Rhythm of my Heart (#ROMH)

Chapter 2 (You still dream)

(Aera's POV)

Panting and sweating. I woke up from a bad dream.That dream again...

How am I suppose to leave the past when it keeps on haunting me even now.

My head hurts and it feels like it'll explode in no time. All I hear is sobbing. In this middle of the night, I've got nothing in my mind but to pray that God would just take me. Even if I scream, no one would dare to lend their ears to me.

No one here will do... if it isn't only you, my Lord, who could it be?

(Junyoung's POV)

-Morning-

It's Saturday and I've got nothing to do. I don't wanna lure out in my room and ruin my morning just to see my brother.

I stayed in my room with an empty stomach.

(Phone ringing)

I lazily pick up my phone from the desk.

"Hello?"

"Yaaa, Junyoung-ah!"

I tilt my head hearing this familiar voice. "Oh?Shiho-ya?"

"Eheeey, we've got a stage to play today. Wanna join?"

Hearing that widen my eyes,"Really?As in today?"

"Oh, come on! We could just teach you the steps in minutes."

"Okaaay! I'll be right there! Send me the address."

"Haaai!" hungs up.

I quickly cleaned myself up. Searching through my wardrobe, "Hmm... what should I wear today?"

I think for a second, Taeyoung hyung always knew that my favorite outfit when I dance is Black ones. What could possibly go wrong, right?

Clenching my teeth, "Tsk tsk tsk... ah igeooo!"

I ended up wearing a yellow t-shirt and a sweatpant below.

Well... I guess Junyoung looks very simple today. When I sneaked out, luckily they didn't notice I'm up to something. Something they don't like.

-Park-

I see the boys from afar.

Waves, "Well, look who's here. The second child of K.O company. Wah!"

I chuckled, "Stop teasing me."

"Aigoo, come on! Let's drag you to the real deal." Shiho said.

I furrow my eyebrows, "Wait... I thought it's gonna happen right here."

"Nope! Actually it would be in front of the library."

"What?!! Shiho-ya, there would be a lot of people there and you know people will know me—"

"Exactly. That's why I bought some face masks." he handed me one.

"Good thing it's black."

"Good thing you're on a yellow one." he smirked.

I chuckled, "Okay, I'm the third color of the rainbow."

Shiho and the others burst out laughing.

"Aigoo, kaja!" I catch my breath and stretch.

"Come on, everybody, practice time!" Shiho clapped.

(Aera's POV)

-Library-

After I picked up a book I left a note to the cashier. "Thank you! Please come back again!" She kindly hand me the change.

I bowed and left with a smile.

When I got out from the library, a lot of people are gathering in one area. Mostly, students. I mean, just as my age.

I was just not minding it but the noise suddenly stop. And it took for a second, a music plays.

I glance closely to the area where they gathered and I see a group of boys dancing. They're all wearing black masks with light color of their clothes.

It got my attention so I turn to that side and watch.

The music is light and calm. It's new to my hearing because I only listen to wild and rock songs. But it feels good.

They all dance amazing but the tallest one caught my attention. He got his face covered but his eyes tell how he feels about the music. His emotions are precise and you can tell that his expressions are on point. Plus, how can he dance smoothly and powerful at the same time?

I feel like I am hypnotized, like I'm with the music...

And then they dramatically end it with a cool pose.

(Clapping)

Everyone claps and shouting with giggles.

The group bows and the shortest one picked up a mic. Everyone took off their masks but the tall guy didn't.

"Is everyone having a nice day? We are here today to give you a calm and relaxing energy with our dance." he then give his mic to the tall guy.

"Hello! Ah today is..." he inhales sharply, "today is Saturday and a moment ago, we danced to the song "Lady in the glass dress", it was good, right? Hahaha."

In my mind, is that how confident he is?

He continues, "In the lyrics of the song, "Tell me that you wanna be alone when you go to bed tonight, close your eyes. Girl, you still dream." Everyone is focused on his speech, including me.

