The Stars Shine Brighter [Ongoing]

Chapter 24: "Welcome To The City"

Baekhyun was getting tired of wandering and wandering; it was like he was traveling around in circles! But as he journeyed on a bit further, a wave of flashing lights suddenly struck his sight! Quickly shielding his battered eyes with his arms, Baekhyun couldn't help but question: "Where in the world am I? Why are there flashing lights here?"

And just as swift as lightning, it struck him -- "I'm at the city!"

All of his vent-up frustration and anger were converted into excitement and a sense of pride for himself.

"I'm gonna make it." He whispered to himself as he entered the city's gates.

He breathed in the toxic air filled with dust, rust and...ice cream!? -- Oh, standing right next to him was a little boy eating an ice cream. He got off his bicycle, knelt on the concrete floor (so he was the same height as the boy), and tried saying 'Hi' to him, but some old woman -- probably his mother -- pulled him far away from Baekhyun, and hissed at him, saying: "I know what you're trying to do. Perv!". She then tugged the boy with her, and ran along, leaving Baekhyun dumbfounded.

A group of teens who were able to witness the scene, were glaring at him. They shook their heads, and called him names. Baekhyun was starting to feel all the heat he used to feel back when he was younger, and he felt a bit ill. He quickly mounted his bicycle and rode off, not looking back.

Once all of the stress melted away, he decided to loosen up the pace and stopped at a sidewalk. He politely asked a chubby man in a suit about where to get a job, but the man waved him off and just walked along. Baekhyun sighed, and asked some fancy lady the same thing, but she, too, just walked along. He continued to ask, but none of them was kind enough to help him out. "Is this really the 'glorious' city life people talked about?" he thought. But just then, a thin finger tapped him on the shoulder; he turned around only to see a little girl smiling at him. "Hello, mister, you must look for stores with 'Help Wanted' signs, and ask for a job there." Baekhyun thanked the girl, and rode his bicycle.

About an hour filled with blissful determination had passed, and Baekhyun still couldn't find a single job. All of the stores he inquired told him that they wouldn't accept people who didn't finish school. He'd beg them to give him a chance, but they still refused to do so.

His time was running short, since it was getting pretty dark. He gave off a loud grunt as he rode his bicycle around the streets, looking out for any 'Help Wanted' signs. And just out of the blue, he had spotted one at an old fishing supplies store.

The smile on his face was absolutely priceless.

He entered the store and saw a middle-aged man sweeping the floor. He looked tired. Baekhyun assumed him as the owner, approached him, and asked: "Um, hello, mister. I'm Baekhyun and --"

The man ceased his sweeping to face him. "I know what you're trying to say, and the answer's no. Now please leave."

Baekhyun's heart was crushed once again. But this time, he decided to leave at once. He crossed a dark alley, in search of his bicycle...

A very skinny woman who was sporting a top with a plunging neckline, skimpy shorts, tight leggings, and heavy make-up, approached him all of a sudden. She snaked her fragile, bony arms around him, and said "Hiya, big boy. Ya looking for a job, right?" rather seductively whilst batting her fake eyelashes. Baekhyun was stunned, something about this woman spelled out 'DANGER!', but he couldn't point out why; he was also repulsed by her because she was obviously flirting with him

The woman impatiently drummed her fingers, waiting for an answer. She eyed him, and was about to yell at him, but realized something she could use to her advantage. "Hey, you're not from the city, are ya?" she asked. Baekhyun blinked twice at the question. Was it THAT obvious?

"Um, no, actually. B-But I really have to go now." He replied anxiously, trying to break away from her. The woman tightened her grip around him. "Wait! A country boy like you shouldn't be out here on the streets. Now come with me and --" she said whilst pulling him along with her. Baekhyun held his ground and pulled himself to the opposite direction.

"Leave me alone, please!'' he cried.

"Come on, brat --" the woman impatiently yelled, but was interrupted.

"You leave the kid alone, Jasmine!" The store owner demanded.

"Fine, Marco." She begrudgingly submitted and let go off Baekhyun. But before leaving, she pinched his butt, and immediately ran away.

Baekhyun couldn't help but blush. "Thank you, sir." He said.

"..Baekhyun, right? You can work at my store." The man replied.

Baekhyun's eyes opened wide and felt ecstatic!

"THANK YOU!" he bowed twice.

"Yeah, yeah, don't be late tomorrow! 7 AM sharp!", and then the man left him.

Things were starting to change for the better.

As the world silently greeted him: "Welcome to the city."