It wasn’t supposed to be this early. It wasn’t supposed to be this tiring. And it certainly wasn’t supposed to be this stressful. But it was anyway.

Hyerin was on her trip to America for the summer holidays. Her friends insisted on her coming to France with them, but she really needed some time off by herself. It seemed as if college had worn her out. Completely.

As soon as she checked in, she slumped herself down on a seat the food court. She glanced over to her watch. 7:00am. She really wished she'd gone to France now. They got to sleep in.

She wasn't a morning person, to say the least.

Her eyes roamed around the stores. They were mostly fast foods with a touch of sushi stalls here and there. She decided to go to the cafe which stood at the very back corner of the food court.

There, she ordered a regular latte with a bagel. She instantly regretted getting a regular, figuring that she needed more to stay awake while she waited. Her mind began to drift off tiresomely as she rubbed her eyes and let her rolling suitcase guide her.

“Watch it,”

She blinked open her eyes to see a brunette girl crossing her arms. Her long locks passed her chest and gently swayed by her plain white t-shirt. She uncomfortably shifted within her denim jacket, pulling the fabric closer to her as she somewhat-coldly stared at Hyerin.

“S-Sorry…” she piped out, their eyes meeting at a queer middle of annoyance and regret. “I’m tired I was just--”

“We’re all tired,” she grumbled, adjusting the grip of her bag.

“G-Geez you don’t need to be so cold…” she muttered, taking a spot in front of her. Turning her back against her, she crinkled her brows together and tried her best to block her out.

“Well I have the right to when you knock my phone to the ground, along with my suitcase,” Hyerin’s eyes immediately go down towards the fallen bag and technology, then towards the girl who bends down and briskly picks them up.

“I’m sorry…” she swallowed. The stranger looked up at her and snarled.

“Again, you should be,” there was a brief moment of silence. Hyerin’s eyes widen at the girl. She hadn’t taken into account how beautiful she looked. She had the plumpest, softest-looking pout she had ever seen. She had clear, porcelain skin with absolutely no signs of acne or scars. Her eyes had that tint of sparkle that made her intrigued.
 

She shook her head.

“Miss Solji?”

The barista called her name. She elbowed past her and grabbed her drink. She first glanced towards the girl then narrowed her eyes before strutting off with her things.

Hyerin rubbed her arm in somewhat pain, but she couldn’t help but to let her eyes linger onto her as she strolled off towards the gate.

“Uhh Miss Hyerin…? You’re latte is ready”

***

She definitely should have ordered an extra large. She felt bags under her eyes and a yawn rising up by the time she took her seat on the plane. Her head was resting against the curtain of the window.

She was glad that she was early, because she just missed the rush of people frantically running for their seats. She pulled the blanket, which was underneath the seat belt, closer to her chest as she exhaled and put on her headphones. Just as she was about to plug them into her armrest, where the hole was, a much-too-familiar girl sat next to her.

She halted. Looking up at her, she watched her sharply move her bags underneath the chair and organise her belongings. It was like Hyerin didn’t exist in her picture perfect world.

Hyerin realised that she was looking for much too long when she gazed towards her and crinkled her brows.

“You,” she spat, looking away.

“Why do you need to be so cruel?” Hyerin sounded like a whine. She exhaled. “It was one mistake! I honestly didn't mean it!”

Solji rubbed her temples and let out a groan.

“I’m sorry too…” she mumbled. Hyerin widened her eyes.

“Well it doesn't sound like it…” she muttered under her breath. . Solji heard her.

“I’m sorry I just…” she pursed her lips. “...this trip means a lot to me. I’m trying to break out as a singer but...it’s not working out for me too much. This is my last chance and...I’ve been working hard. Constantly. All the time...I guess I’m just worn out.”

“I’m sorry...I didn’t know…” she placed a hand onto her shoulder. “I mean, I’m tired too. College has overworked me.”

“What major?” she asked, pressing her back against her chair.

“Musical arts,” Solji brightened. “I don’t even know if I made the right choice though…”

“It’s okay,” she d her hand down her arm. “I’ve been there. I think you just need some inspiration.”

“Do you have anything on you? Like song lyrics or--?”

“I actually do,” she popped down to her backpack, where she ped the largest pocket. Pulling out a notebook, she flipped through the pages and showed her one. It was covered in words, which were mostly crossed out and rewritten.

“1M…?” she read out the title. Her eyes skimmed through the text. “I-It sounds amazing,” Solji beamed. “Do you have the sheet music?” like on queue, the older girl had flicked to the next page, where a melody in D minor had been neatly written. “Wow...I think this can really get to the scene, you know?”

“Really? You really think so?” she smiled.

“I know so.”