crystalline !

       jia seong is a fairly emotionally intelligent woman;  and though she may not  look  the part,  partially due to her sister's large presence  -  she gave second chances.  third chances,  even.  laurie was so lucky to get more than the norm,  a part of her heart panging every time she sees those crystalline eyes.  because if jia hears the lilt of his voice,  goosebumps rise under sheer chiffon,  a sparking chill travels down her spine,  and she has to swallow down regrets.  there is always,  without a doubt,  a strong wave of emotion.  it's the worst;  because jia likes to think she's  happy  now.  she's found her sunshine.  her sister and her are good,  her career is taking off,  she's found people to laugh with  -  and she's met a boy that makes her feel like a taylor swift song.  one of the sugary,  gooey,  purplepinkskies lighting her footsteps to him.

      and laurie  -  jia can't even remember how it started with him anymore.  she just remembers falling head first,  deep  -  so deep,  she struggled to come back to the surface.  of course she would;  because she never thought he'd get her.  when she first saw him,  she thought he was handsome;  jia had never thought she'd lay in bed at night,  wonder if he made it home after pillow talk in her smoke filled bedroom,  the lingering feeling of his touch like a tattoo wraith,  and such a shiver passes through her bones when she hears his voice.  

      because she's supposed to be good,  really;  supposed to be over it,  over him.  she's supposed to  forget about laurie,  because isn't that the best way to get over a situationship ?  everyone knows they're far worse than  actual  exes,  and the fact rings true when she mulls over  how  it ended.  if something can end if there's never a conversation  -  and she's in her favorite botanic sage sundress,  which she'll always break out even if the wind always second guess her choice to only pair it with a light jacket.  jia's never learned,  even after the years of her mother's warnings,  father's suggestions,  and sister's giggles when they conspire together to both wear a sundress,  actually  -  and she doesn't know why her mind is spiraling to her childhood.  maybe it's a sort of defense mechanism when he calls her name.  

                    the   new   york   winter   ?       it’s   got   nothing   on   this   cali   boy   —   not   when   jia’s   presence   seems   to   cut   through   the   chill   ;       it   just   fades   away   ,   replaced   by   this   warmth   that   makes   lucian   forget   the   biting   cold   .       he   leans   in   closer   —   not   too   close   to   be   uncomfortable   ,   but   just   enough   to   feel   her   presence   nearby   ,   sharing   not   just   warmth   but   those   easy   smiles   .       “   totally   ,   yeah   .       it’s   like   ,   we   are   defined   by   the   stuff   we   love   ,   right   ?       there’s   no   you   ,   the   real   you   ,   without   your   passions   ,   like   art   for   you   .       as   long   as   you   keep   at   it   ,   find   your   own   wave   ,   happiness   is   gonna   follow   ,   right   ?       you   are   what   you   love   .   ”       he   grins   ,   pure   surf - dude   charm   .       (   let’s   face   it   ,   lucian’s   not   the   type   to   dive   deep   into   philosophical   talks   ,   but   hey   ,   he’s   trying   !   )   .

                    “   really   ?       yeah   ,   i’d   absolutely   like   to   see   them   .   ”       blue   eyes   light   up   ,   voice   tinged   with   that   mellow   ,   unhurried   cadence   ,   even   though   there’s   a   hint   of   eagerness   in   his   actions   .       lucian   fishes   out   his   phone   from   his   jacket   ,   its   screen   already   glowing   to   life   as   he   hands   it   over   to   jia   .       “   here   ,   make   sure   i   follow   all   three   accounts   ,   yeah   ?       i   gotta   see   this   art   and   makeup   magic   of   yours   .       and   hey   ,   no   judging   my   insta   feed   ,   alright   ?       it’s   not   updated   all   that   often   .       it’s   mostly   surf   ,   sun   ,   and   …       well   ,   more   surf   .       and   if   you   find   any   old   surfing   vids   ,   i’m   so   sorry   .   ”       when   she   mentions   keeping   something   sweet   ,   he   scratches   his   head   ,   a   sheepish   smile   on   lips   .       “   i’ll   try   ,   but   you   gotta   know   —   my   mind’s   usually   off   riding   the   waves   .       i’d   blame   that   wipeout   i   had   ,   but   honestly   ,   i’m   just   super   forgetful   ,   dude   .       so   ,   how   about   we   make   it   a   thing   starting   now   ?       you   shoot   me   a   text   to   jog   my   memory   before   we   hit   up   your   favorite   spicy   food   place   this   friday   ?       and   i’ll   make   sure   to   bring   some   sweet   treats   for   us   .       sounds   good   ?   ”

