100 Days DISCONTINUED

9

I sensed Hongjoong was just as ecstatic as I was to go to the gorgeous gardens in the famed Golden Gate Park for our first date. 

Taking a tentative bite of my grilled cheese, I allowed my mind to wander. It did quite often but only sometimes would I be aware of it. Slipping away from the cafe, my mind pictured images of Hongjoong and me amongst colorful flowers chatting, laughing, and kissing. I smirked, snapped back to reality as Hongjoong chuckled.

I stopped chewing and looked up. He was staring intently at me. 

"What are you thinking about?" He asked innocently, cutting a piece of chicken with his fork and dipping it in a puddle of syrup. "Me?"

I snorted at his shamelessness. "You think you're all that, don't you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly and winked at me. "Maybe I don't but I know you love me."

"Oh so confident." I joked, taking a sip of my ice water. "So cocky."

He giggled, high pitched and tinkling like tiny bells. My heart melted. I loved Hongjoong's laugh more than anything in the world. It was so adorable; it sounded exactly like one would imagine fairy laughter to sound like. 

"No but seriously, what's up?" He asked again, this time in a softer, caring tone. 

"Oh." I played it off coolly as internally-I was in full blown panic mode. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about the gardens. I'm really excited." 

Hongjoong cracked a smile and set down his fork on his empty plate. "I'm excited too! Almost done?"

I nodded, taking one last sip of water. We got up (having already paid at the counter) and headed out the clear glass door to walk down to Golden Gate Park. 

After a short but hurried fifteen minute stroll, the busy city streets began to collide with outstretched, grassy areas, the Japanese tea gardens towering over the park in the distance as they were the tallest buildings in this pretty much building-less section of my hometown.   

Hongjoong inhaled deeply, the grin on his face causing my heart to swell in affection. I truly loved this man. 

"The air is so fresh here, don't you think?" 

Together we inhaled. "Oh!" My voice caught in my throat and Hongjoong wrinkled his nose. Instead of the fresh air smell I was expecting, I got a lung full of car exhaust. 

"I take it back!" He laughed, even I allowed myself to giggle at his adorable smile. 

Finally we had made it to the talked up gardens. I was almost jumping up and down with excitement as Hongjoong entered with me in tow.  We didn't have to pay as we were San Francisco residents which I found absolutely awesome. I'm cheap, okay?

"So," Hongjoong glanced at the map clutched in his hands and shoved it in his back pocket. My look of confusion prompted him to explain. "Hwa, I know this place like the back of my hand. First, let's go look at the 'Tour to Asia' and then we'll get to Africa and then South America and then the flower section." 

"Okay!" I chirped. "Sounds like a plan."

Hongjoong grinned again and grabbed my hand. His palm was a little sweaty but it didn't bother me much. Hongjoong didn't strike me as the nervous type but I guess that assured me that he truly likes me. 

"Woah~" I breathed as we followed the cobblestone path into a thicket of bamboo. The green stalks were at least twice as tall as me and covered the gray cloudy skies above with their leaves swaying in the breeze.