They stepped outside, the cold having a sobering effect on both of them. Seol-a continued to hold No-rea’s hand as they walked the short distance to the amphitheater. Stepping inside, No-rea was once again taken aback by the grandeur of the building she was in. They walked to the ticket desk and Seol-a showed her phone to the attendee. He scanned each ticket and pointed out the location of the coat check, bar and the direction of the entrance to the theater. They walked to the coat check once again removing their coats. This time No-rea took her coat off facing Seol-a, feeling shy as she exposed herself to Seol-a, but hoped that she was watching her with the same intensity as before. She glanced up, catching Seol-a’s eyes, her eyes were so dark that she couldn’t read them but she felt herself burning under her gaze. No-rea turned to the coat clerk handing the coat over and walked away before Seol-a completely removed her coat. She felt almost lightheaded, she had never tried to seduce someone but the feeling was addicting. 

“Shall we get another drink before the show starts?” Seol-a asked as she walked up to her. No-rea nodded her head. They walked together to the bar, quietly waiting for the bartender. The bar was packed with customers, the bartenders working diligently to get to each one. Seol-a looked at her watch, “I’m going to go to the restroom. Can you order me a chardonnay?” ,she asked. No-rea nodded and watched as Seol-a walked away, she noticed heads turn as she walked away. She couldn’t blame them, for so long she had been unaware of who Beak Seol-a was but after meeting her, she couldn’t stop thinking of her. She could spot her easily in a crowd, if she heard her voice she would look for her, in the hallways at school she would smell her perfume and hope she would run into her. Seol-a presence was like a drug, she couldn’t get enough of her.

No-rea looked back down the bar and made eye contact with a bartender, who eagerly took her order. She moved to a cocktail table watching for Seol-a to come back from the restroom. A voice came over the intercom, informing the guest the theater was open for seating and the performance would start in 15 mins. No-rea took a long pull from her beer, setting her glass back on the table, she saw Seol-a walk out of the bathroom. No-rea went to raise her hand to get Seol-a’s attention and locked eyes with her before she could wave her down. No-rea felt the electricity run down her spine again. Everyone else in the room disappeared as Seol-a walked toward her, once again feeling intoxicated by her. Seol-a smiled sweetly at her and picked up the glass of wine, taking a small sip.

“Thank you.” , She said. No-rea smiled at the sweetness in her voice, she seemed almost shy. Heading inside the theater they found their seats. While they waited for the show to start Seol-a explained that No-rea could order from the bar by pressing a button on the table in front of them that stretched across the aisle of seats. She watched as the staff walked in front of the table taking orders. She had never been in such a rich environment before and was blown away by the simple conveniences provided to those with money. No-rea looked up at the ceiling, having noticed the mural painted on the ceiling when she walked in, cherub babies dancing on the clouds above her with dragons painted in gold on the banisters. 

“This place is beautiful” ,No-rea said in awe. Seol-a looked around taking in the theater with fresh eyes, “It really is. I forgot how beautiful the artwork was.” They both took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the theater. Seol-a turned and reached for No-rea's hand, resting her head on her shoulder, “I can’t wait for you to see the performance.”

The light dimmed and a voice came over the intercom, telling the guest the show would be starting soon and to take their seats. Shortly after the theater went dark, No-rea felt butterflies as the curtain rose to start the ballet.

No-rea was fully enraptured by the performance unfolding in front of her. The absolute elegance of each dance was astounding, the perfect stillness while still in motion was memorizing. The story was exciting, causing her to gasp and laugh with everyone in the crowd. Occasionally Seol-a would point out her friend amongst the performers. They watched Min-jeong move in perfect harmony with the other dancers. No-rea was brimming with excitement by the time the intermission came. She looked at Seol-a, eyes wide, “You used to do this?”, she looked at Seol-a with new found wonder. 

Seol-a blushed under the intensity of No-rea’s admiration, “I wasn’t this good. Min-jeong goes to one of the best schools for dance in the country, so she’s a top notch ballerina.”

No-rea grinned at her, “You’re definitely being modest.” ,she stood up to stretch, “I’m going to go to the bathroom. Do you need anything while I’m up?”

Seol-a looked at her empty glass of wine, “Could you get me a club soda with lemon.”, deciding to take it easy before she had to drive them back home.

No-rea nodded and walked out of the theater. Now that Seol-a was alone she took a moment to relax. She felt like her skin was tingling all over, this entire night she had felt a flurry of emotions. She was certain No-rea had been flirting with her throughout the night. She felt her body tingle all over as she remembered the look No-rea gave her when she took her coat off in the amphitheater. Seol-a’s face burner as she recalled that moment, she wanted to do so much more than confess her feelings to No-rea. It would take all her willpower not to kiss her, she crossed her legs feeling her desire rise inside of her. She might melt into a puddle if No-rea tried to seduce her again. Seol-a looked up just in time to see No-rea walking down the aisle, she handed Seol-a her drink and sat next to her. No-rea smiled at Seol-a and lifted her beer glass, Seol-a mimicked the motion. 

“Cheers to new adventures.” ,No-rea smiled as they clinked glasses. Seol-a smiled at the irony of her comment and took a sip of her drink, immediately tasting that vodka in her drink. Seol-a made a face as pulled the drink away from her.

“What’s wrong?” ,No-rea looked at her confused.

