Feeling Brew

~28~

"Deep breaths. I got this," Isla told herself while following a director backstage.

He led her to a platform that would raise her up to the main stage, and the director pressed a button that started moving the small platform. Isla felt dizzy looking at the ground that was slowly growing distant from her. But, she steadied her breathing as her head poked through the surface of the stage. It was lit up in bright colors, but there was not a soul in the audience. This was just the rehearsal and mic check. But tonight, she, along with other artists, would be performing for the New Year's Bash in Vancouver. It was a free event where attendees could donate, and Isla had worked hard to make sure the donations went to Dr. Han's clinic Feeling Blue.

"Okay, try saying a few words," the sound check guy spoke into a mic in the sound booth.

"What's up? I'm Geo," she breathed into the microphone, and backed up, surprised at the echo. "You want me to try singing before you cue the music?"

The sound booth guy gave her a thumbs-up, and Isla giggled into the mic, startling herself with the echo once again. This was surely the right decision, and she was grateful for Dr. Han and Mi Ran for coaxing her out of her chalet. She realized just how much she craved interaction after depriving herself of communication for a couple months.

"We're going to play the music, and you try singing a little on top, and we'll adjust the volume so that you're both equal," sound booth guy directed.

This was so much more different than her experience at the arena in Busan. Her moment on stage had been her first time singing into a microphone that wasn't in a recording studio. The echo hadn't phased her then because adrenaline had been firing through her veins. She could only focus on Taeil. Even from the stage, she had been able to see every blink, every breath he took.

At the thought of him, her heart pounded, and she stopped mid-song.

"Everything okay? Is your mic not working all of a sudden?"

Isla coughed, the sound reverberating through the open-air stadium. "It works!"

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." Dr. Han's voice replayed in her mind. But she was out of her harbor. She wasn't hiding in the middle of the mountains with her phone powered off. Here she was, out in the open, showing her face to the world once again.

"I'm okay!" Isla waved to sound booth guy while scooping her blonde hair up into a ponytail. I'm okay she told herself again. This was what she wanted.

She ran through her songs, making sure she could hit each note properly and that the sound came out exactly how she wanted. Backstage, she ran into other famous artists- people you'd hear on the radio that you'd never dream of meeting. Those artists. Isla tried her hardest not to cave in and ask for an autograph. Instead, she just greeted them and made small talk.

"This feels refreshing, doesn't it?" Isla's manager asked while handing her a bottle of water.

"Definitely. It's different."

Her manager cocked a brow. "Is different bad?"

Isla stared at the people passing by. They looked like they were moving in two times speed while she stayed the same, anchored in one spot. "I don't think different is bad. We're all different. And different people go through different experiences. But these different experiences could be what one person is looking for and what the other is not."

Her manager laughed. "You're certainly a songwriter. You've got a way with words. I'm just glad you came out of hiding. Are you prepared for the articles? You'll be topping all headlines with your reappearance tonight."

The Canadian closed her eyes. Back then, whenever she got overwhelmed, all she could see was Adrian's face taunting her, but now, that image had changed completely. This time, she saw Taeil's face with that dark undercut and those eyes that lured her in but contradicted his innocent nature.

"And you'll probably be requested to do interviews left and right. You'll be booked for the rest of the year."

"You think I wanna hear that on New Year's?" Isla shot back teasingly. But inside, that sounded like so much. "We'll just take everything one day at a time."

"Sounds like a plan. You just need to chill out here until they need you for the show. I'm planning on grabbing some coffee. Anything you want?"

Isla looked at him, smiling brighter than before. "A latte."

"I'll be back soon. Text me if you change your mind and want a croissant, too."

But now, Isla knew exactly what Dr. Han and Mi Ran were trying to tell her. The reason their words were still sticking in her mind was because her ship was, in fact, still in the harbor, safe and sound. The award shows, the interviews- she loved all that, but what she truly loved was 5,000 miles away.

"What I want more than anything in the world is a latte," she told herself.

Isla ran out of her dressing room and into the chaos of the hallway. She maneuvered through the crowd, bumping into someone. From the corner of her eye, she noticed the platinum blonde hair and backed away, but the boy caught her wrist before she could bolt.

"Look, I'm sorry. What I did was wrong back then. I came to apologize. And I'm also working as a sound engineer on tonight's show. I was hoping to see you," Adrian pouted.

Isla raised a brow. "If you were truly sorry, you would drive me to the airport. No questions."

Adrian grinned, fishing his car keys out of his pocket. "Hop in."

They ran to his car, and he zoomed down the highways of Vancouver, not even aware of where they were going. Isla was rattling off directions, and he swerved onto backroads and exits on her command.

"You know, I really liked you back then. You were the best friend I ever had, but you know it was always just us two together in school. People teased you for your insecurities, and they looked down on me for hanging out with you. Melody told me that if I did as she said, she would keep both of us from being bullied since she had that 'popular status.' I fell for that. It hurt so bad every day, but I was desperate to keep us both safe."

Adrian bit his lip, stopping himself from looking over at the girl. He didn't have to think twice to know she didn't believe him.

"I believe you," she read his mind. "I saw your face before I dove in the water. I knew you wouldn't backstab me for no reason."

He sat up in shock, slamming his brakes as the traffic signal turned red. "You're not angry?"

"You saw me back then? Of course I was angry. Even when you came to Busan for the swim meet. But everything heals with time. You're lucky I'm me and not someone else. You don't bother me anymore. Neither do the girls on the swim team. I'll never forget what happened, but I can forgive because I'm sure you were going through a lot during those times that caused you to act that way."

"I finally had the courage to tell Melody off. It turns out she just wanted me for herself and wanted to spread rumors about you. You're a genuinely good person, Isla, but may I ask why we're heading to the airport?"

Geo's manager knocked on her dressing room door twice before using his back to open the door all while juggling the drinks he picked up from the coffee shop next door.

"Geo? Isla?"

He set down the coffee on the vanity and looked around, but all he could find was a note, and he bent over to pick it up. His finger traced each word, grinning as he neared the end.

Every night, I would stare up at the stars, fascinated by the idea that everyone could see the same sky. But even though we're under the same sky, I feel so alone. In the chalet, I thought being alone was just what I wanted. But even now where I'm constantly surrounded by people, I still feel so alone. This may be part of what I want, but did you know this? "A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." And right now, as you're reading this note, my ship is leaving its harbor and sailing towards the best latte I've ever had.

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Question of the chapter: What's your favorite quote?