Amelioration || Choi Jiung

12

Saturday

"Jiung ah! We're back!" Keeho exclaimed as he, Theo and I entered the house.

Since Theo had lessons to teach earlier, Keeho went to pick him up at the school. He originally asked me to come along but I refused to do so because... the two of them should have some alone time. So I just met up with them at the train station.

Jiung came out of his room and waved, showing a small smile. "Hi."

"We'll have sooo much fun today," Keeho said excitedly, automatically heading towards the TV. Theo also went there, probably setting up the video games.

"We still have some time," Theo looked at his watch, "we can play overcooked for a while first before we go out and buy food."

"Overcooked?" I furrowed my eyebrows, watching the TV screen change and get brighter.

"Don't tell me that you've never heard of it." Keeho turned around with a few controllers in his hands, looking terrified.

I held up my hands in defense, "I've heard of it and watched it! I just don't know how to play."

"Well, that's okay." Theo shrugged, sitting down on the sofa, "Jiung can teach you, come and sit down first."

I carefully went to the sofa and sat down beside Jiung. He handed me a controller and started teaching me the functions of the buttons, but he got interrupted constantly by his friends bickering.

"Can you not copy my character?"

"Why not?"

"It's going to be so confusing later."

"Fine."

"DUMBASS DON'T START THE GAME YET. Jiung and Chaerin haven't even joined."

"..."

"BITCH stop and let me choose my character in peace."

"..."

"YOON KEEHO."

"Guys," Jiung finally stopped them, looking frustrated, "can you shut up for a second?"

I could only hold back my laughter, because I knew the reason why Theo kept on picking fights with Keeho.

Later we started playing the game. It was certainly... chaotic.

"It's burning... IT'S FUCKING BURNING. Why is no one there?!"

"Green colour, what the fuck are you doing?! Don't just stand there doing nothing."

"Stop falling while holding the cooked food! Jesus christ."

"Put my fucking taco down, please."

"Great! We'll lose again."

I didn't know how much time passed by, I only knew that I was tired from shouting and nervously staring at the screen.

Plus, I'm not used to playing video games like this so the loud noises gave me a headache. I wanted to hide somewhere and recharge my social energy.

"Guys, I'm going to stop here," I finally spoke up before they're about to start a new game. "Continue without me."

"Are you okay?" Theo asked after I stood up and passed him my controller.

"Yeah, just wanted some alone time," I replied, and looked around, seeing where I can go.

Suddenly, Jiung spoke, "I'll take a break too."

"Aww, we can wait for you guys and keep playing later, though." Keeho said, but still held out his hand, taking Jiung's controller.