Seven Steps to the Spotlight

s I tried to hide my tears through my sunglasses. I gave them a smile, trying not

sort and am reminded of the types of people that are sup

is a b

, packing for comfort not style. Whatever, I hav

t us know", the receptionist answered. "Thank you,"

ut to the patio and take off my sunglasses, the sun almost bli

eating bastard who made me feel like I had lost e

persona. Here, I am not Jane student, I can be Jane, the photographer

ve food and I wasn't going to buy overpriced meals at the airport restaurants. It's not m

hink about anything else. It's pa

? I need it while i'm here." I asked the front desk. "Of course, it'll be ready in around an hour. Is

the end, my stomach was grumbling so I needed to get a

sundress and washed my face. Slathered on a thin layer of makeup and sunscre

have similar yet distinct bathing suits. They're laughing and taking selfies. Maybe they're influencers, I'm not sure. You also have your recently married couples, clearly coming here on their honeymoon. Attached at the hip and hopeful a

e, telling me that my car is near. I picked up my things and headed

nd my eyes meeting his. Brown, just like mine, with specs of softer browns highlighting the shape. He's either korean or japanese, pale complexion and slightly curled hair. Multipl

Okay, just a moment." He replied, his voice deep and

replied, pointing at the patch of powder on his shirt. I don't really know how to "set" a

me. "Not sure, I just wanted to see the beaches here so they set it up for me." He replied. "Well, the beaches

cently. I smirked and says "Well, it's Bali and you look foreign. The places there might give you a

smile. I think about it for a quick second, there's no chance he's a serial killer right. So I decided

r been here alone, it's kind of .. interesting." He replies. "If I

" "Don't worry, i've already paid so no harm done." He replied

s and sa

the trip." I replied, walking him to the car I rented. Stepping ins

rts,"My name is Jun.. Justin." He said. "Jun Justin? Is that korean or something?" I replied. "No, it's Justin, I just have a small stu

e any favourites?" "Not at the moment

s song picks reveal more than you think.

ix. 'Die with A Smile' by Bruno Mars plays. "Nice." He rep

at his vocal control, almost melting with the sound blasting. He laughs and c

. A moment of euphoria that can only be captured and felt at that moment, quite difficult to be retold or recreated. We

d, trying to be sensitive towards other cultures' dietary restrictions. "Yes. Is it.. how

puts it on. Is he trying to hide or just hate the sun? Most a

says, "do you have a private room?". The waitress nods and we're placed in a small room

of his behaviors weird. He takes a moment to answer, "Th.. There's usually individual AC here, it's cooler." He replied. It mak

ods in agreement while browsing. The waitress comes into our room and we decided to order the same set and some coconu

rvice people. Having once worked there, it's just common decency to loo

o refrain my judgments. This i

d, "Where ar

, feeling validated about my earlier guesses. "Yeah. It's nice, especially during the summer." He replies. "What about you?

replied. "Must be long for you too. I always find it difficult to sleep on airplanes." I added, trying to find common ground. "Oh

ll me your buck

travels that far from home HAS to have a bucket list. What's yours?" I replie

first before I had to do so with mine. He raises his hands and say, "okay..okay. I just wanted.. a break I gue

lies. I nod and say, "I get what you mean. My parents used to take me to the beach as well, on the weekdays. Nothing beats the sound of the waves reminding you that everything that reaches the shore, will go back

spices and nuts. Usually eating them in one bite is the way to go but it's up to you." I say to him. He nods and takes a bite, coughing for some water. I laugh, "don't koreans l

s me to put it away. "You drove, I'll pay this one." He replied. I reluctantly

e that." He added. "Yeah, definitely a Bali classic. I always go there when I go here." I replied. "How often to do you come her

ed during COVI

ry." He

silence. We both didn't know

I nod, not being able to really speak. It was hard losing th

e Carpenters. I smile, a perfec

is time with a bittersweet tone as if we bot

to be complemented on my voice, since I don't show it often. "This beach, is called green bowl, the walk is kind of long since it's a hidden

ts love to sing." He said. "Mine too! Did they make you and your brother sing?" I asked. "Yes, it was so much pressure sometimes." He replied.

