When We're Together [양정완]

26.

Before they knew it, it was finally the day of their long awaited departure for the winter retreat. The students sat excitedly chatting with their friends in their home rooms, waiting with their luggage.

Aera and Baram, however, we're getting nervous. Kang Yoona hadn't shown up yet and it was already almost 10 minutes after the bell rang.

"Should we call her again?" Baram suggested as she gestured to her phone. Aera was about to agree, when they heard their names being called.

"Aera! Baram!" The two girls turned to see Kang Yoona, rolling the biggest suitcase they had ever seen behind her. "Yoona, we aren't moving in. What's with the huge bag?" Baram burst out laughing as her friend stood to aid the girl.

"What? You can never be over-prepared, Baram." Yoona said defensively as she finally sat in her seat.

Just then, Aera received a message on her phone.

JUNGWON:
Have you gotten your rooms yet?

AERA:
Nope  -_-
Mrs. Jeon isn't even here yet

JUNGWON:
Really??
Anyways tell me who ends up in yours

AERA:
Will do

The girl glanced up from her phone just in time to see a projection on the board in front of the class, a list of the students groups for the trip.

Aera's eyes scanned the list, finally finding her name second from the bottom.

Room 602: Kang Yoona, Hwang Baram, Chae Aera, Jang Eseo, Park Haneul.

She squealed as she and her friends jumped in excitement. She was about to pull out her phone to text Jungwon like she has promised, but suddenly her eyes snapped back to the board.

Park Haneul? 

Her jaw dropped as she took a triple take at the name. Park. Haneul???

Aera groaned and slammed her head onto the desk in front of her, which happened to be Baram's. "What? What's wrong?" Baram confusedly smacked Aera's head, worried she might have fainted.

"Ouch- Why did you hit me?" The girl rubbed the back of her head as she side eyed Baram who rubbed her palms together in apology.

Aera reluctantly explained her situation to the girls who became more shocked and frustrated with every word. "What? If she's a third year then why's she in our room?" Yoona said with crossed arms and huff. Aera shook her head and shrugged. "Why me...?" she groaned, placing her head down again.

At the same time, a couple doors over, Yang Jungwon smiled happily seeing his name on the board.

601: Yang Jungwon, Park Sunghoon, Park Jay, Sim Jake, Kim Sunoo.

The only thing he thought would make the situation better would be if Heeseung and Niki were there too, but Niki was a first year and Heeseung an alumni.

He pulled out his phone to text Aera, but to his surprise, he had plenty of new texts from the girl.

AERA:
JUNGWON
SAVE ME
HELP
YOU WON'T BELIEVE MY LUCK

JUNGWON:
Huh?? What happened???

AERA:
Do you remember that girl from the ramen place??

JUNGWON:
Yeah... don't tell me...

AERA:
YEAH.
SHE'S IN MY ROOM

JUNGWON:
Rest in piece, Chae Aera
2004-202x

AERA:
You're so annoying sometimes -_-

~~~

Park Haneul couldn't believe her eyes. How in the world had she gotten paired with Chae Aera? Not only that, she only had one other third year in her group, Jang Eseo. At least there was one friend.

She furiously typed a paragraph to Yuhan, but just as her finger was about to tap send, she recalled that the two used to be friends. But not anymore, thanks to her.

Actually, Haneul had been feeling guilty about the entire situation for a while. She knew she had overreacted, but her pride wouldn't allow her to apologize, no matter how much she wanted to. Maybe this was the universe's way of telling her it was time to own up to her mistakes.

After all, they were going to be stuck with each other for at least three days. Might as well make the most if it, right?