When I'm with you

4

"So... where are we going?".

"We go wherever the wind leads us. Maybe we'll eventually reach a clothing shop wonderland where everything will be made for you, who knows?".

"... You're being sarcastic, right?".

"... I am. In-yeop recommended a shop earlier, I'm not very knowledgeable about where to go for men clothes so I'm blindly trusting him the same way you're blindly trusting me right now. I'm honestly just hoping for the best at the moment".

Seokjin's lips pinch lightly at my words and we both decide to remain silent, our eyes gazing towards the bus' window in front of us to see as the buildings go by at a quick pace to take us closer to our destination.

Today wasn't such a bad day if I think back to how fast it went by.

After Seokjin and Seo-joon left the office after their secret conversation, there was a weird atmosphere that settled over our heads. The doctor became slightly overprotective towards me during the first few hours and Seokjin was strangely distant and silent compared to last night, but after a while, the both of them seemingly relaxed enough for me to breathe easier.

I have no idea what happened in there, but if one thing was obvious to me, it's that Seokjin was incredibly insulted that In-yeop had even dared say that the two of them were in love. The man would frown whenever the kid would get close to him and it took me giving him tasks once in a while just to give my new housemate a break.

"You must have been very bored today, I'm sorry I couldn't give you more attention. It was busier than I expected, there usually isn't so many people coming in during Wednesdays" I eventually speak up and he hums softly with a shrug.

"It's fine, you warned me yesterday that strangers aren't welcome here, the first customers must have noticed me and gossiped, which made them all curious. I did feel too many eyes glancing my way today, I felt a bit uncomfortable so I went to Seo-joon's office for some peace and quiet near the end" he answers and I nod my head, so that's where he was.

"I see. That was nice of him to offer. I wish they wouldn't act so uncivilized whenever someone they don't know comes here, I'm sorry you had to get a taste of it so soon".

He smiles and glances at me before staring back at the front. "Don't worry about it, it wasn't your fault".

Silence resumes but it doesn't feel uncomfortable, the empty bus, if not for the two of us and the driver giving a comfortable ambiance, it feels good after having been forced to take part in too many conversations all day.

When we reach our stop, I press on the red button to make the driver slow down to a halt and then carefully step down the few stairs leading out of the bus until I'm standing on the sidewalk, Seokjin behind me and curiously gazing at the surrounding buildings.

I take out my phone to stare at the map again, because this isn't a part of the town I'm really used to, and when I situate myself and our destination, I point in the right direction before we resume our walk side by side in a continued silence.

It's weird to spend time with someone I don't know like this, but it feels strangely right in a way that I've never felt before, I don't know how to feel about it because before coming to this town, the taste of social interactions I was allowed wasn't of the good kind.

My life was a literal hell every single day, but ever since I've been here, I've been allowed a pace of life that really pleases me and I'm thankful that it's even possible because quite honestly, it doesn't make sense that they've never found me despite all this time.

Sometimes, I feel like I've relaxed too much, it's making me feel more comfortable about going around on my own and I fear that it will turn against me when I expect it the least one day.