Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🌸 Chapter 02🌸

Sunghoon's POV

The morning air was crisp as I parked my car near the garden, the familiar scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filling my lungs. This was my second visit, and I felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. I grabbed my Polaroid camera, the comforting weight of it in my hands, and stepped into the garden.

I wandered among the vibrant blooms, capturing their beauty one frame at a time. The petals glistened with dew, and I lost track of time, absorbed in the moment. But then, an unsettling feeling crept over me-like someone was watching. I glanced up and saw him.

He was sitting under an oak tree, the boy I had talked to yesterday. As our eyes met, he quickly looked away, his gaze shifting to the ground. For a brief moment, my heart raced. I didn't know why, but I felt compelled to go to him. I was an introvert, usually content with solitude, yet something about his drew me in.

After a few minutes of hesitation, I gathered my courage and made my way over. He sat there, a notebook in his lap, scribbling furiously. Nearby, a vintage bicycle leaned against the tree, its basket filled with two more notebooks, a baby blue pencil case, and delicate babies breath flowers. It was a charming scene, and I felt a sudden urge to be part of it.

"Hi," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked up, and his eyes sparkled with surprise and warmth. A small smile crept onto his lips, and I could feel my own heart soften in response. "Hi! I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"What are you writing?" I asked.

"I'm working on a short story," he replied, his enthusiasm spilling over. "It's about a girl who finds magic in everyday things-like gardens and flowers." He gestured to the blossoms around us, and I could see the passion in his eyes.

We talked about the flowers, the colors, and how each one seemed to tell a story of its own. He was charming and energetic, weaving his words with such grace that I felt drawn into his world. I was still feeling a bit lost, trying to keep up, but he made it easy.

"By the way," he said, his expression suddenly curious, "what's your name? I told mine yesterday, but tou didn't get a chance to share yours."

I hesitated. I realized I hadn't told him my name. It felt strange, almost like I was holding back a piece of myself. "It's... um, Sunghoon. Park Sunghoon," I finally said, surprised by how my voice came out steadier than I felt.

"Nice to meet you, Sunghoon. I'm Sim Jaeyun, but prefer Jake" he said with a bright smile that made my heart skip.

As we continued talking, I felt the chill of the morning fade away, replaced by a warmth that came from our connection. For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel lost; I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

"Can I see some of your photos?" Jake asked, his eyes bright with curiosity.

I hesitated, a wave of self-doubt washing over me. No one had asked to see my work like that before. "Sure," I replied, pulling out my Polaroid pictures. I held them out, my hands slightly trembling.

He leaned closer, examining each one. "Wow, these are amazing! You have a real talent for capturing the beauty of the flowers. It's like they're alive in these photos!" His compliment struck a chord deep within me, filling a space I didn't realize was empty.

"Thanks," I mumbled, feeling warmth rise to my cheeks. "I just try to capture their essence."

Jake's gaze flickered back to his notebook. "You should definitely keep it up. I can see you becoming a renowned photographer one day, just like I want to be a popular writer."