I leaned my back on the surface of the door, one hand still tightly holding the doorknob while the other clutching on my temples. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath before whispering in the air. “Why the hell did you try to kiss her, Kwon Yuri?”

 

I let go of the knob and walked to my room, wishing so bad that Jessica took my previous act as a prank; like how I wanted both her and myself to believe.  

 

What Makes a Rock Star

 

Chapter 17

(The Unexpected Confession)

 

I was surprised when I saw Jessica’s already up when I went down for breakfast. She was staring blankly ahead, zoning out like she always did, with the spoonful of cereal hanging halfway-through .  

 

“BOO!”

 

“Aaayyaayaah!” She jumped on her chair in surprise. The cereals flew out of her spoon and bits splattered on her face.  

 

“Tasty morning Jessica.”  I greeted with all the pleasure of bugging her again. I stifled as I tried to keep in my laughter. I sat at the stool beside her and I readied myself for her impending furious remarks.

 

“What the~~!” She hung open, looking at her dirtied lap.

 

“Sorry.” I said without any glint of remorse in my voice and grinned mockingly.

 

As much as I loved bugging Jessica and her reactions, I enjoyed her wise comebacks better.

 

Will she throw utensils on me? Or pour milk my on my head? I can’t wait! Whatever it would be, I don’t care. Bugging her was the most fun way to start the day. It’s worth it!

 

“It’s fine.”

 

“Eh? What did you say?” I asked, unable to believe what she said. That can't be it.

 

“I said; it’s fine. Let’s eat.”

 

Well, that was not the response I was expecting.

 

She continued eating, totally ignoring the puzzled look I was aiming at her.

 

“Jessica, are you sick?” I asked as the maid served me a bowl of cereal.

 

“Huh? No. Why?” She asked absently, poking her cereal bowl.

 

“Nothing. It’s just… Nevermind. Okay, let’s eat.” I said before I added self-consciously. “And… I’m sorry again.” I peeked at her worriedly from the corner of my eyes and maintained my silence. She gave me a timid nod, thinking that for almost a week of staying here, Jessica finally woke up on the right side of the bed.

 

---

 

I stared in satisfaction as Jessica performed perfectly the latest revision of the song that I arranged. The one she’ll use for the contest. I smiled proudly to myself. Damn, Yul. Why are you so good at this? I snickered from the self-compliment.

 

“So how was it?” Jessica asked right after she finished playing the song, looking up at me with a slightly nervous anticipating expression.

 

“Good. But you’re getting a little off with the timing. Remember that timing is very in order for you to have a heartfelt delivery of the song.” I commented. “But compared to our previous session, you played this one better and it actually gives more feel to the song, if you get what I mean.” I added thoughtfully.

 

“Shall I start again?” She asked. I noticed stray strands of her bangs were falling on her eyes, making me focused on how attractive her eyes were behind those long eyelashes. The whole thing was distracting the hell out of me and I couldn’t help but be annoyed.

 

This brat didn’t use the headband I gave her.

 

“Fix your hair first.”

 

She looked at me questioningly, raising up an eyebrow.

 

“I said fix your hair.” I said, getting more annoyed when she furrowed her eyebrow and looked at me like what I was asking her was absurd.

 

“Are you OC or something?”

 

OC? I don’t have any idea what that was but there’s no way I would ask her what that means.

 

“Just fix them, brat!” I scowled. I still don’t get why she didn’t use it. That’s why I gave it to her, didn’t I? To keep her hair from falling on her face. To keep myself from wanting to fix it for her. To keep myself from a chance to focus and stare on that damn gorgeous face.   

 

She rolled her eyes and eventually fixed her hair, grudgingly looking at me after.  “There. Happy?”

 

“Yes. Now, let’s get back to work. Play the piece again.”

 

I made her repeat that for almost eighteen times before making her practice singing with playing, the part that she actually has a hard time doing.

