When We're Together [양정완]

13.

They finished eating and the boy headed to the guest room to collect his things. Chae Aera was left at the kitchen table, sitting cross-legged on her chair, wondering what was wrong.

Eventually Jungwon emerged from the room with his belongings. He had changed back into his own clothes and left the borrowed clothes folded in the guest room.

"Thank you for letting me stay," he said as he bowed to Mr. and Mrs. Chae, both of which were incredibly fond of the boy now. He began making his was towards to door and putting his shoes on. Aera clenched her jaw. It was better to ask sooner than later right?

She quickly and quietly ran to her mom and whispered in her ear. The woman looked confused at first, but then she spoke. "Aera, can you go grab some... uh.. ramen? From the store?" The girl gave her mother a big smile and a thumbs up before running to catch up with her friend before he left.

"Jungwon! I have to go to the store. Let's go together."

The male looked at her. Ever since that morning, he found it hard to maintain eye contact with her for some reason. He slowly nodded, and the girl quickly put on her shoes and opened the door.

Neither one spoke as the made their way to the elevators. Just as they entered the elevator, Aera broke the silence.

"Jungwon," she sounded hesitant.

"Mhm?"

There was a pause as the elevator door opened, letting them out on the ground floor. The male turned to the girl, confused. Now, she was the one avoiding eye contact. She took a deep breath.

"Are you mad at me?"

"What? No, why would you think that," the boy chuckled as he watched the girl sigh a breath of relief.

"I don't know, I thought you were ignoring me at breakfast," she scratched behind her ear as she let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Why would I be mad at you?" The male ruffled her hair playfully.

Before they knew it, they were in front of the story Aera had claimed she was going to. She waved the boy goodbye, still feeling relieved to know he wasn't upset with her.

As he walked away with his hands in his pockets, he glanced over his shoulder. She was already gone, he thought as he turned again to walk away.

Aera peeked her head around the corner, once again relieved, but this time it was because the boy hadn't seen her as she peeked out of the store's door, seeing him walk away.

~~~

Kang Yoona stood next to Seo Chaneul in the hallway. Although the two weren't technically dating, everybody still knew they were basically together. The boy handed her a box of grape juice, her favorite. The girl smiled and hugged the boy.

"Chaneul," her eyes sparkled with adoration as she looked up at him. "I-"

Suddenly she was cut short by the voice of Park Haneul, a third year, female student. She owned a popular youtube channel, so many of the other students at Byeoran loved her.

"Kang Yoona!" she called to the second year girl. Yoona glanced between Chaneul and Haneul before muttering an "I'll tell you later," to the boy and following after the girl.

~~~

Chae Aera sat in her homeroom class before school, sipping on the strawberry milk her friend, Choi Baram, had given her. She chatted with a group of 4 other girls as they waited for the teacher to arrive. She spotted a familiar face in the hallway. Kang Yoona.

However, the girl wasn't alone. With her was another, slightly taller girl, with dyed strawberry blonde hair. Aera had seen her before, but she wasn't quite able to place it. She watched as Yoona waved to the mysterious girl and entered the classroom.

"Yoona," Aera started. "Who was that girl?"

Yoona dramatically gasped and covered her mouth. "What? You don't know Park Haneul?" Seeing the confused expression on her friends face, the girl continued. "Park Haneul is a third year. She has a really popular youtube channel. I'm surprised you don't know her to be honest."

Aera blinked blankly a few times. She was about to respond when their teacher, Mrs. Jeon entered and the class when quiet.