For artists, ideas are crucial and must not be taken lightly. It comes during showers, short or long walks, an on-going conversation, or even in the middle of unlocking the door.
Heejung never lets a single idea, tune, lyric, or anything related to that slip off her mind.
Because those random pops of ideas usually play a big part in completing her songs.
And that was how she was in front of unlocking the door of the recording studio. When the door beeped open, she immediately rushed in and pulled her phone out from her pocket, and hit voice record to hum the tune that had been stuck playing in her head for the past five minutes.
A little later, Jiyoon came in bringing with her some lunch for them both.
"Thanks, Unnie," Heejung said as she took the food from the older's hold.
"Got you, always. Was it tough?" Jiyoon asked as she sat next to Heejung on the black couch.
"Not really," she replied. "We just took some time 'cause I decided to let Seonhee sing the rest of the song so it won't take long for the polishing."
"I see. So, you're almost done with it?"
"Yep. Now, what time did they say the boys are scheduled?"
Jiyoon opened her phone to check the time and found it was almost 5 in the afternoon. "Any minute now."
Soon after, the male idols came knocking on the door. First, it was Haechan. Then after, it was Mark. The rest of NCT Dream came following.
"Why don't we take a break first, then you guys can come back for the group singing?" Heejung suggested as she gazed at the three boys: Jeno, Chenle and Jisung.
The three agreed and promised they would tell the other members, leaving Heejung and Jiyoon preoccupied with arranging the tracks that are already finished.
"Those guys are so talented. I really love the tone of their voices," Jiyoon commented to which Heejung agreed into very much.
"And they match very well with each other."
"Right?" The former giddily turned to her, and the younger chuckled. "This song suits them very much as well. You're so amazing, Hee."
"We're amazing, Unnie. The song was brought to life, thanks to your awesome lyrics!" She then began to sing the chorus. "I become your dreams and a path to it!"
Jiyoon giggled, blushing at the compliment and guffaw at the silly dances Heejung was making. "You're right."
Four hours of sitting has brought a sore on Heejung's bottom. And so, she stood up and told Jiyoon she would just take a small walk round the building of SM for a break. Taking her phone with and plugging in her airpods, she went out and headed straight to the cafeteria to get herself some iced coffee to waken her senses a bit for the long night she will be up.
The song that was playing in her ear shuffled, the slow beat replacing the exciting one she was just hearing. As she was walking to get her coffee from the table after being called, the music embarked and she bobbed her head to the rhythm in a subtle manner, mumbling its words.
[See multimedia: Maybe It's Not Our Fault — Yeri Baek]
To be honest, I don't really know
Where this troubled heart started to form
And came in between us
It bloomed while I wasn't aware
And grew into a big scar between us
Maybe it's not our fault
She looked around as she sipped on the straw of her coffee boost until her gaze was swiftly stolen by the man that walked in the room unknowing of her eyes that are glued on him. And only him.
He wore an all-black outfit, as per usual, with his black cap worn backwards, exposing his orbs in its intimidating resting state, the sharp edges of his face sculpting a symmetrical beaut that had Heejung stop for a second to catch her breath.
She hated that second. Because it only proves how dangerous it could be for her if he gets close.
She would lose her breath. Her systems would malfunction.
And it just did.
His wandering pupils met hers that tried painfully hard to avert, but still failed since he came advancing towards her who's stood a distance from the counter.
"Hey, you." A smirk run on his lips as he crossed his arms on his wide chest. Heejung blinked, at a loss of words.
"Sehun."
His smirk turned into a full smile, and she could not normalize the proper pace of her breathing.
"You're here."
"I am," she chuckled. "Just got me some c-coffee." She jiggled the drink in her hand, a bit awkwardly.
What is going on with her? Wasn't she the one who shamelessly offered the gorgeous man to drive him home just a few days ago?
Where did that tough girl go?
"You went to SM to get yourself some coffee?" Sehun laughed, finding her so funny. "What's so different with SM's coffee that you had to—"
"No, I mean, I just came here for a short break. I'm in the middle of a recording."
