Serendipity (Ryeji)

A Dance

It was a few hour drive from one city to the next, specifically between four and five. Since the Shins left at night, the roads weren't filled with cars. The blue-haired girl thought about sleeping to bypass the time, but she didn't want to be fully rested, which would result in not sleeping through the rest of the night.

Instead, she let her surroundings provide the distraction. She hadn't been out of the city in years. Nearly everywhere looked different compared to the version stored in her memory.

When it came to driving on the highways, she stared at the trees as they zoomed by. Few words were exchanged between her and her parents, all dreading the sad truth they were close to facing in person. Ryujin concentrated on the sound of the music for the majority of the trip.

Eventually, the Shins neared their destination, intending to stop at a hotel for the night and visit Grandma Shin first thing in the morning. Initially, they planned to sleep at Grandma Shin's house, but Mrs. Shin couldn't stomach the emotional distress and suffering that would cause her. In the end, they concluded they'd stay in the hotel for the remaining days or weeks to come.

Upon arrival, Ryujin learned her parents had reserved two rooms since this particular hotel didn't do the whole two-bed bedroom thing. Ryujin didn't mind. It gave her the privacy she's used to having when her parents are out of town.

For the fifteen minutes spent at the front desk checking in, she managed to hold herself together around her parents. To be tough for them. Reduce their worries.

Finally in her room, she tossed the suitcase on the bed, then sat on the edge. Midway through unpacking her things, she remembered she told Yeji she'd call. Ryujin picked up her phone, momentarily sidetracked to stare at the lock screen complete with a picture of her and Yeji. It's the first actual selfie they took together. The corners of her mouth curved upward.

The phone rang for a while. She glanced at the clock and figured the brunette probably wasn't awake anymore. "She must be aslee— "

"Hey! Ooh- WOAH!"

Ryujin couldn't see what was happening, but she heard a loud thump. Her body shot upright. "Yeji! Is everything okay???"

After a moment of silence, melodious giggling filled the air. Yeji had done the most to stay up for this call, watching videos on her phone, blasting her ears with music, and studying for assignments, but it was to no avail. Still, like an alarm, the call woke her, and she lunged after the phone on the nearby dresser. With half of her body leaning off of the bed and being half asleep when answering, she slipped off of her mattress.

Yeji laughed at herself for being clumsy.

"I'm sorry. I fell."

"That was loud though, are you sure you're okay???"

"I'm okay, I promise."

Even though it couldn't be seen, Ryujin could feel a smile was there by the sound of Yeji's voice. She chuckled, imagining the scenario playing out in her mind. "I'm sorry I woke you. I just remembered I promised to let you know I got here safe."

"I'm glad you did. Thank you."

"You can get back to bed now, though. I'm sorry again. Good— "

"NOOOOOO!"

"What?"

"Stay on the phone for a while."

*** *** ***

"Alright, class. Settle down." Mr. Kim cleared his throat. With a hand in the air, he signaled the students to be quiet. "I am a man of my word. So, as I stated last week, I will now inform you about our new project."