Chapter 29
Jia woke up because of the sunlight from her open window. She opened her eyes and was welcomed with the big numbers above her.
79 days
17:02:30
Jia blinked because of the numbers hanging above her. The color changes to green and Jia is conflicted by the meaning of it.
Jia is greeted by tons of chats from her club members. Her phone beeps while Jia is showering. She chose a white blouse and a mint blue cardigan with jeans and black converse. She put on lip balm and got her bag before leaving her room.
Since today is a busy day, Jia was driven off by Me. Choi, who was busy with her shop. He said that the new manager is hired the same with one more artist. Jia listened to Mr. Choi's reports. She mentally noted to hire Penelope the next time.
They arrive at the venue and it's Jia's first time seeing a bunch of kids and young teenagers working in preparing the open stage. There are instruments prepared; such as white piano, guitars, and stand microphones. There are also huge speakers on both sides.
"St. Vincent Church Foundation Day"
Jia is overwhelmed by the decorations. She thought it will be a simple concert because of the word 'mini' Hyuk told them but witnessing the area, Jia will now have trust issues with Hyuk word 'minority'.
The theme colors are white and baby blue. Jia could identify the staff because of the shirt color and engraved letter on the upper left side of the cloth. The vacant lot is wide open and Jia reckoned many expensive cars were parked at the side. The place is glamorous and everyone is busy doing their task.
"Someone is daydreaming, forgetting to call her friends." Juno's voice made Jia flinch in surprise, the sensation of Juno whispering to her ear was shuddering. She glared at him but only received a trump grin.
"News flash princess! We're busy and we couldn't contact you! Yumi is freaking out!" Juno looks irritated but manages to change his expression when Jia pouts. He led her to the room and found her club members sitting near the wall mirror doing their makeup. Juno exited quickly after.
"Jia! I couldn't contact you!" Yumi rises from her seat and hugs her tightly. Jia patted her head and hinted at a faint smile.
"I got lost? I've seen the stage and it's quite big! Why did Hyuk say a mini-concert?" Jia sits beside Penelope who is doing her hair and make-up.
"That's Hyuk for you. But they said that there are idols invited by the sponsors." Yumi commented. The staff resume doing her hair without saying anything.
"What? Are we going to appear on tv?!" Jia burst out but the two girls just form a knowing smile ignoring her freaking out
"Of course. The school is filming it too. We have our channel and we have lots of subscribers." Yumi informs her like it is the most typical thing. Jia on the other hand is culture shock. She thought that their club was just a simple music club.
"You're also here to look." Jia's eyes widened when her piano performance was on their website. It has 3million views and Jia felt like she was hoaxed by her friends.
Jia strolled through the website. There are lots of videos and the popular one is Penelope, Yumi, and Yejun's performances. Million of views and lots of comments written of praises on it. Jia didn't expect them to be so popular. She never uses social media but she plans to create one for her shop.
"Jia, what kind of style do you like?" Yumi asked her but Jia's psyche is still shocked with the information of them showing up on tv. She didn't like the idea of it.
"Simple," Jia mumbled while still busy looking at the website of their club.
--
Jia didn't change her outfit while Yumi and Penelope wore dresses. She took photos of them and smiled when the two appeared to be beautiful. They also took a groupie, eyes smiling.
The door opens and Hyuk and Yejun show up while Juno is still outside after taking Jia to their waiting room.
Hyuk is wearing long sleeves and jeans while Yejun is wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. Their eyes met and Jia greeted him with a smile.
"We will be performing after an hour," Hyuk announces and checks the people in the room. Juno isn't inside but Hyuk didn't mind it. He surveyed his phone and frowned after reading a message.
"They said we will be performing first before the idols. It could be that it won't air on TV." Hyuk shrugged his shoulders. Yumi and Penelope nodded. Jia sighs in relief and her mood rises.
"You really hate being on TV?" Penelope asked.
"Yeah. It's awkward as hell." Yumi giggles at the comment.
--
Jia is in a position to play keyboards. Yumi and Penelope are the vocalists while Hyuk is the drummer. Juno and Yejun are playing the bass.
The cold wind touches Jia's exposed neck. She shivers by the cold breeze but still manages to hide the coldness in her expression. There are lots of people watching them. The VIPs are at the left side near the stage while the children are sitting in expectation at the center. There are cameras everywhere but Jia isn't nervous because they aren't appearing on tv.
The music started... She played the notes from a song with a peaceful smile on her face. She was at the back playing comfortably after Hyuk started the beat. Yejun and Juno followed up and Jia was mesmerized by the audience's impact. She recognizes their uniform with some fangirls screaming. Jia enjoys playing then Penelope's voice echo bringing the shivering cold to the crowd.
