THE TRACE OF LOVE // 양정원

제 13 과

I smile at him. "I was thinking maybe the length of time I tutor you shouldn't depend on the time that needs for Jay to possibly fall for her."

No matter what happens between Daisy and Jay, I've determined to make my commitment with Jungwon last until this semester exam.

"It's gonna take a long time." He sighs and turns at the books.

Jungwon wasn't the type to chat for long when he has stuffs to get done. I find that as a thing we have in common—I like people who don't procrastinate but are decisive on what they need to do. As we dive into the studies, I get to know that he isn't a dense student but rather has a difficulty in following up with the units and thinking methods. He is more of like an astute problem solver in math who mysteriously sucks memorizing theory details of Physics that consists a lot of words instead of numbers. I don't wonder how he's in the bottom line when it comes to fun physics quizzes. Nevertheless, we surprisingly manage to focus on the chapter that is important at present, without saying anything outside of the study. Though sometimes, when I've explained something to him by pointing on the specific thing upon the paper with my hand, our hands bump into each other. Soft jolts run up my skin every time our skin touch but he never seems to hesitate with the touches.

Even unconsciously, I suppose, he causally grabs my hand and moves it to side so that he can see what I am pointing at. I shouldn't feel some warmth in my belly at those times but his hold is too delicate upon my skin that I feel I don't mind to let it happen again.

The sun has become sleepy at fifteen minutes away from five in the evening and we call it a day by half of a big chapter. Thinking through, I didn't feel uncomfortable being alone with him. Maybe because we are on the open rooftop? Because I know Daisy and Jay are downstairs?
Speaking off, I wonder if the two gets along well until Daisy feels confident enough to step forward to the tall guy without my help.

"I don't want to call you lazy but you really need to memorize the theoretical details. They are actually suckers in quiz." I smile at how productive we've been the last two hours as I collect my things back.

He, in turns, leaves the things as they may and leans further into the chair. His legs wide, his Adam Apple becomes more accentuated as he throws his head back, keeping it on the top rail.

He sighs, "I hate quiz."

I chuckle before getting up that makes him straightens himself, then to my alert, he softly grabs my wrist.

"Stay for a while more." Jungwon intently stares  into my eyes, a small crescent crossing over his forehead.

I think I may have felt a fast pulse in the usual rhythm of my heartbeat. But I only wait for the context of his words.

He adds, "at least until 5. You want that two to get closer to each other, right?"

Well, who knows? Maybe mere fifteen minutes can make a lot of things happen. So I nod and sit back down. Putting my backpack on the table and I lean myself upon it.

I smile; the sunset is pretty up here. I can see the orange giving up to darkness little by little. Little swallows at afar are soaring above the horizontal without a rest but that's what makes the scenery more aesthetic.

I do love sunsets. For a while, there are only the fair noises of city and the waves of the evening breeze.

Until I hear his voice again.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"