01. Two Diferent Souls

                                    

                                          

The practice room was eerily silent as Jiyoon watched Jungeun's graceful movements dance across the floor. Her bright eyes shone unmistakably in the large mirror.
Jungeun halted, her gaze meeting the small figure sitting in the corner.
"Are you still here?" she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.
"Yes! Am I disturbing you?" Jiyoon stood up, shaking off her clothes without breaking eye contact.
"No, it's fine..." Jungeun shrugged, her expression tensing.
"I love watching you dance!"
"Thanks, I've been doing it for years."
"You can tell. I started this year" Jiyoon smiled sweetly, trying to keep Jungeun from leaving.
"Of course... It shows" Jungeun slung her bag over her shoulder, avoiding eye contact.
Jiyoon tilted her head in confusion, following Jungeun with her gaze as she aggressively opened the room door.
The building hummed with people humming, marking dance steps, or nodding to music. Jungeun walked with her head spinning from the disastrous rehearsal and the countless mistakes she'd made under Jiyoon's watchful eye.
She had just had, in her opinion, her worst rehearsal in fourteen years.
Her path rapidly shortened toward the exit, facing cars speeding by without care.
"Jungeun!" A vibrant voice cut through the stressful symphony of honking horns.
"Saebi! What brings you here?" Jungeun asked weakly.
"I work nearby. Don't you remember?"
"You work?"
"It's more like community service" Saebi smiled.
"I see... Do you usually leave at this hour?"
"Not really, I saw you pass by and snuck out" Saebi winked, her face almost flirtatious.
"You'll get in trouble"
"Don't worry, they love me!"
A cold hand rested on Jungeun's shoulder, sending shivers down her spine.
"You're still here! I thought I'd miss saying goodbye" Jiyoon smiled innocently.
"Lucky me..." Jungeun's smile faded slowly.
"Did I miss something?" Saebi leaned in to observe Jiyoon better.
"No. I have to go, excuse me" Jungeun crossed the street, leaving two confused girls on the other side.
The younger of the two gave an awkward smile before returning to her work schedule.
The other, holding a small gift bag behind her back, let out a frustrated sigh.
Her eyes began to ache as she tried to recognize her path home.
The orange sky darkened, and our young admirer's pace quickened.
The thought of arriving home overwhelmed her as she passed by familiar stores with beautiful gifts she once considered buying.
A sharp bell sound made her react.
A cozy bookstore with walls filled with books welcomed her warmth.
"Are you looking for something?" A beautiful girl emerged from behind the counter, oblivious to Jiyoon's tearful gaze.
The girl looked up, her smile fading as Jiyoon's tears fell.
"Jiyoon! What's wrong?!"
"Mai!" Jiyoon buried herself in Mai's tight hug, releasing pent-up tears.
"What's wrong?" Mai asked softly.
"I'll never impress her!"
"Who?"
"Jungeun! She's amazing, and it's obvious I'm not on her level" Jiyoon pulled away and sat in the small armchair.
"Talking about her again? I'm tired of you coming to talk about how badly she treats you!"
"Hey! She doesn't treat me badly. Emphasis on badly" Jiyoon crossed her arms, frowning.
"However you see it. Maybe you should... Leave her alone" Mai leaned against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"If she doesn't like you, stop trying" Mai shrugged and returned behind the counter.
Jiyoon followed her with her gaze.
"No! I want to be her friend..." Jiyoon leaned back.
"What if it can't be? What if she doesn't want to be your friend?" Mai looked at Jiyoon with tenderness.
"I don't know... But I have to try" Jiyoon stood up, wiping away tears.
"Okay, but don't hurt yourself too much, okay?" Mai smiled.
"Okay!" Jiyoon smiled back.
"Now, what's in that bag?" Mai pointed to the bag Jiyoon had dropped before sitting.
"A gift for Jungeun... But I don't know if I should give it to her" Jiyoon shrugged.
"A gift? That's sweet!" Mai approached the bag.
"It's nothing special... Just something I found" Jiyoon blushed.
"I'm sure she'll appreciate the gesture!" Mai smiled.
"Do you think so?" Jiyoon looked at Mai with hope in her eyes.
Mai averted her gaze, her smile faltering. Her eyes inadvertently settled on the scattered fragments on the floor. "Shoot..." she muttered.
"What's wrong?" Jiyoon stretched to peer over the high counter.
"Nothing, just... Don't worry about this." Mai hastily concealed the mess in a nearby box.
"You didn't answer my question." Jiyoon fidgeted with her fingers, her head bowed and feet crossed.
"Sorry! I'm swamped today." Mai took her friend's arm and guided her toward the exit. "We'll talk another day."
The bell above the door rang out once more, announcing Jiyoon's departure. The streets were chilly, illuminated by flickering streetlamps. The moon loomed majestic and presumptuous, hinting at a long and beautiful night.
As Jiyoon walked home, the familiar sounds and scents soothed her frazzled emotions. Her mind remained worried, Jungeun's name echoing relentlessly. The lights from a friendly gathering outside her window reminded her of Jungeun's laughter and charm.
Uncertainty about tomorrow's class weighed heavily on her mind.
But as she settled into bed, the moonlight bathed her room, and Jiyoon felt a gentle peace envelop her. Mai's warm smile, Jungeun's elegant grace, and the promise of a new day intertwined in her thoughts.
With a gentle breath, she closed her eyes, letting the night cradle her. The darkness filled with the promise of a dawn full of possibilities, and Jiyoon drifted off to sleep with a smile in her heart.

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
Hey guys! Here's my first Juyoonz story - hope you enjoy it! (There are more on the way). Bear with me if I slip up anywhere, and feedback is always welcome.