Dull [Book III]

Secret Bliss

Soojung twisted the handgrip down to make her motorbike faster as she followed the black cars ahead of her.

She had only told Sunyoung of the group study thing Minah had dragged her into, but Soojung never mentioned anything about not telling the others. They usually hang out at the rink when they have nothing else to do after class, but writing the story would be in the way of that this whole week. It would be odd if she just disappeared and Soojung was afraid that it would root to another fight with Jiyong.

She hadn't talked to him yet and was planning to when she's home but for now, she needed to concentrate on the dreaded story.

They turned to a street and parked, Soojung following right after. Her vehicle blended right in with the cars thanks to its black color. She shoved the keys into her cardigan pocket and walked with the rest of the group, where Lay pulled her by the sleeve again so they'd walk side by side.

"Where are we?" She asked him. "Is this where you live?"

"No." He shook his head. "This is Jongdae's apartment building."

"Oh." Soojung nodded. "Do you all live in apartments?"

"Minah lives with her parents and brother. The six of us do." Lay replied. "I'm guessing you live in a flat too?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"It was just a hunch." He shrugged. "Besides, you seem like you have time in your hands. You can stay out as late as you want because no one's waiting for you at home."

"That sounds sadder than it actually is." Soojung laughed and Lay flashed a warm smile. Only then did she became aware of how good he looked when he did, accentuating a deep dimple on his right cheek. Why hadn't she notice it before?

"It is sad." Lay uttered as they walked into the elevator. Soojung just looked at him with furrowed eyebrows but he didn't talk anymore until they arrived at the very apartment.

The initial reaction was to be amazed of Chen's apartment size, but Soojung felt more embarrassed to see the interior. Compared to hers which looked like a pigsty, the guy's place was sparkling, not a dust in place. It was obvious he had time to at least vacuum and clean it.

Soojung had time on her hands of course, just like Lay had guessed, but never had sweeping the floor or arranging her clothes in her dresser crossed her mind. She did the laundry once a week, once every one and a half if she was extra lazy. Now, seeing a guy's apartment way tidier than hers gave her an instant moment of reflection.

"You look like you're drifting off." Lay smiled, nudging her side a little with his elbow. Soojung laughed in shame but didn't make it obvious. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Soojung nodded and slowly caught up to Minah who was the very reason she was there in the first place. She didn't mean too, but Soojung felt a bit awkward when Lay asked her that. Nevertheless, she just shrugged it off.

"I'll have food delivered." Luhan volunteered, raising Chen's wireless telephone.

"I'll buy us drinks." Kris seconded and pulled Tao by the sleeve of his blazer.

"No beer." Lay reminded and Kris nodded in agreement, but Soojung perked up on her spot.

"Beer?" She asked. "You can buy beer?"

"Slow down, they won't buy anything alcoholic." Minah tugged on her skirt and urged her to sit on the floor, gesturing at her notebook where random notes were written. "We're here to finish this shit first. Besides, alcohol might impair your already poor judgment."

"You're unbelievable." Soojung rolled her eyes.

"You girls are being too hard on each other." Xiumin chuckled, earning a sarcastic glare from his girlfriend. "I'm just saying. You won't be able to finish anything if you're arguing over the smallest of things like beer."