Rewritten

That's Us

After Heeseung's graduation and before the summer classes started, the group decided to throw him a farewell party. It was Jay who organized everything and the venue would be at the same beach resort they went to before, which Sunoo and Jungwon later found out, co-owned by Jay's father.

Sunoo was hesitant to go especially with Sunghoon, and to the same place where he only had painful memories but Ni-ki, Jungwon and especially Heeseung urged him. Eventually, he caved in.

Jay and Jungwon went to the resort ahead of everyone to prep the place.
Heeseung asked Ni-ki to help him with stuff they needed for their summer outing so they will go with Jake.
Sunghoon and Sunoo were stuck with each other. Much to Sunoo's displeasure.

"Hay naku! Sumama nga ko kasi sabi nyo na ano, tapos ayaw nyo kong isabay sa inyo." Sunoo complained.

"Ummmm, kami kasi naka'assign sa grocery so it's better na kami magkakasama sa isang sasakyan." Heeseung explained.

"Palit na lang tayo."

"Okay, ikaw humawak ng pera."

"Ay ayoko... si Ni-ki na..."

"Ayaw din ni Ni-ki."

"Kami na lang palit ni Ni-ki."

"Sure," Ni-ki agreed, "basta ikaw magbuhat ng mga bubuhatin."

"Anubayan..."

"Tayo na lang palit Jake." Sunghoon hesitantly offered, not wanting to make Sunoo uncomfortable, "Ako na mag-drive sa kotse mo, tas kayo na ni Sunoo mag-sabay."

"Ummmm... stick tong dala ko. Di ka marunong sa manual di ba?" Jake lied.

"Di naman manual-"

"Sige na kasi Sunoo, it's just a short ride. Matulog ka na lang sa byahe kung ayaw mong kausapin si Hoon." Heeseung said, cutting off Sunghoon.

"Hay, ayokong magpaka-brat." Sunoo gave up, "Farewell party mo naman to. Kung di ka lang malakas sakin."

"Yey!! Oh sige... see you there. Hoon, drive safely ahhh?"

"Yep... kayo din." Sunghoon said then he turned to Sunoo, "Ummm, let's go-"

Sunoo turned his back and got inside Sunghoon's car before he could even finish his sentence. He thought of sitting at the back but he realized that it would be too much so he decided to sit at the passenger's seat.

The ride was surprisingly comfortable for Sunoo. The familiar interior and scent of Sunghoon's car brought a lot of happy memories to him.
He tried to sleep but he couldn't, so he put on his earphones to avoid small talks with Sunghoon though he was not listening to anything.

Sunghoon noticed that Sunoo had his earphones on so he decided to listen to some music. By default, his car's audio automatically played the playlist he and Sunoo made before. Sunghoon panicked but it seemed like Sunoo wasn't listening anyway so he just let it play.

'That's Us' by Anson Seabra played first.

Sunoo froze in his seat when Sunghoon played the song but he pretended that he didn't hear it. Halfway through the song, Sunoo couldn't take it anymore because of the piercing lyrics so he straightened up and pressed 'Stop'.

"NANANADYA KA BA?" Sunoo snarled at Sunghoon.

"What?" Sunghoon asked, startled, "Ummmmm... akala ko nakikinig ka sa phone mo... I didn't mean... I'm sorr-"

"Sorry?! Okay, so 'Sorry' and you expect na okay na...?"

"What do you-?

"Forget it. Just don't talk to me." Sunoo snapped and wore his earphones again but this time he played music and closed his eyes.

Sunghoon was still startled about what happened and kept on glancing at Sunoo, unable to do or say anything. Sunghoon bit his lip trying to hold his emotions in and to keep together until they arrive at the resort.
The rest of the drive were spent in utter silence between them even during stop-overs.

***