the marias / basta ya

“I’m telling you, he’s a lizard person.”

“What is your qualification for a lizard person? You said my boss is a lizard person, too.”

“Well, there can be different kinds of lizard people.”

“Different species?”

“Ah, yeah.”

He threw his head back in laughter, the sound booming through the quiet streets. I liked the way his face contorted as he laughed, his eyes crinkling like little moons. His hand squeezed tighter around mine.

I bit back a smile as he tilted his head to wipe the dampness from his eyes onto his sweatshirt.

“Jisoo you’re losing your scientific credibility.” He said finally, a wide grin carved across his features.

“Sorry, sorry. This isn’t what I go to school for, unlike you.”

I bumped my shoulder against his.

“I’m not sure if you know what biology majors do…”

“Study lizard people?” I replied with a smirk, to which he lightly punched my arm. His grin slowly turned serious as he looked me in the eye.

“Jisoo, I’ve been meaning to tell you…”

“What is it?” I could already tell what it was he wanted to say. It had been unspoken on his face for a few weeks.

He scratched at the back of his head with his free hand.

“Well, I decided to take off a full year. Not just a semester.”

“You didn’t get the scholarship?” He shook his head. “You have no other options?”

“Sorry, Jisoo. I know you really wanted me to stay in school.”

“Only for your sake, Tae.” I retorted with a frown. “I know you didn’t want to take a lot of time off.”

“But hey, it’ll be nice to have a break from lectures and labs.” He gave me an unconvincing smile.

I let out a long sigh.

“At this rate you should just go to the army.”

“Should I?”

“No!” I cried out, stopping in the middle of the street. “If you really go you won’t be able to give me the emotional support my art requires.”

He snorted, but it was somehow the prettiest sound in the world. I reached out the hand I’d torn away from his in anger and brushed away the wild strands of hair from his forehead. He held onto my wrist, leaning into my touch.

“Your exhibit’s coming up soon, right? I promise I’ll make the opening.”

“Really? Even if you have work?”

“Yeah, I can always just switch shifts.”

“I knew I liked you for a reason.” I cooed, ruffling his hair. He brought my hand to his lips, gently kissing my knuckles. I let out a surprised gasp.

The look in his eyes caught me off guard, and made my whole body feel warm. His fingers traveled slowly down my arm, spanning across my back. He pulled me closer before ducking down to wrap me in a tight hug.

I exhaled happily, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“I really like you, Jisoo.” He told me, his breath tickling across the back of my neck.

I smiled into his t-shirt.

“When you come to the exhibit there’s something I want to show you.” I told him, leaning back slightly to look at his face.

“What is it?”

“Hayi has work up, too. I helped her with one of her pieces so you have to see it.”

I didn’t tell him that the helping involved modeling. I wanted to see his face when he saw it for the first time.

. . .

I sat in the kitchen, slightly dazed as I waited for my water to boil.

Hayi wandered in