Rain trickled down from the murky skies, cool wind kissed our cheeks and hugged our bodies. Warmth radiated from Juri’s resting hand on my forearm and we walked side by side, cool hands clutching on an umbrella large enough for both of us.

The paved roads were much more comfortable compared to the muddy ones in the past. Mud coated my shoes and splattered on my socks when I was a young girl and the umbrella I had is not enough for me and my brother.

 He smiled like the sun, short lemon colored hair reflecting tiniest bit of sunshine. Only a few inches shorter than I, what he lacked in height he made up for attitude. “Beatrice, I’m excited for cabbage soup.” He his tiny lips with his tongue and beamed animatedly. I tilted my head to his direction not wanting to grimace. Cabbage soup is all we ever eat.

“Me too!” I tried to smile,but the chills developing in my empty stomach had other plans. He hugged me with his stubby arms and ran, flicking the mud everywhere and dirtying his shorts. Of course, mother never scolded him. He’s her little package of sunshine. My hands were rigid cold after washing his uniform and mother’s sharp tongue cut my heart.

I sink myself closer to Juri and she tightens her grip on me. I could never get used to these tall buildings all scattered everywhere my eyes look. Juri pulls me into a coffee shop with a great view atop of the buildings.

Dainty little shop with pastel walls and large clear windows, wooden chairs and tables and of course the delicious aroma wafting from coffee shops, I stopped myself from inhaling too much afraid I’m keeping the warm, cozy scent all to myself. Eyes darting around shifted to us as we shook the umbrella dry, Juri smiles meekly and finds a seat. “I could never get used to that.” She whispers to me and giggles after running her fingers through her dark hair.

The warmth of the coffee shop enveloped me like a mother caring for her ailing child, it’s enough to make my eyelids droop and my head to bow in sleep. The eyes on me kept me alert as I walked to the varnished wooden counter to order.

My eyes trained past the clear windows to the outside, tiny raindrops trickled down the air just a little bit rebellious. “Hello miss, what would you like?” A curly haired blonde behind the register asks me, donning his crooked smile. Speaking his Korean the best he can without a trace of other languages.

I placed my order and returned his over enthusiastic smile and waltzed over the crowd forming in the shop, squeezing my way to Juri. The crowd dissipated as soon as their eyes fell on me my eyes flew to the register, he was chuckling and Juri was alone giggling to herself.

“I should have ordered. That guy is cute!” Juri leans over to say to me, eyes briefly shifting to the blonde ‘cutie’. I look over to her confused, she’s not the type of gal to swoon over strangers no matter how handsome they are. In a split second her usual demeanor returns and she pulls out some books.

“I can organize your notes for you.” She informs me and looks over to my empty space on the table. I shook my head offering to do hers instead and she beams pushing her notes and books to me. Before I could start, the scenery outside pulls my head to turn to a studio directly across the building of the coffee shop.

Lithe girls in pale pinks and dirty whites dancing on their toes caught my full attention. In the background a man seemed out of place as he just stood there, phone in hand and eyes going back and forth from his phone to each dancer. I forget the image of him as the dancers leap and pirouette breathtakingly.

 Our coffee arrives and I barely tear my eyes away from the dancers to receive our coffee and pastries. I mumbled a short thank you, eyes wanting to return to the view. “Miss, enjoy your coffee.” I caught a glimpse of him and my eyes round momentarily earning Juri’s attention.

“You know him?” Juri’s voice blends into the background and I nod. “This is where you work?” He nods back to me and offers both hands signaling for us to enjoy our coffee.

Juri gives me a knowing smile as he walks away. She locks eyes with me refusing if I look to the building across from us. “Hey, is that—“

I shake my head already knowing what she will ask. “What about Hyuk?” She asks me, mouth full and lips turned up as she chews on the chocolate cake. “What about him?” I turn my head to the dancers, noticing the out-of-place male already gone. Did I imagine him?

She awkwardly nods refusing to use her words letting me alone to figure out her vague question. “What’s that guy’s name?” “Leo.” I answered simply, poising to sip from my cup.

She forgets her question as soon as her eyes land on her books