Reputation

Chapter 13 - Beach house

After the midterms, there was a one-week break. The boys and I were chilling in our living room, sprawled across the couches and floor, discussing what we should do during the break.

Joshua perked up, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hey, why don't we go to my family's beach house?" he suggested, grinning.

"Beach house? That sounds good! I can finally get the tan in" I exclaimed, already imagining the sun, sand, and waves.

Jeonghan, lounging on the armchair, smirked. "Only if Ara promises not to get scared by seaweed."

I rolled my eyes, giving him a playful shove. "Shut up, Yoon. I can handle seaweed just fine."

Scoups chimed in, looking intrigued. "I'm down. We could use a break and some fun in the sun."

"Great! I'll call my parents and let them know we will be going," Joshua said, pulling out his phone. "It's been a while since we all hung out like this."

"Guess I better start packing my best swimsuits," Scoups said, winking at me. "Can't have you stealing all the attention."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, please. You wish you had my style."

As we finish planning and joking around, Joshua and Jeonghan went home to get their stuff and I headed upstairs to my room and efficiently packed my bags. I chose three bikinis and a few summer outfits, adding a separate makeup pouch filled with essentials like sunscreen and makeup.

Downstairs, Scoups was also finishing up his packing. "Ready for the beach house?" he asked casually.

"Almost," I replied, grabbing my Chanel beach sandals and slipping on my Prada shades. "Okay, now I'm good."

Scoups picked up my bag and we headed downstairs. He placed it in our family car where our driver was waiting to take us to meet the others.

As we settled into the car, Scoups glanced over. "Looking forward to it?"

"Yeah," I said, nodding. "It'll be a nice change."

We set off, the drive filled with quiet anticipation for our time at the beach house.

As we arrived at the beach house, the boys and I entered the spacious foyer. Joshua, always the first to take charge, gestured around with a grin.

"Alright, pick your rooms, folks!" he announced, his excitement evident.

Scoups and I exchanged a glance, amused by Joshua's eagerness. We wandered through the house, exploring its rooms until we found ones that suited us. The beach house was luxurious, each room offering a view of the ocean or the lush gardens surrounding the property.

Jeonghan joined us, sauntering over with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Where's the best room with a view around here?" he asked, scanning the options.

I pointed towards a room with a large window overlooking the beach. "That one looks pretty good," I suggested, already picturing the sunsets we could watch from there.

Jeonghan nodded approvingly. "Nice choice, A," he said with a playful wink.

With our rooms chosen, we settled in, looking forward to a relaxing break away from the usual hustle and bustle of daily life.

After settling into our rooms, we all changed into beachwear and headed down to the shore. The sun was warm, casting a golden hue over the sand and sparkling waves. I laid out my towel and settled in for a sunbathing session, determined to get a tan while enjoying the peaceful sound of the waves.

Meanwhile, the boys scattered around the beach, each finding their own way to unwind. Scoups and Joshua were tossing a frisbee back and forth, their laughter carrying over the gentle ocean breeze. Jeonghan, ever the laid-back one, had found a shady spot under a palm tree, scrolling through his phone with a relaxed smile.

As I closed my eyes, soaking in the warmth, I couldn't help but feel content. This break was exactly what we all needed — a chance to relax and recharge by the sea.

Jeonghan sprawled out comfortably under a palm tree, lazily scanning the beach. His friends were spread around, doing their own things, but his attention kept drifting back to Ara. She lay nearby on her towel, soaking in the sun, looking effortlessly stunning.

As he observed, he couldn't shake off the protective urge that surged whenever someone approached her. Despite Ara's confidence, he felt a twinge of jealousy whenever she interacted with other guys. "Gotta keep an eye out," he muttered to himself with a smirk, adjusting his sunglasses as he continued to watch over her discreetly.

Deep down, he appreciated this moment with her, even if it meant playing the role of a watchful guardian on this lazy afternoon at the beach.

As Ara soaked up the sun, feeling blissfully relaxed, she suddenly felt strong arms lift her off the ground. Before she could react, she found herself being princess-carried by Jeonghan, who had a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Jeonghan, what are you doing? Put me down!" Ara laughed, trying to wriggle out of his grasp, but he held her securely.

"Time for a dip, Ara!" Jeonghan teased, pretending to swing her towards the water.

"No, no, wait!" Ara protested, laughing uncontrollably now, realizing she was at his mercy. She playfully squirmed in his arms, knowing he wouldn't actually drop her, but enjoying the playful banter.

"Just let me down gently, okay?" she pleaded, looking up at him with a mix of amusement and mock fear.

Soon, Jeonghan playfully tossed Ara into the water, and with a splash, she found herself submerged in the refreshing coolness. Laughing, she surfaced just in time to see the other boys joining in. Scoups dove in with a cannonball, creating waves that splashed everyone nearby, while Joshua and the others swam over, ready for a splash fight.

Ara joined in the fun, splashing water at Jeonghan as payback for tossing her in. Jeonghan retaliated by diving underwater and grabbing her ankles, causing her to shriek and laugh. They chased each other around in the water, playfully dunking each other and enjoying the carefree moments together.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the beach, they all gathered in the shallows, enjoying the warmth of the evening and each other's company.