"Yujin," Wonyoung said, tapping Yujin's shoulder. "I have to go home tonight."
Yujin pressed her face into Wonyoung's chest. "Don't want you to go..." she grumbled. Wonyoung pat her hair.
"I know," she said lightly, holding Yujin's face up. "But I have class, you know? And Gaeul must want to come home too."
Yujin nodded, sticking her bottom lip out. Wonyoung poked it. She sighed and lay into Wonyoung.
"Okay then," she huffed. "What time? I'll accompany you back if it's alright. I'm sure your mom won't be really pleased to see me, but-"
"Yujin, I don't live with my parents anymore," Wonyoung giggled. "I live with Rei and Liz near the school now."
Yujin lit up. "Does that mean I can see you more now?" she asked.
Wonyoung swelled, butterflies scratching at her stomach with their legs.
.
"My mom's picking me up soon," Wonyoung said sadly, swinging her ankles.
The summer then was scorching, so they'd gotten icey convenience store drinks. Yujin sipped a blue raspberry slurpee while Wonyoung had a sort of lemonade.
That day, they decided to ditch their usual reading in the library to go out to a nearby park and hang out. The heat was beating down on them no matter where they sat, which was under a large canopy in the middle of the park, sweat soaking their school uniforms.
Yujin got off the bench they were sitting on and slung her bookbag across her body, getting ready to leave only a few minutes before Wonyoung's mom came to get her. Her mother disliking Yujin would be an understatement, scowling at Yujin's boyish hair and cheeky attitude.
Wonyoung pouted. "Sorry," she whined. "Don't be mad at me. We can hang out in school tomorrow."
Yujin squeezed her hand slightly. "Don't worry, I'll get home safely." She brought it to her lips and kissed her palm. "And I'm not mad at you. Stay safe, Wonnie."
"Call me if you can!" Yujin yelled behind her as she ran towards the bus stop.
.
It was their third date when Wonyoung bailed for the first time.
"Yujinnie, I'm not allowed to go..." Wonyoung said softly over the phone.
"What do you mean?" Yujin asked, standing at the train station. "I'm already here."
"I know, and I'm sorry, but it was a really last minute thing. I have to go see my aunt."
"Ah." Yujin sat down, deflated. "But I already got here... and you told your parents a week before..."
"I'm so sorry, Yujin. I'll make it up to you-"
"No, it's fine. It's okay! Really. I hope your aunt's okay." Yujin crumpled a receipt in her hand.
"I'm sorry-"
"Wonyoung, it's alright. I'll see you next time maybe!" Yujin interrupted, knowing how sorry and anxious Wonyoung must be.
After their call ended, Yujin sighed and trashed the other coffee milk she got for Wonyoung and drank her own, getting back onto the train to go home.
.
"Your parents were scary, " Yujin shuddered. Wonyoung flicked her shoulder. "Agh!"
"It was me back then. If I were a little more rebellious, we'd have been alright till now."
