The pool was brilliantly illuminated throughout the dark night. I sat perched alone next to the pool, my feet dipping on the surface of the water. I gazed motionless at the water, my face was lit softly by the glow of the pool.

My mind drifted back and forth to last night. The way we held onto each other, the way her warm breath brushed against my neck. It was like we were inseparable, positive and negative sides of a magnet, strongly attracted to each other. When I heard those words, 'don't worry, I'll protect you.' It sent shivers up my spine, I couldn't explain what kind of effect those words had on me.

I heard a sudden rustle behind me. A small silhouetted figure slowly approached me.

'Can I sit?' Aera quietly asked. I nodded and stared back at the pool. We sit side by side silently, both of us lost in thought. 

'It's not over yet, is it?' Aera asked calmly. I shook my head and uttered, 'not until he finally gets you.'

'The Oscars?'

'Maybe.'

I heard Aera sigh, she tugged the grass as she started thinking. 'You know, when I was in high school, I started a bet with my friends. Each person would give fifty dollars if one day I went on stage to accept an Oscar award,' she smiled and continued, 'so, if everyone who agreed see me at the Oscars, I'll get a lot of money.' I scoffed and rolled my eyes. I turned my head towards her and uttered, 'It's still dangerous.'

'I know...but I can't be scared forever, locked in my house. I can't let that idiot run my life like this,' Aera said. I moved closer to her and whispered, 'Aera...'

'No, Taeby, I can't live like this! I can't have any more people risk their lives because of me. I...I can't let you...risk...' Aera drifted away, locking eyes with me. I stared back at her eyes, not aware of how close our faces were.

'Taeby, I don't know why this is happening to me...but I do know that it's not your fault. I'm sorry how I acted the other day, Jiae's death wasn't your fault,' Aera apologised, recalling the time she repeatedl