Broken Deal | Choi Jiung

10

ba ram was shocked to see ji ung was already at his seat, sleeping comfortably with his face on his folded arms. just when ba ram took her seat, ji ung stirred in his sleep and turned to face ba ram's side before continuing his sleep. ba ram was caught staring at him when ji ung suddenly opened his eyes.

"my sleeping face is cute right?"

"n-no. why are you talking nonsense in the morning?" ba ram tried to act cool but definitely failed when she stuttered. she silently scolded herself as she took out all the things she needed and placed them on the desk. "why are you so early today? it's not like you."

"need to get used to the train." ji ung widened his eyes after spurting the truth that he never used the train. he cleared his throat and stretched his arms while yawning as if nothing happened. "i mean, i just want to be early-"

"here."

a banana milk was placed in front of ji ung. ba ram saw that ji ung did not respond to her so she took the banana milk and punched the straw in before putting the banana milk in ji ung's hand.

"what is this?"

"banana milk, ji ung."

"no, i mean. what is this? what is this sweetness? do you like me?"

ba ram glared at ji ung. "it's just banana milk, ji ung. i bought two just in case. drink it while it's still cold."

"so, you don't like me?" ji ung took a sip and nodded in acknowledgement. nothing could go wrong with banana milk. he smiled a bit, thankful that ba ram got him his favorite.

"rather than like, i think i appreciate you." ba ram took a sip of her drink too. staring at the door as one by one, the class started to fill in by students.

"woah. your words always sound so cool." ji ung admired her from the side. "anyway, are you going to visit your mom today?"

"no. i have a part time job today."

"part time?! since when?" ji ung turned ba ram to face him, making her flustered. "why didn't you tell me?"

"i just told you..."

"i mean, we were together all the time. why didn't i know?" ba ram chuckled at ji ung's confused face. ji ung looked at her, raising his eyebrows. "why are you laughing? I'm being serious here."

"i just applied last night. i got an email this morning that i can start my part time job today."

"i will walk you there. i don't take no as the answer. wake me up when the teacher arrives."

ji ung then went back to sleep, fixing his position to be comfortable. ba ram was curious why did ji ung asked her to wake him up because ji ung would just usually sleep through all the classes? but since ji ung was already asleep, ba ram could care less and just woke him up when the teacher came in.

it was even shocking that ji ung was focusing in all of the classes. ji ung even asked her on things where she gladly answered him but still curious and wanting to know on what made ji ung suddenly so interested in 'focusing' during class.

"alright class, all of you did so well on the last test we had. I'm hoping you can be better on your final exam in another one month, okay? class dismissed."

"okay, ssaem!"

ji ung waited for ba ram at the door as she packed all her things. when she's done, she walked out of the room with ji ung by her side.

"where are you working?"

"the cute cafe three blocks from here."

"okay."

their walk started to fill in a spot somewhere in ba ram's heart. it was always calming to walk with ji ung. she kinda look forward to their walk every day. the silence they shared was comfortable, even ji ung didn't look bothered by it nor ever questioned it.

maybe her mom was right, ji ung IS safe.

ba ram's thought were cut off when they both stopped in front of the cafe. ba ram looked at her side only to be met with ji ung's eyes already on hers.

"thank you for walking me here, ji ung. see you tomorrow?"

"when will your shift end?" didn't answer her, ji ung shot her with another question.

"9 p.m. if i have to do the closing, maybe at 9.30 p.m. or 10 p.m.?"

"alright, let's get inside. it's hot out here." ji ung fanned his face, grabbing on ba ram's bag pack off her shoulders, carrying it on his right shoulder, balancing with his bag on his left shoulder.

"w-what do you mean?" she cringed at her own stuttering voice. "are you going to wait until my shift ends?"

"what else should i do?"

"i don't know, go home?"

"no. you want me to protect you. this is me protecting you. anywhere, anytime, my ba ram."

my ba ram. this guy in front of her really took his deal seriously, it makes ba ram pondered over being grateful or regretful. ba ram was sure she was red and silently prayed that ji ung would think it was the hot weather and not that she was totally somersaulting inside.