Clack, the sound of the apartment door opening.
Sooya quickly stepped inside while her bag hung loosely over one shoulder. The hallway was dim - filled with a cold atmosphere. She slipped her shoes off and tugged off her blazer. She quickly heads to her room and changes her school uniform into an oversize T-shirt and sweatpants.
She then heads to the kitchen to fetch herself some food. Pulling open the cabinet door and reached for the thing she ate most nights: instant food. Fast and thoughtless. For today, it's instant noodles.
No conversation. No footsteps. No background noise
Just her. Eating alone. As always.
Even though she's surrounded with things most people couldn't afford - the Grand piano in the corner, the many instruments lingering, the sleek appliances, or even the branded clothes in her wardrobe - something was missing.
The warmth.
Sooya took another bite from her noodles.
Ring Ring. her phone went off, the sound pierced the silence.
"Hello Sooya" A women's voice could be heard in the other line
"Hi aunt Vi" Sooya replied, her tone flat.
"How are you?"
"The usual"
There was pause between the line
"Aya…" Aunt Vi said quietly with concerne. "You know you shouldn't be doing everything alone…" her voice, gentle and hesitant as if she's trying not to break something fragile.
"I'm not doing anything, I'm just eating"
Another long silence was appeared once again. It was so quiet that the smallest of noise could sound so loud.
"I'm going back to Korea soon" Aunt Vi said finally.
"Oh, that's good…I guess"
"It's not going to be long, but it wouldn't be short enough for me to not meet you and check up on things"
"Okay…" Sooya murmured
"Don't avoid me, okay Aya?"
Athena stays silent.
"I'll see you soon, I need to go now. You be good, and… it's not your fault, okay?, remember that"
"I know"
The call ended and she went back to being alone.
A month passed as usual. Sooya mostly spent her time in the music room playing the piano. Other days she would head to the band studio to chill and hangout with the band kids. Gossiping, jamming, skipping class, or even just goof around. If she's not doing both she's probably hanging with Elois, one of her close friends since the start of high school.
It was all normal, until one day-
Sooya was walking to the music room, headphones in, her hands inside her blazer. Unbothered. Then a familiar voice called out.
"Hey Sooya!"
She stopped, headphones still in. She slowly turns her head back.
It was Hugo.
Hugo awkwardly jogged over towards her.
Sooya was stunned and dumbfounded.
What… What the hell does this kid want… the voice in her head spoke.
"Uh- I- um- a- are you heading to the music room?"
Sooya puzzled "Yeah…why?"
He hesitated "Can I come with?"
What the f*ck? Athena grows more and more confused
"Uh, sure…do whatever you want"
The walk to the music room was mostly quiet.
Hugo trailed a few steps back behind her, while Athena tries to stay calm but the truth is she's panicking with confusion.
DUDE WHAT DOES THIS KID WANT WITH ME? WHY IS HE SUDDENLY ASKING IF HE COULD COME WITH ME? HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND FOR GOD SAKE, NOT ONLY THAT, HIS GIRLFRIEND IS THAT WITCH LAILA. JUST LEAVE MEEEEEEEEEE
As they reach the room, Sooya pushes the door open without a word. She walked straight to the piano, the one by the window, and placed her bag down.
Hugo stands there unsure what to do "Should I sit somewhere?"
Sooya gave him a look which made him take the nearest chair and immediately sit down. As Sooya's hands hovers over the piano keys, she was disturbed before she could press a single note.
"You look more relaxed then when we first met you know" Hugo said while looking at her smiling.
"Oh, ya…" Sooya replied hesitantly.
As she was about to press on the keys, she was cut off again.
"Btw Sooya, oh—can I call you Aya? I heard some people call you that. Anyways, I was just wondering, when we first met you were so busy writing something. What was that you were writing?"
Sooya looked at him. He was smiling with so much joy for some reason.
Is this kid okay? why is his face like that
"It was a music sheet, I was writing a peace" said Sooya, while avoiding eye contact.
"Really?? what was is about?" Hugo looked at her mesmerise.
Sooya looked at him again.
Seriously is this kid on something? why is he smiling so big
"Its none of your concern"
"But I want to know thoughhhh" Hugo pouted slightly.
Sooya's expression turn as if she had came a cross cat poop on the side of the road. Disgusted.
"You're annoying"
Hugo held the pain from the comment.
"I just want to know you a little bit, for starters other than music what do you like the most???" Hugo ask enthusiastically
"Silence. I like silence. And right now you're ruining it"
Hugo dramatically clutched his chest. "Oof. Brutal. But fair."
Silence then filled the air, and after a few seconds out of the blue Hugo blurred out some words.
"I broke up with Laila"
Thea looked confused. "...okay?"
"I just thought you should know" He said while he looked outside the window.
She looked at him deadpan and thought; Dude what's wrong with this guy? why he kinda pickme. I don't care bro.
"Do I look like a Therapist to you?"
"Well you're not, but you're messy—bun hair kinda gives off the vibe hahaha" Hugo teasing.
I swear, God please give me the strength to not hit this boy in the face.
Sooya turns back to the piano and looked at the music sheets in front of her. There was silence for few seconds, and not long Hugo broke it again.
"You know, since our first encounter, I started noticing you more.Turns out you're really active in the school's music department."
Sooya didn't glance at him and continues to read the music sheets. "yea of course, but you only started to notice that now"
He tilted his head with confusion. "Wait what?"
Still looking and flipping over the music sheet, she replied "What I mean is, I've always been here. Active performing, organizing events, other types of crap. You're just to busy in your world of basketball and training, that you never notice people around you."
Hugo got up from his sit and approached the piano. He rest his hand and elbow on top of the piano and smile gently towards her.
Sooya looked up and saw his prince like face.
"Well, I notice now"