THE TRACE OF LOVE // 양정원

제 22 과

From 1 to 2:30 that I spend at my aunty's house by tutoring Emily and Emma, my two cutest twin nieces, my mind is reminiscing about the first week of studying together with Jungwon. He doesn't ask so many questions like the twins. He doesn't laugh much like them either. Nor he constantly eats snacks between the period.

Without all attention-needed actions, Jungwon still captured my mind and my all conscience by doing nothing but sitting there, quietly listening and writing and solving things. When his head rose to ask questions seldomly, I found myself energized to explain whatever he wanted to know.

I kept noticing his present and be profoundly aware of it.

While Emily and Emma are gone for their little toilet break, a text enters my phone with a pop sound, reminding me of the electric device I put away every time I tutor the twins—since they would always ask me to let them play mobile games that six-year-olds love; something their mother wouldn't allow often.

(Hey)

It is Jungwon.
It feels weird. No one has ever made me smile with a single text.
I wonder why.

(Hey)

I reply instantly.

(What time are you tutoring your nieces?)

(I'm tutoring them now. Normally from 1 to 2:30.)

(Where is your aunty's place?)

He's not coming here.
It would make things complicated, especially between my aunty Kate and her nosy little daughters. If she knows a boy is meeting me at her house, my parents would definitely know too.

But it's a relief that I really don't know the address of aunty Kate's house.

(I don't know the exact address. But I think it's in the Jackson 4th street.)

He won't be able to find the house by the street name. Beside, by telling him that, he won't think I don't want him to come.

Well, I don't mind him coming. But he better not.

(Okay. Are you going home after that?)

(Yeah. Why?)

(Nothing. Just go home safe.)

I smile at the simple sentence.

(It's going to rain. Did you get an umbrella?)

(I didn't. Aunty Kate will give me one.)

(Oh right.)

The twins come back with jellies filled in the pockets of their jumpsuits.

(I'm gotta back to tutoring now.)

(Okay)

.      .      .      .      .

The rainfall begins to hit the roofs thirty minutes before I leave the house. The sky is gloomy. The clouds are no where to be found. Adding that the autumn air is lingering around, today is such a chilly day!

Complimenting myself for choosing a pale-green jumper and dark stocking perfectly for this weather, I stride toward the bus stop. Walking down the damp road smeared with fallen autumn leaves for five cool minutes, my feet changing the path where the main road can be seen, a wave of butterflies whirl around in my stomach.

Jungwon.
Standing at the end of the road where a small sign attached to a lamppost says 'Jackson 4th Street', my lips part to see him calmly waiting for someone. A smart striped vest over a white shirt, and a loose pair of white worn jeans, he just looks good. And decent. Simple but confident.

My steps slow down as I can't move my eyes away from him anymore.

What is he doing here?
Is he perhaps waiting for me?—Why would he do that?

Right I am in my havoc of thoughts, his eyes originally set down on the road rise up and those sparkling wooden eyes meet mine.

There, I notice, that my heart just skips a beat—it has never happened before with him. Or anyone else ever.

____________________________________

*Jackson 4th Street : An imaginary street created for this fiction. Not real.*