Help Me Out? (Seongjoong)

~22~

|~|

I reach up to tug my hood over my face, desperately trying to keep the rain out of my eyes.

Hongjoong was annoyed that I hadn't worn any of the new clothing I had purchased the other day. They would've just gotten soaked.

Or so I tell myself that's why I didn't wear anything nice.

As I swipe into my building, I pull the hood of my jacket down and slip into the elevator. Right as a short, boy jogged up.

Normally, I would do anything to avoid contact. But he was soaked. I stick my arm out to catch the slowly closing metal doors.
"Thank you."
He says, hurrying in.
"Not a problem."

I recognized him. He lived a few doors down from me. He had dulled purple hair and round wire glasses that always stood out when I'd see him.

He presses the '4' button, and i except him to ask what floor I'm on, but instead he just smiles.
"You live in the dorm right down from me, right?"
He asks and I look over to him slightly shocked.
"Yep, I'm Seonghwa."
I say extending my hand.
"Jihoon."
He says shaking my hand.
"I like your coat. I was warned about the weather. But I didn't listen... Obviously."
He laughs, gesturing down at his wet clothes clinging to his body.

"God, I hate the rain."
He says after a moment.
"Just wait for winter. They say it's supposed to be cold this year."
Jihoon laughs.
"Oh don't remind me,"
He pleads.
"I don't even want to think about winter yet."

He elevator door open, and we walk side by side to our rooms.

"Oh, me and my roommate, Wonwoo, are trying to get a game night started every Tuesday. And I was wondering if you'd join us?"

"What games?"
I ask, having flash backs to the horrendous party, and that god awful game of never have I ever.
"Board games."
Jihoon shrugs.
"Yeah. I'd come."
I was actually pretty excited for this. But I didn't want to seem to stupidly happy.
"Can I bring someone?"
I ask. Maybe I could invite Chanhee or something.

"Yeah. We need more people. Common room at eight sound alright?"

"Sure. See you there."
I reply as I stop in front of my room, watching as Jihoon walks off farther down the hall.

I close the door behind me.
All of this felt so odd.
So normal.

I wasn't the Seonghwa that wouldn't talk, or only thinks about school. Maybe I've finally distanced myself from that.

I'm just, Park Seonghwa now. I didn't have any high school titles here. I was finally away.

Though, the reputation of me was my fault more then anyone's. But I did it. On a small scale yes. But I interacted without so much anxiety. I was actually the one to introduce myself first.

Maybe this plan of Hongjoong's was getting to me, in a good way. As much as I hated to admit it. He's helped me more then just convincing me to talk to Chanhee.

I've never had someone to sit, listen, talk, just be friends.

Yeah he got under my skin a lot. But every best friend does.

Best friend.

I'm not sure when exactly that happened. But I feel like it's the truth.

I wish he hadn't run away last night. I wished he would've talked more. Spent more time with me.

Maybe this wasn't so much about me. And about him too. I knew he wanted to show his boyfriend he was a good person. But, somehow, I feel like he just wanted a friend.

My phone vibrates in my pocket against my leg. A message from Chanhee greeting me.
"Me and Jongho are heading to the library tonight if you and Hongjoong wanna come"

"Yeah. When?"

"Idk 6? 6:30 goull see me around then"

I swipe open the text conversation with Hongjoong.
"Chanhee and Jongho are going to the library and you're coming with me."
I quickly text Hongjoong.

Not even a second later.
"Who asked who? You're jumping the gun on my plan you fuck"
Sounds just like Hongjoong. I laugh as I text, a message from my mom appearing at the top of my screen to which I quickly swipe away.
"He asked"

"Damn. I'm GOOD. Get dressed. I'll meet you at the library."

A minute passes by.

"AND WEAR THE NEW FUCKING CLOTHES OR SO GOD HELP ME PARK SEONGHWA."

Again. Sounds just like Hongjoong.

I feel a whole lot less nervous knowing that Hongjoong was coming with me, actually.