before the full moon rises : jjp

BEFORE

"Remember that your images for this weeks project are due by Friday at 11:59 PM. Whoever submits the best photo will win their spot on the board in the lobby of the school." Jinyoung's professor stated as he dismissed his class. Jinyoung stood up and let out a sigh, taking a small glance out to the crowded hallway. He began thinking about the last time he touched his camera, and the thoughts saddened him as he remembered that he had not touched his camera since their last project was assigned due to the overwhelming amount of homework Jinyoung had yet to complete.

The day went by fairly quicker than usual considering Jinyoung was always doodling in his notebook and staring at the clock to count down the minutes when he could finally leave whatever boring class his schedule forced him to attend that day. Once his final class was over, he began walking familiar route he took every day down to the busy highway he walked down every day. Though this definitely was not the safest form of transportation, it would unfortunately the only route he could afford to take. All of the money Jinyoung had to went to his tuition and other necessities, therefore he could not afford bus fair, a car, or even a bike. He began walking along the yellow lines on the right side of the highway, trying his best to stay as far away from cars as possible. His thoughts were empty as he let out soft hums while walking down the busy highway. He hadn't realized he had been walking for an hour until he finally saw the tree his legs were longing to find since the moment he stepped onto the highway. Once his feet stepped onto the grass, he sighed in relief from the pain were feeling from the hard concrete he had just been walking on for an hour. A small, yet sincere small appeared across his face once he realized nobody took his spot under his favorite tree.

The tree was Jinyoung's favorite because of the sentiment it had behind it. When he was younger, he and his dad would come to this park near Han River to spend time together. Some nights, they had picnics; other nights were spent watching the stars sparkle in the sky. Jinyoung's mom left he and his dad when he was very younger--too young to remember her. Once Jinyoung got older, he slowly started to catch on to what his father was doing, and that was trying to make Jinyoung forgive him for something Jinyoung didn't even remember happening. Why is it his favorite spot if it was backed up with such sad memories? Not all of them were bad, almost none were actually. It was the intent his dad had when bringing him to this park which made Jinyoung sad, but he quickly outgrew that sadness over time because that feeling was overturned by happiness when he remembered every memory he and his dad shared at this park. But why the tree? As a child, Jinyoung ended most of his nights falling asleep in his fathers arms under the tree which provided shade from the moon's bright light which radiated onto the park. When his father passed a year after Jinyoung entered university, "That tree is ours. Never forget that. Look up at the full moon when you're sad, and remember me. If the light is too blinding, remember the purpose that tree held for us when you were a kid. Think of it as me protecting you from whatever danger is coming your way. I'll always hold you under the full moon. I love you, Jinyoung," were the last words his father spoke before taking his last breath. That's why the tree was so special to him, and that's why it was his favorite place.

Once Jinyoung made his way over to the tree, he placed his bag onto the ground gently. Unzipping it, he reached inside of his bag for a large blanket. Jinyoung grabbed it, pulling it out and unfolding it, letting the wind gently spread it out. Once the blanket finally laid across the huge patch of dirt on the ground, he sighed in content once he laid his body down onto it. He looked up at the sky with a soft smile appearing on his face as he noticed the sun slowly beginning to set. Jinyoung watched the bright blue sky turn into a soft pink with orange clouds which hid the sun. His eyelids were beginning to get heavy as he watched the sky turn into different shades, eventually turning black as the moon began to reveal itself for the night. The heaviness was too strong for Jinyoung to overcome, and he quickly drifted into a deep slumber.