                    luci   leans   in   ,   usual   laid - back   vibe   shining   through   despite   the   weight   of   the   topic   .       “   you   know   ,   you’re   onto   something   there   .       usually   ,   i   just   throw   out   the   shark   attack   line   to   get   people   off   my   back   about   it   ,   but   a   gnarly   bite   mark   ?       now   ,   that’s   fun   .   ”       a   smile   curves   on   his   lips   ,   the   kind   that   says   he’s   both   half - serious   and   half - joking   .       the   idea   of   playing   along   with   jia’s   suggestion   clearly   appeals   to   him   .       (   and   spending   all   that   time   with   jia   ,   with   her   focusing   solely   on   him   ?       makeup   artists   take   their   sweet   time   perfecting   this   kind   of   elaborate   makeup   .       it’s   his   golden   opportunity   ,   you   know   ?   )   .       “   alright   ,   i’ll   let   you   be   the   creative   director   of   my   shark   attack   story   .       just   let   me   know   when   and   where   ,   and   i’ll   be   there   .   ”

                    “   velas   ,   huh   ?       sounds   like   a   place   i   gotta   visit   .       did   you   pick   up   any   portuguese   while   you   were   there   ?   ”       he’s   been   in   portugal   ,   specifically   in   peniche   ,   for   a   surf   competition   ,   but   he   didn’t   get   to   explore   it   as   much   as   he   would   have   liked   .       “   for   me   ,   it’s   gotta   be   uluwatu   in   indonesia   .       it’s   like   ,   total   surfer’s   heaven   :       perfect   barrels   ,   endless   sun   ,   the   friendliest   locals   .       plus   ,   there’s   this   little   warung   right   off   a   cliff   —   best   fish   tacos   you’ll   ever   eat   ,   i   promise   you   .   ”       he   laughs   lightly   ,   tucking   a   stray   strand   of   sun - bleached   hair   into   his   beanie   .       “   kinda   cliché   of   me   to   pick   a   beach   spot   ,   right   ?       but   man   ,   that   place   …       it’s   like   a   slice   of   heaven   .       makes   you   feel   alive   in   a   way   nothing   else   does   .   ”

         the seong twins are cool,  calm,  collected.  if the two of them are not oozing composure  -  something is terribly off,  and you best steer out of their way.  and jia's an artist,  but  warmth  was never something she was complimented on.  a private girl,  really  -  would only put out things she wants others to see.  the last time she led with emotion,  well  -  did that end well ?  no.  still.  different people bring out different parts of others,  right ?  and if lucian is warm toned oranges,  reds,  and yellows  -  she can already imagine the purples,  blues,  and greens on her end.   "definitely. i mean - there's definitely more to it. how you grew up, where you grew up; how you react to certain things - i think that can define you too."   and she shrugs,  a bit of nonchalance in her voice.  jia doesn't particularly feel like getting into  that  right now,  it might  kill the vibe.   "and get back up if that wave knocks and rocks you down a bit, right?"  jia quips.  

