind. What thoughts occupied his mind, and had he noticed her arrival?

With each passing minute, Lisa's intrigue grew, chaining her to the spot. She couldn't afford to leave, not when the bullies remained relentless in their pursuit. Why were they so vehement in their animosity? Was it her appearance, her outspoken nature, her beauty, or her status as a newcomer that fueled their ire? She could only lament the stark contrast between her yearning for a peaceful life, as promised by her mother when they emigrated to a new country, and the harsh reality she now faced. Changwon, South Korea, particularly in Gyeongsangnam-do, was a far cry from the tranquility she had anticipated.

Present...

She was back. South Korea had transformed in ways she never anticipated. The country had never felt so vibrant.

Everywhere she looked, from posters and billboards to magazines and images of K-pop idols, South Korea was a testament to the cultural phenomenon it had become. Lisa, hidden inside her car, couldn't contain her sense of wonder. The tall buildings that dominated the skyline, the bustling cityscape-all of it left her in awe. Her face lit up with excitement as she realized how much her teenage home had grown and expanded. The sights and sounds of the city were a breathtaking spectacle, and the mere sight of familiar shops and bakeries brought tears to her eyes; she had missed this place.

Returning to what she once called home hadn't been in the plan. As a prominent artist from America, she received an invitation from one of her dearest friends, someone she couldn't bring herself to deny. This friend, one of her favorite people, had stood by her and continued to support her. Lisa couldn't miss the most important moment of her life-her best friend's wedding.

Her phone buzzed, and she knew it was the call she had been expecting, the first welcome she would receive aside from the hotel receptionist. It was Hazel, her best friend, and she answered with a chuckle, taking her handbag from her manager, Sienna, who was seated in the passenger seat. "Yeah, yeah. How's the bride-to-be doing?" Lisa checked herself in the small mirror as the driver announced their arrival at the hotel.