 

Seeing the doubt of her expression, I stood behind her and rested my hands on her shoulders. “Relax, Jessica. There’s a reason why I made you play the piano piece repeatedly before I asked you to sing. You’ll do well, believe me.” I said reassuringly.

 

She heaved a sigh and inhaled deeply. Music started filling the room as she started to play. My heart made an involuntary leap when she started singing. That sweet voice of hers, that didn’t match her bratty attitude, never failed to surprise me.

 

I focused on her as she concentrated on the task. I couldn’t help but smile. Not only is she more eager now, she’s more devoted too.  That’s good. We got a better chance of winning now. I could feel it.  

 

I never knew how absorbed I was by my thoughts until Jessica finished playing.

 

“So?” She asked me expectantly.

 

“Good. It’s definitely better than before.” I smiled smugly. “Notice how it became easier to play while singing? It’s because your hands were already used to the rhythm of the piece since you played it repeatedly before. Now, you’re not spending most of the time worrying about messing up the piano as you sing.”

 

She was just starting to smile in delight when I added, “But I think we could improve it more.”I wanted to laugh when I saw her pout in disappointment.

 

I stood behind her. Without prior warning, I bent down and reached from the keys. She’s now between the piano and me. Right inside my arms that surrounded her likes an embrace. “I’ll show how to do it okay? Pay attention.” I said sternly, turning my head slightly to look at her with a serious expression.

 

She shrank in her seat from our distance but answered me with a timid nod, awkwardly placing her hands on her lap.

 

I could feel the warmth radiating from her back as I pressed the keys. With my head over her shoulders, only inches away from her face, I started singing with the rhythm of the piano.

 

I gave thoughtful glances on her as I played and was relieved when I saw her now actually paying attention to the keys, mouthing the lyrics of the song; copying me.

 

“Got it?” I asked, turning to her with an inquiring gaze.

 

“Yes.” She muttered.

 

“Good. Now do it. Repeat it until everything imprints on your mind and you could play the song by heart.” I said, holding her gaze, shortly after, my eyes drifted on her lips again.

 

Jessica exhaled loudly as soon as I straightened up. I walked across the room and observed her. Taking a deep breath, I tried to make my face stay as passive as possible. With my heart beating fast against my chest, I asked myself why even without the gown, the ambience or the sweet sound of the music box, I kept on thinking of kissing Jessica and it’s getting harder to make myself stop.

 

Damn Yul. Keep it together.

 

---

 

“What time should I come home?” I asked Jessica as I checked my reflection on the mirror. I fixed the strand of my bowl cut wig, now styled into an apple hairstyle, and adjusted my thick framed glasses. Why is this disguise thing so troublesome!

 

“We’re done practicing for today, right? I guess you’re free until tomorrow. Besides I have to go somewhere later so I won’t be here till midnight.” She said, not bothering to look away from the magazine on her hand.

 

“Brat, are you sure you’re okay with this? I mean, the contest is nearing and I don’t want to be the ~”

 

“Baldy,” She brought the magazine down a bit, exposing her eyes. “It’s fine.” She said with a straight face.

 

I looked at my wristwatch. I asked Hyoyeon to get my car. He’s probably near here by now.

 

“So…. you like her, right? Seo Juhyun.” Jessica asked, out of the blue. I found myself searching for her reflection in the mirror. She’s in the middle of turning the magazine to the next page.

 

I paused to consider.

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

“Well, you asked her out. I’m just wondering if you’re serious about her.”

 

Serious? It’s a date. Dates were supposed to be fun. Not serious.

 

“May I ask why do you care?”

 

“Nothing. Really. I’m just worried for her.” She brought the magazine down a little, exposing her eyes. “Honestly, Yul. If you’re not serious about her, I suggest you stop trying to woo her. She’s naïve. I think she’ll actually… fall for you… if you want her to.”

 

I turned to face Jessica and raised an eyebrow. “You think so?”

