𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 /GXG/

🔸️○December 25th

______________________
AKARI TOKIZAKI
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The sky gradually darkens, bringing night. The wind arrives, stops for a few seconds, and then blows hard again, whistling through the branches of the park's trees.

We follow a path that is a descent that tires my knees.

''I thought you were going to sleep at your parents' house,'' says Chae won.

''And they wanted that,'' I reply. I went to see them this morning. I was nervous, but my dad simplified everything in life.

''And you wanted that?''

''I missed my bedroom. It felt like I was coming back from a short vacation when I walked in.''

''So you wanted...''

''I wanted.''

''Then why didn't you go?''

''Wouldn't you mind?''

''They are your parents.''

''I said I would come back after New Year's with you. Is that okay?''

''Ah, Akari... I'm ashamed...''

''Please.''

''Let me think.''

Her glasses reflect the smile that appears on me.

We take a few steps off the path. She lets go of my hand and continues forward, crossing the tree line to the other parallel one. On her back, the white cloth backpack. Some dark drawings made with black pen look like faces with mouths sewn on.

Near the end of the park, I see the main street, the cars passing by, the billboard saying PIZZARIA.

My stomach growls. I've never been one to eat pizza mid-week before. Not almost every day. Last night, we ended up eating way too many slices while watching a movie.

Suspense is my favorite genre. Then come the fights. This last one gives me a lot of euphoria. When I realize it, I'm already clenching my teeth, and the muscles in my body are tense with the desire to hit. Chae won says her favorites are vampires. So we decided to watch Blade.

Na-young arrived home at the exact moment she showed the blood rave. Then she made the sign of the cross and said that whoever sucks blood is the son of the devil. She went to her room and stayed there in absolute silence. I don't know if she slept, but it looks like she did.

In terms of conversation, Na-young is cool. She is far from being my friend. But anyway, we can't live in the same house without exchanging a few words. I didn't want to reveal that I'm jealous and insecure. But I ended up saying that to Chae won when we went to sleep. It's a great time to talk about our day and make plans.

''Akari, what are you thinking?''

I look at her. Then, I feel discomfort in my chest. Air enters the lungs in large quantities. ''Why did you like someone so old to you?''

Her eyes widen in astonishment. ''Again this? You have asked me so many times about this question.''

''This is the first time I've asked.''

Chae won looks at the street. Hands tighten on the backpack straps as if they can never let go again. ''I can't explain why, but I've always liked people older than me. I was 11 and looking at some 18 year old girls.''

''But she's almost 10 years older than you! You had to be interested in people your own age. Not with someone who has been through this. It's disgusting!''