Then he saw that the Mertolas were looking, and Lia honestly thought that the clouds behind his head had parted to show the sun. Because why else would every grey and concrete thing around them suddenly feel brighter and happier?
“Your secret band is CoBOLT,” Lia said. “Does the universe love me or hate me?”
“You knew?” Teddy asked. “How did you?—”
“Teddy!” Cal exclaimed and waved like a mother trying to get her child’s attention at a preschool performance.
“Kuya Cal!”
“Hala.” The idol visibly shuddered, but kept his good-natured smile. “I don’t think I’m responsible enough to be a Kuya. Hyung, you can call me hyung.”
Because Cal had grown up in Manila (Uy, Pilipins!). As in, studied in Makati, wore a white shirt and red pants for UN day, had a photo in Rizal Park, went to Palawan yearly, kind of Manila boy.
How did she know? Because he shared it all on different variety shows, which Lia watched and downloaded from the CoBOLT Lightning Fansub Archive, hard-subbed.
Lia’s entire world suddenly felt like it was moving in slow motion. The diffused light from the grey skies made everything look like she was living in a KDrama. She’d seen hundreds of these scenes before—the moment when the leading man first laid eyes on the leading lady. He would show up at the exact right time and would turn to her because it was important—no, essential—that he made his way to her as soon as possible. The world slowed down because the audience needed to know that this was it, that moment, that exact second that destinies crossed, paths changed, and decisions were made.
That he would meet the one he would love, and she would meet the one who would love her. And then the leading man would look at the camera to make the audience feel how strongly he felt with a single, devastating glance, and that maybe, for just one second, make you feel like he was about to fall for you.
You, the ex-fan who hadn’t thought of him in five years.
And still, he smiled. And it was the kind of smile that lit up grey skies, made every fear, every worry, every anxiety vanish. Well, not vanish, but fade away for a while, long enough that you remembered what it felt like to not feel those worries and fears. Long enough for you to figure out how to get over them.
Long enough to keep your mind on the fact that the man of your dreams was turning to smile at you, and everything, in that moment, was good.
Be still, Lia’s delusional heart.
“You must be Lia,” Cal said, reaching out with his hand to shake hers. There was one second Lia thought he was going to kiss the back of her hand, but no, he was just giving her a polite little bow before he smiled at her. “Nice to meet you. I’m”—your light, your lightning, yours— “Cal.”
“Yes, Lia. That’s me. Lia.” She nodded, businesslike. Profeyshunal. Nonchalant. Nonchalant?
“Your brother’s told me a lot about you.” He chuckled, and Lia shuddered at the thought because Teddy was not great at telling flattering Lia stories. “Only good things, of course.” He winked. Winked! Why! “Mostly about your record collection, when you don’t have a record player.”
“My records are memories.” Lia heard herself laugh self-consciously, and she mentally pictured an invisible hand under her control, choking her brother. “KPop artists still sell CDs, don’t they?”
“Last time I checked.” Cal grinned, and Lia let her brother smack her hand away. “You’re welcome to peruse my collection anytime. We’re about to be housemates, after all.”
God help her.
Didn’t know what to do,
I thought I had lost you,
Baby, baby, my bolt of blue
How long until I see you?
Wait. Housemates?
CAL LIGHTS UPDATE
[photo attached of Cal looking away from a phone camera to wave politely] Cal has been seen by fans at Incheon International airport, picking up a friend!
Comments:
Aww I miss seeing his face! Our leader looks well :)
