glass | gyuricky

six.

Gyuvin was up and out of bed by half past six the next morning, a full hour earlier than usual. He was so groggy from sleep he put both his feet into the same pant leg and almost took his school backpack instead of the duffel bag he'd packed the night before, but as he left the house and locked the door behind him the excitement seeping into his bones was enough to dispel any lingering sleepiness from his mind.

The weather was nice before seven in the morning; the grass in the front yard was heavy with dew and the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the air was so crisp he felt invigorated just walking down the street. As he turned the street corner, another figure appeared just ahead, and he squinted a little to make out who it was.

"Oh, Jiwon-ah!"

It was Jiwon, one of the girls from his art class. She lived just one street down from Gyuvin and they'd walked to school together for a period of time when high school had first started, but eventually Gyuvin had gotten into the bad habit of being a little later every day and she'd picked up cycling to school instead of walking, and so didn't see each other that much anymore other than during art classes.

"Not cycling today?" Gyuvin asked, jogging a little to catch up to her.

She smiled and gestured to the shoulder bag weighing her down on one side. "Not possible with this, unfortunately. It's been a while since I've had to foot it to school. Why didn't you drive?"

"Forgot to fill up the gas again," he said ruefully. "I don't wanna leave my car at the school overnight, anyway. Who knows what goes on in the parking lot when everyone else leaves?"

"Speaking of parking lots," Jiwon interjected. "I saw you and Ricky out there yesterday. He gave you a ride, didn't he?"

"You saw us?" Gyuvin turned away to hide his panic, though something inside of him reminded him there was nothing really wrong with what they'd done yesterday. "Why were you still in school?"

"Yearbook club," Jiwon answered casually. "Me and Seoyun were out trying to get a good picture of the school building for the inner cover."

"Oh."

"Do you like him?"

Gyuvin looked up. "Hm? Who, Ricky?"

"Yeah."

He laughed a little, to cover up his sudden awkwardness. "Well, who doesn't? He's interesting."

"Yeah, you're right. Who doesn't?" Jiwon agreed, grinning. "I almost think Seoyun has a crush on him sometimes, but don't tell her I told you that."

Gyuvin wondered if he should tell her Seoyun was really not that good at hiding it at all, but he decided against it. "I don't blame her," he answered lightheartedly. "He's definitely something."

Jiwon shook her head, shifting her bag over to her other shoulder. "Can't believe he's got the whole lot of you wrapped around his finger."

"You mean you don't?" Gyuvin asked. "Like him?"

"No, I do. Just not as much as everyone else seems to, I guess."

Gyuvin deliberated on whether he should ask further, but it didn't matter. They were already at the school gate, and he could see a bus waiting in the parking lot, probably the bus that was gonna take them up to Seoul. Some of their classmates were already gathered in front of it and waiting; Gunwook waved them over as soon as he caught sight of them walking in at the gate.

"Right on time, for the first time in forever," Ricky greeted ceremoniously as the two of them joined the group. "All right, let me do a headcount..."

Gunwook slung an arm around Gyuvin's shoulder. "You're sitting with me, right?"

"Of course I am. I get the window seat right?"

"Of course you do."

"Perfect."

They loaded up their bags into the storage trunk of the bus and piled on, claiming their seats with some good natured bickering. There were thirty seats on the bus, more than enough for their party of thirteen, meaning there was space for everyone to have their own row even, but as always, they clustered towards the back of the bus, settling down.

Gyuvin slid into the window seat of the third row from the back, Gunwook following suit. Jiwon appeared in the seat across the aisle a second later, stretching her legs out onto the seat.

"Hey, isn't Seoyun sitting with you?" Gyuvin asked.

Jiwon shook her head and laughed. "Look behind you."

Gyuvin stood up a little to peek at the rows behind; Seoyun and some of the others were occupying the back row, sandwiching Ricky in the middle of them. They were already beginning a conversation, something about old movies Gyuvin didn't really know enough to join in on. He sat back down, slumping in his seat.

"Gunwook-ah, cheer me up."

"Are you sad?" Gunwook asked, frowning. "I brought my Nintendo Switch, we can play MarioKart."

Gyuvin brightened up again instantaneously. "I knew I could rely on you. You're my best friend, you know?"

"I know. Pick your character."