The ice cream parlour

Eighteen

It was 12am and both Ryujin and Chaeryeong were still awake.

"Darling?"

Chaeryeong turned to her side to face Ryujin.

"Can you sleep?"

"Why? What's wrong?" The younger girl asked.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Ryujin asked hoarsely, reaching out to hold Chaeryeong's hand. The latter was slightly confused but agreed anyway, knowing that late night walks comfort Ryujin.

Soon, they were making their way to the nearby park hand in hand.

"Ryu... are you feeling okay?" Chaeryeong asked gently, halting to a stop and pulling lightly on Ryujin's arm.

The older girl shrugged, sitting down on the bench.

Chaeryeong sat down beside her, leaning on her shoulder.

"Well, you know that Yeji and I broke up. She accepted the scholarship in Canada and she didn't want to do long distance," Ryujin sighed, caressing the back of the younger's hand.

"She found something in my bag too," she said, taking something out of her back pocket and handing it to Chaeryeong.

"A letter?" the latter mumbled curiously, fumbling with the envelope.

"Read it. It's for you," Ryujin shrugged, sitting up straight.

Chaeryeong opened the yellowish envelope and pulled out a letter.

She inhaled deeply before starting to read it silently.

Dear Chaeryeongie,

How should I say this? I don't think its normal for me to feel my heart thumping when I saw you wear my hoodie at your workplace. Hearing you call me darling and even kissing me on the cheek when you returned home that night made my heart go crazy.

You're my best friend but yet I have the temptation to kiss you every time i see you sleeping peacefully. I love the way you snuggle up close to me, especially on cold nights.

I know i'm dating Yeji but i can't stop myself from feeling things when i see you.

I know you're sad that i'm distancing myself from you but i'm only doing it because i don't want my feelings for you to grow stronger.

I think its very obvious that i like you.

Chaeryeong pinched her arm as she looked up. Ryujin glanced over the younger's face and snatched the letter back before standing up and leaving.

It took Chaeryeong a few moments for everything to finally settle in.

"Ryujin!" she yelled, running over to her.

The older girl stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Chaeryeong quickly caught up with her. "Yah, w-why didn't you let... me speak?" she panted, grasping onto Ryujin's arm.

Just as she was about to speak, Chaeryeong shushed her and smiled.

"I like you too, Ryujin ah,"

"You're not- you're not fooling around, are you?" Ryujin stammered, her hands playing with the hem of her shirt.

Chaeryeong shook her head, taking Ryujin's trembling hands into her's.

"It's getting late. Let's go home and get some rest, darling," Ryujin said hoarsly, her eyes watery as she smiled.

—

Chaeryeong lay in bed that night, cuddled closely against Ryujin's side, the older's arm draped across her waist.

Is she being serious? What if she's just joking around?

"Ryeong? Why aren't you sleeping? Is there anything troubling you?" Ryujin groaned, forcing her eyes open.

Chaeryeong shook her head, smiling to comfort Ryujin.

"Then go back to sleep, I have plans for us in the morning," she muttered, pulling Chaeryeong closer.

The younger was touched that Ryujin already had plans for the day but was still rather uncertain. With a sigh, she tried her best to go back to sleep.

—

Ryujin woke up that morning, finding Chaeryeong curled up next to her. Whatever happened the previous night came rushing back and she grinned.

"Love?"

Chaeryeong whined and pulled the blanket over her.

"Baby, wake up!" Ryujin said, pulling the blanket off and cupping Chaeryeong's cheek.

The latter finally opened her eyes, smiling immediately when she saw Ryujin staring down lovingly at her.

"Morning," the older chuckled, pulling Chaeryeong up into a sitting position. "Go wash up, we're going out,"

Chaeryeong got up and hugged Ryujin tightly. All of a sudden, she felt a pair of lips on her cheek. Her eyes widened as she saw Ryujin smirk playfully out of the corner of her eye.

"Today's going to be our first date as an official couple," Ryujin announced, pulling away with the biggest smile on her face.

a/n: okay first of all- IM SO SORRY. i personally hate it when authors don't update for a long time so i feel really bad for leaving this book hanging. also this chapter is very very vERy short bc i desperately want to update. im sorry for giving yall a shitty chapter😩. this entire get together thing is super rushed and it sucks but i hope it gets better in the future🤌🤌.