"Oh, really?" His orbs painted in wonder. "Which artist?"
"Dream."
"Right, they're also preparing for a comeback." He nodded to himself.
She looked behind him and noticed no one was with him. "Where are the other guys?"
"Oh. We just finished our schedule. They've all gone to go do their own thing, so I'm free by myself now."
"I see." She bobbed her head as she intake his words before clicking her lips together. "Well, I better get going."
"Oh, yeah! Want me to walk you back?"
"No, that's fine."
"Aw, come on, bun—I mean, Heejung," he misspoke, panic suddenly rushing in his tone. No way did he think he could say that nickname again. The girl could only raise her brows in amusement.
"May I walk you back?" He asked, rubbing his nape, causing Heejung to feel like she's in front of her high school crush. "I'm obviously just making a lame excuse to know where you work."
His cute mumble caused a chortle to let out of her lips, shaking her head. Oh, Sehun...
"Sure, you can walk me there," she finally agreed. "But aren't you gonna buy something first?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot."
"Aw, Sehun. No need to get all pumped up and forgetful, it's just me!" She kid, laughing at the end as he walked to the counter to order the same drink she did.
"Oh, so you're confident that I get a screw loose when you're around," he nonchalantly said that made a red tint to paint her cheeks. "Well, you're not far off."
"Do shut up, Oh Sehun."
He glanced at her and found her flushed state. "I don't know if you're embarrassed or you just can't contain your happiness with what I said."
Her eyes widened, the redness on her skin could not get any more intense. "As if!"
The teasing was too much for her taking that she turned her back, but before she could even take a step away from him, a tug on her wrist stopped her.
"Hey, don't leave." His soft whisper and his gentle touch caused tingles run up her spine that her body halted for it to calm down. "I'm walking you back, remember?"
She shut her eyes off to cool herself down, not sparing him a look or even allowing him to see the mess he made on her face because of his swoonworthy wordings.
"Just hurry the hell up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Whilst they waited for his coffee to be picked up, Heejung made sure not to look at him despite his persistence in boring his eyes on her. He's being very reckless. They are in public and a lot of people can see him oh-so-clearly staring at her as if it's nothing and nobody else is with them.
Bothered, Heejung scratched her forehead and subtly sent Sehun a glare that had him raising his brows in puzzlement. "What?" He whispered, even leaning closer to her. This only made her panic all the more and pushed him lightly away from her.
"What do you think you're doing?" She hysterically questioned in a whisper, her eyebrows creasing furiously.
"Huh?" He tilted his head to the side, befuddled.
"Iced Americano! For... Sese?" They both turned to the lady by the counter, and before Sehun could even take his drink, Heejung beat her to it and said a quick 'thank you!' before dashing out.
"Hey! That's mine!" Sehun exclaimed whilst having no other choice but to trail behind Heejung who had run off of bashfulness. "Heejung! Wait up!"
"Yah!"
Finally, Heejung stopped by the elevator where there are left alone. Sehun instantly sent her a curious look as she set her eyes on the elevator. "What was that?"
Heejung retorted. "Haven't you thought that there might be people around us?"
"What? Did I do anything wrong?"
"No!"
"Then how does it matter if people are around us?" Sehun intently bored his eyes on her, wanting to fully understand where she is coming from.
Her face contorted into a frustrated, skeptical expression. "It doesn't! It's just, you... you were staring at me too much." She let out a sigh. "They might get the wrong idea." Her voice turned soft, still not meeting his eyes.
His serious gaze on her softened. It took him a few moments before he let out a chuckle, to which she scowled at. "I was just playing with you, Hee. I'm sorry that I made you feel uncomfortable."
She could only shake her head in disbelief as they waited for the elevator to arrive. "Seriously, Sehun. You're always up to no good, you know?"
"Hey, that's not true." He defensively countered, bumping his arms with hers.
"Sure."