The day we met, I held my breath. Right from the start, I knew that I found a home for my heart.

17^th July 2015

A girl sat in front of the mirror, combing her jet, black hair gently with a brush. Then, her long and slender finger reached for the pair of pearl earrings that was sitting in front of her. She puts them on slowly, examining her appearance before dabbing a thin layer of pink lipgloss to finish off her preparation.

“This is taking so long. I’m so bored.” Another girl sprawled on the long couch complained as she put away her phone and propped herself up with an elbow. From where she was, she could see Aleyah’s reflection from the mirror. The girl didn’t put on excessive makeup to beautify herself. All she had on her face was that light pink lipstick that brought out her fair skin even more.

“Looking good Princess. Prettier than usual.” Amber couldn’t help but to praise her. Everything about her was the opposite and all she could say was, opposite do attract. She still remember on the first day of school when the girl walked into the class, her beauty and aura took away everyone’s breath; including hers. And when their teacher arranged them to sit beside one another, it made her even more determined to become friends with her. Despite her being talkative and rowdy, the quiet natured girl didn’t mind hanging out with her at all.

When she finally became close with her, then she found out the reason behind her aura. She had befriended 1 of the 4 Victoria Family School’s treasure, the pianist.

Smiling to herself, Aleyah gave no reply to her best friend Amber. From the reflection, she saw the girl with the boy haircut looking back at her and the inner corner of her lips lifted higher.

“Aleyah Lee, it’s your turn soon. Please follow me.” A boy that was around the same age as them popped his head into the waiting room and announced.

“I will watch you from here. Good luck Princess!” Amber pointed to the television in their waiting room. It was broadcasting the performance from their school founder’s day dinner, live.

Shortly after, a girl with a white nightgown entered the stage. She stood in front of the piano and gave the audience a bow before sitting in front of the piano. The piano was like an elegant beast, coming to life the moment Aleyah’s slender finger hit its black and white keys. The smooth brown wood curled delicately underneath the keys where her fingers danced over.

A string of beautiful notes combined into a piece of melodious music flooded the auditorium of Victoria School. The magical sound drew everyone’s curiosity as they turned their heads to the stage. They could feel the sadness in the music seeping through their body and spreading to every veins in their body. Everyone was awed. The girl was not playing music, she was pouring her soul into the song and no one could take their eyes off her.

Not even when she she had left the stage, leaving the empty piano behind.

“Who’s that?” One man sitting at the table that was lined with red tablecloth asked.

“Mr Kim, she is our school’s pianist. One of the 4 treasures in the Victoria Family School.” The principal of Victorian School, Mr Choi, replied proudly.

“Yeah, the other one is Lee Sora from Victor School. She plays the cello.” The principal of Victor School reminded the man cautiously.

Upon seeing the situation, the principals from the other 2 schools added on. None of them was willing to lose the chance to promote the school they are in charge of to the highest donor in this family school.

“I assume she is the same age as my son?” Mr Kim asked Mr Choi.

“She is 2 years younger sir.” Mr Choi replied politely.

“Have you seen her before Jongin?”

The boy tore his eyes away from the empty stage when he heard his name. He let out the breath that he had unknowingly been holding. During the performance, he was so afraid that the sound of his breath would waver her music that he had forgotten to breathe.

“I haven’t.” Kai replied with a courteous smile and the adults changed the topic right after. Turning around, he swept his black fringe that was pressing on his forehead away from his eyes to steal another look at the stage, hoping to see that  angel-like figure again.

-

“Wow!”

The moment Aleyah returned to her waiting room, Amber was standing and applauding. She couldn’t help but to let out a laugh at her best friend that was behaving so comically. “It’s not your first time hearing me play.”

“But still!” Amber argued, “It’s still so awesome. I felt as though I was…”

“You are?” Aleyah asked the girl who didn’t finish her sentence. The smile that was on her face disappeared instantly and was replaced by a straight face as she looked ahead. Instinctively, Aleyah turned around and she froze.

“Good job Aleyah. Your piano skills are still as awesome.”

Aleyah stared at the boy who was at least a head and a half taller than her and when he smiled at her, it made her weak in the knees. But truthfully, his presence makes her body forget it has knees at all.

“T.. thank you.” Aleyah muttered softly, shifting her feet uneasily.

“You’re welcome. I will see you on Saturday then?” Chanyeol reminded her. However, when he saw her looking blankly at him, his smile disappeared a little. “You forgot? The double date with Hana!”

“Aigoo! Looks like I need to tell your new boyfriend that you have short term memory loss too!”

Smiling back at him, Aleyah gave no reply. Looking at him up close makes her miss him so much that a lump was forming at the back of . Everyday, she misses his arms wrapped tight around her like her favourite sweater. Everyday, she misses his voice like the rain and thunder that helps her sleep at night. Everyday, she misses his eyes like she misses the mountains that were just as gray and misty. Everyday, she misses the way he was hers.

Because even when Chanyeol broke up with her 6 months ago, he didn’t know that in front of him is a girl who never learned how to let go.

“How gross.” Amber rolled her eyes and spatted the moment Chanyeol left the room. “And since when did you have a boyfriend that I don’t know of?”

“I.. don’t.” Aleyah sank onto the chair nearest to her, “I.. lied.”

“I didn’t want him to know that I am not over him so I lied that I have a boyfriend when he asked me. But.. I didn’t expect his girlfriend to suggest a double date.”

“With me.”

“That cheater’s girlfriend wants a double date?!” Amber was almost screaming when she said it. She didn’t know why was Aleyah tormenting herself for someone like Chanyeol. She deserved someone so much better. “And you agreed?!”

Nodding her head, Aleyah bit her lower lips as she avoided eye contact with Amber. Her best friend had all the right to scold her. Although it had been half a year, she still couldn’t get over Chanyeol. And even though Chanyeol and her were not close anymore, she would still be there if he needs her. Just like now.

“What are you to do now?” Amber ran her hands through her hands in annoyance. It would probably be better for Aleyah to go for that double date afterall. The sooner she realizes that Chanyeol and her will never go back to the way it was, the sooner she can move on.

Aleyah shrugged her shoulders. She herself didn’t know what to do either. Changing out of the gown, she took out her earrings and they left the changing room in silence. No one spoke a single word as they walked down the hallway of Victorian School. She knew that her best friend was mad at her but she didn’t know how she could appease her. Till Amber’s driver came to pick her up then Aleyah walked up the stairs of the junior block quietly.

Walking down the rows of lockers that were painted in white and gold, it glowed a little under the exquisite orange light in the empty hall way. The air-conditioned made her shivered as she walked on the carpeted floor. She didn’t stop till she reached a particular locker.

Locker 303.

It was rumoured if one were to place a letter stating their ideal type in it, a guy of their dreams would appear to have a date with them. There would be groups of girls standing at the her exact spot everyday without fail, hoping to get a handsome and rich guy. Sometimes, there would even be girls from other schools who would sneak here to drop their letters in.

Pulling a brown envelope out of her bag, Aleyah took in a deep breath and slipped the letter in. She stared hard at the locker, couldn’t believe that she was pinning her hopes on a rumour that no one could validate. As much as she was skeptical about it, she could only pray hard that the rumour is true.

Because she would do anything, hoping to get Chanyeol to look at her the way she does to him again.

I've edited this story quite a bit. I'm trying to make it flow as much as I can. It was only when I start to edit then I realize how horrible the different POV are. Uurgh. Feel like digging a hole to bury my face.

Nonetheless, enjoy!