Seasons 계절

Chapter 2- sunset

Chapter 2

Jeon Jungkook.

His name rang in her ears like a mantra.

Running her fingers through her hair, she gulped the cold can of sprite in desperate attempts of washing off the bubbly feeling in her stomach. Sure she was a fan of binge-watching kdramas, but getting a first-hand experience was totally off-setting. Somebody should've at least gave her a heads-up.

Her body instantly relaxed as the beverage cooled down her frantic state. The drink was refreshing, and it somehow reminded her of her cousin who seemed to misinterpret that water is more essential than sprite. She made a mental note to herself to give him a call later.

"There you are, Hyun Joo!" A beaming girl approached her, her lengthy locks bouncing with every step she takes. Her hands were coated with specks of paint. Upon her arrival, Hyun Joo frowned slightly and shot her a suspicious look.

"Where were you?" She crossed her arms, leaning her back on the vending machine, "I kept calling you but you also kept on ignoring my calls."

The girl gave her an apologetic look in response. "I'm sorry, I was just really busy. You know, about the arts club and stuffs. The school festival is approaching afterall." As a wistful look passed through her eyes, Hyun Joo didn't radiate even a bit of interest on the contrary.

Her body language which uttered complete disinterest made the girl groan beside her, snaking one arm to her. "Come on! Aren't you looking forward to it?" The girl whined, tugging her further. "This is our last festival, a lot of cute guys from other schools visit us every year you know. " She added while wiggling her eyebrows, trying to spark the tiny spark of interest from her friend but to no luck.

"The same thing happens every festival, nothing's new, So Ah." She said nonchalantly, dragging her friend to the cafeteria in the process. Throughout the years, the repetitive events during school festivals earned a dull spot in her. She just wished it would pass by quickly and get it over with.

"You're such a killjoy." So Ah said in whiny tone, letting go of her and stormed away with heavy footsteps. Whilst she had a heavy lack of enthusiasm in such activities, So Ah was the complete opposite which made her ponder how they became best of friends in the first place.

Nonetheless, she treasured her, everything would be different without her around. "Fine fine, let's go boy-hunting that day." So Ah automatically turned to face her, a giggle emitting from her lips.

As they marched through the cafeteria, she had no choice but pretend to listen to her rants. If So Ah had a tail, she swore she would've wagged it high up in enthusiasm. She was a huge talker, there's no doubt in that, so she was forced to be a good listener at all times. Scanning the cafeteria for vacant tables, her forehead scrunched in confusion; the place was unusually packed than normal.

Then her sight locked to a specific table at the far corner.

That certain someone was grinning ear to ear with two of his friends. One has blonde hair, eyes disappearing when he starts laughing. The other looked smart, a deep dimple showing on his cheek as pair of thick spectacles perched up his nose.

Jeon Jungkook. His name rolled in her tongue with ease.

As if he heard her by chance, a smile graced his lips as he spotted her, raising a single hand to wave. While this action made her smile in return, she became aware of his two friends glancing back to her direction and So Ah looking at her in bewilderment.

Jungkook mouthed something to his friends before standing up from his seat, the chair screeching in his motion. Right in front of her eyes, Jungkook jogged towards her direction, a small smile in his lips.

"Hey, you want to join us for lunch?" His breathy voice spoke out, the same friendly smile adorned his face. His orbs were swirling with the familiar warmth she has grown to admire, she never knew how a pair of onyx eyes can leave her this breathless.

Tearing her eyes away from him, she felt So Ah bumping her hips to her with narrowed eyes. It didn't take a genius to get what she means.

"Uhm, that would be great.. but we have some matters to attend to. Thanks for the offer though." She opened her mouth reluctantly, looking at him through her lashes. The slight disappointment in his face sparked something in her, as if urging her to stay.

"Sure, no worries. I guess I'll just see you around then." Jungkook patted her shoulders, a small curve in his lips as he turned away to join his friends. The next thing she knew, she was dragged to the girls' comfort room.

"Jung Hyun Joo, I think you forgot to tell me something." So Ah's eyes were narrowed as she closed the door behind her. The girl's hands were both on her hips, Hyun Joo is quite unsure if she'll feel nervous or funny. Seeing her little petite friend there trying to intimidate her.

"What do you mean So Ah? I never kept a secret once." She tried to sound serious, but the sight of her friend's nose flaring, she can't help but c***k up.

"Stop fooling me, what was that back there? What does this--" She tried to execute Jungkook's smile and wave which looks more comical than what it should be, "--mean??" She finally burst out in laughter for a good 5 minutes before it died down. "It's nothing big. He just happened to fix my bike for me this morning."

"Woah, he did?" She muttered in astonishment, "That's so lucky of you."

Hyun Joo's eyebrows furrowed, "Lucky for what?"

She rolled her eyes in reply, "Well, you got him to fix something for you, plus he came and initiated a conversation with you. That's a real progress." So Ah replied with teary eyes.