 

“Yeah. I mean, it’s not that hard to.”

 

I was distracted by the vibration of my phone. I pulled it from my pocket and checked the messages. “Hyoyeon texted. He said he’s outside.” I said to no one in particular. “Oh. Yeah. What were you saying?”

 

“Nothing. Just… try not to hurt her, Yul. She’s so young. You might scar her.”

 

“Look. I think you’re taking this too seriously, Jessica. It’s just a date.” I said dismissively.

 

“Even so.”

 

“Okay. Fine. I told you I have a crush on her. She’s good company and she’s pretty. So yeah, I think I like her.” I said feeling heavy hearted for I still doubt if I do like her in the way Jessica was referring to.  

 

But that’s why I’m going out with Seohyun today, right? For me to figure out.

 

Besides, it was better to consider liking Seohyun than consider liking the other one my mind was constantly screaming for. I don’t have the right to.

 

She stood up and went for the stairs. “Okay then. Go now. Hyoyeon’s waiting for you. Enjoy your date.”

 

The indifference on her voice made me hesitate to go all of the sudden but I shrugged it off. “Sure. See you later, Brat. Enjoy whatever it was you were planning to go to.” I said and walked to the door.  

 

“As if I could.” I barely heard her mutter behind me and when I turned to my back, she’s already nowhere in the sight.

 

---

 

After going to the ice cream parlor, Seohyun and I were now heading to Hongdae district. She mentioned to me before that she never had a taste of the Korean indie music culture and I wanted to be the one to introduce it to her.

 

We strolled through the streets of Hongdae first. We went from store to store, browsing souvenirs and ended up buying some for ourselves. I even bought a scarf for Jessica and a whole container of gummy bears for Tiffany. I plan to give it to her when I visit since I know she’ll be wasting most of her stock by throwing them to me.  

 

I held Seohyun by the hand as I led her to the secluded but awesome music store I always go to.

 

“There is it.” I smiled in relief when I saw it hanging in the wall of the store. Flawless as always.

 

“What’s that, oppa?” Seohyun inquired.

 

Hani.

 

“Kwon Yuri’s first guitar.” I said, adjusting my thick framed glasses self-consciously. I remember selling it before because I wanted to buy something for my mother with my own money but my company was yet to give me any since I was just a ‘trainee’ at that time. I tried re-buying it when I got enough money but because of the sudden fame I got from composing, the owner of the store didn’t want to sell it anymore. He just wanted to use it to attract customers.

 

I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. Hani is meant for the ears to hear, not for the eyes to see.

 

“Oh. Really?” Seohyun said, surprising me by her tone. It doesn’t seem to excite her at all. She’s seemed rather saddened by it.  

 

“Seo? Something wrong?”

 

“I just found it rather sad. I just thought since it was his first guitar. I bet it must have been precious for him. I wonder why he sold it.” She said gloomily.

 

I smiled at her, amused. She’s Seo sensible. I chuckled at my own lame joke.

 

“Don’t be sad, Seo. Someone told me that he used his money to buy a gift for someone special, something like that.” I said reassuringly. “So, it’s not for a lost cost at all.”

 

With that, she smiled a little.

 

“You okay now?”

 

She nodded timidly.

 

“Okay then. I’ll just buy something from the rack upstairs. Go browse around while waiting for me okay?” I said, smiling good-naturedly.

 

“Okay, oppa.”

 

The first thing I saw when I went upstairs was a piano. Like a lightning striking out of the blue, I was reminded of Jessica.

 

I went for the rack and started browsing.

 

Wait, what am I looking for again?

 

I groaned in frustration.

 

Damn you, piano.

 

That brat. I wonder if she’ll like it here too.

 

---

 

We made our way to my favorite hang-out in Hongdae to eat dinner. It’s a contemporary hub. The indie band called Nell was playing when we came. They’re one of my favorites.  

 

“Oppa, do you come here often?” Seohyun suddenly asked when we finished eating and we were just waiting for our bill.

