Step by Step [TO1 ROMEYOU 1]

CHAPTER 8

     Chihoon helped Jerome to put his crutches away in order to sit down on the bench properly.
»Whose idea was it again to bring all of us to an amusement park?« Chihoon whispered while handing Jerome a can of soda.

»But it's fun, isn't it? You should enjoy your free time too, hyung.« Jerome looked at Chihoon and nodded into the direction of numerous attractions. In the distance, all the other boys lined up in front of a waffle shop. Since Jerome mentioned he assumed Donggeon to be his old friend, Jaeyun and Jisu managed to bring his group of friends with them. Now they were a total of 8 people: Jerome, Chihoon, Woonggi, Jisu, Jaeyun, Jeyou, Donggeon and Chan. Unfortunately, Jerome wasn't allowed to go on any attractions yet, so they were an odd number of people to go on rollercoaster rides.

Jeyou came back with three waffles and handed Chihoon and Jerome one each. »It wasn't necessary to bring us as well.« He said as he turned around and eyed Donggeon from afar. 

»Why? We are friends, though~« Jerome pouted his lips to get Jeyou's attention. But the brown haired boy was busy to figure out a plan to separate their groups of friends back to its normal. He was just annoyed Donggeon intervened their friendship so much these days. 

After a while, Jeyou still didn't spare a glance at Jerome, who put on a sulky face and grabbed the rim of Jeyou's hoodie.

»We even slept together~« He whined and started munching on his waffle. Chihoon almost spit out his sip of soda and looked at Jeyou's similar reaction. »So aren't we friends?« Jerome looked up innocently while Jeyou started turning around with slighly blushed cheeks.
»Fine! We are..of course we are.« He admitted and sat down next to him on the bench while still looking away.

The others slowly returned while eating waffles and chatting lively. The bench was too small to fit all of them, so they were standing around Jerome as Chihoon and Chan decided to go on a rollercoaster ride together, which was located right beside them.

»I want to go toooo!!!« Woonggi exclaimed and crossed his arms in front of his chest while stomping.
»Same.« Jisu looked around to appreciate all the colorful entrances leading to exciting coaster rides. Several screams echoed through the park as coasters were launched into the air.
»Guys, you can still go! Don't worry about me!« Jerome felt bad for his friends, who didn't want to go on rides without him and leave him by himself. It wasn't necessary for them to look after him like a little child. But his inner feelings wanted someone to stay with him.

»Right, I could stay with him if you want.« Donggeon said suddenly as he gestured the others to go. »We are 7 anyway...« He added. It was obvious Jeyou beside Jerome got flustered and wanted to contradict his idea, but didn't know how. At the same time, Jerome's eyes filled with hope and his lips formed a soft smile.
He is so caring...like always

»I don't want to go either. I don't like coasters...« Jeyou said. Jaeyun's sudden gaze at Jeyou had something mysterious yet understanding. He took a glance at the other boys, who were heading toward the entrance of the roller coaster "T Express".

»Okay, then Jeyou stay with Jerome, and we'll go. It doesn't take long anyway...hopefully.« He said while dragging Donggeon with him, not waiting for a response. Jerome's chance to spend time with Donggeon was shattered, and his respective emotions were mirrored in his face. Maybe it was meant to be this way...
Jeyou noticed Jerome's disappointed face and wanted to look for something to cheer him up.
»Want to sit down at the table there? We can get something to eat.« Jeyou purposed and pointed into the direction of a sweetly decorated restaurant.

»I'm fine.« Jerome shook his head blankly. He was sitting quietly on the bench while staring at his feet. It was hard to tell if he was just suffering from remaining pain of his ankle, or if he was deep in thoughts about his old best friend Donggeon. He wanted to get closer to him and finally tell him he's his old friend. But he didn't know if Donggeon would be that happy about it. Maybe there was a reason why his friend vanished years ago? What if he didn't want to see him and as soon as he does, he will vanish again? Or simply ignore Jerome? These kinds of insecurities plagued his mind.
But on the other hand, if Donggeon's former best friend wouldn't be important for him, he probably wouldn't look for the keychain...right?