Paperclips - YJH

Three

"Do you want to have coffee together?" I offer him, and some part of me hopes he refuses, but a huge part of me hopes he accepts. I'm unsure about where the sudden motivation to socialise came from, but I don't want the flame to go out so soon.

"Coffee?" Jeonghan questions, almost like he's asking himself if it's a good idea to have a drink with me. However, after a few seconds of silent wondering, he accepts my offer with a smile.

"Do you know any place with good coffee? Or are you more comfortable with the cafeteria?" He asked me while I was searching for good coffee shops near me. I could just take him to the cafeteria, buy him a coffee, and call it a day, but something in me wanted to do more. I didn't want him—or anyone—to feel like I'm unapproachable; I've got that a lot. Maybe I am, which is why I'm trying to change it right now.

Shaking my head, I dismissed the idea of having coffee in the cafeteria.

____

After some searching, I took him to a café that's close by. We ordered nothing expensive, just a simple caramel machiato for both of us.

We both sat in silence, and surprisingly, Jeonghan didn't initiate any conversation until the drink came.

Sipping my drink, I wondered if I should say something. I figured it was only polite of me to say something, but I don't know what to say. What am I supposed to say that isn't some lame question? I decided to ask him something unique.

"Would you rather be smart and rude or dumb and kind?" I regretted it as soon as I asked the question because he choked on his coffee. Maybe it was too unique?

Wiping off the coffee spill from his lips, he looked at me for a good few seconds before bursting out laughing. I don't understand what's so funny. So I just stare innocently at him.

"What was that about?" He managed to mutter while still laughing.

"It's not funny." I replied while rolling my eyes. I feel slightly offended that my first attempt at talking and making a conversation didn't go well.

"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I would rather be dumb and kind. I already am." He replied with a smile while he went back to sipping his coffee. Why was he saying something like that so casually?

"Are you?" I questioned.

"Yeah, everyone says so." He replied nonchalantly while sipping on his coffee.

"Everyone, as in... the teachers?" I asked him, unable to hide my curiosity. I don't think anyone openly calls him dumb and kind, but then again, it's not really a complaint. But for some reason, I did not like how he was just accepting it.

"The teachers, my parents, friends—a lot of people, actually." He replied, still acting like this was totally fine.

"I don't think so." I said it firmly, feeling the need to defend him. "Just because others say it doesn't make it true." He looked at me with surprise, as if no one had ever challenged those words before.

"Huh?"

"I don't think you are dumb. Kind, yes, but dumb, no." I told him while sipping on my coffee as well. He stared at me with an expressionless face before coughing and looking away.

"Alright, I gotta go. I have a class." He said this while getting up and avoiding eye contact for some reason. Grabbing his coat, he walked out of the café without saying goodbye. I don't mind it; my social battery is almost out anyway. However, something in me did not want to leave him alone.

"WAIT!" I called out after him while trying to catch up with him.

He evidently slowed his pace and looked at me through his peripheral vision.

"Did you like the coffee?" I tried having a conversation again. Somehow more confident than last time.

"The coffee was nice. Thank you." He responded, but this time he didn't have that smile on his lips. It looked like he was deep in thought. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say next. Eventually, I decided to respect his space and let him continue on his way. As he walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something troubling him.