False Impressions I Book 1: Lee Heeseung

Chapter 23: A Way Back To You

Los Angeles often has warm, sunny weather. The City of Angels has another nickname, the City of Flowers and Sunshine. A year passed. Aerin found home in the city's warm climate.

In a game of 90 minutes that requires strength, loads of fitness and cleverness to be played, nothing can stop the LA Dodgers to claim that victory. Football, unlike any other games, has no moment of dullness. There is excitement till the last second of the 90-minute game, and Aerin was amped standing on the courtside for after the game highlights.

Then a loud cheer. It was ear splitting rocking the whole arena, like a daydream that took her back exactly a year ago. That stadium was also solid but the shrills could easily wreck it apart. She was present on that event and that day turned her world upside down.

"Take it away, Aerin!"

She couldn't believe she was stalled for a split seconds. Pulling out her professionalism card, Aerin managed to attack and deliver, making her partner and cameraman, David, to render a quick applause.

"Awesome! As always. Mike Travis is giving you a look. He's so eager to date you, asian doll."

Aerin scoffed and rapidly shook her head. "He's a playboy, you moron!"

"He told me he's willing to discontinue being a pleasure seeker if you'll just say yes. He really got this fetish for gorgeous asian girls. Give him a chance."

"Ah, you're talking nonsense, David." Aerin rolled her eyes.

"Why the hesitation though? You see, it's not really be Mike Travis, you never find someone interesting here in LA? You've been here for a year." David asked in curiosity while packing the stuff.

That hard hitting question is something she avoids for the answer it is gut wrenching, haunting her every night. Her stupid heart couldn't get the idea of moving on. Aerin was stuck in the love that got away curse.

"By the way, this arena will blow up again in the next month." David decides to pull up once more.

"Of course. That's the championship match."

"Besides for the championship, they're going to hold another event here. What do you call that Korean concert thing? Ah yes, K-Con. K-Con here in LA."

Hearing the unexpected pronouncement, Aerin couldn't hold the gasp. She swallowed down, harder than her last gulp just seconds ago. A K-Con in LA? Her thoughts spiraled even more.

"D-Do you come to know the performers yet?" Aerin tried to sound nonchalant.

David shrugged. "I'm not really familiar with this K-pop thing. They're still working out with the roster. It's still a month away. Besides, I am only paid to cover sports and nothing else. Why? Are you attending? I mean, that's your thing."

"Not really my thing. Never was, quite honestly."

Her own words just created a tweak on her heart, suprisingly blocking her airways to make a tiny choke. She was speaking ironically, fooling herself she'll feel better after she said those words.

"Really?" it took David by surprise. "I thought because you're Korean, you love you're own music, even your artists."

"This is enough for tonight, David. See you on the next match."

Aerin don't want to appear insulting leaving David just like that. Her escape comes in a way that's so random, it appears so playful, yet there is smoke of the fire that burns within. 

Her foolish heart is again shedding tears, singing out his name. The burning pain is consuming her. She cannot make herself move to happier spaces. 

A year has passed. She's in another city now. But she's still there, waiting, never moving an inch, still crazily in love with Lee Heeseung.