After that accidental meeting at halmoni Lee’s, you and L.Joe started to meet up there often. It was like a secret meeting place between the two of you, of course you guys were with halmoni Lee so there was no funny business. You and L.Joe just went there to hang out and get to know each other better. Beast even started to wonder where you were going after school.

Although you were with L.Joe (secretly) and halmoni Lee, it didn’t mean you didn’t practice your solo. Whenever you got home from the secret visit, you’d go straight to your room and practice it until late at night, which caused you not to get enough sleep and you would mess up the next day in lesson.

“Start from the melody again.” Mr. Jang instructed. “Okay.” You answered and started from the melody again.

After playing a measure, you missed a note. “Stop, stop.” Mr. Jang rubbed his temples with one hand. You stopped and sighed. “I’m really sorry Mr. Jang. I don’t know what’s gotten to me.” You bowed apologizing. “Have you been sleeping well lately?” You looked at Mr. Jang confused then shook your head.

Mr. Jang nodded in understanding. “I think that’s why you keep messing up. not enough sleep. You can’t do anything well without sleep, you know.” “I know.” “I suggest you to go home and sleep. The concert is only one week away and you need to make your solo perfect. That’s what you’ve been aiming for, hasn’t it?” You nodded.

Mr. Jang smiled, “Well then shouldn’t you do everything you can to make it perfect?” You nodded again. “Good. Sleeping is one of those important things and practicing, so I need you to go home and sleep then practice.  I don’t want you to overdue yourself because of the concert, okay?” You nodded. “Good, I think I’ll cut the lesson short for today.”

You bowed. “Thank you.” Mr. Jang nodded. “Remember to rest well and practice, okay?” “I'll keep that in mind. I’ll be going now.” Mr. Jang nodded. You quickly packed your viola and headed out of the practice room.

You heaved a sigh when you closed the door to the practice room. You took out your phone and sent Yoseob a message telling him you were going home early to rest. You also sent your professors a quick message telling them you won’t be in class. After sending those messages, you left campus and went home to rest.

You rode the bus home. There weren’t much people so you sat in the back, plugged in your headphones, and gazed out. While riding on the bus, it passed an empty park. Your eyes lit up, so you pulled the string and got off.

The cool winter breeze greeted you when the door opened. You tightened your scarf and jacket to keep warm. You also tightened your grip on your viola then proceeded to the empty park.

It wasn’t completely empty, but there weren’t much people there to say that it was full either. So you continued to walk into the park. Your hands were stuffed into your jacket pocket and hot air was seen from your breaths.

A smile plastered on your face. A peacefully smile. You were happy to finally be free. To relax and not worry about anything, but that peacefully smile faded away when you remembered that the winter concert was a week away.

A sad sigh escaped your lips. A small bitter chuckle followed. “Right, I need to practice. My performance has to be perfect. There can’t be any flaw