WHAT YOUR FATHER SAYS ✓

18

CHAPTER 18
Goldberg Variations — Bach

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i've been spending a lot of time with Hoseok lately.

i don't know if it's because of my desperation or lack of socialisation, but i couldn't help but say yes to every time he wanted to hang out. his presence is like the sunshine, it makes you feel good, your skin, your life and being. he smiles, laughs and says the things on his mind. he lives so freely.

"i have no idea how to play." today we were at the badminton courts. he didn't know that i had to be there anyway. but i think he has gathered the fact that my life is controlled and not mine.

he looked at the racket in his hand, eyes curious. "everyone once never knew how to do the things they're good at."

Hoseok smiled at my words. "i can tell you read a lot."

"indeed i do. i love studying."

"that's a first." we chuckled together. i realised that studying had become a chore for so many people. for me, it keeps me going. "my friends play badminton, they come to this court regularly."

"do they enjoy it?"

"yeah as a matter of fact they do. they don't get a lot of time for themselves so it's way of letting the stress of life go." he gestured with his hands.

"i'm glad it helps them."

"me too."

let's play, i bit my lip and launched the first throw. Hoseok learnt easily, despite the hit misses and him getting hit in the face. he laughed and laughed until his knees met the ground.

i spotted Rhea today, she's always here and talking to the same boy who never meets my eyes. "hi Rhea." i waved.

she blanked me and i shrugged.

"friend of yours or?" Hoseok questioned. he seemed annoyed with her lack of care and her rudeness. she's just like that.

"not really. we play together sometimes." i explained, hitting the shuttle again. it made me happy to play with Hoseok, i'd rather play with him because he compliments me, listens to me and the way his eyes sparkle in excitement makes me want to see him dance. the passion in his eyes must be unexplainable then.

it's lovely that he wanted to do one of my hobbies.

"that was rude of her." Hoseok's smile falls.

"nice people don't always get the best treatment."

Hoseok scoffed, understanding. "i know that too my love." he said. his term of endearment made my heart squeeze because he didn't even realise he had said it. "i've experienced it." and it's in that moment that i realised, he isn't the happy facade always. people are just human.

"we're more similar than we thought."

"i'll be nice to you always." then he taught me how to dance at the badminton courts. he twirled me around in his arms, our eyes as well as our bodies dancing.

"wait, this is actually fun." i couldn't help but laugh.

yeah that's right, he watched me from afar and instructed me. he looked me up and down, amazed by my silly dancing. i danced with my white trainers, arms up and flying everywhere. "now move your feet and try and follow my steps." he started to dance beside me, bracelets moving up and down on his wrists.

"that's it." Hoseok was trying to hide his smile as he watched me. "you're doing great baby."

just as he said, be careful, i was taking off my shoes and dancing carelessly along the badminton court. i couldn't focus on anything but the music that was playing in my head.

i didn't think about my life once because i was actually living it.