SERENADE | JAKE

two : She Loves Green⭑.ᐟ

     The next day, Yeri sat at her usual spot in the library, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of the table. The sound of students chatting, the shuffling of books, and the quiet hum of the overhead lights created a calm that, for once, she was grateful for.

It had been less than twenty-four hours since she'd been paired with Jake Sim for their school project, but it already felt like a lifetime. The awkwardness still lingered in her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on her in the art room yesterday.

It was nothing, really. Just a brief glance that could have meant nothing. But it felt... different somehow.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside.

Focus, Yeri. Focus on the project.

The sound of the library doors opening snapped her out of her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat as Jake's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He was wearing a casual black hoodie, his usual confident aura in full force. He spotted her almost immediately, offering her a lazy grin as he made his way toward her.

"Hey, you're here early," Jake said as he dropped his guitar case onto the chair next to her.

His tone was relaxed, almost playful, and it threw Yeri off guard. She wasn't sure if she had expected him to be more... distant or formal. But this was Jake-always the cool, effortlessly charming guy that made everyone gravitate toward him.

"Uh... yeah," Yeri mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I'd... get a head start."

"Good call," Jake said, settling into the chair across from her. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a notebook, flipping it open.

"So, mural ideas, huh?"

Yeri nodded, feeling a little out of her depth. She had come up with a few rough concepts in her head, but actually bringing them to life felt like a whole other challenge. She glanced at Jake, who was already scribbling something in his notebook, completely at ease.

"Do you... have any ideas?" she asked, her voice faltering slightly.

Jake looked up from his notebook, raising an eyebrow. "Me? I'm not exactly the artist here, you know."

Yeri hesitated. "I mean... you're the one who has the ideas for the school events and performances, right? You know what's popular with the students."

Jake shrugged. "True. I guess I could give you a few suggestions." He tapped the pencil against his lip, thinking. "What about a theme that represents the whole school? Like, something that speaks to everyone?"

Yeri leaned forward slightly. "I like that. Maybe something that shows unity? Like a collage of all the different aspects of Ridgewood."

"Sounds good. Let's brainstorm some specifics." Jake's eyes lit up, and he began jotting down notes. "We could add some local landmarks, or even elements from the school's history. Make it feel... homey."

Yeri smiled, grateful that Jake was so willing to dive into the details. As they discussed the project, she began to feel more comfortable. They moved from ideas about the mural's design to practical matters like colors, materials, and how to incorporate school spirit into the art. For a moment, Yeri almost forgot who she was working with. Jake Sim-the golden boy-was just... Jake.

But then he said something that pulled her back to reality.

"So, what's your deal?" Jake asked casually, glancing up from his notes.

"Why don't you talk much? I've seen you around, and you're always so... quiet."

Yeri froze, her pencil stopping midair. She had known this question was coming. Of course, he'd wonder. Everyone did. She cleared her throat, trying to steady her voice.

"It's... just who I am, I guess," she said, forcing a half-smile. "I'm not really good at talking to people."

Jake leaned back in his chair, studying her. His gaze wasn't judgmental, but it made her feel exposed in a way she wasn't used to.

"Doesn't seem like a problem," he said with a shrug. "I mean, look at the art you do. You're speaking through your work, right? I can respect that."

Yeri blinked, surprised by his response. Most people just saw her as someone who preferred to stay in the background. But Jake... he understood?

"Thanks," she muttered, her cheeks warming.

"What about you? You're always so... outgoing. How do you do it?"

Jake's smile faltered for just a second, and in that split moment, Yeri saw something more vulnerable in him-a flicker of uncertainty. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Jake leaned forward, his tone lighter now.

"Guess I've just learned to fake it," he said with a chuckle.

"Being the 'popular guy' comes with a lot of pressure, you know? People expect you to be confident all the time. But honestly? I'm not always sure what I'm doing either."

Yeri stared at him, caught off guard by his honesty. He was right there with her, wasn't he? The weight of expectation, the pressure to perform-it wasn't so different for either of them.

"You? You seem like you've got everything under control," she said quietly, surprised by how easy it was to talk to him now.

Jake shook his head. "Trust me, no one has everything under control. Not even me."

They fell into a brief silence, the kind that felt comfortable instead of awkward. Yeri found herself relaxing, leaning back in her chair, her gaze returning to the mural ideas they'd started to sketch out.

"So, uh... what's your favorite color?" Jake suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

Yeri blinked, unsure of where the question had come from. "Uh... green," she said, a little thrown off by the sudden shift in the conversation.

"Green, huh? That's cool." Jake scribbled something down in his notebook, his brow furrowing as he thought. "I think green's a good color for the mural. It's calming... and natural."

Yeri nodded, pleased that Jake was taking her preferences into account. But before she could add anything more, her phone buzzed in her bag. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

It was a message from her older brother.

Yeri, can you pick up some milk on your way home?

She sighed, looking at the time. It was almost time for their next class.

"I'm sorry, I need to go," Yeri said, gathering her things. "I have some errands to run."

Jake looked up, surprised. "Already? We were making good progress."

"I know," Yeri said, her voice softer. "But I'll catch up later. I promise."

She stood up, giving him a brief smile before walking away. But as she stepped into the hallway, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions.

There was something about Jake Sim that intrigued her-something that made her want to know more. He was more than just the school's golden boy. Behind his confident exterior, there were layers of complexity she hadn't expected.

As she walked out the door, her mind raced with thoughts of the project, of Jake's unexpected openness, and the question that lingered in the back of her mind.

Could this really be the start of something more?