The Depth of Ocean

First Impression

Characteristic

Siren was a college student with a demeanor as cold as winter's first frost. An ambivert by nature, she often walked the fine line between solitude and socializing. Mischief sparkled in her eyes, revealing a playful side that only a few were privileged to witness. Beneath her seemingly aloof exterior, she harbored a kind heart, one that quietly beat with empathy and compassion.

Yuhan, on the other hand, was two years her senior and shared the same academic halls. Handsome and bold, he was the kind of person who commanded attention wherever he went. With a sharp wit and a love for humor, he easily played the role of the charming extrovert. Yet, beneath the surface, his playboy reputation and arrogant confidence often kept people at arm's length.

Simen had been by Siren's side since childhood. Growing up together, they formed an unbreakable bond that had carried them from the playgrounds of their youth to the halls of their high school. Simen was Siren's confidant, the one who knew her better than anyone else.

Then there was Kemi, Siren's cousin and equal in age. An extrovert by every measure, Kemi's vivacious spirit often contrasted with Siren's reserved nature. The two shared more than just blood; they shared secrets, dreams, and the trials of growing up, navigating life's ups and downs together.

It was a strange and unsettling time. The world had been gripped by the relentless spread of COVID-19, and life as everyone knew it had ground to a halt. Siren had recently been admitted to college, a milestone she had long anticipated, but the excitement was quickly dampened by the pandemic that forced schools and colleges to close their doors. Days blurred into one another as she remained confined to her home, her eyes often drifting to the clock, waiting for time to pass.

On one such day, as the afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Siren, where are you?"

The voice belonged to Kemi, her cousin. Siren hadn't always been close to Kemi; in fact, they were more like distant acquaintances connected by family ties. But as the days of isolation stretched on, the two had grown closer, finding comfort in each other's presence.

"I'm here," Siren called back, her voice steady.

Kemi entered the room, her face lit with a mischievous grin. "Do you want to go out for a bit? We could use a break from all this."

Siren hesitated. "My mom won't allow it. Every time we go out, it just creates problems."

Kemi rolled her eyes, brushing off the concern. "Come on, this will be the last time, I promise. No trouble, I swear."

For a moment, Siren wavered. She knew better than to defy her mother's wishes, but there was something about Kemi's persistence that made it hard to say no. Kemi was one of the few people Siren genuinely cared about, and the thought of disappointing her was enough to tip the scales.

"Fine," Siren agreed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

They left the house and headed to the mall, finding solace in the mundane act of wandering aimlessly through stores and aisles. It was a welcome distraction from the monotony of quarantine.

But as they roamed, Siren's phone rang, its shrill tone slicing through the air. She glanced at the screen and saw Simen's name flashing.

"Siren, where on earth are you? I've been texting you all morning, and you didn't reply!" Simen's voice was sharp, edged with irritation.

"I'm with my cousin at the mall. What's wrong?" Siren asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Come to my place now," Simen demanded.

"Okay, I'm on my way. Don't panic," Siren replied, her tone soothing.

Turning to Kemi, Siren sighed. "I have to go now-something urgent has come up. I'll explain later. Bye."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried off, leaving Kemi behind.

As she approached Simen's place, Siren could feel the tension in the air. Simen was pacing, her frustration palpable.

"Where is that girl? I called her, but she still isn't here," Simen muttered to herself, her voice laced with impatience.

Moments later, Siren walked in, her expression curious. "What happened? Why did you call me so urgently?"

Simen wasted no time. "Come here; I want to show you something." She opened her laptop, her fingers moving quickly across the keyboard.

Siren leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing.

"Is that guy still pestering you about marriage?" Simen asked, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Well, now he's bothering me about a relationship."

Siren's reaction was predictable-a stoic gaze, unphased by the revelation. She had known men like him before, and this didn't surprise her in the least.

"So this is the urgent matter you called me about?" she asked, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Actually, no," Simen replied, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Look at this picture closely. When he was flirting with me, I asked him to set up a date with someone, and he suggested this guy."

She turned the screen to face Siren, revealing a photo of a man that made Siren's heart skip a beat.

"Wait, what?!" Siren gasped, her eyes widening in shock. The man in the picture was none other than her mother's cousin-her uncle.

"What a coincidence," Simen said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the situation. "But who cares? Let's do something fun."

Siren knew that look in Simen's eyes-mischief was brewing. She opened the man's Facebook profile, her fingers moving with purpose as she searched for more clues. And then, suddenly, she stopped, her breath catching in her throat.

There, in one of the photos, stood a young man who was strikingly handsome. His white shirt and pants contrasted beautifully with his lightly tanned skin. His hair, a shade of brown, was slightly long and parted to the side, framing a face that was both angelic and captivating. His eyes were like clear, sparkling marbles, full of life and mystery.

"Who is this guy?" Siren exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and curiosity. It was the first time she had seen Yuhan's photo, and she was instantly drawn to him.

"I don't know," Simen replied with a shrug, though she couldn't hide her own interest. "But he's definitely attractive. How about I ask that guy? The caption on the post suggests they know each other."

Siren's mind raced as she stared at the screen, the image of Yuhan burned into her memory. Little did she know that this first impression would be the beginning of something far more profound.