I Hope Love Is... [On Hold]

Eleventh Verse

Eleventh Verse

This is the first time I've ever felt this way
this is the first time I've fallen in love
I finally got the courage to confess
Baby you're my first love...

-translated from “First Love”
from Future Colors' third album Future Perfection

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Three years ago...

“Minmin-ah? Are you awake?” Jungkyu opened Minha's door a crack and poked his head in. It was six o'clock in the morning and sunshine was already brightening the room through the curtains on the window.

Minha raised his head on the pillow. He'd been waking up every few hours all through the night, partly because he kept sniffling and sneezing every time the cold medicine wore off. His head still felt stuffed with cotton and his mouth was dry.

Jungkyu came in and sat down on the edge of Minha's bed. He was already dressed to go out.

“Well,” he said. “Jae sunbae decided to resume shooting, so we'll be going out for the day. He's reshuffled the schedule so he's shooting all our individual stuff today and maybe tomorrow, and then when you're well he'll shoot your scenes and the band playing scenes. So you just stay here and focus on getting well, all right?”

The door opened again and Mia noona came in with a tray. 

“Oh, you're here, Jungkyu-ya,” she said. “Breakfast's ready downstairs. We're supposed to leave in an hour, remember?” She set the tray down on the table. “I thought Minha might like some soup and toast.”

Jungkyu punched Minha's arm lightly.

“I guess I better go see if everyone's ready,” he said, and went out. Mia noona took his place.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Miserable,” Minha grumped, trying to sit up. And then, “Sorry, noona.”

 She fluffed up his pillows and rearranged them behind him.

“There. More comfortable now?” She handed him a steaming cup of soup. “Careful, it's still very hot.”

“Thank you, noona.”

The soup was clear and tasted of chicken and ginger and other spices he couldn't name. It cleared his head a little. 

“I have to go with your sunbae to the shoot,” Mia noona said. “But of course you won't be completely alone here-- I've arranged for someone to look in on you today, so just tell them if there's anything you need, okay?”

Minha wanted to ask how Bea was doing, but couldn't. 

She never came to see me yesterday. Is she sick too? Or is she just staying away from me? Is she--- angry at me?

But she let me take her hand.

But she didn't protest when I kissed her. 

But she hasn't visited me.

“What hurts? Is the soup too hot?” Mia noona asked in concern. He realized he must have been scowling, and shook his head.

“No, no, it's not. I just thought of something bad, that's all.”

“Manager Oh will be going with us,” she hastily assured him. “He said something about the needs of four versus one.” Minha had to snort at that.