Run with Me - SHINee

Chapter 44: Eighteen.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to gather your attention for a special piano performance for the birthday celebrant, Kim Jongmi.” The male emcee said, catching the attention of all the guests inside the hall where the birthday celebration was being held. “Everyone, let us witness a wonderful act by her close friend, Kim Jaera!”

The moment the spotlight flashed on Jaera’s way, she felt it, her nervousness. It was all so sudden that she felt her heart beating at an incredulously fast rate, causing for her to break out into cold sweats. Seeing the expectant and hypocrite smiles of the guests, she felt her sight becoming hazy and her mind becoming dizzy for it was just too much to take; her cowardice side was showing and prevailing again.

Not to mention realizing that Yi Han, Lu Han’s father, already knew about their real situation, Jaera just wanted to run away, to escape from the nightmare that was being given to her. She never wanted to be in such a predicament, she just wanted to attend Jongmi’s party and show her care for the girl; not to be in a place where she was being put under the scrutinizing eyes of many.

It was something that she had always abhorred; however, she was different now. If it was before, Jaera would’ve immediately reject them and run away, not caring about the consequences of her decision. Albeit now, things were much more different, changing even the circumstances for her. Sure, Jaera might still be insecure about herself, but she couldn’t care less about what people may say anymore; even the intimidating presence of Yi Han was forgotten. They weren’t important in the eyes of Jaera. Only Jongmi was the one who she deemed significant for she was the birthday celebrant and her friend, and she wanted to present her feelings to her.

Breathing heavily in her black form fitting dress, Jaera was about to take a step forward when Sehun’s hand suddenly grabbed hold of her arm. “Jaera, you don’t need to do this…”

“Don’t worry,” Jaera said, giving a reassuring smile to Sehun who looked at her in deep concern. She then brushed his hand gently before giving Yi Han, who was waiting for her with an anticipating look, a smile as well. “I’ll make sure to give you a good performance.”

Forgetting about everything, Jaera then proceeded on the stage where the grand piano was. Everybody applauded for her arrival, with the exception of the birthday celebrant herself, Jongmi, who was still in a trance after having a short conversation with Yi Han. The old male’s words utterly shocked her, for all this time, she had believed everything that Lu Han and the rest had been telling her. She believed and trusted them, especially Jaera, since she knew that the girl wouldn’t lie to her and she was her friend—she was her only friend.

“My eyes keep going to that white face, why don’t I even get sick of you,[1]” Jaera started singing, letting her small hands move delicately across the black and white keys of the large music instrument. “When you slightly smile at me, I really go crazy… how can you be so pretty?”

Jaera was smiling sincerely, letting her eyes gaze towards Jongmi who sat on her grand chair with an intent look. She doubted Jaera’s sincere smile; Jongmi was uncertain about everything that the girl was doing, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was astonished, fascinated by the words and soft and mellow melody that the she gave her.

“With those legs that are so pretty by just standing still, you walk towards me and hug me,” Hearing Jaera’s singing voice, Jongmi closed her eyes and reminisced their past with a small smile, the times when they just first met, down to the times when they hung out happily together. “My heart keeps on going to you, I’m really going crazy…”

Those recollections made Jongmi’s uncertainties fade a tad for she believed that the memories they made were real; that the friendship they have was genuine and it was worth keeping.

However, upon opening her eyes, the small smile that she displayed immediately disappeared. Once she noticed Jaera’s gaze being directed into another direction, a direction where everything became clear, Jongmi felt her heart tearing into pieces.

“You know he’s so beautiful, maybe you will never know… I want to hide you in my embrace,” Jaera’s smile was way brighter than before; her eyes, they were shining with pure affection, and everything was directed to her supposed older cousin, Lu Han. The way she discreetly smiled towards him, and the way he watched her lovingly, made everything fall apart for Jongmi. All of the smiles the girl showed, all of the trusts she held, everything immediately vanished for she finally knew it; Jongmi finally understood that everything was just a lie.

“I’m not saying this out of a young heart… but I really want to marry you.”

Lu Han was still surprised; he still felt remorseful, for had he stayed with Jaera all throughout the party then she wouldn’t have met his father. They wouldn’t have conversed, and none of what was happening would have happened. It annoyed him at first, he was bothered, agitated, and every negative feeling that he could possibly ever have; albeit, it all changed once he saw the look in Jaera’s eyes—one of pure fondness and affection.

It felt as if the song was for him, and that he was the only one in her eyes. It’s as if none of the people present mattered, that only the two of them were drowned in their own world; only the two of them held deep understanding for each other—one of which nobody could ever hold—and he felt proud.

He felt proud for loving someone like her, someone who was willing to withstand her fears and insecurities. He wasn’t sure, but he felt as if Jaera overcame her worries just so she could show the world who she truly was, all for the sake of Lu Han. He knew that his father must’ve said something to her, something which obviously wasn’t pleasant, and that he was the one who planned the performance, but she still stood straight and went onto the stage confidently—an outstanding accomplishment for her.

Lu Han knew that he’d have to face his father sooner or later, but he didn’t care. Right now, all that mattered was Jaera, and nothing else.

With the performance brought by Jaera almost ending, Chen cleared his throat and turned to his father, Joongki. “Dad, that’s her.”

Hearing Chen, Joongki focused his gaze on the girl playing the piano whereas Seongim continued to smile in admiration. “What a courteous and talented young lady she is, right honey?”

Seeing the sad and nostalgic smile on his wife’s face, Joongki grabbed her hand and smiled gently. “She really is.”

And in a matter of a few minutes, the whole hall was filled with sounds of applause again once Jaera stood up from the piano seat and bowed in front of everyone. “Thank you for giving us such a wonderful performance, Ms. Kim Jaera! It was absolutely spectacular! Let us give her another round of applause!”

It was short and fleeting, but Jaera felt good hearing the good response from the guests. It was then placed with relief however, as soon as the people went back to their own businesses and conversations, quickly forgetting about her existence. She, herself, was guilty of being like such for she didn’t even notice Jongmi’s figure approaching her and immediately went down the stage in hopes of speaking with Yi Han.

Although as much as she wanted to speak with the old Chinese male, she was suddenly stopped by the presence of Lu Han who stood in front of her. “I know you want to talk to him, but that’s not necessary anymore. Just stop—“

“I’m fine, Lu Han, so could you please move?” Jaera demanded, surprising Lu Han; more so since she called him with his real name—one of which she rarely did.

Seeing this side of Jaera, Lu Han was overwhelmed, rendering him unable to do anything but to just watch warily as the girl walked towards his father who bore an unexplainable look.

“Respect is something you give willingly not forcibly, but this time, I shall make an exception.” Jaera said, keeping her face straight as she stared back at the emotionless Yi Han, not minding the surprised looks she was receiving from Lu Han, Sehun, and the rest. “I’m not really a person with a fine background and I only know one piece, but I stil