        nimble digits take the phone from his hand,  her fingertips brushing against his skin as she grasps it,  immediately putting in all of her handles  -  and switching to add her number in as well  ( thank god he has an iphone - if she was handed an android, she's sure she would've accidentally called the fbi instead of putting in her number ).  girl pauses,  brown eyes gazing up,  lips curving into a grin.   "thank you, by the way."  she's quiet as she puts in her number,  jotting herself down as  jia 🎨 seong  and handing it back.   "for not immediately asking if i'm josie. i know she's a bit more ... well known around these parts."  it can't be helped;  her twin is  the leading actress  on a popular hbo show.  jia's not bitter,  just  -  grateful  he didn't assume.  and wouldn't that be awkward,  too ?   the ding to her text from his phone rings on her phone,  and she lifts up her own and grins.  sends a  🌶️  ( pepper )  emoji.   "i'll have to think on the place. i'll text you tonight."   plus,  she wants to enjoy her time with him now  -  without phones on hand.  

        jia hums,  her own phone slipping back into her coat pocket as she leans against the back of the bench.   "it'd be good to film when it's spring, i think? release it just before the weather starts getting warm enough to head out to the beach. give the public a little shark scare."   she snickers with amusement;  maybe the new york sanitation crew would even be greatful,  it'd give them more time to get their beaches to a state of cleanliness that wasn't totally and disgustingly polluted.   "besides, who knows? maybe your surf videos will inspire some surfing characters."

        brows furrow,  she shakes her head.   "it's not cliche to pick a place attached to the things you love."  and maybe she's being too bold,  assuming he  ( still )  loves to surf,  even after his injury.  but jia thinks even if she could never draw or paint or see again,  she'd still love art,  in any shape or form.  she'd just have to look at it in a different way.   "é batata!"   jia says with a chuckle,  nose crinkling at him.   "it uh, literally translates to 'it is a potato'. but they usually mean 'that's for sure!'. i learned it from a grandma in a bakery. otherwise, just the basics. hi, bye, please, thank you. the usuals."   

         she was never this  picture of perfection,  never so pure,  never so untouched by harsh words and expectations for the family.  but she faked it well,  didn't she ?  jia's a bit of a coward,  actually.  some may see her as well traveled,  sweet,  good  -  if a bit too focused on her work,  but her mom liked that,  so it was never commented on  -  a well rounded girl,  with a pretty face.  it goes more like this:  she can't stand the pressures from her mom  ( be perfect be pretty be smart be talented don't give too much away and always give people chances if they can do something for you )  or from josie,  though she knows it's not the intention  ( don't be exactly like your sister it's bad enough you share the same face you can't do the same thing and don't spend too much time together either because then people will start seeing you as one being instead of two ).  

         and so,  jia seong had developed the habit of  running.  away from her problems  ( seoul, madrid ),  and taking on other's instead  ( she could help him, she swore it, after the feelings had settled in her stomach and she realized she liked him more than she ever planned to ).   she has a new dilemma  ( he blocks her ),  she runs again  ( she blocks him back, pretends to be her twin sister when she sees him for the first time ).  maybe she liked him because she recognized the look in his eye.  maybe she just liked his face.  maybe she's so self destructive,  she'll fall for someone who can never stay,  and give her an excuse to  flee  when things get to be too much.

          still;  she'd let herself  hope.  let herself open up and look where it got her.  heat flushes to her face,  sight becomes blurry,  and she turns onto his street.  

          the car is silent,  even the music has decided to blend into the sound of wheels against pavement,  night wind blowing against her car.  she's going to have to get her car detailed.  three times.  maybe with the strongest cleaning materials out there,  because she does not want a  TRACE  of him left.  stupid girl,  you should have never let him in in the first place.  it oddly sounds like her mother's voice,  though jia is well aware her mother would say the exact opposite about laurie  ( you should give him another chance, jia - and devil on her shoulder will always be the form of the woman who "raised" her and josie ).  

