BELLADONNA

Chp 6: sneaking out

"Ah, damn it!"

Painfully slow, I turned to face the person I had collided with, taking a deep breath of relief and gratitude.

"Are you okay?"

"Ofcourse Iam, very happy indeed that I bumped into you and not someone else".

"Really?"

"Yess, so let's go!"

"Where to?"

"Just tag along".

We strolled to the nearby convenience store, just a short walk away. As I headed in to grab my beloved strawberry cheesecake ice cream, I noticed Wooyoung reaching for the same flavor.

It's nice to find someone who shares the same taste. Let me grab this for you."

As we sat outside, enjoying our ice cream, a peaceful calm settled over us once more.

"I never imagined sitting here and eating ice cream with you would be on my to-do list," I confessed.

"You don't like my company?" Wooyoung teased.

"No, no, it's not that," I hurriedly replied. "It's just that we've been around each other for so long, yet this is the first time we're really hanging out together. It feels strangely nice."

Yeah, it does," Wooyoung agreed. "I've always seen you around, but we've never really talked. By the way, I couldn't help but notice how scared you looked when I bumped into you. What was that about?"

I sighed. "Well, you know how strict my parents are. Do you think they'd ever let me out this late at night just to satisfy my ice cream cravings?"

I know what you mean," Wooyoung replied, nodding in understanding. "It's hard not to overhear sometimes, especially when they're yelling."

"Yeah, it's like they forget that sound travels," I agreed, feeling a bit relieved that he understood.

"And it's not like we can just tune it out," Wooyoung added, his expression sympathetic.

"No, definitely not," I sighed, grateful for his empathy. "Anyway, thanks for not making a big deal out of it."

Of course, no problem," Wooyoung said with a reassuring smile. "We're in this together, right?"

"Yeah, definitely," I replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie between us.

Wooyoung handed me the cold bottle, and I pressed it gently against my swollen cheek, feeling the soothing relief wash over me.

"Thanks," I said gratefully, appreciating his gesture of kindness.

"No problem," Wooyoung replied softly, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "I hate seeing you in pain."

I smiled faintly, touched by his compassion. "Well, it comes with the territory of living in my house."

"Yeah, but it still sucks," Wooyoung said sympathetically, his expression serious

We sat in silence for a moment, the cool night air enveloping us as we enjoyed our ice cream together, grateful for each other's company amidst the chaos of our lives.

Wooyoung's words struck a chord deep within me, resonating with the truth I had been avoiding. His empathy and offer of refuge filled me with a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time.

"I appreciate that, Wooyoung," I replied, touched by his kindness. "It means a lot to me. Sometimes I forget that I deserve better."

"You do," Wooyoung affirmed, his gaze unwavering. "And I'll always be here for you, Antheia. No matter what."

I smiled gratefully, feeling a newfound sense of strength and support in his words. "Thank you, Wooyoung. I'm lucky to have a friend like you."

As we finished our ice cream, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future, knowing that I had someone like Wooyoung by my side.

Wooyoung's unexpected depth and maturity took me by surprise, shattering the image I had of him as just a social butterfly. As I observed him, his words resonated with a sense of wisdom and empathy that I hadn't noticed before. It was as if I was seeing him in a new light, appreciating his qualities beyond his outgoing persona.

His assurance and support in that moment made me realize that there was more to him than met the eye. His willingness to stand by me and offer solace spoke volumes about his character, and I found myself feeling grateful for his presence in my life.

In that moment, I felt a newfound respect and admiration for Wooyoung, recognizing the depth of his understanding and compassion. It was a reminder that people are often more complex than they appear, and sometimes, it takes a moment of vulnerability to reveal their true essence

"Antheia?". He clicked his fingers in front of me.

"Ah sorry! It's just.. "

"Don't apologize, Antheia. I'm glad I could be here for you. It means a lot to me that you trust me enough to confide in me, and I'm always here to listen, no matter what. And hey, it's never too late to start a meaningful connection, right? I'm just grateful we've had this opportunity to connect now. So, anytime you need someone to talk to or just hang out with, you know where to find me."

"Truly, and now that you openly invited me to your house so I'll say expect me anytime".

We both laughed heading towards our house as it was getting even more late and it's better for me to go back incase mom's late night inspection takes place.

The two of you exchanged numbers, and as you climbed back into your room, you gave Wooyoung an okay sign to indicate that you were safely inside. With that, he headed back to his own house, leaving you to reflect on the unexpected turn of events and the budding friendship that had begun to form between you.