strawberry kisses 🍓 -- ricky

chapter twenty two

~ a few days later ~

"all grade twelve classes, please proceed to the bus lines in front of campus and we will begin boarding the buses for the senior trip. teachers, make sure to take your attendance before leaving." the loud speaker announced. 

"i already took attendance so we can get going now. don't forget any of your belongings as we won't be coming back to the classroom." mrs. lee concluded, walking towards the door. 

standing up, i grabbed my silver suitcase and hung my backpack over one shoulder. i turned to my right and saw jungwon struggling to hold onto all of his baggage. he had his normal backpack over his shoulders, a large duffle bag across his body, an overfilled tote, two filled rolling suitcases, and to top it off a oversized neck pillow. 

"uhh you need help with that??" i asked, comparing to my single suitcase and backpack. 

"it takes a lot to look this good. thank you very much!" jungwon exclaimed, suddenly dropping his giant tote into my empty arms, blocking my vision. 

"woah" i said, caught off guard.

i exited the classroom, attempting to navigate my way down the crowded hallway without crashing into anyone. far ahead, ricky turned around and noticed me walking down. he ran back to greet me excitedly. 

"hey minji" 

"uhh hi?" i moved my head around the bag in attempt to find a clear view of his face.  

noticing my conflict, he walked to my left side and snaked his arm around my waist, guiding me around the hallway as we walked towards the buses.

"you have to be careful and watch where you're going"

i blushed at his subtle action, nodding and hiding my face in the enormous bag i was holding. 

"so what's all this stuff?" ricky questioned, swerving me away from a person running in my path. 

"it's not mine, jungwon overpacked." i rolled my eyes, seeing jungwon ahead with the rest of our friends. 

"wow now you're dating one of them too?" matthew groaned unenthusiastically as the group eyed ricky's arm wrapped around me. 

jungwon smirked, "yeah minji-" 

i quickly shoved his bag into his arms before he could expose anything, "oh yeah your bags! here you go, you're welcome!" 

i grabbed ricky's wrist and moved it away from me, clearing my throat awkwardly.  

"so who's sitting with who?" hanbin asked breaking the silence. 

"i'm stealing gunwook, just so you know." sunhee claimed, hugging his arm.

"minji you should sit with me" ricky suggested. 

"awww" jungwon teased. 

"uhm- what about matthew, he won't have anyone to sit with" 

"yeah ricky, she wants to sit with me. how does it feel to be the second choice? stay jealous!" matthew bragged.

"if matthew needs someone to sit with, i can." jiwoong offered. 

"but then who will sit with me??" taerae complained. 

the group went silent, already having seat partners in mind. 

"i guess you're with me taerae!!" jungwon exclaimed.

soon, we began boarding the buses. ricky entered in front of me, then turned around and held his hand out for me while i walked up the steps. the students 'ooooh'd and i hurried to my seat.