                    lucian’s   soaking   in   the   contrasts   of   new   york   city   against   his   san   clemente   roots   .       it’s   a   whole   different   ball   game   .       where   he’s   from   ,   winters   were   nothing   more   than   slightly   less   sunny   days   ,   a   gentle   nudge   rather   than   a   harsh   cold   .       here   ,   skyscrapers   replace   beach   shacks   and   palm   trees   ,   the   endless   expanse   of   the   ocean   is   swapped   for   a   concrete   sea   ,   and   the   winters   ?       they’re   a   far   cry   from   the   gentle   nudge   he’s   accustomed   to   ,   so   cold   that   he   feels   it   in   his   bones   .       (   but   hey   ,   he’s   loving   the   change   .       needed   it   ,   really   .       something   different   from   the   endless   loop   of   sun   ,   surf   ,   and   sand   !   )   .       gaze   lingers   on   that   stray   strand   of   jia’s   hair   ,   teasing   him   rebelliously   over   her   lashes   ,   almost   as   if   it’s   begging   for   his   touch   .       so   ,   he   reaches   out   ,   gently   tucking   it   behind   his   ear   .       “   sorry   it   was   like   that   for   you   .       but   hey   ,   look   at   you   now   !       doing   what   you   love   ,   even   part - time   ,   i’m   glad   .       bet   you’re   really   good   .   ”       fingers   hover   near   her   face   ,   lingering   for   a   bit   longer   .       the   pad   of   his   thumb   grazes   her   earlobe   ever   so   slightly   before   finally   drops   away   .

                    he   chuckles   ,   a   sound   that   feels   like   a   stretch   after   being   dormant   for   too   long   .       it’s   been   a   while   since   he’s   felt   this   relaxed   ,   this   at   ease   .       usually   ,   he’s   constantly   moving   —   from   beach   to   beach   ,   competition   to   competition   ,   chasing   the   sun   .       now   ,   he’s   here   ,   in   the   big   city   ,   with   a   girl   he   just   met   ,   whose   presence   already   feels   like   a   ray   of   sunshine   brightening   his   day   .       (   and   it   might   too   early   ,   but   in   a   way   ,   he   feels   like   he   could   keep   chasing   the   sun   ,   but   in   the   form   of   one   jia   seong   )   .       “   you   know   ,   california’s   mandarins   are   the   best   ever   .       easy   to   peel   ,   easy   to   love   .       kinda   like   me   .   ”       he   grins   ,   typing   his   number   into   her   phone   .       (   he’s   really   hoping   she   texts   him   .   like   ,   really   )   .       “   spicy   food   ?       okay   .       i’m   up   for   the   challenge   .       but   ,   uh   ,   don’t   expect   me   to   keep   a   straight   face   .       i’ll   be   the   red   ,   coughing   dude   at   the   table   .   ”       (   spice   tolerance   of   a   typical   white   guy   :       not   sky - high   !   )   .       “   so   ,   you’re   just   good   at   everything   ?       yeah   ,   i’m   just   gonna   stick   to   writing   our   names   in   the   sand   .       no   way   i’m   competing   with   national   geographic - level   talent   .   ”

                    her   touch   is   gentle   ,   something   he’s   so   grateful   for   .       sometimes   ,   that   same   scar   aches   ,   triggering   headaches   and   migraines   that   force   him   to   hide   away   in   the   dark   .       for   a   guy   who   loves   the   sun   ,   her   touch   almost   replicates   that   sensation   .       “   yeah   ,   i   mean   ,   it’s   just   a   scar   .       my   hair’s   long   enough   to   cover   it   most   times   .       but   when   i   don’t   feel   like   talking   about   it   ,   i   just   joke   that   a   shark   tried   to   snack   on   me   ,   but   gave   up   ‘cause   my   head   was   too   big   .   ”       he   jokes   .       but   with   her   ,   he   wouldn’t   mind   talking   about   it   at   all   .       she   makes   him   want   to   open   up   ,   and   for   someone   who   has   been   constantly   on   the   move   ,   opening   up   has   become   a   distant   memory   .       “   so   ,   where   have   you   traveled   ?       got   a   favorite   spot   ?   ”       he’s   genuinely   curious   ,   wanting   to   soak   up   everything   about   her   .       “   got   to   look   like   a   walking   marshmallow   ,   got   it   .       first   real   white   christmas   coming   up   for   me   …       is   it   cool   to   wear   a   big   coat   over   a   christmas   sweater   ,   or   is   that   a   major   fashion   no - no   ?   ”

