When We're Together [양정완]

33.

The two finally reached the front of the line and Yang Jungwon, who had grown excited for the ride was smiling widely. Chae Aera, on the other hand, was not nearly as excited as she had been when they entered the line. Staring at the tall drops and dips in the ride made her stomach do a weird flip.

The male, who still hadn't gotten the cotton candy he wanted, suddenly decided to be blunt. "Can I have some?" he said as he pointed to the half-eaten candy bear in her hand. The girl scrunched her nose at him before finally nodding, holding the snack out for him to eat.

The pair finished the candy just as the ride's train stopped in front of them. Aera gulped before cautiously stepping inside the two person bench. Jungwon followed and shortly after, a worker passed by, lowering their safety bar, and locking them into their seats.

The boy noticed the girl's clenched fists. They were resting on the safety restraint and she was holding them so tightly that her knuckles appeared white.

The operator began talking, and finally pushed a button to send the train off. The carts jolted forwards and Aera clenched her fists even tighter out of nervousness.

The train entered a dark, cold tunnel and the girl was wishing she had never gotten on the ride when suddenly she felt a warm hand over her cold fist. She couldn't see, but of course she knew who it was.

The girl felt herself relax as the boy's thumb gently rubbed the top of her hand. A smile began forming on her face as the train exited the tunnel before quickly shooting off.

The two screamed and shouted the entire time until they thought their voices would stop working and finally they reached the last drop. The train began inching its way towards the top as Aera clenched her jaw and shut her eyes. The male still had his hand on hers.

Jungwon glanced at her and let out a soft chuckle. She resembled a scared bunny, he thought as he looked at her tense expression. Suddenly, he shifted their hands, interlocking their fingers. Aera surprisedly looked at the boy who quickly looked away, but before she could say anything the ride dropped quickly.

~~~

Yoona, Baram, and Junhyun walked together out of the swing ride and towards where Aera had texted the two she was headed a few minutes ago. As the three walked, they suddenly spotted their friend's face coming back to the dock of a ride just in time.

They were about to call to her when they and Junhyun all realized something at the same time. Were they holding hands?

Yoona and Baram stared at each other with their jaws wide open in shock. They both knew the two were friends, but Aera had never mentioned anything about him in this way. Baek Junhyun on the other hand, seemed a little disappointed but not surprised. It wasn't like he hadn't seen it coming. But that didn't mean he didn't still have a chance.

As the train came to a stop and the safety bar lifted, Aera realized she was still squeezing the poor boy's hand and quickly let go. She made her way out of the cart with Jungwon following close behind.

Her heart was racing, but she couldn't tell if it was from the ride or from what had just happened with Jungwon. Maybe it was both. She hadn't realized it earlier, but it was chilly outside. The wind was sharp and cold on her face and her fingers felt like icicles. She probably hadn't noticed because the warmth of the male's hand had kept hers warm too.

Either way, she and Jungwon met up with the smirking Yoona and Baram, and a quiet Junhyun, before they all decided to go get something to eat.

~~~

After a tiring but fun day at Foreverland, the students finally loaded back onto the buses. This time, however, Aera wasn't alone. She sat beside Yoona who was clearly itching to ask her friend something.

Just as the bus took off, Yoona turned to Aera. "So, what's up with you and Yang Jungwon?"

Aera, who had been sipping on some pink lemonade suddenly choked. "H-uh?"

Actually, she had been wondering that herself. They met from her heartbreak, then became study buddies, and now what we're they? She got nervous when she thought of him and the more they hung out, the more time she wanted to spend with him.

Did that mean she liked him? But what if he didn't like her? What if all the things he had done that made her heart flutter were just niceties?

"Hello? Aeraaa?" Yoona's voice snapped the girl out of her thoughts as she waved a hand in front of her face.

"Oh, yeah... sorry."

Yoona raised an eyebrow. "So? What is it?"

It was only then that Aera remembered her friend's question and choked a second time on her lemonade.