Fallin' Flower

~ One ~

. . . 

    

The wind was harsh, rattling against the window panes of the small bedroom. Heavy rain pelted the roof, creating a sort of calming ambiance. Some kind of gathering was taking place in the apartment below her, and despite the unruly time of day, they were playing their music a little too loud, but not loud enough that anybody seemed to care. She lay flat on her back, the sheets wrinkled, prominent with sleep. Seungcheol's head rested across her belly, headphones in as he lay there with his eyes closed. He was so peaceful that anyone would have thought he was sleeping. But the girl knew he wasn't. He wouldn't allow it.

   

The two we're just roommates. Just friends. In the past, they tried some sort of "friends with benefits" type of arrangement, but he ended it before he thought she could catch feelings. He's known her since junior high. He knew how easily she gave her heart away. He couldn't let her get hurt. At least, not by his doing.

    

She finds herself sitting up, causing the zoned out boy to blink his eyes open, allowing himself to slightly fall off of her onto the bed. She pulls the sheets up over her head in frustration, not gaining much sleep the previous night. Like a child, she breaks out into a frenzy, kicking the sheets down and off of her until they bunch near her shins.

    

"Morning sleeping beauty", the boy beside her says, a breathy chuckle adding to his amused tone.

    

"More like the princess and the pea", she retorts, fully sitting up, staring at the blurred colors out the room's window. A sigh escapes her lips as she grabs the new pack of cigarettes on her nightstand, standing up to slide on the closest pair of shoes, making her way to the door. "I need a smoke", she says lazily, causing the brunette to chuckle slightly.

~~

The wind wasn't as bad once she stepped outside onto the small patch of pavement, tucked away under a small canopy connected to the building. The rain, however, still came down harshly, like tiny paintball pellets. It was still pretty dark out for three in the morning, but she guessed the clouds had something to do with that. The girl pulled out a cigarette, pressing it between her lips before rummaging through her pocket for a lighter. Her finger flicked over the trigger, causing her features to be slightly illuminated for a second, bringing the flame closer to her face to light it.

    

It was peaceful, despite the heavy flow of rain coming down from the clouds overhead, smoke puffing out of her mouth, dancing in the wind before disappearing from view. The door opened from the apartment across the courtyard, a tall, thin-looking guy emerged from the light spilling out, only to be consumed by the darkness once he closed the door. She watched as he smoothly made his way over to the vending machine beside her, putting various coins into it before pressing in his order. The mechanical sound of whirling metal caused a temporary pause to the ambiance, ending with a thud of the can of coffee he got. He looked back up at the machine before once again, spilling in various coins and ordering. Only this time a sigh left his lips. She averted her gaze as he stood up straighter than before, cooly turning slightly towards her.

     

"Uh, hey", he said, sounding more like a slightly nervous question than a greeting.

"Hey", she retorts, sending a small smile his way.

"Do you, by any chance, have 25 cents on you?" he asked, sounding a little braver than before, his confidence building by the smile the girl showed him.

"Uhh, lemme check," she says before placing the roll back between her lips, digging around in the pocket of her sweats. To her satisfaction, she pulls out said coin and hands it over to the boy.

"Thanks", he says with a slight smile before slipping the coin into the machine, "I owe you one".

"No problem," she says, puffing out a column of smoke.

He retrieves his second item, peeling open the wrapper and taking a bite. "It's Minghao, by the way. I mean- I'm Minghao", he says, slightly sticking out his free hand towards her.

"Dayoung", she replies, returning the gesture, shaking his hand.

"I think you're in my photography class", he states in a contemplating tone.

"Oh yeah, Ms. Sun, right?", she asks, awaiting the confirmation. She knew he was in her class. One of her friends modeled for a shoot he did once, and he got the top grade for that assignment. She was only 0.75% away from surpassing him, and her competitive self hated that fact.

"Yup, I'm pretty sure she hates me", he says, taking another bite of his energy bar.

She lets out a small scoff, "She hates everyone", the girl deadpans, rolling her eyes dramatically, causing the boy to chuckle.

"I guess you're right. Anyway, I should get going. Artists never sleep I guess", he says, throwing away the wrapper and picking up his can of coffee.

"I guess not", she says. She watches as his figure saunters away, across the courtyard, gracefully. Once again, being basked in the light, only for her to be left alone in the same darkness once the door closes again. She sighs as she puts out her cigarette, her mouth is left feeling stale. She shuffles over to the door, a hand reaching out and meeting the cold metal knob, turning it with minimal effort and stepping in, closing the door behind her.

       

. . . 

Word Count: 941

. . . 

Hiya! Sooo whatcha think?? First chapter, and clearly this was gonna mainly revolve around Minghao when I first decided to write this book, but then.... I was bias wrecked. By like, five other members, sooooo they're gonna make an appearance soon. I won't make ya'll wait too long. I promise :) Cya for now!

     

✌Sigh