When We're Together [양정완]

17.

Chae Aera's eyes widened at Yang Jungwon who was still holding her shoulders before she finally squirmed out of his hold. "H-hey, don't say stuff like that," she mumbled as she turned her face away again, this time because she was trying to hide how red it had gotten.

The boy stifled a laugh. "Come on, let's go get a snack. It'll make you feel better."

He stood from the couch and walked over to the couch where his bag was placed. "Hey, are you coming, Aera?"

The girl peeked around the corner, pouting before she made her way over to where he was standing. "Fine. But first, let me go wash my face."

The two walked down the stairs to her penthouse apartment's door and she opened it, letting the boy inside for the second time.

"Oh? Yang Jungwon?" Mr. Chae smiled at the boy and waved him inside.

~~~

Later, after the male finally escaped the admiring attention of the Chae parents, he and Aera finally made it to a nearby ice cream store and stepped inside.

Just as the two walked up to the counter to order, Jungwon found a familiar face just in front of the two in line.

"Sunoo?"

"Jungwon?"

The two boys stared at each other in silence for a moment before they burst out laughing. "What are you doing here?" Jungwon asked as Aera ordered herself a chocolate ice cream.

"Heeseung hyung was going to meet me here but something came up so I decided to just get myself something anyways." the boy shrugged as the lady behind the counter handed him a scoop of mint chocolate ice cream.

Jungwon stared at the flavor in disgust and opened his mouth to say something but before he could, there was a tap on his shoulder. "Jungwon, order," Aera reminded him, nodding to the worker.

Sunoo, who had just realized Chae Aera was there with Jungwon, felt a smirk grow on his face. "Oh? Chae Aera? Did you two come together?"

The girl smiled and nodded excitedly before bowing to the employee who had just handed her her ice cream.

The three sat down together at a table near a window at the back of the store.

"Wow... this one is really good," Sunoo held his ice cream up in awe. Jungwon made a face.

"How can toothpaste flavor taste good?" he scrunched his nose at his friend before taking a big spoonful of his own ice cream which was 'My Mom is an Alien' flavor. "Aera, do you like mint choco?"

"Actually," the girl paused to take a bite of her chocolate ice cream. "I've never had it."

"HUH?" Both boys turned to her in surprise. "You've never had it? How?" Sunoo said, completed dumbfounded. Jungwon nodded.

The girl shrugged. "I don't know, I just never did. Is it good?"

"Here, have some." Sunoo said, offering his ice cream. "I didn't touch this part." The girl wiped her spoon with a napkin and took a small taste of the flavor. To her surprise, it was yummy.

"Mmm!" She said as she nodded approvingly. Jungwon frowned. Suddenly, he realized he had been clenching his fist while the girl was tasting Sunoo's ice cream. He released it, a bit confused with himself as to why he had been so tense.

"You guys have weird taste," he said as he finished the last bite of his ice cream.

"No, you do. It's 2 against 1, Won." Sunoo smugly smirked at his friend, happy to finally find another mint choco lover.

Once all three had finished their ice creams, Jungwon and Aera waved goodbye to Sunoo, who planned to stay at the store and study a bit.

Jungwon suggested he walk the girl home, and despite her insisting he didn't need to, he still did anyways. The two made the last turn onto her block when the boy suddenly said something that caught her off guard.

"Aera, can you promise me something?"

Aera paused and tapped her chin, thinking. "Depends. What is it?"

"Don't ignore me if something happens. I'd rather you call me so I can be there with you."

"Huh? Why? You don't have to. Isn't that kind of burdensome?" Aera pouted her lips.

"It's more burdensome to think of you crying alone again, Aera." The male sighed. "So next time, tell me. Please?" Aera bit her lip and rubbed the back of her neck.

"Okay, fine."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

a/n: lmk what u guys think so far :D i'm planning some stuff hehehheheheh 🤭🤭