Don't Listen In Secret || Joshua Hong

Can't you sea?

jihye pov:

The sun was already at the horizon when we arrived. the ocean glimmered with a faint orange glow while clouds covered the rest of the sky in darkness. the air smelled of rain and sea salt and a cool breeze was blowing swiftly messing with my hair as we walked on the boardwalk side by side. 

who would've thought even a gloomy weather could feel so heavenly?

i kept my hands in my pocket, resisting the urge to hold hands with someone. maybe nature could heal my heart and the wind could blow away the fears that surround it.

or maybe nothing will ever change and every beautiful moment in my life will be tinted by this fear of heartbreak.

joshua: what are you thinking so hard about?

i noticed him looking at me curiously. how long was i lost in thought? 

i chuckled softly and shook my head.

jihye: nothing.

joshua: spoken like a true boring person.

my mouth opened slightly as i gasped in surprise. i punched joshua's arm lightly and he giggled at my annoyance.

joshua: c'mon let's have some fun.

joshua offered his hand and i froze for a few seconds wondering if i should accept or not but his patience ran out and he wrapped his fingers around my wrist instead. 

joshua: be quick princess, the sunset won't wait for you.

and without any warning he started running towards the ocean, pulling me with him. and it was as if for a moment, all our problems vanished. my body was filled with the sensations of the sand beneath my feet and the cold air kissing my skin as we dashed through it, our laughter playing over the waves and birds.

i felt excitement course through my veins and my heart beat rise by the sudden run. i was a little scared of falling down as we approached the waves.

and then joshua looked back. 

our eyes met and all the fears melted away. for just a split second of irrationality, i felt as if i was fearless.

the waves washed over our feet, leaving a tingling sensation as the ice cold water collided with my soft skin. as soon as we stopped, i was bent over, trying hard to catch my breath.

i looked over to my side and joshua was looking at me with amusement.

jihye: i have low stamina okay?

he chuckled and pulled me up to stand straight. i couldn't help but smile at the ecstasy in joshua's eyes. i don't remember seeing him so happy in a long time.

jihye: you aren't thinking of splashing water on me, are you?

he smiled softly and pulled me closer with a gentle grip on my forearms. there was still a respectful distance between us but all i could see was his face.

something like this would have sent me to cloud nine a few weeks back but now.. 

it didn't seem romantic at all. in the back of my mind i was aware that none of it means anything. and that awareness killed any butterflies that would've fluttered otherwise. 

but i liked it.

because i could be happy and enjoy my time with joshua as just friends. and it was so much better this way.

joshua: you are thinking again.

jihye: like any other person with brain. yes.

joshua: what does your brain like to do in this kind of weather?