A Song for You

Chapter 5

Aera sat on her bed in her dorm room, the dim light from her desk lamp casting a warm glow over her scattered sheets of music. She was trying to focus on her latest song, but her mind was elsewhere, tangled in a web of anxiety and self-doubt. 

The pressure of her parents' expectations loomed over her like a dark cloud, and she could feel the familiar weight pressing down on her chest. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a call from her mother.

 Aera hesitated for a moment, glancing at the screen. She knew what this call would be about, but she also knew she couldn't ignore it. 

Taking a deep breath, she answered. "Hello?" Aera's voice was tentative, her heart racing. "Aera, we need to talk," her mother said, her tone brisk and serious. "Your father and I are worried about you. You've been distant lately." Aera felt her stomach twist. 

"I'm fine, Mom. I'm just busy with school and music."

"Busy with music? You mean your little hobby?" her mother replied, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "You need to focus on your studies. Jae is doing so well in medical school, and we want you to follow a similar path." 

Aera's heart sank. "I don't want to be a doctor, Mom. I've told you this before." 

"Your father and I have sacrificed so much for you to have a good future. Why can't you just try to understand that?" her mother snapped. "You're wasting your potential on this music dream that isn't going to pay the bills." Aera's hands trembled as she clutched the phone. "Music is my life! It's what I love. Why can't you just accept that?" 

There was a pause on the other end, and Aera could hear her mother take a deep breath. "Aera, we love you, but we want what's best for you. You need to be realistic. You're not a child anymore." The words stung, cutting deep into her already fragile self-esteem. "I'm not a child, but I'm also not you or Dad. I don't want to follow in your footsteps. I want to create my own path!"

"You think this is easy for us? We want to see you succeed, not struggle like we did. You need to think about your future," her mother insisted, her voice rising. 

Aera felt the anger bubbling up inside her, mixed with a profound sadness. "You don't even know me! You only see what you want to see. I'm not Jae, and I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not just to make you happy!"

"That's enough, Aera! You need to stop being so dramatic. We're only trying to help you," her mother said, her voice cold.

Aera's heart shattered at the realization that her parents would never understand her. "Help? This isn't help. This is suffocating!" She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought them back. "I can't do this right now. I need to go."

Before her mother could respond, Aera hung up the phone, her breath coming in shaky gasps. The silence in her room felt deafening, amplifying the weight of her despair. She felt utterly alone, trapped in a life that didn't feel like her own.

Memories of her past flooded her mind—her high school days spent in solitude, the constant comparisons to her brother, Jae, who was the golden child. Her parents' pride in his achievements only deepened her sense of inadequacy. She recalled the countless arguments they had over her passion for music, the disappointment etched on their faces when she chose to pursue a different path. Feeling overwhelmed, Aera stood up abruptly, her heart racing. She couldn't stay in her room any longer. She needed to escape, to breathe, to think. Without a second thought, she grabbed alcoholic drinks and stormed out of her dorm, the cool night air hitting her like a wave as she stepped outside.

After Aera exited her dorm, still buzzing from the drinks she just had, she felt a wave of determination wash over her. The argument with her parents had ignited a fire within her, and she was ready to embrace the night. She stumbled a bit as she walked, her mind swirling with thoughts of music and rebellion.

"Who needs sleep when you can have a midnight adventure?" she muttered to herself, giggling at her own silliness as she made her way toward the music building. The stars twinkled above her, and she felt like she was in a whimsical dream, half-expecting to encounter something magical.

As she approached the music building, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. Feeling bold, Aera pushed it open and stepped inside, the familiar scent of rosin and polished wood wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. She wandered down the hallway, her heart racing with excitement. 

 "Time to unleash my inner rock star," she declared to no one in particular, her voice echoing slightly in the empty space. When she reached one of the practice rooms, she paused, hearing the sound of a piano being played. Curiosity piqued, she peeked through the glass window and was met with the sight of Bang Chan, the leader of Stray Kids, sitting at the piano, his fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. 

Aera's heart skipped a beat. "Is this real? Am I dreaming?" she whispered to herself, feeling a rush of disbelief. Feeling emboldened by the alcohol, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. 

"Hey there, Chris!" she called out, a playful grin spreading across her face. Bang Chan looked up, startled, and his fingers stumbled over the keys. "Aera?" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

 "Just, you know, was taking a night stroll" she said, trying to sound casual but feeling a little wobbly on her feet. "And maybe exploring"

He chuckled, clearly amused by her tipsy state. "I can see that. You look a bit... festive."

"Festive? I prefer to think of it as 'enhanced confidence!'" she declared, raising her can in a mock toast. 

"Enhanced confidence, huh?" he said, leaning back with a playful smirk.

 "So, what's the plan? A midnight concert?"

"Exactly! I'm about to unleash my inner diva on this unsuspecting piano," Aera proclaimed, her voice filled with bravado as she made her way to the bench beside him.

Bang Chan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Alright, then let's see what you've got." With a deep breath, Aera began to play one of her original songs, her fingers moving with a mix of excitement and clumsiness. As she sang, her voice was a little off-key, but it was filled with passion and energy. She poured her heart into the performance, feeling the music wash over her. 

"Chris," she said playfully, glancing at him mid-song, "I wrote this for you." Bang Chan blinked, caught off guard by the sudden intimacy of her words. "For me?" he asked, a smile creeping onto his lips. "I'm flattered."

"Of course! You're my favorite rock star," Aera teased, her confidence growing with each note. "And I need a partner for my world tour!"

"World tour? I like the sound of that," he replied, leaning closer, clearly enjoying her antics. As she continued to sing, Aera felt a rush of exhilaration. The combination of the music, the alcohol, and Bang Chan's presence made her feel alive. She swayed slightly, lost in the moment, and when she finished, she looked over at him, breathless and grinning.

"What did you think?" she asked, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "It was... unique," he said, his gaze warm and inviting. "You definitely have a way of making an impression." Aera laughed, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment.

 "I'll take that as a compliment!"

"Definitely," he said, his smile genuine. "You've got a special energy, Aera."

Feeling bold, she leaned in closer, her heart racing. "Well, you know what they say—great artists have to take risks!" 

"True," Bang Chan replied, his voice low. "But I think you're already taking enough risks tonight."

Just then, Aera lost her balance slightly, bumping into him. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, steadying herself against the piano. "I'm just getting warmed up!"

Bang Chan laughed, clearly amused. "Careful there! You might scare the piano away."

"Scare the piano? I'll have it begging for more!" she shot back, her confidence soaring.

As they continued to banter, Aera felt a spark of connection between them. The earlier fight with her parents faded away, replaced by the joy of the moment. She realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to carry the weight of their expectations alone. And with Bang Chan by her side, she felt a little more like herself—tipsy, playful, and ready to embrace whatever came next.

A/N: Hehehe.