Chapter 17: Home sweet Home
755 Words
Baek Il Jung's POV
I drag my bag to the bus. After handing it over, I climb in and sit down. Not even a minute later, Hwa Sung climbs in with a bag slung on her shoulder. I try using my eyes to catch her attention, but she walks pass me, seemingly seeing nothing, but I'm pretty sure she saw me and just decided to ignore me.
Why do you want her attention?
We need to talk about the umm......umm......what happened two days ago.
What will you say to her in the first place, " I wanted to know why you kissed me".
Would you say that in front of everyone?
Now that I think of it, I can't do that. I let her pass. The bus begins to move and I jolt a little from shock. My seatmate gives me a weird look before turning away. I look out the window to observe the scenery as we pass by. I reach into my pocket and retrieve the bracelet I placed there earlier. I feel the edges of my lips tilt upwards.
You're such a good luck charm, I really don't want to look for your owner anymore.
But perhaps your owner has a lot of bad luck now because of me. When we go back, I promise to return you.
I run my fingers on the bracelet, feeling every dip and curve. I spot a design on it. It was a lotus flower engraving. How come I didn't see it earlier? .
You're beautiful. Is your owner as beautiful as you are? Though no one can be as beautiful as Hwa Sung, no offence. Is it weird I'm speaking to you although I know that you're an inanimate object. I must be going crazy, but the thing is, I'm lonely. So, so lonely.
I glance at where Taehyung sits. So-ra is asleep leaning on his shoulder. He smiles fondly at her. I begin to imagine Hwa Sung and I in this scene, although I know she's not very dependent. I imagine running my hands through her voluminous hair. It seems soft and has always appealed to me. I then remember Man Bok's and Sa-na's position when I first entered. They were laughing and talking. I was happy that they were bonding at the time, but now, all I'm feeling is jealousy. Jealousy that Hwa Sung and I can't have that. That cute relationship. We're just awkward and I don't feel happy, just sad. I think our relationship is like that of Talahai and Mi-na, who are presently ignoring each other. I fall asleep wondering how life would be if the situation between Sung-ahh and I was different.
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"Il Jung-sshi, wake up"
"Uhh, I'm up, I'm up"
"Kaja, it's time to go"
I get down from the bus, behind Man Bok. I spot Hwa Sung immediately, not very far away, speaking on the phone. Again.
She turns around and I watch as her eyes widen. She says something quickly and ends the call. She starts to walk away from us very quickly. She almost runs.
"Well, that escalated quickly", Taehyung says looking worried. They all look to me. I shrug, playing it off.
" Don't look at me like that. I know nothing ", I lie, though I'm pretty sure I have a few ideas. It's good to know she's also flustered about the kiss.
" O.....kay, let's go". I know they don't believe me, but I keep my mouth shut and I'm pretty sure I smiled the whole way home.
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"Hyung(1), why are you so happy? ", Il Jang asks me.
"Wae? Can't I be just happy? "
"Nope, now tell me. What happened during your trip to make you so happy? "
I pull an Imaginary zip across my mouth, " Not telling "
" Alright, but is it because you like a girl? ". Heat runs up to my cheeks because of how bluntly he said it and because he got it right on his first try.
" I'm right, aren't I? "
"What girl? I don't know what you're talking about, you punk? "
"Yeah right, like I'll believe that ", he moves to get up, "but don't forget to introduce me, okay? "
I look down at my feet. Is it obvious I like her?
Yes, yes it is.
I look up after I hear the door close.
I guess I'll have to be a bit more discreet.
Footnotes:
1: means 'older brother'. in Korea, what girls call their older siblings is different from what boys call theirs.
- Writer
