Chapter Text
Part 1 "We- Mac Miller"
It was summer again. She hated summer. Not because she was the Type of Person to miss School, or miss her Friends, but the days felt soo long. The sun was always a bit too strong for the occasion, Eliese was constantly bored, and always wasting her Time. Even at 15 Years old she felt that burdening sensation of time slipping away.
At that Time she was realy insecure- not that she had any reason to, looking back. She propably just spend too much time thinking. About everything. And when her feelings got too intense, the weight on her shoulders too strong, she would take an evening walk through the neighbourhood.
She put on her Comme des Garcons Converse, got herself a bottle of water from the Kitchen and started walking. You might think Berlin is not the Location to go for an evening walk alone as a teenage girl, but this story takes Place in the subburbs, where modern architecture meets nature. During the summer months, when the sun wouldn't set before 10 PM, with stray cats walking around and birds chirping, this might be the prettiest place to grow up in.
Walking Through the green Fields with her music , Eliese had one destination in mind: the Willow tree only a 20 Minute walk from her childhood home. She would come here often, bothered only by an occasional Grandad walking his Dog. This Spot has become her sacred space. Eliese was so used to being alone, and so deep in thoughts, moved by the music from her earphones that she didn't notice the Guy sitting under her tree. Well not until she was standing awkwardly a feet distance apart from him.
You see, willow trees are beautiful, because they create theire own space under the Branches, but they completely shield the Visitors from the outside world.
"Scheisse", she mumbled under her breath. Yet again she has gotton herself into a really awkward situation because she was too absorbed by the music, that she didn't pay attention to whether or not the tree was occupied. Well it usually wasn't. The young boy sitting under the tree had his back turned towards Eliese. He seemed quite tall and lanky and had a guitar on his lap. He was scribbling stuff into his notebook and seemingly hasn't noticed her so far.
Okay shit this is awkward, but he doesn't notice me, just leave and forget it ever happend. Just as she was determined to leave, the boy started playing some familiar tunes on his guitar. Eliese was frozen on the spot. It was going to california by led zeppelin, one of her favorite songs. The music seemed to flow effortlessly from the Guys fingers, he surely had spend a long time practicing. She was so mesmerised in the moment that she hadn't noticed the guitar flow stopping and the guy starting to speak.
Well not that she could understand any of what he was saying. As he turned around and saw her standing there with an equally confused expression - he looked as if he had been boxed in the stomach.
" 'Tschuldigung Ich wollte nicht stören", Eliese began to explain herself, trying to find an exuse to leave before things got more awkward, but the very confused boy said: "I'm sorry, I didn't understand a word of what you just said".
He started laughing awkwardly, showing a smile that lit up his entire Face. He had asian features, so not German, that's for sure. Eliese was too stunned to speak, she had never seen a Boy that vibrated like the sun, but he surely was shining.
"I... I'm sorry, I didn't notice you there. To be honest I thought you were my Friend Keonho..." he stopped talking, unsure of what to say next. He stood up- And Wow he was tall. Eliese was tall herself, especially for a girl- she got that from her dad- but this guy was towering over her, at least one head taller. Which is insane for a guy her age. Now he looked really nervous his ears turning kinda red. Suddenly she noticed that she hadn't even answered him.
"uhm... Do- You", he gestured to her- "understand... me ?" She couldn't help but laught at his helpless attempt to communicate.
" I'm Sorry, yeah I do speak english" she smiled up at him, trying to seam friendly- and cover up the fact she has been standing behind him like a creep for a few minutes.
"I just didn't expect anyone to be under my tree and then-" Eliese started rambling awkwardly, but the boy cut her off with a huge Grin on his Face
"Your Tree? As far as I know this is free Land and I was here first." She let out a breath of- Is this guy joking? and, what is his deal?
"I- ts",she shook her head trying to hide her smile. " You like led zeppelin?"
His brows rose in surprise "You recognized the Song? "
She nodded, "Yeah it's one of my favorites. I actually learned it on the guitar a few months ago."
"Really? It's kinda difficult to play. The chords are very complex, for musicians it's great practice."
" Huh, you don't believe me, do you?" She shook her head, now provoked to prove this dude wrong. Leave it to the Teen Boys underestimating Women.
"May I?" she pointed to his guitar and he nodded for her to go ahead. She sat down on his Blue Zipper jacket, afraid of her white sundress getting ruined by the grass and picked up his acoustic guitar. It was a gibson, a very expensive, high quality guitar brand she could only dream of. I hope this guy tuned the Guitar right for the song. I do not want to look like a loser right now. Why did I even let myself be provoced by him?
The guy sat down opposite of her, looking very amused by the entire situation. Just breathe, you got this. You know this melody by heart. She slowly started to play the first few notes. It was ridiculous how well the song fit the atmosphere, sitting on a field during summer vacation, playing guitar to a guy she just met.