Penelope has a sweet and calm voice. Yumi also has an ethereal singing voice. Jia enjoys playing at the back not exposed because the audience is focused on the two vocalists. They finish the song with loud applause from the audience.
Yumi also performed in solo followed by Penelope. Jia is enthusiastic about recording their performance near the stage. She swipes her phone, checking the picture when a black piano is getting carried at the stage.
Jia's eyes are fixed with the elegant yet old piano. The next she heard were the screams from the fangirls... Yejun is walking calmly straight to the black piano. His expression is vacant but he smiles before he plays, receiving the crowd to get wilder.
The performance is long gone but the throbbing of her heart refuses to relax Jia's hands are cold. Yejun played the piece he used in the competition in the past. Her eyes are big and her cheeks are pale. Her brain couldn't process the information. Did fate change? Jia's heart ran wild afraid of the outcomings. She trembles while holding her phone tightly clenching it as her lifeline
Jia is still in a daze. She's scared by the changes but Jia isn't sure that Yejun will not use the piece in the competition. She hurriedly wanted to call Haru but he's not picking up her call. Jia felt alone fidgeting.
There's a break before the next performance. Two groups before Jia solo then the last pair will be Yejun and Penelope. She eats a little because she feels nervous. Jia is battling about her worries and her performance. She decided to think of it later and maybe talk with Juno about it if Haru isn't available.
--
The piano is at the center of the stage. Jia walks with confidence, she is no longer distracted but her goal is to finish her performance quickly. She looks at the innocent eyes of the children. There is no hostility, just plain anticipation, and curiosity. It's their first time seeing her unlike with the members. The girls with the same uniform as her are also quiet. Jia spotted Yumi and Penelope in the crowd. Yumi is not wearing a dress but casual clothes. She smiled at her.
Jia started to play the piano... Familiar song echoes in the crowd making the audience gasp. Jia chooses this song because it has a short and easy piece. It was from a long time ago and Yumi knows this as my favorite.
Jia closes her eyes as she sings the first line of the song...
It's alright,
Oh, pretty smile
I saw you laughing with.... him
You're eyes twinkle when you beside him
Jia opened her eyes and witnessed the crowd stunned. Jia couldn't comprehend if it was a negative or positive response.
My heart aches,
I wish it were me
Oh, It was spring when I met him
For the first time...
I feel my heart move,
Its throbbing fine, till I saw him with you
Jia is singing while playing the piano. Memories rush to her like waves of water. She ceased and played the piece and in the soft and almost whisper Jia sang the lyric she meant for people she hurt the most in the world.
I'm sorry...
I could only tell I'm sorry
I wish I didn't walk that night
I wish to ignore the pain
I wish I could smile instead of crying…
The second chorus comes and Jia with her tender voice sings the song with her feelings of surrender.
With this time, I may confess
I love you, boy,
Sincerely,
I love you...
But it's only fine now
Jia closes her eyes again feeling everything under her skin... The melody circulates to the crowd and Jia concentrates on singing it like she is practicing.
It's fine now
Ohh, it's fine now
it is fine now,
Yeah...
Jia met the gaze from the crowd. Two dark eyes intensely staring at her. The discomfort in her spirit crawled to the deepest raw scar. Jia averted the eyes, afraid that they could recognize her pain. She shrinks and forces herself to smile.
"Thank you." Jia bowed and the crowd applauded at her performance. She walks deliberately back to the waiting room. The uneasiness isn't fading away but the members congratulate her good performance.
Jia chose to stay and call Haru. She wanted to watch the Yejun and Penelope pair but Jia was quivering. Fearful of the judgment, afraid that the changes will influence her friends.
"Hello? Haru?" Jia calls finally connected. She sighs in relief and listens to Haru's voice in the other line.
"Jia dear?" Haru spoke in a hoarse voice and he sounded sick. Jia dismisses her worries because she knows that Haru isn't a human.
"Haru! It changed! I don't know what happened but-" Jia nervously told Haru what happened to the concert. She stops when she hears a groan like Haru is in pain.
"Are you okay? Sick?" Jia's voice changes concern at the man from the other line.
"Could we talk later? I'm busy." Haru ended the call without saying goodbye. Jia stares at her phone stunned. Tons of ideas rolled over her head. Nevertheless, she couldn't find answers.
Jia stayed in the waiting room until the whole club members came inside. It was wrapped and they were invited to the dinner. Juno and Hyuk need to settle things before they leave the event. They have a van waiting for them at the parking lot. Yejun is busy on his phone while Yumi and Penelope are talking loudly. Jia on the other hand is quiet, waiting for a text message from Haru. She doesn't know his house or if he had a house. All Jia could do is to wait for him to contact her.
End of chapter 29.
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A/N: The lyrics are self-composed to avoid copyrights and to portray Jia's character. Thank you for reading!