The Boy From The Bridge - Jakehoon

Chapter 61: Catching a Cold 2/9

Sunghoon sat in an armchair next to his grandmother. They sat alone, his grandfather and the remainder of the family where in another room. They had being drinking tea for several minutes. Historically, Sunghoon didn't look forward to these moments. Situations like this would generally devolve into being subject to his grandmother's inquisition into every aspect of his life.

This time however, Sunghoon was enjoying being plied with questions. His life had advanced so quickly over the past few months and he felt he had plenty to share.

"Honestly, I think I'm growing into the best version of myself" Sunghoon said in answer to a question over how he thought he was progressing as a 'young man.'

"And why do you think that is?" His grandmother asked.

"Well, I guess I've learned or discovered how to best apply myself into constantly improving different aspects of my life: school work, extra curricular stuff - learning new skills..."

"I did not ask how Sunghoon - I asked why?"

"Ummm, honestly..." Sunghoon felt himself tense up in anticipation of his answer, "I think getting to know Jaeyun - my friend who you met at the figure skating competition - has really helped. I guess I've watched him improve himself and it sort of, inspired me to try and do the same"

"Oh" was all the reply his grandmother could muster. Sunghoon, with his free hand gripped the armchair tightly as he silently prayed that he had not said too much. It was nice to open himself up to family but instantly felt that his comments had been a little too close to the truth and that carried risks. The risk that he might say something a little bit too obvious, the risk that he might reveal himself and his relationship with Jake.

Sunghoon had not stopped thinking about said risks when he was being driven home in the family car. Sat in the back seat with Yeji, he stared aimlessly as a rainstorm engulfed the city "Careful! Don't go so quickly through the puddles!" Sunghoon heard his mother order his father. "If we splash anyone they'll probably end up being our neighbour."

Sunghoon glanced out of his window where he saw the street being flooded by overflowing drains. Water was collecting in such quantities that in some places it was rising above the sidewalk. The weather was so miserable that he felt as if his clothes were getting damper just by looking at it. Instinctively, he reached for the top of his window to see if any rain had come through.

While he found moisture, collecting there due to the condensation, there was, unsurprisingly - no leak. "I'd hate to be out there" Yeji said from the other back-passenger-seat "you'd catch a cold in no time."

Once they had entered their apartment building Yeji had wanted to prove a point she had made at dinner; that it was faster to climb the stairs than it was to wait for the elevator. Along with their father, she had promptly raced up them whilst Sunghoon and their mother waited patiently for the elevator to come. Naturally the race made no exception for time spent waiting  as Yeji made it clear that the waiting was a key part of her hypothesis.

Standing in silence, Sunghoon almost dropped the figure skating gear that he was holding when he heard a loud bang from behind him. Turning, he saw a bedraggled person enter the building from the outside. To his surprise, in stepped a cold, wet and shivering Jake.

"Jake!" Sunghoon said loudly in alarm.

"My dear, what were you doing out there? You'll get sick in weather like this" his mother added.

Sunghoon could see Jake's teeth were chattering, "I, I, I, wasn't feeling well. I, I thought I need..needed a walk to clear my, my head."

"A walk? But you were at the theatre with Namil? That's miles away!" Sunghoon exclaimed, going over to Jake's side.