Chapter 7: Chapter 7

I grab my phone to check the time while I still lie in bed, ah, waking up before my alarm goes off and not feeling tired is a nice feeling. I slowly drag myself out of bed as the room is freezing. My roommate keeps turning off the heater because he wants to save energy, but it's 40 degrees outside!

I walk into the living room and turn on the heater. I don't think he's home, so I'll just have to remember to turn it off later. I make myself some cereal and scroll through my phone as I eat it. After I finish, I jump into the shower and start getting ready for the day. I get excited thinking about what Ye-Jun and I might talk about and how the stage design project will go.

As I finish getting ready, I check the time. It's close to 12 PM now, so I should probably head out soon. As I grab my paintings and backpack, I realize that Ye-Jun and I never decided on a meeting spot. I start thinking about a good place to meet that doesn't have too many people. Hmm, oh wait, there's that coffee shop on Mercer Street. It's nice and spacious and even though it can get a little crowded, there are always tables available. I decide to text Ye-Jun, "No rush, I'll be waiting at Think Coffee on Mercer Street." I send the message before I start overthinking and end up changing it a thousand times. I put my phone away, turn off the heater, and head off.

It takes me about 15 minutes to get to the coffee shop from my place. I order myself some tea and head towards the back where there doesn't seem to be too many people seated. I don't see Ye-Jun, so I start working on some other homework while I wait for him.

As more people come and go, I begin to wonder where he might be. I check my phone and it's almost 1 PM. Should I call him? No, I don't want to bother him if he's busy with something else. Maybe he did come in and I didn't see him? These thoughts run through my mind and I start to get worried. Oh god, what if he got mugged? No, no. That wouldn't happen. Ye-Jun is scary looking, so I'm sure no one would do that to him.

I start getting anxious. Maybe he stood me up? I guess it wouldn't be the first time someone has done that to me. But I don't know, I don't see Ye-Jun being the type to do that to someone. He seems really nice, so that would be strange. I check my phone again and it's almost 1:30 now. I put on my hood, which I usually only do when I start to feel insecure. I don't know why, it's just a nervous tick I have.

It's been an hour, so maybe I should pack my things and head back to my place. As I start grabbing my stuff, I see a taller figure walk slightly past my table, but I don't make eye contact. As I have my head down, I suddenly hear, "Ernest?" I slightly look up, and there's Ye-jun looking really out of it.

"Oh, Ye-jun! Hi!" He made it! Wow, and here I thought he wasn't going to show up, which brings a smile to my face.

Ye-jun pulls up a chair and starts apologizing and explaining why he was late. I don't mind, as long as he showed up, that's what matters to me.

"No, it's okay. You have a life outside of school and I understand. Sorry, I probably should have picked a different day to meet." I want him to know that he doesn't need to apologize and that it's fine.

"Don't apologize for my mistakes," Ye-jun says. "I just have a problem with saying no. I'm really sorry."

"It's really okay, Ye-jun. You don't have to apologize." I don't want him to feel bad as he seems to be really hard on himself over this.

So I change the subject since I don't want to take up too much of his time, and I grab my tube case and start pulling out the paintings. "So, I jotted down a few ideas for the stage design. I hope you don't mind. I wasn't sure what our theme would be, so I came up with a few different options." I start handing the pictures over to Ye-jun and I see him skimming through each one intently. Hopefully, he likes them.

While I watch him go through the pictures, I start explaining each one to him when suddenly he interrupts me, 'How long did this take you?'

"Oh, umm, let me think... I think it was Thursday when you gave me creative control," I answer.

“You drew all of these in less than three days?” Ye-jun asks, seemingly surprised.

This makes me chuckle a little, “Yeah, I guess so…”

“Ernest, you have a talent! Not only did you paint these quickly, but they are also amazing!” Ye-jun exclaims.

I'm surprised and ask, “Do you really think so?”

Ye-jun says with excitement in his voice, “Definitely! We're going to ace this project, and we might even finish it before the deadline.” I can't help but feel even more excited to be working with Ye-jun. He has such conviction in making people feel good about themselves, and I can't help but smile.

In a more serious tone, Ye-jun continues, “So, what do you think the theme should be? We have so many great options to choose from.”

I think for a moment, “It really depends on the type of music that will be played. I listen to music, but I don't have a clear idea of what to choose from. What do you think?” I admit that I’m not knowledgeable about concerts or performances, and I only like paintings because they don't talk.

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Ye-jun nods understandingly, “Well, since these are only paintings and special effects and animations will be mostly used, we have to pick a theme that resonates with the lyrics and the group. If we—” As Ye-jun speaks, I can't help but stare at him in awe. He's so cool and knowledgeable about this stuff. I would be lost without him as my partner in this project. Suddenly, Ye-jun interrupts my train of thought, “Are you okay?”

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I was just thinking that you must have a lot of experience with this. I've never been to a concert, so I don't really know what to expect."

"You've never been to a concert?" Ye-jun asks with a tone of surprise.

"Uh, no. It's kind of embarrassing," I reply, feeling my cheeks warm. "I went to my little sister's talent show in 5th grade, but I don't think that counts."

"Jesus, Ernest," Ye-jun starts laughing out loud. "You're too funny! Are you serious?"

"Uh, yeah," I reply, feeling a bit self-conscious.

"Okay, since I know we'll be able to finish this project efficiently, we can't pick a theme until you've attended a concert," Ye-jun declares. "That's our task for this week."

“What do you mean?" I ask, feeling confused.

"I mean, you and I are going to a concert. Either today or this week," Ye-jun explains. "It can be any type of music. You need to gain a better understanding of the concert experience before we make any decisions about the stage design."

"Whoa, hold on, what?" I reply, feeling my palms getting shaky. I can't go to a concert. There are too many people and the noise... Oh god, it sounds awful.
"Ernest, if you've never been to a concert, how are we supposed to choose a theme for the stage design?"

"Can't I just watch concerts online?"

"Yes, you can, but it's not the same experience."

I lower my head, considering all the potential challenges this situation presents. Being surrounded by so many people makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to feel out of my comfort zone.

Suddenly, Ye-jun speaks up in a calming voice, “I’ll be there with you, and it’ll just be the two of us. I won’t leave you behind or be late.”

Ye-jun has a worried yet reassuring smile on his face, which somehow manages to calm me down. Since Ye-jun thinks it's necessary, I agree to go to the concert, but only if I get to choose.

"Okay, I'll go," I reply.

"Really?" Ye-jun says with excitement in his voice.

"Yes, but with one condition," I add.

"And what might that be?" Ye-jun asks.

"I get to choose the concert," I say.

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