Heart and Seoul

I walked into my intro to digital photography class with a big smile on my face. Not even the awaiting boring lesson could ruin my day, I took a seat and took out my notebook for today's lesson. I felt a tap on my shoulder so I turned and looked at Siwon. "yeah?" I smiled.
"You know why Jungsoo is being more...social now?" he asked.
"I don't know exactly but I do know him and I has been talking regularly on Saturdays,"
He raised an eyebrow, "hmm, it's just weird to see him interact with a girl and suddenly be more happy. Not that I like seeing him depressed. I'm glad he's happy though,"
"well, maybe he just needed someone to talk to,"
"yeah, but I talk to him as well...the only thing that concerns me is--" he got Inturrupted by the sound of other students coming in, "n-never mind" he said with a smile.
I turned back around in my seat, and opened my journal. I wonder what Siwon would be so concerned about? I thought to myself.
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At lunch I sat at the table with Siwon and his friends, even Crystal managed to make it to lunch again. I looked around and yet again there was no sight of Jungsoo.
"you should know by now that he doesn't come here," Donghae said to me.
I sighed, "yeah, I noticed this."
"but I've been seeing him smile more, which is a shock..." he said, "since...you know," he gave an eye at Siwon who nodded in response.
"since his mother passed?" I guessed.
Donghae's eyes widen slightly, "yeah, that. It's a big effect on him,"
"well, we're suppose to go out to eat at this Indian restaurant Saturday," I announced.
All his friends gasped, "as in....a date?"
I laughed, "sure you can think it that way."
"weird....he swore he would never take a girl out," Donghae stated.
I shrugged, "things change?"
"wow, you must be really special to him," Siwon commented.
I blushed, "me? Nah, I don't think it's nothing like that."
"no, you have no idea. Because Jungsoo--"
"HAS never had anyoneleave such a WONDERFUL impression on him.." Donghae interrupted and gave Siwon a look.
"yeah, sorry about that," he said.
"Soooo, is everyone ready for the next semester???" Jongwoon asked changing the topic.
"I know I am," Crystal chimed in.
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At the end of the day I walked out the school and sighed to myself. Jungsoo wasn't in Drawing class today nor did I see him anywhere around the school.
When I got to my dorm I laid on my bed and looked through my sketchbook, I was nowhere near the end of the thick book I only had about 10 out of 200 pages of the book completed. I placed it back on my table and laid back down thinking about the upcoming Saturday. This was going to be my first date in another country, I could feel myself become nervous just thinking about it. I closed my eyes to calm myself down, after a few more breaths I could feel my body relax as I drifted off to sleep.
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It was finally Saturday and Jungsoo was not at school the entire week which worried me. I walked to the art room hoping he wouldn't stand me up on our first date. I slowly opened the door praying that he would be in here, I looked around and my heart dropped. He wasn't anywhere in sight, I took a deep breath and turned around with my head hung low and walked back to the door but was stopped by bumping into something solid.
"I may come off as cold but I'm not a jerk," I herd a voice say.
I looked up and saw Jungsoo with this smile on his face. I pouted and softly slapped his arm, "Where have you been????"
"just.....stuff," he said quietly, "but it was all for you though," he smiled again, "sorry for scaring you though, but I have everything ready. My cars out front,"
I smiled at him, "ok,"
We walked outside and he opened the car door for me to get in. Surprisingly he has the most basic car out of everyone else. Nothing flashy or expensive, just simple. And I liked it. He got on the drivers side and started the car. "I can't wait to check this place out,"
"me to, I wouldn't think they would have a Indian restaurant in Korea,"
He laughed, "yeah, we do have non Korean restaurants here... Even McDonalds,"
"well that place is EVERYwhere!" I laughed.
About an hour later we pulled up to this unique building called Royal Taj. It clearly had to be the place. After finding a parking spot Jungsoo opened my door for me, put an arm around me and walked me to the entrance. The inside was very exotic, and you could smell the food and spices the moment you walk in. The walls were painted red with gold lettering written on it in a foreign language.
A lady with long black hair greeted us, "how many?"
"Reservation for two," Jungsoo said to her.
The lady smiled grabbed two menus and led us to a small table side near the back area.
"wow this place is nice," I said when I took my seat. I could hear soft Arabian music playing in the background.
"I must agree, it's better than I thought it would be."
I picked up the menu and scanned it.
"get whatever you want," he said to me.
"o-oh, ok," my face got hot, I wasn't use to that. I always got the cheapest thing just to make the person that's paying life a little easier. I got stumped on what to get so I looked at Jungsoo. "what are you thinking about getting?"
"hmmm, the Dum Aloo looks good then again the butter chicken looks good to.."
I laughed to myself, he looked cute trying to figure out what to order, "well I might get the Vada Pav,"
He looked at his menu, "that looks good to!"
"hey get your own meal," I teased.
He gave a laugh, an actual laugh to. It was nice to see him happy, "fine, I'll find my own,"
The waiter came to take out orders and we told him what we wanted. After writing it down he look the menus and walked off.
"so, what do you think do far?" he asked.
"I live this place, it's so pretty and romantic,"
He gave a small smile, " yeah. It is,"
I suddenly herd a familiar song play from the speakers. I gasped, "I LOVE this song!"
"what song is it?"
"Heart and Soul by Massari, he's amazing."

