The Perfect Life

Beating Hearts

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Not even a picture of a younger Sehun or the grandparents he had told her about. The family pictures in Sohee's home were non-existent in Sehun's tiny space. Namjoo scanned a 2-tier bookshelf, half of it full. The top shelf consisting of only a phonebook. There was a small round table on the floor and an old second-hand square TV he probably picked up from the thrift store sitting beside it. The faded yellow walls added to the dreariness and she wondered if this was a place of punishment.

"Have some water." Sehun handed her a cup.

He had been serious, not just polite about this cramped up stuff he'd been telling her. The obviousness of it was that he was truly a bachelor.

Good.

Down the hall she supposed was where his bedroom was located. How small was that room?

"It's nice," Namjoo commented.

"You don't have to say that."

"For a single person, you don't need any more space than this," Namjoo said. "I can sit down?"

He opened his mouth to say something but didn't. Namjoo made herself comfortable on the creaky wooden floor. Not waxed. Worn from all the years of shoes scuffing against floorboards. Didn't reflect a hint of the lights in the ceiling. She blamed the landlord for the poor condition his place was in.

Sehun's eyes traveled around the walls as if this was his first time here. Taking a stride he sat against the wall opposite her, stretching his long legs out.

"Sunu was lying," he perked up.

"What?" Namjoo asked unsure what he was speaking about. Unlike other men who went straight to the point Sehun jumped around. His cautious nature making it hard for her to read between the lines.

"That there's another girl." He spoke quietly.

Her lips lit up with a smile. Dumb Sunu teasing Sehun, teasing, and making up lies. Of course she'd known he was just pulling their legs. Innocent Sehun had taken it seriously. Even if there was another woman, Namjoo wasn't worried. With wary Sehun that woman would have to become an Olympian in order to get close to him. Namjoo was already halfway there.

"Well, why wouldn't she like you?" Namjoo wondered.

"It's not true," he refuted. "Sunu just likes joking around."

"Why are you telling me this?" Namjoo raised a brow in anticipation of his answer.

Slightly turning his head to the side, he pressed his lips together. Whatever the answer was, Namjoo knew he didn't have feelings for anyone. Stretching her leg out she intentionally touched the sole of his foot with her toes. His head immediately popped up, eyes landing on her. She smiled.

They fell into silence again for the nth time. Namjoo took a sip of the cool water happy by herself.

"Can I sit by you?" She asked.

Momentarily, his eyes landed on her. She barely noticed his nod before rising. Two steps forward and she slid down against the wall beside him. Stretching her legs out and looking at him unabashed. Her heart simply raced. They weren't even shoulder to shoulder. Their bodies not touching, but she could feel the warmth vibrating off his body. The permission he granted her made her feel worthy.

Taking another sip of the cool liquid, she moved her toes, calculating how long his legs were compared to hers. If she got to know him better she imagined she could lay her head on his shoulder one day. How strong he could be against her small self.

Lets take time she imagined them speaking through the quiet. To know each other. To be closer.

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