“I think there’s vodka in here.” ,Seol-a took another sip and frowned. There was definitely liquor in the glass. No-rea frown, “I wasn’t paying attention when they made the drink. I’ll get you another drink.”

At that moment a voice came over the intercom informing the guest to be seated because the show would be starting. Seol-a shook her head, “It’s fine, one more drink won’t hurt. Plus you already paid for it.” The theater went dark as the second half of the show began.

Music erupted around them setting the scene as the dancers made their way onto the stage. Once again No-rea watched, entranced by the performance. This was the first ballet she had been to but it would not be the last, she had a new found love for theater. No-rea looked at Seol-a, she hadn’t responded to any of the scenes like most of the crowd. No matter how surprising or dramatic any of the scenes were she sat poised, occasionally bobbing her leg to the music but her face stayed emotionless. 

The story took so many twists and turns that No-rea couldn’t help but be on the edge of her seat. Brimming with excitement she watched the whirlwind of performers fighting on stage. One side to protect the girl and the other side was the Mouse King’s army. Fully invested in the nutcracker winning the fight, No-rea watched as the young girl got surrounded by an army of mice. Doomed for capture the girl throws her slipper knocking the Mouse King to the floor, giving the nutcracker the opening he needed to deal a fatal blow to the Mouse King. The crowd erupts with applause at the girl's daring attempts to save herself and the nutcracker. 

No-rea looked back over at Seol-a, wondering what she was feeling. How would she feel watching someone live out the dream she once had. No-rea watched as the ballerina’s jumped through the air, like a live piece of artwork. She smiled as she thought of Seol-a on stage, she would have been beautiful. No-rea reached out to grab Seol-a’s hand, wanting to reassure her. Seol-a always put on a strong face but No-rea wanted to support her in case the show was more painful to watch than Seol-a expected.

No-rea reached out and set her hand firmly on Seol-a thigh. Immediately, No-rea felt a jolt of electricity run down her body, Seol-a jerked as if shocked by the same current. Everything in her screamed to remove her hand but it was as if her brain short circuit making it impossible to move. She felt Seol-a hand rest over the top of hers, holding her in place. 

“Leave it.” ,Seol-a whispered in her ear. No-rea felt another jolt, this one going right in between her legs. No-rea bit her lip, trying to stop herself from moaning. It took everything in No-rea to focus on the performance. 

The scenery on stage changed to a winter wonderland, the Nutcracker transforming into a prince. The girl and the prince dancing in a field of snowflakes. Desperate to calm herself, No-rea reached for her beer, drinking the last bit of it. Setting the glass back down she felt her cheeks burning, she lightly touched her face. It felt like she had a fever, her desire burning her body. She looked over at Seol-a’s glass, still full now that most of the ice had melted.

No-rea gestured to Seol-a’s drink, “Do you mind if I drink some?” ,No-rea knew she was a lightweight but she needed to do something. Seol-a took a sip of the drink before handing it to No-rea, “You can finish it.” ,No-rea nodded her thanks.

The vodka was diluted now that the ice had melted but she would still need to be careful. She took a sip then placed it on the table. She looked back over at Seol-a, she wasn’t certain if it was the lighting but Seol-a’s face was deeply flush. Even her chest looked blush. No-rea looked down at their hands, she had wrapped her fingers around the inner thigh of Seol-a’s leg. The slit in Seol-a dress was higher than No-rea realized, exposing her leg up to her midthigh. The view of Seol-a bare leg drove No-rea crazy, making her hand twitch involuntarily. She heard Seol-a gasp then shift in her seat, but she didn’t let go of No-rea’s hand. 

At this point No-rea couldn’t hear anything but the beat of her heart, her body was throbbing and she couldn’t take her eyes off Seol-a. 

“Seol-a.” ,No-rea said her name softly, not sure if she could speak. 

Seol-a’s lips parted and she closed her eyes before turning to No-rea. The look was unmistakable, she seemed a bit out of breath as she looked at No-rea, her eyes dark and hooded. Seeing the desire in Seol-a face, No-rea felt her body tingle all over.

Suddenly Seol-a let go of her hand, as if the world came crashing down around them, No-rea heard the applause of the people around her. She sat in shock having no idea what was happening around her. The lights slowly got brighter as the performers all lined up on stage, bowing to the standing ovation.

No-rea turned to the stage and watched still in shock as the performers waved and bowed to the crowd, the main characters stepping forward and bowing together. At this point everyone in the audience was standing as they clapped, No-rea stood as well clapping for the performers. The curtains dropped as the applause died away, people slowly making their way out of the theater. She felt Seol-a take her hand as they walked down the aisle, still slightly dazed she followed her out of the theater.

They walked in silence to coat check, the line was long, everyone trying to leave all at once. They stood in silence, both of them feeling awkward from the moment that had just passed. Seol-a pulled out her phone, “I’m going to call valet to get the car ready.”

“Oh, good idea.” ,No-rea smiled, appreciated Seol-a forethought.

While Seol-a spoke on the phone, No-rea reflected on what just happened. She knew she would have kissed Seol-a if the show hadn’t ended. It felt as if the world had disappeared when their eyes locked and all she wanted was to taste Seol-a lips. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts, she needed to be patient. She couldn’t just jump on Seol-a without telling her how she felt. Thankfully the line moved quickly and they retrieved their coats. Bundling up as they prepared to step outside to the harsh winter.