A Picture of Hope

Chapter 1

      He watched as she walked by. Her long auburn hair danced in the breeze as she passed. A fresh Lilac scent lingered as she rounded the corner. He couldn't help but follow her. He watched as she smiled at a flower kiosk owner, who had handed her a small pink flower. He smiled as she placed the small flower behind her ear. It stood out well with her dark hair.

Continuing to follow her, he stopped at a convenient store. He felt flustered. Just why was he following her? He must look like such a creep. Placing a hand on his light brown hair, he let out a sigh. He tilted his head to the sky and contemplated turning around and going back home. As he looked to the sky he felt a tiny drop of water.

He hadn't noticed when the sky changed. But he could see the dark colored clouds gather around quickly. One by one the drops fell, until they fell faster and harder. Off in the distance, he saw her standing underneath a small balcony. He quickly looked around to find anything that could help her. Looking to his right he saw a bucket full with a variety of different colored umbrellas. Quickly looking back to the balcony, he prayed she was still there. Seeing her look at her soaked clothes, he grabbed a black umbrella and rushed inside to pay.

*******

Of course it would rain she thought. The one day she could finally escape the confines of her tiny apartment, and take a break from studying. She had only been in Seoul for a few months, and had never really seen any of the sights. Unless you counted the building next to her apartment window. Which she didn't.

That morning, she had woken up to a little sun. So she had gone for a morning walk. Hoping to free her mind from her countless hours studying. She had only been gone for thirty minutes before the rain had started.

After scurrying underneath a balcony, she looked down to her wet purple converse. She wiggled her cold toes hoping to warm them. She pulled at her white pull over sweater, feeling her black bag stick to her side as she did. Feeling its wet fiber, she let out a sigh. She looked around hoping to figure out where she could run to. It's a little ways till the next cover, she thought as she gazed at a small opening.

"If you don't get out of those wet clothes, you'll catch a cold."

Turning her head, she saw him. He was slightly taller than her. His dark eyes twinkled as she smiled at her. His face was long, which made him look younger. As her eyes wandered she noticed he was wearing a white shirt under a black sweater with random news clippings on it, and black skinny jeans. All soaked. She looked up to his bright beanie and began to think that maybe he might be a thug after something.

"I know a place that's dry." He smiled.

"Thanks, but I'm okay." She replied.

"You'll get sick if you walk out in this rain any more than you have." He argued, "Besides, it's not far."

"How do I know it's not some abandoned warehouse, where you'll do unspeakable things to me?" She said sarcastically.

"It's nothing like that, I swear!" He said raising his left hand.

She stood for a moment weighing her options. Letting out a breath, she darted toward him. He felt warm as she stood next to him. He slowly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"You'll get wet if you aren't under more." He replied.

"You'll get wet too you know." She said pointing at his exposed shoulder.

"A pretty girl like you is way more important." He smiled.

He led her to a small café. He figured a nice cup of coffee would help warm them up. He watched as she chuckled at the small building. He couldn't help but smile when she did. Walking in, he asked what she would like, and smiled when she answered with just a coffee. He then asked her to find a table, and he would be back with their drinks.

She managed to find a table that sat next to the window. The café was warm, which she enjoyed. She looked back at him and smiled. Her first outing, and a good looking guy was buying her coffee. Looking at the back of him, she couldn't help her eyes from darting up and down.

He flashed a white toothed smile as he placed the coffees on the table. They sat in silence, both unsure what to say. Placing their hands on the warm mugs, they drank in sync. After hearing the clanks of the mugs connecting to the table they laughed.

"I'm Alice by the way." She smiled, "Alice Rose."

"Hoseok." He replied. "Jung Hoseok."

They sat and continued to chat. Seeing that she looked American, he asked her what brought her to Seoul. He sat enchanted by her response. She smiled, as she explained how she visited Seoul las summer, and fell in love with the scenery. She had been studying photography in LA, but nothing compared to the view in Seoul. After she had returned to LA she began studying the Korean language.

"After a year, I transferred here." She continued, holding her mug between her hands "I've only been here for a few months, but I already feel at home here."

"That's great." He replied.

"Oh!" She said looking out the window, "The rains let up."

"Oh." He said trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

He had really enjoyed her company, and wanted to spend more time with her. Still, it was probably for the best they head home. Their clothes were still wet, and he would hate it if she got sick because of his little detour. Taking the last sip of his coffee, he rose from his seat.

"In case it rains again." He said scratching his head, "I'll escort you home."

"I'd like that." She replied.

Surprised at her response, he grinned. Watching as she rose from her seat, he grabbed the umbrella in one hand and took hers in the other. He pulled her, leading her out the door. The air was cold and crisp. Alice began to shiver a little, making Hoseok look toward her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

"For warmth." He said looking ahead.

She smiled and pointed to the left, telling him her place was in that direction. A silence hung over them, as they continued to walk on the concrete sidewalk. A few blocks later she stopped him. They had come to a tall grey apartment complex. She looked up, and then looked back to him.

"Well this is me." She said softly, feeling a little down that their meeting was coming to an end.

"Yeah." He replied.

She began to walk toward the glass doors before realizing she had something she wanted to give him. Quickly turning around, she made her way back to him. Standing in front of him, she reached into her black bag and pulled out a blue pen. Looking to him, she held out her hand. She smiled at his confused expression. Reaching for his arm, she brought his hand toward her. Turning his palm up, she quickly hit the top of the pen and began to write.

"There!" She said with a smile.

"What?" He asked pulling is hand close he inspected her writing.

Alice
XX-XX-XXX-XXXXX

"Why?" He asked now looking at her.

"You weren't at all what I thought you were." She chuckled, "I enjoyed having coffee with you. And that's in case you ever want to do it again."

She smiled and winked at him before heading back to the building. As she entered her apartment, she leaned against the door. Clenching her sweater, she tried to calm her racing heart. As she stood there, she hoped to hear from his soon.