After the first few beats of the Intro the guy, to her surprise, started singing the lyrics. And boy he could sing. "Spend my days with a women unkind.." he hit the Notes perfectly. Eliese looked up at him, her fingers already knowing the chords without looking. Suddenly his gaze lifted to her eyes and he smiled. Not an anxious, insecure smile, but a confidently happy one.
"You're gonna sing with me or just stare?" He said, looking like the happiest Person to ever walk the Planet. Well great, I can hardly play the guitar, but I surely can't sing for shit.
"Go on, no need to be shy." his brown eyes looked at her with a trusting expression. He started singing again, further on in the Song, and Eliese felt an urging sense of trust in her gut. As if she was always meant to be sitting here, and singing with this guy who was radiating like the sun. She quietly started singing with him .
Going to California with an aching in my heart
Someone told me there′s a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair
His gaze never left her eyes, but as the song was getting more complicated she had to focus. And she had to hide the blush that was obviously covering her cheeks right now. They continued on like that until the song finished and her fingers were hurting. He was as pleased as a golgen retriever, happy for no apparent reason.
"I'm Martin by the way. Glad to meet such a talented young lady.", he grinned. She wasn't sure if he was making fun of her, but something in his eyes made his words seem so sincere.
" I'm Eliese. It's nice to meet you." She had a thousand things she wanted to ask him, but didn't want to be nosy.
"So Eliese, for how long have you been playing?" He relaxed his weight onto his hands while leaning back.
It was easy to talk to him. While she was more of an introverted Person, who hardly ever talked cosual with anyone- if it wasn't necessary; Martin seemed confident and interested enough in Eliese to lead the conversation. It turns out he was already 16 years old; because his birthday was in march and hers wasn't until early fall. Martin is from south Korea and went on some kind of trip with his friends to visit a studio in Germany, but he wasn't too keen on spilling the details and Eliese wasn't confident enough to ask all the questions that formed in her mind.
" So how long are you staying here?"
" Not sure. The next few days for sure, but if were lucky we're heading over to LA at the end of the week to an even better opportunity" He answered vagely.
"A fery mysterious guy with vague answers, but I'll take it. You've not been kidnapped here or something?"
He laughed," No, gosh no. I mean I haven' t seen my family in a while, but I'm very happy to have the Chance to be here. " He suddenly seemed deep in thought " You know sometimes to achieve your dreams, you have to take big, scary steps. But it'll be worth it. And in a way I have no other chance than following my heart, because this is all I've ever wanted to do, you know?"
" I mean I have no clue in The world what your talking about, but I get it, yeah. You seem pretty serious about your dreams. I also have this passion and it's like I don't even have a choice. It feels like this is the path meant for me, and even if it will be difficult, it will be worth it" She really did understand him, though she was not nearly as confident as Martin seemed to be with his faith.
The boy was looking at the sun setting in the Distance. It was already getting late and she didn't even notice the time passing and the topics changing to a deeper level.
She shivered as a slight breeze hit her bare arms. Martin looked at her, this time really looked. He slowly moved forwards and Eliese panicked. Her Body yancked to the side and her breathing got faster. No no no, please not now. She could feel the nervousness, the anxiety, her hole body was shivering. Eliese couldn't feel her body, she felt like a protective bubble was seperating her from the world.
" Hey, Hey are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Eliese are you okay, you look a bit pale?" Martin took his Jacket and pulled it over her shoulders gently. His hand slid carefully over her chin and he pushed a few loose strands of brown hair behind her ear, that the wind had brought loose. Just breathe it's alright . You're safe. There's no need to panic. Just breathe, you're safe. " You're safe with me, don't worry" Martin assured her, as if he could read her thoughts. Her breathing slowed down and she focused on him. On his dark, straight hair flowing slighty in the breeze. His strong jawline and adams apple . His Plump rosy lips.
Suddenly she noticed how close theire faces were to each other. He swalloed hard, his hand still resting on her chin. His Thumb slowly brushed over her bottom lip. Elise lifted her eyes and met his gaze. They were inches apart. They don't know who moved closer first, but suddenly Martin could sense Eliese's sweet breath on his lips. His thumb brushed over her lips one last time, before his hand found the curve of her neck and he was closing the last few centimeters of distance. Eliese closed her eyes, her heart beating faster, her entire body having caught fire.
"Martiniii hyung!!!" another boy was calling from a distance. What am I even doing here, have I lost my mind? Kissing a guy I have barely met?? Eliese stood up quickly, away from this mess she had just created. She took one last look at Martin who had a mix of emotions on his face. His ears still reddened from the heat of the moment, his fist slightely balled in anger and his eyes desperately looking at Eliese. "No Eli wait, It's alright, It's just my stupid friend-" but Eliese aleady moved through the Curtain the branches of the willow had created, seperating them from the thoughts of the world.
She quickly rushed away, taking a shortcut trough the fields. Martin stood up to follow her, but just as he moved trough the branches a young korean boy crashed into him, with a huge smile on his face. He was already explaining a funny story vividly, but Martin had lost sight of the Girl still wearing his blue Zipper.