Clash of Colors

First

The weight of the silence doubled. Growing longer over the passing seconds.

Stunned. Appearing more flustered, Hyunjae stammered, "Who?"

"I have a twin sister." Raising her head up to look more carefully into his face, she continued, "She went missing when I was younger. We never found her."

Something flashed across his face. Realization. Hyunjae's eyes widened a fraction. Hurriedly blinking he turned away. Uncomfortable. Dismissing, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Hiding his expression from her eyes he swiveled away. Exiting the kitchen on urgent feet. She listened to his footsteps fade up the stairs feeling like she had lost some game she was playing.

ϞϞϞϞϞ

That night Namjoo tossed and turned. She didn't feel tired. Her mind kept running. Not because she was dwelling over her first ever date. Hyunjae's reaction bothered her.

Landing on her side she stared out the window. Sitting up the following moment. Turning over she impulsively got up, changed, and crept out of the house. Heading outside, across the bridge to the other side of the city, into the quiet neighborhood. Namjoo paid the driver and watched the tail lights disappear down the dark street. Touching her phone and waiting.

The front door creaked open. Deciding not to waste time she stepped toward Sehun wrapping her arms around him. Seeking comfort when she leaned into him. Pressed her face to his shoulder. Discovering solace in his presence and becoming at ease. She didn't leave him any breath for words, but felt a hand on her back; the other touch her head.

It burst through her.

The truth that Hyunjae knew something he wasn't willing to share. The tiny quest to find the truth was becoming a greater burden.

"Silly," he said, "why are you here?"

"I just wanted to see you."

"You couldn't wait until morning?" She imagined him smiling. "I guess you missed me that much."

Thoughts clashed in her head. What to say? Where to start from? What did she expect from him? Sympathy? Sehun didn't even know his aunt or her family. There was nothing he could do for her.

He had never met Chunhae – Hyejoo.

"Do you want to come inside?" he asked when she said nothing. "My parents have an early day tomorrow, so they've gone to bed."

Taking her hand, he led her inside. Sehun was telling the truth. His parents were no longer up. They had the house to themselves. The familiarity of his home made her homesick. The contrast between being here and at Aunt Youngja's house was so stark.

"Do you want something to drink?" he asked leading her into the kitchen.

"Can I go sit outside?" Namjoo wondered.

"Oh...sure." He seemed surprised.

Namjoo found her way to the back door. Dusty clouds were drifting past the moon casting a shadow over her. Sitting on the deck to admire the cherry blossom tree Namjoo took a whiff of the cool night air. Letting it chill out the weight in her lungs.

"Did you get in trouble?" Sehun sat down beside her, took her hands, and left her with a glass of water.

"I didn't."

"So I guess you really did just miss me," he joked.

Namjoo cheered up with a slight smile. Letting him lighten the mood for a split second. "I found Hyejoo."