Clash of Colors

Farewell

A twinkle appeared in Minjae's eyes. Urging her toward the bar he propped an elbow onto the counter. Once the barista noticed him, he said something in a low voice to him. Namjoo couldn't quite catch the name of her drink. A dark liquid in a tall glass. Another for himself.

"It's not a strong drink," he said. "We'll go upstairs."

"Up...stairs?" Namjoo repeated surprised. She'd never been upstairs before. Not even when Sehun was here with her.

Arm still around her neck he led her through the throng of sweaty bodies. Spotting a metal spiral staircase at the end of the quartered room decorated with fancy curtains. Namjoo curiously tried to look at those hidden behind it, but Minjae had already pulled her up with him.

The noise was dimmer on the second floor. There were cubicles every fourth ways with a square glass table. Occupied by different people. Each enjoying their own kinds of drinks. Howling with boisterous laughter. Namjoo recognized a face when they approached. Minjae's younger brother whose name she had never gotten.

His eyes widened when he recognized her. Half rising to his feet confused, "Why are you..."

"Make room for the special lady of the night." Minjae lured her forward. Unfamiliar faces slid off the couch for her. Their eyes curious, probing her tight dress without saying anything.

Namjoo squeezed her legs together suddenly uncomfortable now.

"Here," Minjae's brother handed her his jacket, which she draped over her legs gratefully. Glancing around, "Where's Sehun?"

"Now, now," Minjae crooned, "it's impolite to call him out when she came by herself." Handing her her glass, he clinked his against it, "Cheers."

"Oh..." Namjoo nodded awkwardly. Holding the glass to her lips and took a sip. Trying not to gag when she tasted the bitter liquid.

"How do you like it?" Minjae asked her.

Forcing a smile onto her face, she lied, "It's ok."

His stare lingered over her cup, encouraging, "Have another sip." He clinked his glass with hers again. Namjoo took another painful sip.

"Me, too. Me, too," an unfamiliar face leaned forward holding his glass out to her.

Namjoo glanced at the men then at Minjae who coyly smiled, nodding his head that it was safe. As he shifted closer and snaked his arm around her waist.

ϞϞϞϞϞ

Sehun had wept in front of his parents for the first time since he grew up the first evening. Then he eventually started laying in bed sick. Feeling like the worst human being on the planet when Namjoo called and he had to ignore her.

He barely left the house. Sitting outside on the deck staring at the yard he had dug up. Waiting to see if the flowers he'd planted would bloom for him. The earth was still empty.

Then the sun disappeared and rose again from his window. Only five days had gone by which should have been a month. This feeling in his chest was horrid. Sehun felt lifeless. He could not find the hope Namjoo talked about no matter how many times he watched the earth go dark and light again.

Constantly missing Namjoo. Constantly wondering if she had gone home already. Aching for the last time he had said goodbye, and if he could do it again.

Sehun was staring out at the dreariness when his phone came to life. Perhaps Namjoo again, so he didn't bother turning to see her name on the screen. Then it stopped and picked up again. Clamping his eyes shut to steel through the moment he gripped his hand into a fist.