Jungsoo got quiet to listen to the song, a small smile came across his face, "I like it, it's very calming...and it's different,"
"yes you should hear his other songs as well. I think you'll like him."
"what do you suggest?"
"um...Real Love, that's a pretty song and Til I Found You,"
He nodded his head, "I like the sound of it,"
Twenty minutes later our good came to our table and it smelled so good. I cut my sandwich in half and took a bite, "mmmm that's good!!!"
Jungsoo laughed And took a bite of his food, "this is amazing,"
I cut a part of my sandwich off and offered him a piece. He took it and ate it, "hmm I might be jealous cause that was slightly better than mines,"
"Haha, next time you should get it then,"
We both laughed and continued to eat our food, I could tell Jungsoo was having a good time.
"it's been a long time since I've done anything like this," he said, "I thought this would never happen again. But I'm glad it did,"
I gave a warm smile, "I'm glad to hear that,"
"so you still majoring in photography?"
"yep,"
"hm, do you carry your camera around by any chance?"
I looked in my bag, "I do actually,"
"good, I was thinking... We should make memories together ya know. Plus it would make good practice for a portfolio,"
"yeah it would, I'd love to make memories with you!"
"that's what I like about photography, it captures beautiful memories that you can hold forever,"
"yeah! And I would love to be the person to make memories happen for people like weddings and pregnant women,"
"I like weddings....to bad i'll never have that experience..." he said softly.
I gave a concerned look, "why you say that?"
"oh it's nothing, just a random thought," he said with a weak smile.
"but I'm sure you'll find a beautiful wife to marry and have a family with,"
He shook his head, "I suppose," then he forced a smile, "don't worry bout that though,"
I didnt smile or laugh, I just stared at him, "you worry me..."
He gave a sheepish grin and moved his arm up to scratch his head. But what caught my attention was the sight of a blue wrist band that looked like it came from a hospital. I narrowed my eyes and looked closer.
"Jungsoo....were you in the...hospital?"
He quickly hid his arm away but it was to late, he was caught. He looked down as if he was embarrassed.
"Jungsoo.." I said more softer, "are you ok?"
He sighed and looked at me, "I have this minor illness...where I need constant doctor visits. That's all...."
"you sure?"
"yes, that is all,"
It became an awkward silence, the silence I didn't like. We quietly continued to finish our food.
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Jungsoo drove me back to the front entrance of my dorm building from our silent ride home.
"It was still nice being with you," he said before I could open the door.
I smiled, "it was a pleasure being with you as well. I had fun," I got out the car and waved goodbye. I watched as he drove out of the parking lot, I sighed to myself when his car was out of sight.
He worries me.

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