I wanted you

Songs are tales. They are little stories compressed into three minutes audio pills. Every note that is played, how the instruments sing their voices, how the singers voice their feelings, and the rhythm that ties it together; this complex makes a story. It is often more effective than a book because words have to go first through your eyes and to your brain, where they are stitched together, washed, hanged to dry in a dark room and only then a picture might appear and you might understand it. Music appeals to the rawest of feelings, through your ears and running straight to your heart. Whether you understand the language or not, whether there is a singer at all, the right music will tell you a story. Actually, it will make you write that story. 

Because someone needs to tell your tales, and no one is more suited than you. Mundane daily life or fantastic profound novels. That tale belongs to you in every way. That is your magic, because there are many kinds of magic, after all. Like that girl. The magic in that girl is a gentle type of magic, a kind one. And the story you tell, you wish she was there. But she’s so special that it’s even hard to imagine her with you.

A knock on the door. The first time, you don’t notice it. A repeated knock. This time you take your earphones out, interrupting the paragraph in the making. The knock was indeed your door. Neighbors don’t usually need anything from you and you didn’t order anything either. You leave your room and open the door, it was Heejin. 

Standing in front of the door frame; like a statue, that can be viewed from all angles, to enchant its viewers, freezing them, like her, still as statues.

The woman wears a dress somewhat similar to a bridal gown, simplified and slimmed out. Her legs are wrapped in white stockings, her feet encased in elegant thin heels. Her hair is brushed out in soft waves, sliding down to her shoulder, adorning her already beautiful frame. There was a golden aura around her gorgeous figure, she didn't look like the typical Heejin at all, but when she smiled you recognized her. Her smile is adorable.

You remain frozen in your spot, under her spell, her magic. “She cannot be real,” you remark in your mind. But Heejin spoke, with the most real velvety voice, low and warm.

“Hey, Y/N.”

“Heejin?” you ask in confusion, rapidly blinking at her light.

“Yeah, it’s me. May I come in?”

You nod, letter her in. She steps inside leaving her typical scent in the air, a perfume you came to recognize and love. 

“Uhm… you… uh… why are you here?”

“I understand you’re surprised to see me. Can I sit down before I explain? My feet are killing me… Walking this far with high heels was not the plan I had for tonight.”

“Oh, come to the couch,” you said, bringing her to the living room.

“Great, thanks.” She flopped down lifeless. She grabbed her heels and threw them to the ground. “God, it feels really nice to have the shoes off. You’re lucky you’re a man so you don’t have to suffer like this.”

You looked around, scratching your temple, an increased difficulty in finding the right words blocked your tongue. You were still confused at her visit.

“You've got a really nice flat. I wish I had a place like this. And your couch is a godsend right now! Really comfy…” she slipped down more, getting engulfed in the softness. A satisfied grin appeared on her lips, puffing her cheeks out, she looked so small between those pillows. Heart attack. 

“I should be asking you why you aren’t at prom. But… I think I have a good guess,” she said with a gloomy expression. 

“I didn’t have a date to come with, so I stayed home. I had better stuff to do anyway,” you confessed, but she sat there with a pinched expression, tapping her foot with crossed arms. Although she looked annoyed, there was a cuteness in her sulking that made you smile. Truth be told, Heejin was the cutest girl you’ve met.

“Yeah. When after about an hour I still hadn’t seen you I started asking around. I found some of your friends, or classmates at least, and asked if they knew anything about that jackass, ehm…” She raised her eyes, trying to remember his name, unsuccessful. “I honestly don’t even know his name… The big football dude in your class who’s always fucking with you. Anyway, he heard me asking and started going off about how he had told you a bunch of nasty things. You know what, you don’t need to hear it! But you will want to hear what happened next.” Heejin bashed out, shaking her fist in the air. You chuckled softly, but she glared at you, quieting immediately.

“Well, he’s right. I don’t have a date, no one wants to come with me.”

“Shut up!” she exclaimed. “After he had said all his bullshit he acted all high and mighty. I think he honestly believed that he was cool and tough for picking on you. Well, that didn’t last for long. Everyone was silent for like 10 seconds after he was done talking… Then all of a sudden his date threw her drink on him!”

“Wow, really? Isn’t her date like the popular girl of the cheerleading group?”

“No, I’m not kidding! Right in his face! Then she just walked away. He was so shocked! God, it was just like in the movies. And honestly, If she hadn’t done it, I would have. I was furious. Everyone around was too. I was told he left a while after that. I didn’t stick around. I left as soon as his date threw her drink on him. I was told the rest through texts on my way over here.”

“Why did you leave?” you asked.

“Why? Because I wanted to see you,” said Heejin nonchalantly. Why does she always stuff like this so casually, you were already trying to move on. She was honest. You hoped the reason wasn’t because you were friends. But some of your friends said she has a soft spot for you, fortunately they were right.

“But you waited for the prom all year.” You remember her reminding you of the event with shining eyes through your study sessions. She chose the dress months before the event, always asking you who you were going with, very curiously. But the answer remained the same until now.

“No, don’t worry about it. I didn’t care much for the prom anyway.”

“Did you leave your date there?” 

“I didn’t walk out on my date. I didn’t have one to begin with.” That’s strange.

“Why? Everyone would’ve asked you.”

“Well, because the right person didn’t ask me I guess.”

“You should’ve asked him then,” you said. She frowned.

“You’re right, I should’ve asked him. I thought we’d meet up there though but that didn’t really go as planned,” she sighed, playing with the edge of her dress. 

“Oh, I think I know who.”

“Yeah? Who?” she asked and her body perked up, raising her eyebrows, sliding closer to you.

“It’s soobin isn’t it?” You said but she frowned, tightening her face.

“Oh my god, no way. You’re so oblivious…” Heejin snorted. “Anyway, what do you wanna do? You have me here for tonight.”

“All night?”

“Yup, I’ll stay until you kick me out,” she exclaimed with a wide smile. The last time you played together was months ago. She used the study session as an excuse to spend more time with you, you were good friends after all… yeah, good friends.

“I’m sure you have other people to meet, better people to be with and have more fun,” you said and she sighed, slumping her shoulders. She furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance and grabbed your shoulder, looking straight at your eyes.

“Real talk for a second… okay? Let me scoot over to you.” She slid close enough to touch your leg with hers. “Give me your hand.” 

“Why?” you asked, giving your palm to her.

“Because I want you to know I’m here,” Heejin said naturally, squeezing her hand. “Now listen. We haven’t known each other for very long. But I have learnt a lot about you the last few months. You’re sweet, you’re funny and most importantly you’re just a nice person to be around. You lift other people up, I’ve seen how you always want to make people happy! Sometimes to a fault. You forget about yourself. You help everyone else with their problems, but you never ask for help with your own!”

You lowered your gaze in embarrassment. She wasn’t completely wrong. But she was still the popular girl and you, her invisible companion.

While walking to your classes, inside the school, everybody would stop by waving at Heejin. Everyone greeted her hoping for more but only got a small smile. It was no exaggeration to say the whole school adored her, some considering her a small sister and others viewing her as the ideal woman. It was quite annoying for both of you to come home and listen to her whining about the upteenth rejection she had to give. It was because no one was good enough but you knew some guys there were good enough and were worried when their turn would come and what she would say.

You always talked to her and comforted her when things were getting more difficult, when the pressure was getting more difficult to endure, when she needed studying. You were there for her.

Now she was there for you.

“Okay, I will.”

“Netflix and chill then, yeah?” Your mind turned R-18 and you almost choked on your saliva.

“Do you even know what you’re saying?” You asked, astonished.