“How long has she been here?”

“Long enough for her to be able to swim 1.5k.”

“She’s thinking again isn’t she?”

“That’s the only reason she comes here.”

“She’s confused.”

.

.

 “You’ll find out.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The feeling of water surrounding her body felt heavenly; it calmed her. Her body glided gracefully through the water as she kicked her legs and swung her arms, anyone watching would have been amazed. Only the sound of water splashing could be heard in the indoor swimming pool.

What is love? The stupid question she’s been trying to push to the back of her mind popped up again.

Do I love her? Another stupid question.

As the questions starts to fill up her mind she unconsciously sped up. She kept swimming until she couldn’t catch her breath anymore. She quickly dove up to the surface and gasped. The lack of air was making her feel dizzy, it was foolish trying to swim 50 meters without taking a breath but her mind was preoccupied during those few seconds. She instantly climbed up to the side of the pool and sat down, feet dipped into the water as her visions started to cloud with black spots. It has been a few months since the last time she came to the indoor swimming pool and she wasn’t quiet in the shape for such exhausting exercise. The last time she was here was because she needed some time alone and it was the same case this time; she needed time alone.

She sat there silently for a few minutes, her gaze into the far distance with confusion written on her face. Silence engulfed the whole place for a few more seconds until it was destroyed by the sound of wet footsteps on the ground. Taeyeon slowly walked into the changing room, took a quick shower then headed back to the dorm.

* * *

“Hello? Taeyeon mumbled into the dark dorm while she slipped off her slippers. The lights were off and everything was still.

“Jessica! Hello?” It seemed like no one was in the dorm at the moment so Taeyeon walked to the living room only to see a small figure huddled under a pink blanket on the couch. The tip of Jessica’s nose and her forehead could be seen popping out of the blanket and the sight squealed the word adorable. Taeyeon headed towards the couch and chuckled at the sight. After admiring the beauty on the couch for a few seconds not wanting to be creepy Taeyeon walked into her room, took off her pants and changed into a more comfortable pair. She lay on her bed, her face facing upwards to the white ceiling. Once again, bewildering thoughts preoccupied her mind and she couldn’t help but try to push them back again, but to her dismay there wasn’t water surrounding her to make her feel at ease.

It was wrong to feel this way. It was wrong to love Jessica.

* * *

The brunette sitting across Taeyeon was a huge distraction to her. The way the girl slightly parted her lips while concentrating on the work made Taeyeon go crazy. Taeyeon instantly looked away after realizing what she was staring at. This isn’t right she reminded herself but witnessing Jessica her slightly dry lip was enough for her train of solemn thoughts to change.

* * *

“Jessie why are you sitting with her?” Upon hearing what Tiffany said Jessica hesitantly stood up and it was clear that she wanted to sit next to Taeyeon, but before Jessica could walk away Taeyeon grabbed her wrist.

“Sit here. Just today, please.”

“H-huh?”

“Tiffany, if you don’t mind Jessica’s sitting her today.”

“If that’s what you want.” Tiffany shrugged then walked away to find her own seat.

“Come on, sit down. I know you love reading.” As Jessica sat down and diligently concentrated on her book Taeyeon had a huge smile plastered on her face, Jessica’s passion for reading was something she just couldn’t help but smile at.

* * *

Taeyeon was sitting on the couch with a book in her hand but her mind was elsewhere, her eyes staring into the book looked blank; it was definite her mind was astray.

This was the 3rd time their eyes locked and Taeyeon couldn’t help but to let her heart beat rapidly as it wished. She had no control of it and it was driving her insane. She turned back to the front as she felt her face heating up, it wasn’t an absolutely great idea to let Jessica see her flushed face.

This was the 3rd time this hour and Taeyeon started to wonder why. Maybe she feels the same? There must be a reason why we keep making eye contact, Taeyeon thought but chuckled inwardly afterwards. 

She smiled as she remembered another event that happened a couple of hours ago.

She turned to look at Jessica but the other girl was already staring at her but it wasn’t the ‘death’ stare Jessica would usually give to others, it was something else. She couldn’t grasp what the look in the other girls’ eye was as Jessica quickly snapped her head back but it was something else, something she would love to see more often.

* * *

The soft and sweet sound emitting from the piano flooded the room. The beautiful melody being played could be heard from afar and the sound drew a certain brunette’s attention. Taking careful steps the girl advanced towards the door, nearing the room she raised her hands up, her fragile fingers clasped onto the doorknob then twisted it. In the room, another brunette but smaller in size sat down playing the grand piano.

* * *

When thinking about beautiful songs played on the piano, people would always think about Beethoven, Mozart and all those old people who created very famous piano pieces. Taeyeon was different; she never understood how those beautiful melodies were beautiful, sure she liked it and thought it was cool for people to be able to write such hard and confusing music but she never understood how it was beautiful. She chooses to play pieces of music that she finds exquisite. It may not be the typical famous pieces but she loved them.

The piano was set to life by Taeyeon’s fingers. She poured her heart out on the keys, her fingers dancing, her head and body slowly swaying to the music. As she was feeling entranced by the music a click could be heard. It interrupted all the magic in the room but as she turned around and saw whom it was she couldn’t help but feel a little enraptured by the sight. It was just Jessica standing there with folders and books in her hands, her hair tied to the side messily leaving her bangs to cover her forehead and her uniform was plain and boring. It would be weird to feel enraptured by that sight but in Taeyeon’s eyes Jessica was beautiful. The light coming from the slightly parted door showered Jessica in the dim music room.

“Oh, hey.”

“Hi, did I interrupt you? Sorry”

“Nope, it’s okay.”

“Then I’ll leave you to continue on playing then.”

Taeyeon laughed at the response and because of that Jessica’s face was full of confusion. Seeing the cute confused face Taeyeon stopped laughing and replied.

“ Your worried face was just too cute and feel free to join me.”

Upon hearing the compliment Jessica’s face heated up but she still joined Taeyeon and sat down beside her. Taeyeon then continued on playing the song.

“I’ve made up my mind. From now on I won’t care about what others say.”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to love that person, embrace them and protect them. I’m not going to care if they’re a girl or guy because love is love right? When I love someone I’ll truly care for that person.”

“hmm.”

As the words were being said the sound of the melody being played on the piano fitted in perfectly. For anyone it would be the right moment to confess and that was what she did.

“Jessica…I…like you.

That was the perfect moment. In the dim room with a soft piano melody playing. It felt right.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out but from now on I’ll love you and protect you. I’ll do it no matter what.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      - CreativeDino