"Sometimes we just want to be alone and think that we'll just give up. But when you close your eyes and see beyond your heart, you just wanted to do well. You just wanted to be better. You still dream! And I encourage each and every one of you to hear out your heart and follow your dreams. Just because it's silent, doesn't mean it's nothing. Remember, let success be your noise. Don't give up. Thank you!" he bows.

Everyone clapped loudly and cheering.

One thing I notice about this guy, is that even he didn't open his mouth and speak when he danced, he had given the same feelings when he gave the speech. And it moved me for real. With the emotions he have shown and his message, made me see a light of hope.

And what I have in my mind is...

Is he the one that God sent to me to tell me I won't give up? It might be you.

(Junyoung's POV)

We wrapped up cleanly and decided to grab something to eat.

"Shiho-ya, I'm jus gonna get my bag from there."

He calls me, "Junyoung-ah, you did well today!"

I laugh a little, "Everyone did. Thanks to you!"

"Now get your stuff and we'll leave." He nod his head chuckling.

"Okay, I'm gonna—"

(Thud) (Books falling)

A small gasp I hear. A random girl picks up her books that fell down from bumping on to me.

I lean down and lend her a help.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry I—" before I finish what I had to say, she bowed and left after giving me a smile.

Without a single beat, I bowed back even she's already facing her back at me.

That's weird. She didn't even get mad at me.

"Junyoung-ah, kaja!"

The boys call out to me. I put my bag one me.

"Did I had you waited for long?" I asked.

"Nope. VERY long." Shiho jokingly said.

I chuckled. "Sorry, I'll make it up to you."

"Alright, let's get some hamburgers!"

"Aigoo, okay let's go!" the boys left first, J suddenly stepped on something from the ground. A pen. Maybe it's from the girl earlier.

I twist the pen and see a name tag.

"Shin Area ..." I just thought of keeping it since there's a chance I'd see her again.

(Aera's POV)

While walking to head home, I happen to pass by at a*****e. Since I just had salad this morning; my tummy feels empty.

"Hello, what can I get for you?" the vendor greeted me with a smile.

I bow and trying to get my note and pen to order. Fries in a bag would be perfect.

A worry feeling starts. It seems like I can't find my pen anywhere. I'm sure I put it in here.

How am I suppose to order?

A single pen would affect me big time.

I started sweating of nervousness, blinking my eyes. An ideal came up in my mind.

I picked up my phone and typed what I had to say.

She nods and handed me the food.

Urgh, thank God. Phone's a life saver some time

I bowed for both being thankful and sorry.

She laughs awkwardly, "It's fine, thank you."

Before I could go any further from the store, I heard her giggling, "What was that? maybe she couldn't pronounce the words correctly."

I just breathe deeply and not minding it.

"It's okay, Aera-ya... you're okay..."

One thing that runs into my mind all day.

Everyone who finds out what I am, responds nothing but laugh. They just know what you're doing, but not how you feel.

(Junyoung's POV)

"Mmm... burger never gets old. Still as tasty as ever." Shiho enjoys the food, he couldn't help it.

"You said that 10 times already." I said.

He shook his head, "Nope, 20!"

(chuckles)

"Ah, right. I've heard your brother just came back."

I nod. "Mmm..."

"Is he troubling you?" he asked.

"Not as annoying as Huijoon is. I don't really mind him."

I rest my two arms at the back of my neck.

"Placing a bet again?"

Sigh, "It has to do with my dancing."

Shiho clenched his teeth, "tsk tsk tsk... how desperate."

I leaned down, "What if he'll do something else?"

He sighs, "What you gon' do then?"

"Ah, seriously..." I rub my face.

"What If you'll skip class?" Shiho paused, "No, that's a coward thing to do."

I laugh loudly, "I've always been a coward." I think for a second, "Lemme show you something."

Shiho moved closer. I picked my phone up and show him my gallery.

"See this? he put that in my locker the other day."

His eyes widen, "COWARD?" He just chuckled.

"I know, right? why don't he just confront me and—"

"Wait..." he cuts me off.

I gave him a question look.

