Camp Kenbin (1/1)

So don't tell Wonsik or Sanghyuk, but Hongbin loves camp. He loves every aspect of camp. Everything that camp brings; the great outdoors, two of his best friends, camp food. Even everything that he gets to leave behind for it; the noisy city, his parents, responsibility. And don't tell anyone this, but Hongbin is not excited about growing up. Wonsik is the oldest in his family, so he might not know what's coming. Sanghyuk, Hongbin guesses, comes from a family a little better off than Hongbin's so that might be his excuse. Hongbin, however, has had to bear witness to not one, but two instances of what responsibility can do to you. Two bright-eyed, confident, young instances quickly turn into two disheveled, broken sad ones.  His oldest sister walked into her first job with wide eyes, ready to take on whatever task was thrown at her. Not even a year later she was relieved of her duties and now works at one of the customer call centers for Samsung.  His other sister made it a little farther than their eldest. Found a steady job, even an apartment of her own. She lasted almost three years until her company went bankrupt and rent became too much. Now both sisters are back to sharing the basement that Hongbin could not wait to move into once the two sister that got their turn in the Lee Dungeon moved out. Hongbin didn't even have the chance to sleep on the futon downstairs before it was clogged with two twin beds and tons of dresses.  So no, Hongbin doesn't want to grow up.  This is why Hongbin cannot wait to go to his art class.  Don't see the relation? First point is a no brainer: it's a camp activity, Hongbin loves camp. Duh. Second point: it's art, something Hongbin also happens to love. His next four years of university life he plans on devoting to some form of art. Hopefully photography, but he's open to other outlets. As long as they don't involve formulas, theories, or a thesis statement Hongbin will take it.  Third point: the counselor. No matter if it really is a young gun like Sanghyuk said or a nice little old lady, Hongbin is excited to meet the counselor. They've officially accomplished what Hongbin strives to do. He wants to be able to claim a job that's acceptable to the corporate drones, one that's not looked down on, yet at the same time nod-worthy to any artist. “I'm a teacher,” is a simple enough explanation for the business friends. “I'm an artist” is simply put for your fellow artist kin.  Hongbin needs to know their secret. How did they land such an awesome job? Did they really need university courses? What about their job outside of camp? Do they have a job outside of camp?  These questions keep accumulating in Hongbin's mind. He plans on getting close to the counselor; whether it be a young guy, young girl, old guy, or old girl. As of right now, Hongbin is scared shitless of his future so he definitely needs some guidance.  Hongbin's too wrapped up in his mind to notice the counselor walk in. By the time Hongbin notices the counselor talking his back is turned to the campers, writing on the chalk board. Nothing about the back of his head screams artist to Hongbin. Tall, a little skinny, an artist's build he'll give him that. There's no tattoos peeking out of his sleeves, hair in a normal cut. Color normal as well. Not that Hongbin has any of the criteria he just mentally scratched off his list.  “First lesson: find artistic beauty out of nature. We're going on a nature walk, pick one thing you find beautiful in nature and bring it back for tomorrow's course.” With the description of the course the counselor turns around and Hongbin is more than happy to cuddle up close to this counselor.  The campers don't have to be told twice to get outside. Think the first nice day of Spring during the school year. You think you're sentenced to the prison called school when there's that one teacher that cuts you a break and decides to have class outside.  “The whole camp site is open, but please, stick with a buddy!” The counselor yells over the shuffling of camp shoes.  Hongbin was one of those shufflers until he hears the counselor. He hangs back a bit, just outside the door. He unties his shoe and reties it. He switches to the right shoe.  He hears the door behind him just as he finishes with his left shoe for the second time. Perfect timing. “Hi there, no outdoor buddy?” Hongbin blames his blush from his admiration for a fellow artist in front of him. An extremely good looking fellow artist.  “Ah, no I guess not.” Play it cool, Hongbin. “I can walk around with you if you'd like.” His smile has the perfect mixture of abstract and pop art that Hongbin finds attractive.  That means his smile is slightly crooked and his lips are a little more plump than the average young man.  “I'd like that, thank you.” Hongbin's face is more line art than anything. Plain, boring, symmetrical. The two walk around and at first Hongbin frets over what object to choose for tomorrow's course. If he chooses something silly Jaehwan, the counselor, might think Hongbin doesn't take art seriously. But if he chooses something too serious he might think Hongbin an art snob.  A pine cone, too elementary. Moss, too complex.  “Ah, I'm not sure what to choose.” Hongbin admits as the two sit down for a small break.  “Too many choices, huh?” Jaehwan hands Hongbin his water bottle. “It's not hard, here, hyung will help.” Jaehwan holds up a rock from the ground, leaf not ready to part from the tree branch, a lady bug from Hongbin's shoulder. “All of these are beautiful, don't you think?” The whole walk Hongbin has been trying to place Jaehwan's medium. Surely it can't be something as simple as graphite. Paints? Clay? Film? If it's film then Hongbin has found his mentor. Film or no film, Hongbin and Jaehwan are really hitting it off. The two talk about their summer camp experiences and are just beginning to skim the topic of their personal lives outside of camp. Hongbin thinks now's the best time to ask his questions. “So, what do you do?”  “I do a lot of things.” “No, I mean, for a living.” “Oh, I'm in finance.” Not what Hongbin was expecting. Not at all. How can someone so carefree and visual choose such an uptight and statistical career? “So you're not an artist?” Hongbin tries to hide his disappointment. Jaehwan laughs at Hongbin's obviousness, “well, just because I'm in finance doesn't mean I'm not an artist!” “I guess so,” Hongbin mumbles. Jaehwan can sense the camper's attitude change. “I think if you're a real artist, or, if you have a real passion for art, then you can find art out of anything. It's about taking the resources you've been given and making it into something enjoyable, pleasing to the eye.” “Where's the art in finance?” Hongbin is reluctant to take the bait. “Some people find art in numbers. The way they compliment each other to make a whole. The way they work together to create something enjoyable. In the world of finance, that's usually helping my clients save money. I take what they give me and shed new light on it, I present it to them in a way that they've never looked at it before.” “So why an art counselor at camp then?” “I appreciate all forms of art.” Hongbin's hands shake when Jaehwan looks straight into his eyes as he gives his (vague) explanation. “I don't know if I can do that, I don't know if I can do anything at this point.” “I think you'll do better than you think. Just don't worry so much. Trust yourself. Isn't that what art is about? Showing a little bit of yourself to others, isn't it?”  “You think so?” “Know it. And I like what I see so far, I can only imagine what amazing art you'll create in a few years.” Jaehwan puts a hand on Hongbin's knee and suddenly, Hongbin cannot wait for his university life to begin. He wants to try as many mediums as he can while he has the chance. Maybe finance is the medium for Hongbin as well... Hongbin takes a handful of dirt and tries to find the beauty in it. All he can see is his counselor's smiling face. Even the sun doesn't outshine that smile.  “What about you?” Hongbin asks, gaining courage from their solitude. “Do I think dirt is beautiful?”Jaehwan tilts his head in confusion. “Do you count as nature?” Hongbin's heart is beating so fast, now. “After all, we're nature's best product, right?”   AN: Melty Cheese. Last post until next week, off to Kcon this weekend (eep).