Our Little Lives, in this Big World

[INTRO:] Just as you Are

The summer was long, but a good one none the less for Lee Seokmin. He had finished his first year of college at Attacca University with good grades, and now he's home with the goal of saving money for the upcoming school year. These long summer days of his were often spent working at DREAM , a small local theater owned by a family friend.

Save. Save. Save. That has been the only thing on his mind.

Save for housing, food, pocket money, emergencies... etc. Luckily he doesn't have to worry about all the finances a normal college student might have to. For the second year in a row, he was rewarded with a scholarship through the music department for singing, so that will cover most of his tuition. Not to mention Attacca University has three impeccable libraries around the campus island, one solely for the purpose of providing their students with any and all of their textbooks, so he won't have to worry about that finance either. But, even as a student of Attacca University, life still isn't cheap, simply because life is not cheap. Stressing about money during the school year when one is too busy to have a job is the last thing the guy wants. So, again, saving money has been all that was on Seokmin's mind this summer. Well, for the most part.

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AUGUST 13, SUNDAY, 22:45 (10:45PM). THREE DAYS BEFORE A.U. MOVE-IN.

The summer heat had passed just its peak, and the nighttime air breezes gently against his face. Up above, the clouds are illuminated by the city lights and move swiftly with the wind. He rarely ever sees the stars, tonight being no different, but the atmosphere is still nice.

Locking the doors, he had just finished his last shift of the summer at DREAM.

Until next year...

"Hey, DK."

Jeongyeon, his coworker, stands waiting in the parking lot for Seokmin to finish up the very last closing duty of locking the doors. When done, he throws her the keys, which she catches easily but with a slight frown. She will be returning and he will not, but besides that, there is still something a bit off. It's as if she has an inability to stay still, tense shoulders, not to mention she can hardly take her eyes off the pavement.

Seokmin has always known her to be kind, strong and direct, but definitely having her cute moments, too, in which she gets easily flustered. Her beauty is undeniably unique, then pair it with her height and figure creates quite the alluring woman. One which is easy for his own eyes to wander to. Seokmin has always enjoyed working with Jeongyeon. Shifts with her would just fly by with anything rarely ever going wrong. So, having his work-buddy in front of him in this state, he can't help but take in her nervousness with a charming warmth and grows even more curious.

"Dok– Seokmin , you're such a great guy and I enjoyed working with you this summer..." One can tell she is trying to mask her angst, but her voice just sounds more stiff and formal. "No, not just working, but I've enjoyed every minute with you in general. Look, I... ok, I'm just going to say it." Jeongyeon takes a big breath and her eyes finally flicker up at her coworker, "I have feelings for you, Seokmin, and I want to take you on a date. Seokmin's face drops, but the other doesn't catch it for the second her words spill from her mouth, her eyes dart downward with intense concentration. "Now, I know you're about to go to college and all, but I don't mind—"

"Jeongyeon," Seokmin puts his hand on her shoulder and her voice falls silent. Though the touch was light, Jeongyeon startles by the sudden physical contact. Her eyes shoot up to Seokmin's; reading, searching his own for any sign of likeness reflecting back her own. His voice was light, no different than how he usually says her name. Then, Seokmin smiles, but with no depth of happiness shining through, hollow like an empty shell. They are touching, yes, but there might as well be a large brick wall blocking them that has the ability to push one further and further away.