He Can Fly
Dear Peter, Love Wendy[CONTENTID1] HE CAN FLY [/CONTENTID1]
[CONTENTID2] “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan [/CONTENTID2]
[CONTENTID3]The ruckus began after her first day in university. Loaded with work and assignments from her lectures, Suji thought the pier under the bridge would have been a good place for a brief respite. She was joined by her best friend Jieun, who boasted about the day's events while Suji nodded absently and stared at the ruffling waves in the water.
While the beautiful August day scorched the dry streets of their city, Suji ignored her friend’s whims and contemptuous observations by sticking her nose into a book. But then the ruckus started—a howling of animals that left the university main entrance. No, not animals. A group of adolescent men that stank of sweat so bad, that Suji sniffed despite being meters under the bridge. They screamed, shrieked, yelled, caterwauled, such that they made a zoo seem like a more hospitable place.
“Boys!” cried Jieun. She stood alert, her eyes wide and hanging agape in comical admiration. “Oh my days, look Suji! Look! Boys!”
The animalistic behaviour increased, a sort of nefarious hooting ensued while others pumped farting sounds under their armpits. “I can smell it before I can see it,” said Suji, without a glance. She flicked to the next page of Pride and Prejudice. Now, Elizabeth was a far more appealing character than real life half-witted men.
“Oh my days, Suji! They’re so handsome,” her friend continued, lovesick hearts imaginable in her large eyes and her blushing cheeks. She pressed a hand over her forehead. “I think I’m gonna faint. What the heck are they doing? Oh, they’re gonna jump! Suji, they’re gonna jump!”
“Good lord, Jieun!” Suji snapped her book shut. “Stop that stupid behavior. You know it’s illegal to jump…”
However, the cacophony increased until it almost deafened her. To her shame, some girls joined in the cheering. Two boys stood on the railings, one short and thin, the other tall and stocky. The tall one caught her gaze and gave her a cheeky grin and a thumbs-up. Suji blinked, once and twice.
“That’s Sehun,” a voice said. A foxy-faced idiot of the opposite gender joined them on the pier, holding a professional camera. He smiled as if he knew their deepest secrets. “Him and Baekhyun are gonna test their wings to get popularity for our club. Oh, you guys wanna join?”
“What club?” said Suji, but Jieun interrupted, “Of course we will join!”
Suji pushed her back. “No, we’re not. Are you insane? They’re not trustable,” she hissed through gritted teeth.
Jieun flicked a finger against her nose. “Oh, do be quiet when the situation calls, Suji.”
“Okay, okay, listen up!” a deep voice cried over a borrowed intercom. “The Neverland Club requires your attention my friends. Chanyeol speaking! Today, our club leader, Baekhyun, and our treasurer, Sehun, are gonna test Sehun’s manmade wings in order to grab your attention. Watch as they’ll fly across this bridge.”
Baekhyun blew kisses at the girls. Sehun focused on the river, pulling his collar flaps from his throat with steady concentration. The speaker, Chanyeol, who was a giant, gangly young man with ears that were twice the size of his face, lifted two metal casings plastered with bird feathers. He tied them around Sehun’s shoulders, and then he did the same for Baekhyun.
“They’re so hot!” cried Jieun.
Suji scoffed. “Just a bunch of lunatics looking f
Comments