t was quiet and the sun was bright. About 10 minutes after hiking down, Justin looked overhea

caught me looking at his body and I quickly looked away, though I can see a small smirk escaping his mouth. I was also in heat

m, startling me. "Y-Yeah. It's just more difficult than I remember" I replied, out of breath. Of c

No. It's cute, you look like a tomato." He jokes. "What?" I said, taking out my phone and looking at my face. He was right

" He added. "Don't be made, here just hit my arm", he jokes. "You know I don't have the energy." I rep

one is here and the waves are clear as day. There's not even any merchants or civ

cean. Him taking off his pants to reveal swim trunks and my taking off my sundress. We lef

nd I dove in. My hair now wet from the salty ocean waters and my body exposed. For a mome

at me. I look away to see the horizon, "bea

ab my waist, starring at me more intensely at my eyes, then my lips. As he gets closer, "Wait, sunscreen." I said, out of panic. Perha

s and said, "let me help". He sits behind me and starts placing his hands on the middle of my back, slowly applying the sunscreen as if not to let it bleed to my bikini. His touch is soft a

ubbing his back, trying to be as quick as possible. "All done." I told him. He looks to me, a

es. I smile, it's a personal favorite. "Another great choice," I said, smiling and looking at him. He reaches

he beach.

wanting to participate anyway.

r bodies still cold from the ocean water but warm at the touch, he placed his hands on my waist and I placed my arms on his neck. He pulled me closer, slowly,

e and readjusting my gaze to the ocean as to not pry. He laughs, "Yes. What are the odds I find a beach this quie

k, why this s

ng." He replied, our eyes finally

his answer as this too is m

softly, the depth in his voice still present like a whisper. "Cartwheels on the beach." He smiles and

cartwheels, with 'unwritten

cean in the background. He leans closer to my face, changing his gaze back and forth from my eyes to my lips. Overwhelmed with joy and confusion, I clo

, breaking the spell and pushing us into laughter. Water and send stars getting into our eyes, ears and nose. I get up and ask him to do

starts taking pictures of me, asking me to smile despite my shyness. He then sits next to

charge." He responded. "Oh right, you have to do mandatory military service in South Korea." I replied, trying to show him my knowledge of the world. "Y-yeah. It's an

'll take any chance I get." He replied. "What about you? what do you do?" He added. "I'm -- on sabbatical." I replied. He smirks, "that's so American." he replies.

tears at the realization that real life still exists past this island, waiting

hare. Tell me, it'll stay between us." He said, holding my hand. I stop looking at the ocean and look at his hand on mine. Should I say it? Is it worth it? Why ruin the per

all smile, "snor

orkeling gear. Despite my need to connect, I can't bring myself to tell him more

ing not long after. We saw turtles, corals and some beautiful fishes. Before we knew it, the sky started to change, sunset was near. I swa

aid, looking at the sky. "Yeah, reminds you to anticipate what's to come no matter what." He said, also looking towards the ocea

ite foods are chicken, ramen and pizza. I told him mine were pasta and fried chicken. He told me about his favorite movie: La L

ady. Justin offered to drive back for some of the trip. I fell asleep, being too exhausted from the day we just had. From almost making out to a

suits. I unlock my door, "thanks for today." I add as I enter my room. He holds the door

ive a slight nod and he closes his eyes and leans in while I do the same. We finally kiss and it's familiar, comforting, warm. H

is hands move from my chin to my hair. I grab his waist below his shirt, feeling the outline of his muscl

? He asks. I sm

that since Micah, my old boyfriend. I can't help but smile but quickly snap myself back into reality. This is

gh