Chapter 12 - Tension

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After dinner, while the adults settled in for their usual chat with wine, the boys and I decided to head upstairs to Scoups' room to hang out. They started setting up their video games while I cozied up on Scoups' bed, ready to watch some K-dramas.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my stomach, catching me off guard. "Oh crap, why do you have to come now?" I muttered to myself, feeling the discomfort grow. I quickly stood up, excused myself from the boys, and hurried to my room.

Once inside my room, I rushed to the bathroom and changed into more comfortable clothes. Just as I was trying to manage the pain, I heard a knock on my door. "Come in," I called weakly, expecting it might be Scoups checking in.

To my surprise, Jeonghan entered my room with a concerned look. "Hey, are you okay? I saw you running uncomfortably," he said softly, his brow furrowing with worry.

I was sitting at the edge of my bed, trying to compose myself. "Yeah, no worries," I replied, trying to downplay the pain. But suddenly, another wave of sharp pain hit me, making it impossible to hide.

"Ow," I winced, instinctively grabbing my stomach.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Jeonghan asked, his concern deepening as he moved closer. "Just... girl's day," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed by the situation.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, Ara," Jeonghan reassured me gently, his voice calm despite his internal panic.

In his mind, Jeonghan was struggling to figure out how to help. He had never been in this situation before and felt out of his depth.

"Could you help me get some painkillers?" I asked softly, my energy draining quickly.

"Yeah, sure. Where do I get them?" he asked, eager to assist.

"Behind the kitchen counter, first drawer on your left," I explained, grateful for his willingness to help.

Jeonghan nodded, quickly making his way downstairs to fetch the painkillers. He returned swiftly and handed them to me along with a glass of water.

"Here you go," he said gently, offering the medicine to me. "I hope this helps."

"Thanks, Yoon," I said gratefully, taking the pills and washing them down with the water. The pain began to subside slowly, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

J
After handing me the painkillers and water, Jeonghan sat down beside me on the floor next to my bed. I took the medicine gratefully, and as the pain slowly began to ease, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The tension in the room lifted slightly, and I found myself leaning against Jeonghan's shoulder, seeking comfort in his presence.

He glanced down at me, surprised by the gesture but not pulling away. Instead, he gently rested his head against mine, offering silent support. We sat there in companionable silence for a moment, the only sound being our steady breathing and the faint murmur of voices from downstairs.

"Feeling any better?" he asked softly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," I murmured, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. "Thanks to you."

Jeonghan chuckled softly, a warm feeling spreading through him at her words. "I'm glad I could help," he replied sincerely.

As they sat on the floor in Ara's room, the air between Jeonghan and her crackled with a palpable tension. The close proximity and the shared moment of vulnerability had subtly shifted their dynamic. Ara found herself drawn to Jeonghan in a way that felt unfamiliar yet exhilarating, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

Jeonghan, too, seemed captivated by the moment, his gaze lingering on Ara's lips with a mix of curiosity and longing. They were on the verge of something unspoken yet potent, a moment that could redefine their relationship.

Just as their faces leaned closer, almost touching in a tentative embrace, the bedroom door swung open abruptly. Scoups stood in the doorway, momentarily frozen, his eyes widening as he took in the scene before him.

"Ara, are you okay?" Scoups asked quickly, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere.

Startled, Ara pulled back abruptly, the near-kiss moment shattered. She glanced at Jeonghan, whose expression mirrored her own mix of surprise and embarrassment.

Jeonghan cleared his throat, his demeanor shifting awkwardly as he ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, we were just... uh..."

Scoups arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Just checking," he said casually, though amusement danced in his eyes.

"Yeah, just a girl's day thing," Ara chimed in quickly, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Scoups chuckled softly, stepping fully into the room. "Well, there is dessert ready downstairs," he announced. "Let's go."

Jeonghan nodded, rising to his feet and offering Ara a hand to help her up from the floor. As they followed Scoups out of the room, Jeonghan leaned in slightly towards Ara, his voice low and teasing. "We'll finish this next time," he whispered, a playful glint in his eyes.

Ara felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

As the night came to an end, we said our goodbyes to everyone. Just as Jeonghan was about to walk away, I impulsively grabbed his hand.

"Thanks, Yoon, for just now," I said, giving him a teasing smile. "And don't fall in love with me too hard."

Jeonghan chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "No promises," he replied, his tone playful yet sincere.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I turned and walked back into the house, closing the door behind me. From the other side, I heard Jeonghan call out, "Bye, A."

I leaned against the door for a moment, a smile spreading across my face. The night had ended on a high note, with a hint of something new and exciting on the horizon.

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