TWISTED ROOTS | LHS x MSK

6. HEESEUNG

"Yo dude! What are you still doing here? It's literally midnight!"

I look up from the piece of paper my eyes were glued on for so long to see Taehyun.

"Oh hey! I didn't see you there." I wave at him and Taehyun starts walking towards me and takes the seat opposite me.

He starts looking at the piece of paper I had been scribbling down on for the past hour before talking to me again.

"Is that a new song?" Taehyun takes the paper away from me and starts reading everything I written down.

"It's for your new album." I respond to him while fiddling with my pencil. This album is set to release around January roughly, a few months. But it takes time to make and produce everything, film music videos and stuff so we start early.

"Ohhhh, is this the title track or one of the bsides?" Taehyun asked as he continues to read my scribbles.

"I'm not sure yet.. I haven't thought about that yet actually. But what are you still doing here?"

"Dance practice, and the other members stayed back till 11pm but I stayed back to practice some more. You're still going to stay here longer?"

"Well.. I'll stay here a little longer then I'll head back home. I want to write more, you should go back first" I'm playing and fiddling with pen as I talk to Taehyun.

"Nah, I'll keep you company. I don't have to come in till late in the afternoon." The past few minutes we've spent just sitting opposite each other as I continued writing was silent. Considering his busy schedule, I really taught Taehyun would just head back to his dorm but I guess I was wrong.

"You've been quite happy the past few days." I look up after hearing Taehyun's question.

"What do you mean?" My eyebrows furrowed, confused with his question.

"You just seem happier than usual. It's just your aura." Taehyun said while chuckling slightly. I haven't noticed or known that I have been acting happier around everyone else.

What could have happened recently to make me feel 'happier'? Oh right, Kkura..

"Well you know my childhood friend, the one who I said always looks like you?"

"Oh, her.. what about her?"

"She moved back here a few days ago, we managed to meetup a day after she landed here."

I could see Taehyun's shocked look on his face. His eyes widening and his hands clasped on his mouth. He was practically frozen for a few good seconds. One of my eyebrows raised as I signal him to respond.

Surprisingly considering that we never talked to each other during that time, I told Taehyun a lot about Sakura. About how close we were before she moved back to Japan.

"Wow.. I mean. That explains so much. Now that I think about it. You mentioned you had a crush on her before."

I stay silent for a few seconds. I totally forgot about that. To be fair, she was and is still super pretty. How could I not have had a crush on her when I was younger. And that was when I was younger. Did I mention that I only started having a crush on her when I was younger? Emphasis on the YOUNGER.

"I was young. Not even a teenager when that happened." I try to defend myself which caused Taehyun to chuckle.

"Are you sure? Your reaction to me saying that makes it look like you still do." Taehyun smirks at me.

"The reason for my reaction is because you just brought it up and I totally forgot about my little crush on her until just now." I respond to him.

"I mean.. if you say she looks a lot like me, she definitely must be very pretty. Who can blame you for that am I right?"

At this point, I wasn't even writing down anything. I have gone off course with my task of writing songs since Taehyun decided to stay here and got into this conversation of Sakura. Considering he has never met her or seen any pictures of her, he surely is talking a lot about her..

"You know what? Let's get back home, it's getting late. You and I need to sleep." I start putting away my pen and paper into a folder before packing it all back in my bag.

We both stood up and made our way outside the building. My place and his groups dorm was close by to each other, only a few minutes walk. As we were walking back together, I could see the tired look on Taehyun's face and the few yawns here and there he let out every now and then.

"You really didn't need to stay back with me. You should be resting while you can." I tell him. Being a K-POP idol was no joke. A lot of practice, not a lot of sleep. Not to mention it is very physically and mentally draining. There was a period of time where I wanted to be an idol but that faded quickly and I'm glad it did.

"I know, but I never get to talk to you and catch up with you." Taehyun said followed by another one of his yawns.

"I'm sorry.. it's just that we're both so busy you know?" I cant help but feel slightly guilty after Taehyun mentioned that. It's true that we haven't really had a proper conversation for a while. Considering that I consider him a close friend, I haven't really made a lot of time for him.

Gee, is this a trend I have with all of my friends? First Sakura, now Taehyun? This is probably why I lost touch with her.

"Bro, don't apologise. BOTH of us are busy. We can't help it." Taehyun smiles at me as we reach his dorm.

"Goodnight! See ya around!" Taehyun waved goodbye to me as he headed inside his dorm. I waved back and wished him goodnight as I continue to walk back to my apartment.

Why did Taehyun have to mention my old crush on Sakura.
Are you sure? Your reaction to me saying that makes it look like you still do.
As much as I love him, there are times I wish he would keep his mouth shut.
I was young. Not even a teenager when that happened.
Just stop thinking about this and go back home and sleep.

The vibration of my phone cut me out from my thoughts of her, I pull out my phone from my pocket to see someone calling me as I answer.

"Hi Eomma."