"I never thought this day would come, I feel like a proud mom." She continued sniffing in a dramatic way, wiping the side of her eyelids with her finger.

"What are you talking about! Did you bump your head or something?"

***

"Oh it's you." A familiar voice whispered in her ears which gave goosebumps all over her body. She didn't need to turn her head back to recognize whom it belongs to. Nonetheless, she snapped her head back and was greeted by Jungkook's smirking face, his hot breath grazing the back of her neck.

"Hey, you're too close!" Her body jumped away, palms pressed on the hardness of his chest to put a good distance between them.

Jungkook chuckled, seemingly unfazed by her complaints. "You're going home?" Hands inside his pockets, he finally straightened his back, ruffling the dark fringes away from his eyes. He had took off his vest and rested it on his shoulder, now he's only in his white shirt underneath.

She wordlessly stared back at him, practically gawking at the sight. A silent prayer escaped her lips as she thanked the heavens above. Why does he need to be this charming? She was beyond speechless, a mere nod was the only response she was capable of at the moment.

"Then let's go together. I live only a few blocks away from yours." He offered casually, swiveling around to his own bike.

"You do?" She questioned, eyes still fixated on his side profile.

She once saw him in a nearby convenience store but never really noticed which part of the neighborhood he lives. She quietly pondered to herself, was she ignorant of her surroundings or simply unobservant?

And to think that Jungkook knows where she particularly lives. A foreign feeling bubbled up in her stomach.

"I mean, is it okay?" She asked reluctantly, mounting her own bike. Quite uncertain of the sudden offer, she speculated the fact they were merely strangers before this day, yet there's no harm in his proposal. Who was she to reject his offer?

Jungkook hummed, smirking at her sideways. "Why not? I don't bite. Besides you owe me something, I'll take this as a payment." With one last wink, he started pedaling away smoothly.

The afternoon breeze gently brushed her face, sweeping her hair behind her. It was nearly sunset. The sky was tinted orange, the color cascading along the horizon and the clouds were melting in the orange-tinted sky.

The wind got more prominent the longer they surged over the open area.The water below was glistening orange with the sunset, a flock of birds flapping their wings above. The atmosphere was screaming peace and serenity.

It was simply breathtaking.

Jungkook kept on stealing glances at her, an occasional smirk gracing his lips. His brows furrowed in question when she got off her bicycle, resting her hand on the metal railings of the bridge.

"It's beautiful." Hyun Joo muttered as soon as she felt him stand beside her. Her eyes darted up to him, his orbs were glazed over with astonishment, mouth slightly parted due to the scene unfolding in front of them.

He only nodded in response, "I take it that you like sunsets." He muttered, resting his elbows on the railings before glancing down at her. He knew it sounded lame but it's the only thing he could think of at the moment.

A sweet laugh slipped off her lips, "I mean, who wouldn't? Look at this." She muttered, pointing at the scene with her chin. "Don't you?"

Jungkook regarded her with a tight-lipped smile before averting his eyes back in front. "Not a big fan, I prefer sunrise."

He was not a sentimental guy to begin with, but he thinks sunrise is better. A start of a new day, another shot in life. He just couldn't get the fact as to why most people like the idea of endings instead.

Stop being salty and let others have their own preference, Kook. He told himself. Or were you just upset because she refused having lunch with you?

He couldn't help but snicker at himself. The chances of her accepting an offer from a stranger was low but he still grabbed the chance. Besides, they were already friends the moment he helped her, right?

"I guess I'm starting to like it now." Jungkook chuckled, "Do you go here often?"

"I come here everyday, I must say." Just in time, she was able to tear off her gaze as she bounced on her feet, looking down to conceal her flustered state.

"You're actually not that bad of a company." She mumbled back.

Jungkook chuckled at her comment. "You're also not that bad."

They both stood there in silence, closing her eyes to take in all the positive energy she can absorb at the moment. The place beyond this bridge is back to a busy reality, she never wanted to leave.

And to think that she was with a guy she barely knew, yet oddly, she never felt one bit wary of his presence.

"You know what I like about sunsets?"Jungkook threw a curious look at her question, "It tells us that for every endings, we will always have another chance tomorrow. Besides that, I think sunsets are just really pretty."

He gulped a huge amount of air through his teeth, letting out a throaty chuckle. "I can't argue with that." They stayed there for a few more minutes in silence and eventually took off.

"Guess I'll see you at school tomorrow." Jungkook muttered, tapping the soles of his shoes in the concrete road in front of Hyun Joo's porch.

She had this big urge to squirm everytime she's under his gaze. The strange spell he has on her remains a mystery and it is definitely something she needed to solve later on.

"By the way, thank you for helping this morning." She mused back to him, fighting back the unwavering flutters in her stomach.

A warm smile formed in his lips. He stared back at her, his dark abyss studying the fleeting shift of her eyes every now and then. He was not that dumb not to know that his presence has an effect on her, and being the tease that he is..

"Don't worry about that," He assured her, " Starting today, I'll be here."