Vexatious || Ateez J.WY

chapter 20.

it wasn't just her spoiled attitude or her lack of athletic abilities that almost made it impossible for her to take that hideous flag from its place.

if there's one thing she was afraid of, other than apologizing, it was heights.

heights. she wanted to laugh at how weak that sounds but she couldn't. she was terrified.

"uhm," she lets out after almost two minutes of staring at the rock and the ropes. "woo?"

the purple haired wasn't dumb, or forgetful, or oblivious. he could see how the girl was panicking at the mere sight of the obstacle.

"you, uh-" sooyoung swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing, "know how heights isn't really my thing?"

one time, when they were still together, sooyoung had this wonderful idea to go to an amusement park for the celebration of their fourth monthsary. she mentioned some time before that she wasn't really into heights, so wooyoung asked her if she was sure. she took that as a challenge and rode the dropper, resulting her shaking and vomiting as an aftermath.

it might have been a hassle for some, but wooyoung loved taking care of her.

that was then. there's no way he'd do her a favor now.

"i'll just go instead." damnit. wooyoung's tongue decided to roll out.

"no!" the girl exclaims before calming herself. "no, uhm, that would be unfair."

"stop letting your pride get the best of you." the purple haired boy had to stop his finger from flicking her forehead like he used to.

"that's not it, asshole." she strikes back. "can't you just, i don't know, climb with me?"

wooyoung raised a brow at the suggestion.

"i just," sooyoung inhales, "don't wanna feel useless." she says the second part quickly which came out like a loud whisper.

the boy took a few seconds to answer. "fine."

after talking to the people in charge, both teens had securely been strapped on the ropes.

even then, sooyoung still felt scared. she started imagining scenarios which could lead to be stuck, severely injured, or maybe even dead. what if the rope just snaps? what if the flag just falls down? what if 'this is safe' was a lie? what if i fucking slip?

"just don't look down." wooyoung's voice snapped her back to reality. "take the flag and it'll be over."

he didn't sound comforting but his teasing tone definitely toned down.

okay. sooyoung mentally prepares herself as she takes on this stupid challenge.

with shaky breathing, she grabbed on the large pebble on the wall to help her get up. she also began to put her foot on one of the rocks and moved herself upwards.

she did what wooyoung told her, not looking down, but it was hard when her only source of reassurance was following below her. still, he doesn't forget to talk from time to time to remind her he's just right there.

she doesn't exactly know why but she trusted wooyoung more than these experts on rock climbing.

after what felt like an eternity, sooyoung could finally get the flag with a stretch of an arm. "i got it!"

"woohoo." the boy could be a little more excited but whatever. "just jump and we can go back."

"what-" she looked down and saw her safety net jumping off the wall like it was nothing. "wait-"