Shutters and Strings - MICHAENG

1

Mina then wondered why she was opening up to a random stranger she just met a couple of minutes ago, but at this point, she didn't really care. She just wanted to talk to any other person who would listen to her, and Chaeyoung was doing just that.

"I know I just met you, and this might sound silly, but I seriously want you to know that I believe in you, even if you sometimes don't feel confident in your own work. Sometimes I also feel like that with my own stuff, but at the end of the day, I have people who support me and help me come to the conclusion that my work is enough." Chaeyoung said, giving Mina a small fist bump to her shoulder.

It was a simple comment and gesture, but it still made Mina's insides warm.

"Thank you, now enough about me, earlier you mentioned that the reason you ended up here was because you were running away from a few responsibilities right, well what was up with that?" Mina questioned. She looked over at Chaeyoung and she seemed to wince at the question, recalling her own memories.

"Ah yeah, that. One of my friends has been on my ass lately, and I kind of got tired of being told what to do, so, in protest I got out of the situation," Chaeyoung laughed, thinking back to what happened to her a few minutes ago.

"I sing and play in a band," Chaeyoung proudly stated. Mina turned to look at Chaeyoung in surprise. "She's been on my ass and has been wanting us to continue making music a certain way, but we got into a fight. I want to try out new stuff. I want to create and at least dive into new territory, but she doesn't want to just yet, so I got a little impatient." She hummed, kicking lumps of snow around. All Mina could do was hum back in response. She didn't expect Chaeyoung to be in a band and was surprised. Based on her small figure, she wouldn't have guessed that, so she felt a little bad, judging her by mistake.

"We're here," Chaeyoung all of a sudden spoke up.

Mina looked at the building in front of her and realized that they were standing in front of a hotel.

"We're currently touring a few stops in Japan, so we're staying here in the meantime."

"Ah I see, so you're from?"

"Korea."

"Ah, Korea. I've studied there for a while. It's really beautiful," Mina commented. Chaeyoung directed another smile at her.

"I should probably get going now, I have a feeling if I don't come back in a bit, they'll start calling the cops and start each filing a few missing person reports," She laughed. Speaking of the devil, as soon as she said that, both of them started hearing pounding from one of the windows located inside of the hotel, in the upper levels. There, laid a few people knocking furiously at them. Chaeyoung immediately turned around in embarrassment and hid her face.

"Yup, perfect timing. That's them right there," She winced, slowly turning around and waving at them. One of them was giving Chaeyoung an intimidating look, while a few of the others were giving Chaeyoung teasing looks, as they raised their eyebrows and started motioning their heads towards the other girl with Chaeyoung. Mina looked up at them and could only give a look of confusion as Chaeyoung immediately started blocking her from viewing her friends' teasing looks.

"That's my cue..." Chaeyoung groaned, as she gave one final look at Mina. Mina nodded at her and was a little saddened at the fact that Chaeyoung had to go now. She really enjoyed her company, and she would've loved to meet her under different circumstances, or more so, with time. Chaeyoung was an interesting person, and Mina was quickly intrigued with the individual.

As Chaeyoung started heading towards the hotel's main doors, she all of a sudden turned around, facing Mina once more. Mina saw Chaeyoung start walking up to her again.

"Before I go, I was wondering if you could... check us out? We're playing a show tomorrow at a local venue... and I would really appreciate it if you could go and maybe take pictures of us as well?" Chaeyoung mumbled, afraid to make eye contact with Mina. At this, Mina's heart began to race.

"I would love too," Mina said, words sputtering before she could even finish her thought process.

At this, Chaeyoung seemed to lighten up, now making eye contact with Mina. Chaeyoung all of a sudden started looking through her joggers pockets. She then pulled a small black marker.

"May I?" She gestured towards Mina's hand.

Mina was confused at this and hesitantly gave Chaeyoung her hand.

Chaeyoung scribbled on her hand and after a few seconds, she let go and attached the marker cap back on.

"My number, text me and I'll send you the location," Chaeyoung smirked, stuffing the marker back into her joggers pockets.

"Do you always carry a marker around with you," Mina couldn't help but laugh out loud. Chaeyoung gasped and threw a hand at her chest. "I have fans, you know!" Chaeyoung joked around.

"Alright then, Ms. Celebrity. I'll be sure to send you a text," Mina quietly smiled. She put her own hands on her pockets and waved a goodbye as Chaeyoung now started walking up the stairs to the hotel's door.

"Remember, bring your camera. I would love to see what you can do," Chaeyoung let out, waving one final goodbye at the girl who spilled hot coffee all over her, now stepping inside.

Mina grinned at her. She seemed like such a fun person, and now, she got her number.