Stirring The Soul

Chapter 10

He sees you to the door when the taxi arrives and waves you off, promising to work hard on the improvements you suggested and that he looks forward to seeing you on Friday. Neither of you say or do anything else. You get into the taxi, preoccupied with your thoughts, and don't notice that Jungkook still standing at the door staring after you until the taxi is out of view.

In the car, you think about how easy it is to be yourself around Jungkook. He also seems comfortable around you. When he hugged you, you could have charged a device with the amount of electricity that coursed through you. At that point, you were ready to abandon all sense which is why you broke away so quickly. Nobody has been able to hold a light to Mark all this time, but Jungkook is already coming close. You wonder whether you should just throw caution to the wind and find out if this is just a one-sided crush, or whether you both have feelings for each other. You hesitantly pick up your phone and hover your fingers over the 'messages' icon.

/// Hey JK, just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to hearing your progress on Friday.
Sorry I cried all over your shirt today. Thank you for being so nice about everything.
I still owe you for the meal on Sunday and getting the taxi for me. I promise to make you a big jar of hot choc and bring it on Friday!
x ///

So much for throwing caution to the wind. That was very platonic.

You don't get a reply. In fact, you hear nothing from him for the rest of the night and the next day. You end up doing what you never do, which is to check your phone every 15 minutes. By the end of Thursday, you still hear nothing, and although you're saddened by his lack of communication, it probably answers your question about whether this has been one-sided. As you leave the school building, you see one of the English teachers also leaving. You make small talk until she reaches her car. Then she says, "So, doing anything nice tomorrow, Anna?"

"Other than coming to school, no?" you reply, curious about her question.

"What? Have you forgotten it's the early Bank Holiday for the Prince's birthday!" she reminds you.

"Oh my God, I completely forgot! Yes! (arms go in the air) I so needed that extra day off. In answer to your question, I will be spending quality time with my bed," you reply happily. You cheerily walk home and as per your routine, throw all unnecessary items on the floor. You treat yourself to a takeaway; fully-loaded pizza and a fizzy drink. Once the food arrives, you put the TV on and begin shamelessly stuffing your face. Suddenly your phone rings and you answer without looking at the caller, putting the person on speakerphone. You and your eating flow cannot be interrupted.

"Hi Noona!"

"Shit," you whisper as you drop the pizza back on the plate and quickly wipe your hands to pick up your phone.

"Er Noona, are you there?"

"Hi JK, how have you been?"

"Oh man, it's been crazy busy here, everyone had been stressing about the Autumnal Performance. I haven't even had to breathe."

"I can imagine. I was wondering when you didn't reply to my message."

"Message? What message? Omg, sorry Noona, I think I missed it. After you left I kind of crashed. Hang on let me check it now." Fleeting pause. "Awwww, that's ok Noona, you don't have to thank me, but I wouldn't say no to your hot chocolate!" he says laughing. "Actually the reason I called was to ask you what you're doing tomorrow. I heard that we get a day off and someone said Kensington Gardens is really nice. If you're not busy, would you like to go together?"

You listen carefully and reply with some caution, "Do you mean with you and your friends?"

"Er no, Noona, just you and me. Is that ok?"

You smile when you answer, "Sure, I haven't been there for years. It'll be fun."

You end the call after making all the necessary plans. You are really looking forward to meeting Jungkook in another relaxed environment. It will give you a chance to know for sure how you feel. The next day, you meet at the park entrance. Jungkook is there before you this time, and you sigh when you see him. This time he's wearing a black bomber jacket, white t-shirt and dark blue jeans. You don't know why, but you enjoy scanning his attire every time you see him. You laugh when you see he's wearing the red cap you gave him. You don't know why you hadn't noticed before, but you can see different types of silver jewellery along his ears. Oh God, that's so hot. All he needs is to have a hidden tattoo and that will be the end of me.

You greet him cheerfully and he returns it with a huge smile. The conversation flows easily as you both catch up with each other since you last saw each other, not too long ago. You laugh and he lightly touches your arm every now and then, which sends shivers down your spine. As you walk through the park and admire the scenery, your sharp eye spots a crowd gathering around someone who appears to be giving them a free singing performance.

"Hey JK, let's go over there and see what's happening. I think it's like an open mic performance."

"Huh? What's that?" he asks.

"Come, I'll show you." You grab his arm and lead the way. You are familiar with these performances; anyone in the park can stand on the makeshift stage and sing to whoever was there. It was a good way for novice singers to get experience singing in front of a non-judgemental audience. You thought it would be perfect for Jungkook to help him build his confidence to perform alone in front of a crowd.

"Uh oh, I think I know what you're trying to do Noona."

Your timing is perfect because the last person has just finished, and you usher Jungkook onto the stage before he has a chance to back out. "Don't worry JK, I'm going to be right here. Forget the crowd and imagine you're singing in the shower." You congratulate yourself on this genius idea and advice.

After a moment's hesitation, Jungkook inspects the crowd and then fixes his eyes on you. As soon as he puts the mic to his lips, you know you're going to be in trouble. His soft and clear voice hits you straight into your heart. He sings 'Nothing Like Us' and doesn't break eye contact with you. The lyrics, the music, and the delicate tone from his voice attack you from all sides and your eyes glisten with tears instantly. This was the song that was played at Mark's funeral, which Jungkook wouldn't have known. Was fate playing some sort of cruel game with you?