Sunwoo opens the back door and climbs into the second row of seats in the car. I sit in the back next to him.
Hyunjae turns around in his seat and says, "Where we headed?"
"Across the bridge please," I say to him.
"Off we go then," Hyunjae puts the car into drive and slowly rolls onto the bridge.
I hear Sunwoo take a shaky inhale and he turns his head to look out the window. I grab his hand and he looks back at me.
The strange expression that's been on his face is gone. There are things that we can tell each other without saying anything.
Just like this. I don't know how or when his feelings for me changed, and I'm sorry that I didn't change the same way. But what I do know is that I'll always be here for him even when he doesn't let me.
Surprisingly, Sunwoo's lips curl into a small smile. I know it's real because he never fakes a smile around me, or around anyone, because he hates doing it.
I squeeze his hand and he looks out the window at the large river passing by under the bridge.
I catch eyes with Hyunjae in his rearview mirror, and I mouth thank you. He nods and his eyes smile into crescent moons as he focuses back on the road.
He really is the best I could ask for.
Once we make it across, we just drive around the city for a while. Nobody even gets out of the car, we simply just watch the world around us. It's crazy to me how every person zooming by has a specific place to be. There's a person they're going to see, each with their own storylines.
"You guys ready to go back?" Hyunjae asks after an hour of roaming around.
I glance at Sunwoo and he nods. He doesn't let go of my hand the whole ride back, it reminds me of when we were in primary school. Sunwoo always used to get so nervous for the first day, more nervous than me. We would hold hands walking to school and it was as if I could take some of that pressure off of him.
"You go ahead," I hand sunwoo the keys. "Give me a minute."
He nods and opens the door. He pauses for a second before saying very quietly, "Thanks, Hyunjae."
Hyunjae blinks, wondering if he heard correctly. "Oh... y-yeah, for sure anytime."
Sunwoo gets out of the car and goes into my dark, empty house.
Hyunjae turns around in his seat to face me, and I'm met with his small smile. "Did you see that?" He asks. "He spoke to me."
"I know," I grin. "Hey you're okay with him staying at my place for a while yeah?"
"Yeah, of course." He answers. "Why wouldn't I be?"
I shrug. "I don't know. I thought maybe you were the jealous type."
"Pssh," Hyunjae scoffs. "I am usually, but I know you, and I know Sunwoo. And I trust you."
"Thanks," I say. I reach forward and I tap his hand.
"It's supposed to snow next weekend, and we'll be off of school by then," Hyunjae says. "And I have a gift for you."
"A gift?" I ask. I love gifts.
"Yes," Hyunjae laughs. "You want to have our first official date?"
"Is that even a question?" I ask. "Where should I meet you?"
"I'll come to your house. Don't even worry, I have a plan."
"Oh do you?" I smile.
"You look so cute when you smile," Hyunjae says.
