Over The Seas [Kim Sunwoo The Boyz]

Chapter Sixty-One

All is quiet in the apartment on this Friday night. The only sounds one can hear is the A/C coming from across the room.
I fiddle with my fingers under the coffee table. I try my best to avoid Areum and Sewoon's eyes staring at Jonghoon and I from the other side of the table. I glance over at Jonghoon and see his leg slightly shaking.

"So," Areum grabs my attention and I finally face them. The first thing I notice is the grin on her face. I look at Sewoon and see the opposite.
"How long have you two been a thing?"
"I'd really like to know that, too" Sewoon adds as he crosses his arms on his chest.
Jonghoon turns to me. I give him a nod of approval, understanding that he's asking if we should just tell them the truth.
"Less than a week." He answers.
"Oh, that's not that bad." I hear Areum whisper to Sewoon. "Why didn't you tell us then?"
I open my mouth to answer but Jonghoon beats me to it.
"I wanted to keep it a secret. Just until our first date, that is. We didn't want to involve you guys yet."
Areum turns to me with a serious face. I only play with my hands even more. Before I knew it, Areum ran around the table, and flung herself at me with arms open wide.
"It's about time!!" She exclaimed with joy as she swings me side to side in a hug. I just smiled not knowing what else to do. She sits back up and continues to interrogate me. As she does, Sewoon decides to chime with his own question but to his brother.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to ask Riyae out?" The room became quiet again.
Jonghoon replied in a tone I rarely hear from him.
"Because you always tell me to shut up every time I talk about her."
The tension between them became intense. Sewoon scoffs and gets up to walk to the door. Areum quickly says goodnight and follows him.

"What was that about?" I ask Jonghoon. He sighs. "I don't know but you shouldn't worry." Jonghoon smiles at me. With that face, I know he's being genuine. Whatever it may be that bothers Sewoon, I trust that our friendship will be strong enough to be able to find a solution.

I hear the door open back again so I turn to look and see Sewoon peaking his head in.
"Are you coming home or not?"
"I'll be out in a second." Jonghoon replies.
Sewoon doesn't move from his position.
"I'll text you when I get home."
We say goodnight and he leaves with Sewoon. Areum comes back in but instead of going to bed, she continues to ask me questions. I let this distract me from an possible arising problem.

. . .

It's been a few days since my first date with Jonghoon. We're slowly becoming more comfortable with each other in this new relationship but we still have a long way to go —I know that Sewoon's silent judgement isn't helping us. When we're all together, there's definitely a strange atmosphere between us and Sewoon. I feel sorry for Areum who is just stuck in the middle of this and trying to help the situation. I want to talk to Sewoon but Jonghoon continues to tell me that it's nothing to worry about. Besides that, I haven't felt this type of happiness in a long time.

Just another afternoon staying in at the apartment. I look at the clock on the wall above the tv in front of me.
4:42PM
Bored out of my mind, I mindlessly grab my phone. I spend some time scrolling through social media hoping it wastes some time. I look back at the clock.
4:50PM
I throw my head back on the couch and groan.

I open up my messages and check if Jonghoon has said anything.

11:38AM Jonghoon: Are you staying late in class?

11:39AM Me: Yeah, our professor went overtime. I should be at the cafeteria in a bit.

Just our last conversation from earlier today. I decide to call him hoping he can have some ideas to cure my boredom.

"Hey, Riyae!" Jonghoon answers almost immediately.
"Hey, Jonghoon. I need your help."
"Oh? What's wrong?"
"I need help with getting rid of my boredom."
He laughed.
"Do you want to go out and do something?"
"Hmmm, I do need some new clothes for the upcoming winter."
"Then let's go shopping together."