A Sleeping Beauty

Hwan's POV

The stars had never been so beautiful.

I sighed in contentment as I stared up into the starry night sky, mesmerized by all the twinkling lights. It had been a long time since I'd seen so many stars – New York wasn't exactly known for its astrological relevance – but out here in the Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii, my inner astronomer was reawakened.

"Aren't they beautiful, Hwan?"

I turned to Mark, giving him a nod of affirmation. "Breathtaking. I've never seen so many stars in my life. Eomma would've loved this."

"I know. Too bad she's too busy working. As always."

Sitting up, I cast a concerned glance at my best friend who was still lying on the grass beside me. His forest green eyes were much darker than his mother's, and they held a recent sadness in them of late.

"Mark, you know Eomma tries her best. At the end of the day, all she's doing is for you," I admonished, trying to cheer the brown-haired boy up.