𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 /GXG/

🔸️Trapped

The radio is on at medium volume. The song playing is ALONE_Dalchong. It hasn't been a few weeks since it was released, and it became the first one I listen to every day. I set it as an alarm clock tone.

In addition to the low music, the predominant sound now is some intentional knocking (I believe) on the kitchen cabinet drawers. It's Na-young who looks for the lighter.

''What do you have to talk to me about?'', she asks.

She's not exactly the person I want to talk to first thing in the morning, but afraid that at any moment Na-young will find out from Da-hye that I took blood from her, I have to admit my mistake.

''I hit your sister,'' I say quietly, head down, embarrassed.

''Did you hit Da-hye?''

''I had a fight with your sister. I don't even want to give details of what happened.'' Remembering my aggressive behavior doesn't do me any good.

My skin crawls.

''Explain this to me clearly,'' Na-young says, placing a plate of freshly baked cookies for us to eat. Warm mist that spreads the sweet smell in the air.

''Your sister started saying that Chae won stayed at your house and went to give Chae won medicine, and they kissed.''

''Which nightclub was she in now?''

''IN THE ZONE.''

Na-young looks at the window. A sneer appears. ''Without going into details, Akari, but Da-hye and Chae won barely spoke, and my family doesn't accept this kind of thing, and Da-hye knows very well what happens if she date a girl.''

''Would your parents beat her?''

''Probably, and they would put her out on the street if she persists.''

She quickly gets up from the chair, and when I see her from behind, with her hands resting on the sink, she sighs tiredly before to wash them.

It's inevitable that I wonder if the two of them relapsed and ended up kissing. I'd rather not know that.

''So Da-hye and you fighted...'' she says, putting the cigarette in her mouth, positioning the lighter, making a shield with her right hand so the wind doesn't put out the fire. At the window, she leaves her arm out with the cigarette between her fingers.

''I am sorry. I didn't mean. I was drunk,' I say.

Na-young just listens and looks outside.

I take a sip of the coffee. The bitter taste. I take a deep breath as my skin crawls.

When I look up, I see Chae won's figure passing through the room. Her image is reflected on the black TV screen. She is wearing a long-sleeved shirt with black and white stripes. Then she opens the door. There's that flash and then the thud. She left.

Out of curiosity, I get up from the table, munch on a cookie, and go to the living room window to watch her.

Chae won is already standing on the sidewalk, her back to me, her hands in the pockets of her sweatpants. She straightens her leg, stretching.

Na-young also comes to the window and shares space with me, crosses her arms, and looks at the girl. ''What she is doing?''

''She said she'll run again.''

''Isn't she going to eat?''

''No.''

''Does she really have to run every morning?''

''It's her habit.''

''She can't skip a meal.'' Na-young crosses her arms, shaking her head. "Hmm! I bet she is looking for a way to do something wrong. Those cat eyes could very well be planning something..."