THE BET 🦋

VI.

I really don't know what it is that draws me to him. Is it his eyes, self-confidence, butterfly tattoo, or fate? I have no idea. I know it's dangerous and I know it might not turn out well. But I guess I just can't control myself in his presence.

I was standing with Jae-eon on the building corner, our lips parting after a long and passionate kiss. Jae-eon's hand lingered on my cheek, his thumb softly tracing circles.
"Can I have your number?" Jae-eon asked, his voice husky with desire.
My heart skipped a beat. I had been hoping he would ask. I fumbled in my pocket for my phone and handed it to him, my hand brushing against his.
Jae-eon punched his number into my phone and then held it out to me.
"I'll text you soon." And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and my lips still tingling from his kiss.
As I watched Jae-eon walk away, I couldn't help but think about the electricity that had passed between us during our kiss. My body still felt alive with sensation, my heart beating faster than usual. I wondered if he felt the same way.
I leaned against the nearby wall, taking a deep breath to steady myself. It had been a long time since I had felt such a strong connection with someone.
Suddenly I heard someone shouting my name. I turned my head for the sound. It was Tae-Jin.
"I'm here", I shouted at him and he ran in my direction.
"What are you doing here alone? When Bitna came back, I asked her where you were, but she just told me to leave it at that. I went to look for you because I was afraid that something had happened to you." Always caring Tae-Jin.
"I was just a little sick and needed some fresh air. No big deal," I said, smiling to add credibility.
I don't know if I wanted anyone to know about my relationship with Jae-eon. I didn't know what it was for myself.
"Okay, let's go inside so you don't get sick, it's cold."
Only then did I realize that he was actually right. It was autumn and I was standing outside in only a thin sweater. I was so fired up about what was going on with Jae-eon that I didn't even notice.
"Let's go."
"Hold on a minute," Tae-jin said, bending down at my feet.
What on earth is he doing?
"Your shoelace is untied," he said and began tying it. "You could fall and hurt yourself."
"Thank you," I said.
For some people, it would probably be a gesture that would give them butterflies in their stomachs. For me it was just a nice gesture at the moment, because my mind was occupied by another butterfly.

I trudged into my apartment, feeling utterly exhausted after this long day school. My backpack felt like a ton of bricks on my shoulders, and my feet ached from standing all day. I kicked off my shoes and dragged myself to the bathroom, eager to take a hot shower and wash away the stress of the day.
As the warm water cascaded over my body, I felt my muscles slowly start to relax. I closed my eyes and let out a contented sigh, relishing the sensation of the water running over my skin. I reached for my favorite body wash, which smells like Cotton and started lathering up, enjoying the fresh, clean scent.
Today I decided to skip dinner because there was a lot of food at school. If I tried to get something else inside me, I would probably burst by now.
I took my phone from the counter and quickly checked to see if I had any new messages. Nothing. That disappointed me quite a bit, but on the other hand, what did I expect? That he will call right away? I put my phone on the nightstand and lay in bed exhausted, happy to finally be able to rest.
I fell asleep for a little while, but I was woken up by the buzzing of the phone not far from me. I rolled my eyes because I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone when I slept so well.
I looked at the display. Bitna.
"Hello?" I said in a sleepy voice into the phone. She obviously didn't notice or didn't care because she started bombarding me with questions.
"What happened with Park Jae-eon today? Tell me everything. Did you kiss? Or was there something more?"
"Bitna, I'm tired, can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
"You have to tell me today because I'm going to die. I have to know," she urged.
"Okay then", I said with a sigh, knowing that I could say goodbye to sleep for now.
"We kissed. Nothing more."
"Nothing more? What was it like?"
My thoughts went back to the moment when we kissed. "It was... amazing. No, even better than that..."
"God, I'm glad that we're finally solving not only my dramas with the boys, but also that something has started to happen in your life," she said happily.
"I think he has a girlfriend, so I feel guilty, but I can't stay away from him."
"Girlfriend?" laughed Bitna, "He has at least two on each finger. After you left I was talking to the girls from the senior year and they told me about him, Nabi. Have fun with him, but be careful. And mainly, don't fall in love because what Tae-jin told you about him is true."
Somewhere in the depths of my soul, I felt it too. I knew it wasn't good to start anything with him. I guess I like playing with fire.
Bitna continued to tell me that she was about to go out drinking with Gyu-hyun. I don't understand the endurance of that girl, I would pass out from exhaustion after a few hours at this rate.
I heard a warning beep near my ear. I don't even know when I stopped listening to it, but suddenly I just turned it off.
"Bitna"....
She continued talking as if she didn't notice the interruption.
"Bitna!" I said with a hint of panic in my voice.
"Huh?" I finally got her attention
"He.. he texted me."
"What did he write?"
"Just Hi," I said. "What should I do?"
"Text him back of course. Or, if you want," said Bitna, and I felt as if I could see her smile through the phone as well.
"I think you know the answer for this."
I was looking at the screen of the phone, because after the first message there was another one.
Can I call you?
"God, he wants to call me," I did not hide my excitement mixed with fear.
"Wow," said Bitna, "tell him he can, I'll hang up right away."
"Wait a minute," I quickly stopped her, "Do you think it's a good idea?" I wasn't really sure about that. Wasn't she the one who warned me to be careful?
"No I don't think it's a good idea. It's great. I'll go anyway GyuHyun is waiting for me. I'll want to hear all the exciting news tomorrow. Have a good time." And she hung up.
A while later, I was still sitting and encouraging myself to write him back. He just texted me, and I already have butterflies in my stomach. I don't know what will happen to me after I hear his voice.
Then I decided to be brave at least once in my life and texted him Yes, you can call me.
My phone started ringing almost immediately after I sent the message, it felt like it was waiting for my reply.
"Hey," I answered, trying to sound casual.
"Hey, Nabi," Jae-eon's voice came through the speaker, smooth as honey. "What are you up to?"
"Just enjoying the evening. What about you?" I asked, my heart beating a little faster.
"I'm at home, thinking about you," Jae-eon replied, his voice dripping with seduction.
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. Jae-eon always had a way of making me feel like the only woman in the world.
"You're always on my mind," he continued, his voice low and husky. "I can't stop thinking about the way you looked today, the way your hair fell around your face, the way you laughed."
I closed her eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over me. I could feel my body responding to him in a certain way.. Jae-eon had some magnetic pull that I couldn't resist.
"You're too much," I managed to say, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"I can't help it," Jae-eon replied, his voice growing more serious.
My heart skipped a beat at his words. I knew I shouldn't let him get to me like this, but I couldn't help it. Jae-eon had a way of making me feel things I had never felt before.
I swear to God this man is driving me crazy.
"How about we have lunch together at school tomorrow?"
"That sounds good," I said. I enjoyed the idea of that.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then." he said in a captivating voice.
"Okay, tomorrow then. Bye." I quickly hung up because I felt like my heart was about to explode.
I don't know what this guy is doing to me, but I think at this rate it will lead me to the grave.