"What is this?" he shows a photo to me.

"Oh, that? I skipped class, ended at the park."

"No, who's this girl?

Girl? What girl?

'Girl? why would—" I thought for a second, "Ah, igeo, Hahaha."

Man, I thought I'd already deleted that.

I took the phone from him, "It's nothing. This is just a mistaken."

He smiles ridiculously like he's teasing me, "Okaaaaay..."

I'm looking left to right and put my phone in my pocket.

I accidentally touched the pen from earlier.

I glance at the pen and see her name again with cute designs she put.

(Chuckles)

"Shin Aera... who are you?"

(Aera's POV)

"Oh, yes she's here now. Are you gonna start today, ma'am?" I overheard my aunt speaking.

Not minding my surroundings, I just continue eating my snack. When I was about to wear my headphones, my aunt knocks.

As a response, I knocked in the wood table placed on my room.

(Door opens)

"Aera-ya..." She sneaked in quickly, "Your tutor is here. Today's weekend, so he's able to start today."

I look at her with a worried face when in fact I have no idea about this.

"Aera-ya..." She holds my shoulder, "This is for your own good."

I just look down.

She sighs, "You understand what I'm trying to do, right?" Aunt holds my hand.

I quickly get my note and pen and wrote.

"I'm sorry, I can't." After that, I bowed and exited the room.

When I rush to go out, I saw the tutor greeting me with a smile.

But I ran away and ended up on a garden.

Panting...

All I hear is the wind blowing and birds chirping.

What's the point of all this? They didn't even ask me about it.

Everyday just got worsen!

Oh, God, please tell me what to do... I don't know how to handle this anymore.

(Junyoung's POV)

-7pm-

Searching through the fridge. What should I have this night?

"Ah, igeooo..." I found a Granola bar and decided to have that for supper.

"Do you constantly eat that?"

I saw hyung from the back and I took a bite, "Why do you care?" I look away.

He chuckled and said, "You should start to eat something heavy. You're getting thinner for real."

"And you're getting older." I shut the door and sits on my study area.

Urgh, seriously who could be more annoying than you?

(Phone beeps)

"One new Message"

“This is Huijoon, just let me know if you're in. The tournament's coming."

Well, Ko Junyoung, you just got yourself an answer.

I thought of getting my bag and I have no idea what I was looking for. I saw the lost pen again.

It's just a pen... I don't know what it is I'm worried about.

I feel unease like I want to find the owner and give this.

"Ah!" I quickly get a piece of paper and write something.

"Hmmm... where should I put this?" Thinking for a second an idea pops in my head. I opened the pen and rolled the paper then put it inside.

Will she see this?

"Argh, let's wrap it up, Junyoung."

When I was about to lie on my bed I receive a call.

(Phone rings)

I answer lazily, "Oh?"

"Ko Junyoung..."

My eyes widen and sigh heavily, "Yang Huijoon, what do you want?"

"Oh did I disturb you? You must be busy dancing all day. Locked up in your room."

"I don't have time for you." I'm about to end the call.

"If you want to clear the deal, let's talk."

"At this hour?" I chuckled, "Talk to yourself."

"Here at the nearest court. I'll wait, I could leak something from you and show the world what you do. Or should I say to your fam—"

"Alright, I'll be there..."

"Hehe okay, I'll text you the address." hangs up.

I went to the address he gave me but all I see is an area full of grass and pitch dark. Urgh, this guy is trying to fool me.

Well, here I am being fooled.

"Ah I hate to say this but I really hate dark..." talking to myself trembling.

I keep on walking till I see a light. I fasten my steps and saw someone standing against the light, on a hoodie.

That must be him. "Ya!!! you jerk, is this what you called the nearest court? NEAREST? And there's not even a court here, how could you—"

The person turn around to my direction and wait— he's not Huijoon. He's not a guy either. I get a feeling that I saw this familiar figure before.

"It's a girl... she's—" I gasped a little and pause for a second.

I pointed her with my index finger, "Aha! Girl on a hoodie!!!"

(Done Chapter 2)