Sudden Change┊Huening Kai┆彡

-ˏˋ tenˊˎ

Despite being a small village, the local market is surprisingly large and chaotic—makes sense, though, since it's a Friday evening. Before entering, we agree to split up so we can each grab our own stuff. I stick with Chaewon and Soobin since we have the same taste in snacks (read: sweet, crunchy, and mildly overpriced). With my camera in hand, I snap pictures for the project, finally putting my hobby to good use instead of just taking artsy shots of my cat.

Only ten minutes pass before I lose sight of Chaewon and Soobin. One second they're next to me, and I take one shot of a photo—poof—vanished. I try not to panic. I keep walking, weaving through the crowd and snapping photos, pretending I totally meant to be alone in a sea of strangers.

It feels like I'm wandering through a living maze—bright tarps flapping above me, the breeze carrying a faint whiff of ocean air mixed with sizzling oil and grilled meat. A tiny vendor tucked between two fruit stalls catches my eye. 

Strings of charms and necklaces hung like dewdrops on silver threads, dancing in the sun. A small pendant reflects the sun directly towards me, a delicate wisteria flower, the petals cascading in soft metalwork.

"Wisteria. It means emotional that bloom suddenly...feelings that surprise even the one who holds them." an old woman behind the stand smiles softly at me. 

I blink. 

ironic.

A presence pauses behind me, just at the edge of the stall. I shift slightly, assuming they're looking at the same display, not bothering to turn around.

I stare at the necklace a moment longer before bowing politely to the woman and moving on. 

Five minutes later, I start searching for my friends, still snackless and slightly disoriented.

"[Name]!" I hear someone yell from the crowd. I glance around and spot Chaewon and Soobin, both hands full of street food. 

"Hyuka too!" 

Hyuka?

I turn around. Just a few feet away stands Hyuka.

"How long have you been following me?" I ask, halfway between suspicious and slightly mortified.

"Long enough for you to not notice," He smirks teasingly, biting into a skewer. 

I'm about to question him again when Chaewon loops her arm through mine.

"Where have you been?" she asks, "Did you not get anything?" 

"There was too much, I couldn't choose." I tell her as we continue to walk together.

"Here," She says, feeding me a bite from her skewers.

We finally make it to the edge of the market, where the rest of the group waits, juggling bags and street food.

"We should head back, it's probably best to rest tonight so we're not dead tomorrow—and, you know, not jet lagged." Taehyun points out. 

We all agree, feeling restless and drained from the market as well. 

As we start walking back toward the house, I notice Hyuka falling into step beside me again. He's so casual about it, like this is just his assigned spot or something.

I glance at him sideways. "You gonna follow me all the way back too?"

"I mean... we are literally all staying in the same house," he says, grinning like this is somehow my fault.

"Don't remind me," I mutter.

"You say that like you don't secretly enjoy my company."

I shoot him a look. "I'd enjoy it more if you had snacks."

He shoves one of his skewers in front of my face without a word.

"I'm not eating from your hand," I tell him defensively. 

"Then you're not getting anything." He replies, his eyes meeting mine.

I hesitate, taking a bite anyway.

[ Hey... how ya'll doin... So, I'm a senior in high school, I never had time for wattpad over the past two years. But, too much time has been put in my hands, so here I am again. Hope ya'll enjoy the difference in my writing lol ]