Black night, Black clothes, dark eyes rimmed with black shimmering powder, night painted over the eyelids.

Today’s my first school festival ever. Everybody took everything very seriously and even just for a week the festival is the only thing that matters, no arguments. Students temporarily traded books for guitars and pens for microphones. They temporarily forget college entrance exams and for once go all out and have some fun, except for one person.

I sat stiffly all day, eyes wandering over the commotion around me. Several other girls and boys were clad in the same black clothes like mine.

My throat felt parched but going to the cafeteria is out of the question, not when I’m dressed like this. Mother was just over the moon when I asked money to buy our costume. She shared her experiences which sounded good but so far I’m not sharing her good memories.

I thought about going outside a couple of times then negating my opinion until I finally stood to get a drink.

Throat finally satisfied and my belly full of carbonated drinks, I walk back to the classroom and surprise, Juri’s sitting on my desk, looking over my things.

I pretend her presence didn’t startle me and calmly sit,she stands up in sync with me and take a long look at me then at my desk. “Aren’t you gonna answer him?”

“What?” She points to my phone. I look at her, donning the same outfit with hair pulled back in a high ponytail. Are we still friends?

I think I know who’s been calling me, Jaehwan, the boy with the bleeding nose. I don’t answer his calls because I don’t want to be bothered with whatever he wants to say.

“Oh, I don’t even know how—“

“I gave him your number. Sorry.” Her eyes twinkle and she sits beside me hanging her head.

I scowl at my phone and want to turn it off but will that offend Juri? So, I keep silent and don’t answer both Jaehwan and Juri.

After a few seconds Juri stands and shuffles beside me. “I can do your hair.” I reach behind and touch my hair. Without my permission, she stands behind me and combs through my hair.  

No need for other words and some kind of grand gesture just plain normal “girl” stuff and we’ve made up, just like that.

Lub dub. Lub dub

A single fast paced heart beat.

Lub dub. Lub dub. Lub dub.Lub dub.

Nervous heartbeats intermingling into one rhythm. Heart bursting out of my chest, my ears pulse with rushing blood. I feel everyone’s hearts like were all parts of a whole unit. I feel each staggered breath, each fumbling finger and each tongue swiping dry, cracked lips.

Why is everyone so nervous?