 

“I guess. Well, not that often. I rarely have time to.”

 

“Aw. That’s sad. It’s really great here. It’s like a place made for musicians. I’m starting to feel like I belong here.” She said with a bubbly smile.

 

“Did you like it here?”

 

“Yes. It’s great! It’s inspiring to see these musicians striving to fill the world with wonderful music. Now, I’m more eager to pursue music.”

 

I smiled and patted her head. “Good then. I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

 

“Thank you for bringing me here, oppa.”

 

“You’re welcome, Seo. Oh! Before, I forget. Here.” I said, giving her the piano book.

 

“Oppa?”

 

“It’s for you.” I said with a smile.

 

“For me? But didn’t you buy it for~”

 

“No, I bought it for you.” I said, putting the piano book on her hands. “I have my copy of this book. I learned a lot from it and I hope you will too.”

 

“Thank you, oppa.” She looked down shyly.

 

“You’re welcome Seo.” I said. I reached for her chin and tilted it up. I cocked my head to one side and looked at her admiringly. “There. There. She should really stop looking down. Anyone would still love to look at your face even when you’re shy.”

 

She blushed furiously at the comment. I just smiled at her. Holding her gaze, I reached for her hand that was on the table, tracing the skin of her hand with my thumb.

 

“You have beautiful hands.”I complimented. I watched as she clamped her lips together, trying to stop smiling. “Don’t do that, Seo.” I leaned forward, putting a finger against her lips. “You make me want to kiss you more, if you do that.”

 

That was the right time.

 

I held her gaze, disregarding the flustered expression on her face. I cupped her cheek with one hand and began gently pulling her closer.

 

We got the right mood, right setting, right ambiance; everything to get the intimacy going.

 

Seo already had her eyes closed, anticipating the kiss. All I needed to do was lean closer and kiss her.

 

*Buzz*

 

But fate was not helping at all.

 

I felt my phone vibrate furiously inside my pocket.

 

*Buzz*

 

I tried to ignore it and tucked Seohyun’s hair behind her ears and leaned closer. I could feel her breath on my skin.

 

*Buzz*

 

I cringed in irritation.

 

The hell is wrong with the world?!

 

I pulled away, my lips in frustration. I caressed her cheek to make her open her dazed eyes.

 

“I’ll just take this call, Seo. I’ll be right back.” I smiled at her and kissing her cheek softly before I went to the loo, clutching my phone like I wanted to crush it right on that moment.

 

I opened my phone and saw Jessica’s number register.

 

“Hey, brat! What are~”

 

“Hello?” My eyes widened when a very low voice of a man spoke from the other line.  

 

“You’re not Jessica. Who’s this!?” I almost shouted at the phone in panic. 

 

“I’m sorry, sir. But your female friend is here. Could you please pick her up?”

 

 “P-Pick her up?!” I asked, “Why do I need to pick her up? Where’s Mr. Jan!?”

 

“I don’t know about Mr. Jan but I’m pretty sure your friend came here alone. Please sir, come here quick. We can’t control her. She’s very very very drunk sir and she’s destroying every~”

 

“YUUURRRSRRRIII-OPPAAAA-AAAH!!”

 

“Drunk? What do you mean dru~ JESSICA!?!” My eyes almost popped out of its socket when I heard Jessica’s whiny voice shouting in the background.

 

“OOPPPAAA-AAAH!!"

 

"JESSICA?! WHAT THE~"

 

"OOPPPA SHHAARRRANGHAE!!!!”

 

I jerked my ears away from the phone and looked at the phone dumbly, my cheeks blushing profusely.

 

What the hell was that?

---

A/N: I know what OC really means. I mean, the disorder thing. So you don't need to point it out. I purposively used the misconception of people the OC is a term for someone overly organized. 

Credits: Laguna for the chapter title. 

Thank you for reading. 

Please do comment.