Little Starlights | Mark Lee

♪ | eleven

Memories engraved in the seasons, they come back, so I will find you

EXO - Universe ♪

"We're here!" Hyerin said enthusiastically, making a right turn into a parking lot. There were two vans parked there. "I guess we got here after everyone else," she said.

We stepped out of the car and took a look at our surroundings. The tall pine trees hugged the clouds in the sky, reaching higher than I'd known was possible. The summer air was scented fresh by the trees, life blooming in their branches.

Midday's sun shone above us through the few visible clouds. It was a beautiful day, peacefully surrounded by nature.

"Wow, this place is amazing," I couldn't help but blubber out, earning a nod from my friend. We followed a small path to what looked like a tiny camping site. Sure enough, that's where everyone was. We made our way towards the group, my eyes actively trying to spot people I knew.

"Seyeon!"

I turned around at the call of my name to find a smiling Taeil. "Oh hey! You're here," I smiled back.

"Yeah, we just finished putting up our tents. This place is really nice huh?"

"Yeah, it is," I replied looking up at my surroundings, "and speaking of tents, I should probably get mine set up." I tried opening the case, but the zipper got stuck on something, maybe a string on the inside, I thought. I tried pulling it again, but a hand gripped it first and, with a hard tug, got it open.

"Thanks Tae-" I turned my head to the right only to be met with a different face, "...Mark." I couldn't stop a childish smile from a appearing on my face.

"Here, let me help you," he was quick to open the case and take out the tent, unfolding it on the grass. I kneeled down and started taking out the rest of tent parts from the bag.

We were done in no time. The day went on with a few others showing up. Some of us gathered around a bonfire we made.

I felt happy, never having done anything like that before. It felt like one of those corny movie scenes. We sat on some chairs we brought and big logs. Hyerin and Taeil on both sides of me, Mark on the opposite end. He brought a guitar with him and his bandmates started requesting songs for him to play.

"I don't know that one Hyung," he kept answering to almost all the requests.

I still haven't talked to him...

I knew I needed to tell Mark about the past. It felt like I was keeping a secret, which was weird because he probably didn't think it was a big deal that we had met before, but I remembered that boy so often...

It shouldn't be such a pest for me to talk about it... it's not like I stalked him or anything. But then again, maybe he would think it's weird that I remember such a trivial thing...

My brain kept frying itself with useless thoughts and maybes so much that I didn't hear my name was being called.

"Seyeon," Taeil tapped my arm, "do you have a song?"

"Oh, uhm..." I tried to think of something fast, but the only song I was reminded of was the one I played in my memories. The one of when we first met. "Do you know 'In Your Atmosphere' by John Mayer?"

He didn't respond for a second, "yeah," he smiled, "I love that song."

I smiled back at his response.

He might not remember me, but at least he still likes this song.

"Finally, something you know!" Yuta yelled.

Mark adjusted a couple strings, "I don't think I wanna go to LA anymore~"

It was the type of song that warmed your heart, no matter how subtle it sounded.

In the second verse Taeil joined in, surprising us with his not-so-bad English skills, "I get lost on the boulevard at night~ Without your voice to tell me I love you, take a right~"

The sun had completely set and the song reached it's ending. Taeil and I had sung most of it together. Looking at me, Mark took over Taeil in last part, "Wherever I go whatever I do~ I wonder where I am in my relationship to you~ Wherever you go whatever you are~ I watch your life play out and take pictures from a far~"

Time went on as we sang and joked around the warm fire. Around 10 we decided to call it a night and we each started to head to our tents.

I stood up from the log I sat on and crossed the rounded seating arrangement, mine and Hyerin's tent was on the opposite side. Then a hand grabbed me.

I turned, surprised at the sudden touch. He must have noticed my expression since he quickly let go.

We stayed like that for a second, until I decided to ask, "what is it?"

A smile appeared on Mark's face, he shook his head with a small scoff, "nothing, never mind..." he took a step back, turning to walk the other way.

Weird... What was that...

I was about to head into my tent when he called my name. I looked at him once more.

"I'm glad you remember that song," and with that, he walked away.