Bloodline

Chapter 22 - Get a Room

Jisoo

"Aren't you being too fast?" Hearing it from him made my heart race. I've asked a question I never meant in the first place, because whatever he feels right now is exactly the way I felt for him. 

The attraction. I can't understand. I can't explain. Years I had built walls. To never interact with people. To never build attachment. He made those walls crumble in a snap. 

And I am drawn to him. Drawn too close. And I don't know when I can still hold back. 

"Am I?" He countered. He took a deep breath as he finally released me. He's eyeing at me as if he's trying to read my soul. 

"I cannot avoid him. There will always be instances when I need to interact with him, with them." I answered. 

"Limit the personal interaction then." He still bargained. 

What are we anyways? We aren't in a relationship, and I don't know but I just agreed with him. I nodded which made him smile automatically. 

"You did really cut class to see me." He remarked, teasing me. He held my hand, guiding me up to the mountain trek. "Hey." I tried to pull my hand back. "Where are we going?" 

"Let's climb up."

"At midday?  It will take us night before we reach the top." I complained. I have never gone hiking in my entire life. And it's scorching hot, summer midday. He spoke again. "We'll just climb partially. At 3PM we can stop." 

"2 hours?" My voice went an inch higher. 

"I can carry you if you want."

Ow dear no. 

"If I say no?" 

"I know you won't." He said confidently. 

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I am surely bewitched by him. And then he smiled. Just like how I did now. This is bad. 

We continued our trail, with a few pit stops in rest areas. Well I never get tired in the first place, but I had to act like I do. He kept on checking if I was okay. I can even roll on the cliff thousands feet under and I should still be fine. 

Nearly two hours, and we reached a man made cave serving as a pitstop too. We were elevated at least about ⅓ of the mountain, and the view up here is indeed breathtaking. The busy life of the city is laid widely beyond my watch. 

"You really indeed love nature. What an old soul." I exclaimed in a low voice. My eyes are still fixated on the view. 

"Are you mocking me or is it a compliment?" 

"It is a compliment. It's rare for men to go on nature dates."

"Have you dated anyone before me?" Haein asked me, his eyes also on the city view. 

"I haven't." 

"Why not? No one attempted?" Another ask from him. 

"No one piqued my interest." I lazily muttered. How could I even say I always pushed back people as I wanted to avoid any possible connection from anyone. Because I will have to live a lifetime and have to watch them die. 

Because at some point, deaths and goodbyes are more bearable than actually living my life every lifetime alone. Yes, alone. I had always felt alone. 

He did not ask anymore and guided me to sit on the bench inside the man made cave, slightly elevated on the floor so that the city view is still visible. 

"It's more beautiful here at night, Jisoo. Let's come back some other time." He reached for my hand again. My heart's thumping wildly. 

His eyes settled on mine. As if our eyes were talking. And something between our eyes, feelings were expressed, those that can't be spoken with words. 

"Du bist wunderschön, Jisoo''.'''So schön." He smiled, reminding me of my homework. 

"Vielen Dank." I answered. And he smiled, knowing I understood what it meant. 

He brushed the knuckles of my hand, and he was contemplating as if he was going to say something. 

"What is it?" I can't help but ask.

"Nothing."

"Cmon Haein. What is it?"  He took one deep breath before he spoke. 

"About the Parks. I really meant it when I said please stay away from them. I can't tell you right now why, but I hope you trust me." His voice sounded tense and nervous. 

"I already said I'll try." I am having a weird feeling about the Parks too anyway. 

"And I meant it too when I said I like you."

And  I was stunned. Because I have no answer for that. For now. 

He leaned forward to me, still looking at my eyes. Our proximity makes it hard for me to breathe. 

"I like you. The day I grabbed your hand and our eyes met on the rooftop, I knew I liked you since then." I can see myself in the reflection of his beautiful eyes. 

We are that close. And I already closed my eyes as I felt his warm breath over my skin. 

A loud squeal made me open my eyes and an elderly couple were glaring at us. Haein bent his head and rested his forehead on my shoulder, biting his lip, laughing. I slightly pushed him away and sat straight. 

"Oh my God, kids nowadays. Making out in public places. They can't even get a room." My sharp eyes could see how the older lady rolled her eyes and I stifled a laugh, thinking that I might be actually older than the couple. I looked at Haein, who is also controlling his laugh.

Somehow, sadness filled my heart. He was young and carefree. And will be dying as years pass, and I won't. How long will I be able to stay by his side in this lifetime?

The old couple passed through the man made cave, and I heaved a deep sigh. I slapped his arm and the laugh he was controlling burst out. "Stop laughing." I glared at him. 

"I can't believe what the old woman said." Smile plastered on his face. 

"Let's go down now." I said annoyingly. We both stood up and  started to go back. 

"We didn't even kiss—." I elbowed him on the side. My cheeks were all red. He almost kissed me and I didn't even say no.

"Stop." I wanted to hide my flushed face but the scorching heat made my skin even redder. His hand released mine and it slid above my shoulder. "I wonder what's their—" 

"Haein!!" I gave him a warning look. He stopped teasing me and kept his silence as we trailed down. His arms remained on my shoulder, and eyes from different hikers lingered on us with envious looks. I am not even surprised. We are getting the same exact look at the campus. 

We made it back to the campus just as the sun set. We stopped in front of my car, and I turned around as I said goodbye.

"I can't bring you home?" He asked one last time. He asked that question numerous times while we were going down. I said goodbye one last time as we parted our ways. I drove off, going home, my heart in a confused state. 

For this lifetime, can I momentarily choose to be selfish right? Choosing him knowing he'll get hurt once I said goodbye. 

I wanted to be selfish in this lifetime. 

If that means I'm gonna be happy for once. 

If that means I'm not gonna be alone, even temporarily.