Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
┈┈∘┈˃̶ＨＯＮＧＪＯＯＮＧ˂̶┈∘┈┈
" 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲."
Two days had passed in a gentle rhythm, but today felt distinctly different as I sat under the sprawling branches of the blossom tree. The soft petals fluttered around me, carried by the breeze, creating a serene escape from the world. My headphones provided a personal soundtrack to my thoughts as I scribbled lyrics and musings into my notepad, occasionally humming or singing quietly under my breath. The melody was comforting, a familiar friend in a sea of tumultuous emotions.
Glancing up, I noticed Wooyoung and San nestled under a nearby tree, their bodies entwined in a peaceful embrace. Their ease and openness with each other always warmed my heart. It was beautiful to see them so content and secure in their affection, a visible testament to the power of love and acceptance. They seemed completely absorbed in their own little world, a world where only they existed.
My gaze lingered on them, a smile briefly playing on my lips, before shifting as Seonghwa, Yeosang, and Yunho approached. They greeted Wooyoung and San with casual familiarity, settling around them in a comfortable sprawl of limbs and laughter. Their easy camaraderie was a stark contrast to the solitude I felt enveloping me today.
Turning my attention back to my notepad, I scrolled through my playlist, selecting Paul Kim's "Me After You." The song's soothing chords and heartfelt lyrics mirrored my current state of mind—reflective and a bit melancholic. As the music filled my ears, I adjusted my glasses and leaned back against the tree, trying to shield myself from any curious glances or invitations to join the others.
Today wasn't my day for social interactions. The previous night had been long and harrowing, spent in the sterile brightness of the hospital while accompanying my mother. The stress and worry had drained me, leaving me in no mood to engage or explain my somber state to my friends.
As the gentle melody continued to play, I closed my eyes, letting the music and the whisper of the breeze through the blossoms soothe my weary soul. My friends' laughter and conversations drifted to me, a reminder of normalcy and life going on despite personal struggles. I cherished these moments of solitude, yet I also knew the value of the connections waiting for me, just a few steps away, whenever I was ready to rejoin them.
As I was lost in the melancholic strains of the song, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and paused my music, half-expecting to see one of my usual companions. Instead, I saw Seonghwa standing there, a hint of a blush coloring his cheeks as he held two coffees, his gaze tentatively glancing at my notepad.
I watched him for a moment, observing the subtle changes in his demeanor. Despite his usual reserved elegance, there was an uncharacteristic vulnerability about him today. Seonghwa, with his almost effortless beauty, seemed even more striking under the dappled sunlight filtering through the blossom tree.
