Street Racer || Yang Jungwon

°•♡•° / 15

—— Jungwon

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on the room as I gradually woke up. To my surprise, I found Seori snuggled up to me, nestled in the warmth of my arms. The initial instinct to create distance and maintain clear boundaries battled with the desire not to disturb her peaceful slumber.

As I observed her in the morning tranquility, it struck me how, in sleep, she resembled a child or a baby, vulnerable and innocent. A tender smile formed on my lips, and I couldn't bring myself to move away.

Gently brushing a few strands of hair away from her face, I found myself whispering softly, as if the morning held the weight of secrets. "If you're unsure about your feelings, Seori, I can confirm that I'm starting to feel something, or at least, I think I am."

The admission hung in the air, the room wrapped in a quiet intimacy that belied the complexity of our connection.

After my quiet admission, Seori stirred slightly in her sleep, mumbling something indistinct. A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I hoped that my whispered words hadn't penetrated her dreamscape. The delicate balance of the morning hung in the air, with the sunlight gently dancing on the edges of the room.

As Seori shifted in my arms, I couldn't help but wonder about the contents of her dreams. Did they echo the unspoken sentiments that lingered between us, or were they a realm untouched by the complexities of waking emotions?

I found myself caught in a moment of introspection, pondering the significance of my confession. In the midst of this gentle morning, as Seori continued to slumber peacefully, I contemplated the evolving narrative of our story.

ﾟ.+:｡Time skip.+:｡

I pulled away from Seori's house, the echoes of her laughter still lingering in my mind. As I drove to the racing house, the victory from the street race boosting my spirits, I couldn't shake off the unusual warmth I felt after dropping her off. The guys were all gathered when I walked in – Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki. Their eyes followed me, curiosity evident.

"What's up with you, Jungwon?" Sunghoon asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "You've got that look like you've seen a ghost."

I rolled my eyes, sensing where this conversation was heading. "Nothing, just had a good night. Won the race, dropped off Seori."

Heeseung arched an eyebrow, "Seori, huh? Anything interesting happen?" The mischievous glint in his eyes hinted at their eagerness for gossip.

I sighed, feeling the need to address the growing confusion within me. "I don't know, guys. Something's off. I'm starting to feel... something for her."

The room erupted in laughter, with Jake leading the teasing. "Jungwon, falling for the Ramen Queen? Seriously? You must be losing your touch."

I shot back, smirking, "At least I'm not the only one with a soft spot for someone younger. Heard things about you and Yeji, Jake."

His eyes widened momentarily, but he quickly recovered, "That's different!"

I chuckled, deciding to spill the beans about what happened at my apartment. "Well, Seori overheard me talking to Jake on the phone. I told him she's not interested in me, and I'm not interested in her. But then she asked me if I really believe she isn't interested that way."

Their laughter faded as I continued, recounting the uncertain conversation with Seori. "I thought she was just teasing, so I asked if she feels something towards me. She said she doesn't know, but by the end, she told me to forget what she said and returned to her carefree self."

Their expressions shifted from amusement to realization. Jay spoke up, "Jungwon, it sounds like she might be struggling with her feelings too. Give it time, man. It's not as simple as it seems."

I sighed, the weight of the situation settling in. The racing house, once filled with banter, now held a quiet moment of contemplation.

As my friends fell into a contemplative silence, I found myself lost in the uncertainty of my own emotions. Seori had woven herself into my life seamlessly, yet deciphering the nature of our connection proved to be elusive. No romantic moments had transpired between us, just playful banter and camaraderie akin to that of close friends.

I sank into a chair, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "Guys, I don't know. It's confusing. We haven't had any romantic moments. It's just... different. I can't put my finger on it."

Niki, the quiet observer, spoke up, "Sometimes, feelings aren't defined by grand gestures or overt emotions. It's the subtle shifts, the quiet moments that catch you off guard."

Heeseung chimed in, "You've spent a lot of time together, Jungwon. Maybe there's more beneath the surface. It's not always about what you do; sometimes, it's about how you feel when you're around each other."

I nodded, absorbing their perspectives, yet a nagging doubt lingered. "But what if it's just friendship? What if I'm reading too much into it?"

Sunoo, typically the peacemaker, offered his insight, "You won't know until you explore it, man. Take your time, enjoy her company, and see where it leads. Don't rush it."

Jay, the voice of reason, added, "And be honest with yourself. If you're questioning it this much, there might be something more. Just embrace it, whatever it is."

As their advice settled in, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirled within me. I stood up, the need for clarity driving me. "Thanks, guys. I'll figure this out. For now, let's focus on racing. The streets won't wait for our emotional turmoil."

With renewed determination, I left the racing house, the engine roars drowning out the echoes of my inner turmoil. The city lights blurred as I sped through the streets, thoughts of Seori lingering like a gentle undercurrent beneath the adrenaline-fueled surface.

The night held the promise of racing, but my mind was entangled in the intricate web of emotions, leaving me unsure of the path ahead.

—— Seori

Sitting in my room with Yeji, I couldn't help but replay the events of the night in my mind. I shared with her the details of spending time with Jungwon at the ramen shop, the exhilarating street race celebration, and the unexpected visit to his apartment. Yeji listened intently as I recounted the playful banter, the clothes I borrowed from him, and the moment I overheard his conversation with Jake.

"He asked me what I'm talking about," I told Yeji, uncertainty coloring my words. "He said I'm like a little sister to him because of our age. But, Yeji, I can't shake the feeling that there might be something more."

Yeji raised an eyebrow, her curiosity evident. "Do you really feel something for him?"

I sighed, torn between the warmth I felt with Jungwon and the reservations tied to our age difference. "I don't know, Yeji. My mom is okay with us being friends, but nothing more with someone who is four years older. It's complicated."

She nodded understandingly, then diverted the conversation, asking about her own night with Jake. A smile played on her lips as she shared, "He's courting me, Seori. Our imaginations about having older street racers as boyfriends are slowly coming true, at least for me."

I chuckled, the contrast between our situations not lost on me. "You and Jake, huh? Well, I hope it works out for you guys."

Yeji grinned, "And I hope you figure things out with Jungwon. Age is just a number, Seori. If you feel something, don't let it slip away."

As we continued talking, the room filled with laughter and dreams, the complexities of relationships weaving through our youthful conversations.

To be continued...