Pink Hoodie TXT BEOMGYU

십

CHOI BEOMGYU

We arrive at the shop and luckily it's not so packed. Many students litter the tables and seats and my eyes move quickly to find a spot. Once I do, I tell Taehyun to order for me and briskly walk over to the table for 4. I try and ignore the whispers and stares of the students around me.

I take a seat and check what the others are doing. They are still next in line and I notice that many eyes are also trained on them. Yujin is the one who sees this and is clearly uncomfortable as she curls into Samuel who is closer to her. As tempting it is to tell everyone off, I don't want to make a scene. I force myself to look away.

I look out the window that is next to me and sigh. The aroma of the shop fills my lungs, allowing the situation to properly sink in. Come to think of it, I haven't gone out in a while, besides to convenience stores. We're always so busy with practice, starting early and finishing late. We practically live in the practice room. We spend a significant amount of time there compared to in our dorm.

My hand moves to the area between my neck and shoulder and I press down, massaging it tenderly. Because of resumption of class, things have gotten harder and more stressful. I can tell my body is in dire need of rest as even my hand starts aching soon after, unable to handle the work.

"Are you okay?"

Yujin takes off her bag and slides in next to me. Behind her, the boys approach with our drinks.

"Tired," I say honestly. Her eyes shine with concern and I offer a smile. "I'm okay."

She doesn't look convinced and when the two arrive at the table she speaks up. "How's practice and school?" she perks while grabbing her drink.

"Tiring," they respond in unison and I laugh along with them.

She frowns after taking her first sip. "Shouldn't they cut you some slack? You're exhausted after school and you still go and dance till your bodies give in." She shakes her head. "It's not healthy."

I look at my own drink and put in the straw silently, hoping someone else can answer and convince her otherwise because I agree completely.

"We chose to continue school," Taehyun says. "And we love what we do, even if it is...really hard." He crunches on some crushed ice before continuing. "I survive because my passion is strong. I think that's really a part of it. If we stop just because it's getting more difficult than I feel that completely takes away the point of life that is to learn."

Samuel nods in agreement and smiles at Yujin who seems like she wants to argue, but Taehyun is right. We love what we do so even thinking of giving up is off the table completely. Samuel seems to read my mind. "If you love what you do nothing can really stop you."

She sighs but does not say anything to refute. "We'll take care of ourselves Yujin," I say to comfort her.

"You better." Her eyes squint at Taehyun in front of her. "Especially you. If you're absent I don't think I'd last the day."

He smiles back teasingly like it gives him an idea and they start another small banter.

I listen only partially as the thought of her being alone lingers, along with a question that follows.

Would she make new friends if we wouldn't be here?

—

"Stop!"

The music comes to a halt and we stop our dancing. Our heavy pants of breath fill the silent room. Our dance instructor approaches me.

"What was that?" His eyes are stern and sharp and make me feel guilty.