Yungyu's leg bounced nervously as he looked around the dim cafe He and Iseul frequented during the summer. He was sure he could get everything right this time. The entry bell rang, and his eyes snapped to Iseul. He held his hand up, grabbing her attention.
"I only have an hour, and I have to eat, so-" Iseul was cut off by Yungyu, who placed her usual order on the table and pushed it in towards her. "I was thinking I could do the talking this time around." He motioned for her to take it. Iseul reluctantly grabbed the iced coffee and sandwich and bit into it. Yungyu stared at her, wondering how he could've messed up something so badly. "I'm sorry, I just want to start over. Clean slate, yeah?" Yungyu said. Iseul sipped from the straw and stared at the boy before her. His messy blue hair, now grown out, showed his dark brown roots. The natural crouch he always remained in but somehow was able to look more defeated.
She looked at the now empty plate in front of her. "Clean slate," she repeated to herself. Was it effortless for him to forget about summer? Yungyu nodded. He lifted his hand from his lap and put it in front of her to shake. "I won't be an asshole, promise." Iseul raised an eyebrow. "Lee Yungyu, not an asshole... pigs must be flying," Yungyu snorted and her comment. "Fine, clean slate." Iseul grabbed his hand firmly. Her stomach turned at his eyes on hers and his gentle grip on her hand.
Iseul coughed awkwardly. "I have to get back to work...I can pay you—" Yungyu waved his hand. "Consider my apology for how I acted," he smiled weakly. Iseul nodded, said a quick goodbye, and returned to the shop.
"YOU WEAK WOMAN!" Cam shouted. Iseul's eyes widened upon hearing his words. "He apologized and bought me dinner." Cam sighed and threw a bag of chips, hitting the sad girl in the shoulder. "Ow?" she stated, picking the bag up and placing it back on the shelf. "Bad, miserable cow," Cam pointed. "HE APOLOGIZED!" Iseul shouted. Customers raised an eyebrow. "For which part?" Iseul groaned, rubbing her face. "He said clean slate." Cam laughed dryly, "Tell me how that clean slate goes tomorrow. I'm going on break." he said, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder before walking out.
The following week, Iseul sat alone in the library, earbuds in each ear, as she wrote whatever notes Yungyu would need for this upcoming quiz. "Iseul." She looked up to see Yungyu sitting with a bright smile across from her. "Yungyu, you're early?" she re-checked her watch. He practically bounced in his chair, nodding, pulling out a notebook covered in doodles and various stickers. "I took notes today!" he said, showing her the page. Iseul smiled, taking the notebook from him to see the notes messily scribbled in bullets along the margin. "We can work with this..." Iseul hummed to herself, impressed. Yungyu nodded, observing her. "Flashcards?" he questioned; Iseul kept still before bringing the small stack from her backpack. "You need to make them yourself next time, okay?" Yungyu nodded at the request and prepared himself for the long, grueling hour of Iseul and her flashcards.
"buoyancy?" Yungyu raised an eyebrow, looking at the definition written neatly. "Are you asking or telling me?" Iseul questioned. Yungyu groaned and shoved his face in his hands, mumbling, "Telling." Iseul raised an eyebrow and nodded; Yungyu peeked through his hands. Iseul laughed at the boy in front of her. "You aren't an idiot; you're doing good, Gyu." Yungyu could've sworn his ears rung at the nickname. Iseul paused before starting, "Are nicknames not allowed-" Yungyu cut her off feverishly. "YES, uh yes, I don't mind at all... Izzy." Yungyu said, trying out what once felt like a long-forgotten nickname. Iseul smiled and held up the cards once more. "One more time, please." Yungyu sighed and started the cards once more.
The next day, Iseul sat with Cam in the lunchroom. "You seem chirpy as of recently," Cam stated, pulling Iseul out of her thoughts. "Chirpy? What do you mean?" She toyed with her fork. Cam smiled, "I don't know, you just better. Like my best friend before the breakup." he shrugged. Iseul contemplated his words, "We should go out this weekend. Just you and me." Cam's eyes widened as a smile spread across his face. "Your Uber will arrive at nine am sharp tomorrow then," he said, forking another bite of his salad into his mouth.
Iseul smiled but turned at the noise coming from the cafeteria entrance. "ISEUL, IZZY, oh, you're right there." Yungyu stopped, catching his breath. He held out a paper in front of Iseul. "I passed!" Iseul looked at the paper, impressed. "You got a B-" Cam stated, looking over Iseul's shoulder. "This like his A-" Yungyu smiled and pointed to the girl. "What she said. Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you!" Yungyu said, now breathing normally. Iseul nodded, "No need to thank me, I'll see you Monday." she said, grabbing her stuff as the bell rang. "Yeah, of course." Yungyu stood still, watching Cam and her leave the room. "God, you are humiliating," Haemin sighed, grabbing his friend by the shoulder and dragging him to class.
YOU ARE READING
From the Start
Fiksyen Peminat"You can admit that you missed me" "I did not miss you" "Oh yeah, and climbing through someone's window at three am is a great way to convene that"