         new york in the winter is not so different from seoul winter  -  in some aspects,  the winter makes all cities built up look like they're actually on the same planet,  for once  -  a blanket of cold,  white ice over concrete and steel buildings.  in the dark,  one can hardly tell the difference  -  but at least seoul winters aren't as  dirty.   ( the winters in madrid are a bit kinder, even with the same blanket of snow, and she has to give it to the community of the city for that, jia knows ).  and the snow is not even here yet !  but the cold is settling in,  their breaths billow like smoke from a chimney,  and noses are always a bit red at the tip  -  the high winter sun showing everyone braving the outside.  winters in new york city are not for the weak;  a few minutes with lucian,  jia thinks he can make it.   ( hopes he can make it - it's new, she should be cautious )  jia's always been the type to follow her heart  -  how else does she end up away from her parents and twin sister for so long ?  -  and it'd make  her  weak to not follow it this time.  it seems she is drawn to his touch,  too  -  girl leaning into his warmth again,  has to fight the urge to close her eyes  ( you are in public, jia ! )  and this should be  terrifying.  lucian is anything but.  he's calm,  warm,  sweet,  funny  -  she's always told to look out for red flags,  and she swears she's not wearing any rose tinted sunglasses !  she shrugs against his touch.   "it's in the past. nothing i can do about it now. besides, it just gives me the freedom to learn what i love, what i can grow to love even more."   and everything else  ...  well,  that's what therapy is for,  right ?   every tuesday,  7AM  -  what a way to start her weeks.  

           "you could check out my art instagram, if you want. and the makeup one. i have two. well, three if you consider my personal, which you can have to -"   and this is a rarity;  her art accounts are public,  her personal is private.  it's a whole different side to jia seong.  the funny thing is,  the rare thing is  -  she wants lucian to see it.  the art,  the makeup,  her.  she thinks,  in a silly way,  he sort of already  does  see her.  a boy who loves the ocean,  the sun,  and now apparently  -  the fruit that makes her favorite tea.   "the peeling may have to wait for a horror look,"   she tells him with a chuckle,  breath puffing out between the two of them.  "but i'm willing to compare and contrast those words. for science."   silly,  considering she's an artist,  and really doesn't care much for the latter.  an easy shrug from the girl,  lips curve into a teasing grin.   "we'll have milk at the table, then. or you'll just have to keep something sweet on you."  and maybe jia's already considering carrying  hi-chews  around,  just in case.   "and i'm kidding. about the sand, anyway - it was pretty bad handwriting. way before i perfected my signature, though i doubt i could do it all that well now."  

        jia watches him carefully,  listens intently  -  she's always been good at it:  listening without speaking,  wanting to give the other's an opportunity to tell their own story  -  and simply gives lucian her undivided attention.  she doubts much of anything could have dragged her attention away from him.   "sure, but some scars carry memories, even the invisible scars. so i think it's okay to protect it. i'd say i read that somewhere but ... if i did, i definitely didn't skim past the first two paragraphs."   her teeth get cold from smiling,  but it seems she can't around him.   " ---- but, if you ever need back up evidence for the shark story, i think it'd be really cool use some special effects makeup. if you're interested."   it'll be good practice for her,  more time with lucian,  and  --  there's only one way to apply make up on another person,  especially detailed sorts. 

her lips do purse in consideration at his question,  she gnaws at her bottom lip before landing on a decision.   "i lived in madrid for a little while, and my roommates and i went to portugal for a holiday - randomly found velas with them, after a couple hours of driving. it's a small village but, it's so full of life! and everyone's so kind, the water is always sparkling, the seafood is amazing, and it felt like i'm in a completely different world."   peaceful;  what she's trying to say is,  she felt at peace.  and jia's never had the time to go back.   "and you? your favorite spot?"   because she wants to know about what he loves,  too.