Heartstrings || Joshua Hong

Chapter 18

Four years later: Summer 2017

Rina POV

"Congratulations, you've got the job! Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you and have a nice day." 

"Perfect, thank you so much. I'll be there in a week. Have a great rest of your day as well!", I replied cooly before hanging up and doing a silent victory dance, pumping my fists in the air. 

It had only been a few months since I'd graduated from conservatory with a degree in Violin Performance. I moved back to LA right after graduation to catch up with friends and family, but also to have a better shot at booking jobs or gigs. The job I'd just landed involved playing as a pit orchestra member for a concert at Staples Center featuring this Korean group called "SEVENTEEN", or something. I had no idea who they were or what kind of music I'd be playing for them, but if the job paid, I wasn't complaining. 

I opened up my violin case to start a practice session when I noticed a piece of paper sticking out from one of the compartments in the case. 

The letter. 

I opened it up and read it over again, sighing deeply. It had been four whole years since Joshua had left, leaving only this now crumpled and faded letter behind. It shouldn't have been a surprise to me that he never contacted me after that. He'd probably even forgotten me by now. When I entered college, I thought I was ready to move on and treat whatever had happened between us as a thing of the past, and even dated new people during those years hoping to get my mind off of him. Of course it was no use. Every time I opened the letter it was like opening fresh wounds again, with all the memories rushing through my head making my chest heavy. I might never stop caring for him and I knew it was quite foolish, but I'd already gotten used to living with this bittersweetness. 

I folded up the letter and opened up my binder with the sheet music for the concert. The title of the first song was "울고 싶지 않아- Don't Wanna Cry". Reading over the lyrics, I smirked to myself.

How did this song so accurately capture the story of my life? 

--

One week later

I pulled into a parking spot and checked my watch. 30 minutes early, as any good musician would be. My days of showing up late were over.

Walking through the artist entrance, I checked in with an attendant and received my "Orchestra Member" pass. 

"Let me show you to your waiting room. Right this way, please," the attendant said, guiding me through a series of hallways. Backstage was completely a maze so I was grateful. 

"Here we are," she said finally, opening one of the dressing room doors, "You can use this space to warm up or relax before the concert. Restrooms and drinking fountains are down the hall. Rehearsal starts in about half an hour. Any questions?" 

"Nope, this is great, thank you so much," I replied respectfully. After the attendant had left, I unpacked my violin and started doing a few warmups. Suddenly, I heard loud voices and laughter out in the hallway. Ah, that must be SEVENTEEN, I thought, I should go greet them. 

I opened the door carefully and saw a big group of tall, good-looking men messing around in the common room. They hadn't noticed me yet. 

"Uh...hello everyone, my name is Rina Song," I said loudly in Korean, bowing in their direction, "I'm one of the violinists for your show and I'm excited to be working with you all. Please take care of me!" 

All heads turned in my direction. Dang, they were good looking. 

"Woah, a live violinist that's so cool!", one guy exclaimed with a smile that was brighter than the sun. "Hello, I'm Lee Seokmin, but you can just call me DK." I nodded and smiled back, surprised at how much happiness could radiate off of just one person. 

"Wah, noona, you're really pretty," another member said in awe. "But not as pretty as me, right Vernon-ah?", he asked, calling over to a guy who literally looked like a younger version of Leonardo DiCaprio. 

"Psh, no way, Seungkwan, she's way prettier," the guy named Vernon called back. I laughed and thanked them both, already falling in love with their lively sense of humor. 

"Pardon these guys, Rina-ssi, they should know better when meeting someone new," one of the older-looking members spoke up. "I'm Choi Seungcheol, or S. Coups, and I'm SEVENTEEN's leader. We're excited to be working with you, too!", he said, extending an arm for a hand shake. I returned the gesture and got introduced to the rest of the members. 

"Wow, a group of-" I counted twelve heads at the moment, "twelve people, that's so crazy! Excuse me for asking, but why is your group called 'SEVENTEEN' then?" 

"Ah, actually we have thirteen members. I think Jisoo went to the bathroom earlier, but we're  thirteen members plus three sub-units and one whole group, so 13+3+1=17. Don't worry, we get this question all the time," the member named Jeonghan (if I remembered correctly) explained.

"Oh, I see. That's super cool!" I said, marveling at the creativity. 

Did he just say Jisoo? As in... I began entertaining the possibility, but then shook my head. No, the chances were so slim. I wouldn't let myself get my hopes up. 

"Well, we'll be in the room right next to yours, so let us know if you need anything. See you later!" S. Coups said. I wished them luck on their performance and bowed again, watching the twelve head to their room. I was about to go back to mine when I heard the bathroom door from down the hall swing open. 

That must be the last member. I should go greet him, too. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing my contacts or eyeglasses that day so I had to walk closer to get a better view. I opened my mouth to greet him enthusiastically until I caught sight of his face. 

My smile faded. I stopped dead in my tracks. 

No, I must be dreaming.

But, the stranger standing tall and handsome in front of me was undoubtedly...

"Josh?"

--

A/N And so they meet again :) 

This story is coming to an end soon, too! Thank you everyone for all the reads, votes, and comments <3 Love you alllll