𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑 | 𝖫𝖧𝖲

𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 발전 (development)

"thank you for your help. i really owe you one.", i bowed to heeseung and flashed him a smile.

he just lifted his hand: "this is nothing special. you needed help and i helped you. so we're all good."

the doctors kept me in the hospital for a few hours so that they could confirm i was all up again. of course it was that typical advice again: don't overwork yourself and drink enough water. as if i wasn't capable of thinking that far. i didn't do it on purpose after all.

kyungjun left early since he was busy with his homework too. and probably because he wanted to leave the two of us alone, very obvious.

"uhh, jieun? can i ask you something?", heeseung suddenly broke the silence. "sure, what's up?"

"well, are you free tomorrow? after school?"

i like how shy he has become. i couldn't help but chuckle, because i felt safe with him at the moment. "i can spare time if you tell me why you're asking."

"i would like to take you out. i was thinking about a visit to the museum... because it's quiet there and we can enjoy each other's company without having to say anything."

"can we go to the café afterwards?" my eyes already sparkled when i thought about the little date. "anything you want!", he beamed.

by the time we were planning our day, we sadly arrived in front of our houses already.

"should i wait for you after school?" i pulled out my keys and unlocked the gate before looking at him: "hmm... you can if you want to, but hide somewhere where the others can't see you."

"aye, jieun.", he chuckled, "please don't think so badly of yourself. i really couldn't care less about the students' opinions, if i want to wait for you at the gates, so be it. they can assume whatever they want. yeah, i could even take you to school tomorrow morning!"

his words made me smile again, also making me drop my keys. as i wanted to pick them up again, heeseung and my head bumped into each other, causing us to fall on the ground at the same time.

we broke out in laughter, just like old times. he quickly helped me getting up and handed me the keys. "so, see you at school tomorrow?"

i could feel my heart sink a bit. after all, that's what he asked me before i left as well. but this time, i wouldn't run away. i didn't want to.

"see you at school tomorrow. take care, get home safely!"

heeseung nodded and broke out in laughter again. "what's so funny?", i asked before he took a few steps ahead to unlock his gate as well. "oh, right. sorry, i forgot."

"it's fine. can you stand by your window in a few minutes though?" when i thought about it, i realised i was able to look into his room from mine. we used to talk to each other at night by simply sitting at our windows, it was quite fun.

nodding at him, i entered our property, locked the gates again and arrived at the house.

"jieun!!", jake greeted me once he heard the door close. he was truly like a dog awaiting his owner, except for the fact that he was human and i wasn't owning him.

"hi, what are you doing here?", i asked in a surprised tone, getting rid of my shoes before walking towards my room. "well, kyungjun and me decided to have a sleepover. plus, i was worried about you. are you okay? hospital visits always make me anxious."

when we arrived upstairs, he planted a little kiss on my cheek. "i thought we wanted to stop this?", i grinned. "hmm, i always used to do this. i don't see a problem.", he replied in a cheeky manner.

"i'm fine if you're interested. i just collapsed but heeseung was with me in that moment, so he was able to bring me to the hospital."

"heeseung? the popular boy of your class?" i completely forgot that i have never told jake about my past with heeseung. maybe it was for the better? they didn't need to cross paths and i wasn't making them do so.

"yes, he lives next door. he's very friendly, but quite withdrawn. however, i really like him." and he was probably waiting for me. on the other side, i just didn't want to leave jake in our hallway alone. "say, where's kyungjun? you said you're having a sleepover."

"since when are you so close to lee heeseung?", he asked me with a confused look instead.

"why do you ask? he's a classmate and my neighbour, of course we talk." "okay, i understand. that's really nice, you're making friends! i'm proud of you." he patted my head lightly. "i'm going on a date tomorrow by the way."

i gasped: "really? did you ask your crush out?" jake nodded with a big grin on his face: "and she obviously said yes!"

i couldn't help but hug him and jumping around: "we're finally having a development!!"

"what's with all that noise?", kyungjun groaned, "hey! back off! he's still my best friend!"

jake laughed it off and sent me back to my room. quickly locking the door, i could hear kyungjun teach his mate that 'big brother' lesson, which made me chuckle silently.

from the angle i was standing at, i could spot heeseung at his window already, struggling to hold a big white poster. once he spotted me at my window, he used all his might to hold it up.

'let's match outfits!'

"which colour though?", i giggled, "do you have something in mind?"

"i think we should go for black bottom part and a green upper part. i also think you'd look cute in a beret.", he replied before throwing me a wink.

"let's see. now got to sleep! i'll see you tomorrow!" he shouldn't notice my red cheeks, so i quickly closed my curtains and squeaked out of excitement.

i was thankful for heeseung for explaining his point of view, even though i laid in that hospital bed, exhaustion written all over my face. still, i decided to listen to him and a restart would help both of us... i suppose.

finally, a development in our relationship.