Spring Moon

42

A long time ago before this modern life existed, the moon and the stars were very helpful in people's lives - especially the sailors. The moon was used to identify the day by changing its shape by the phase while the sets of stars - the constellations, were used as the compass to show the direction.

And that, I strongly believed that the moon and the stars were the greatest combination of the universe.

But, since it was now modern life, slowly people had forgotten their roles. Nonetheless, I still hooked up about it upon seeing Kevin duck down on the ground in front of me, tying my shoelaces. It was nothing much but the smallest act of him got me smiling ever so widely.

"Done," he looked up at me, returning the same bright smile. "It's not too tight right?"

As he stood up, I moved my feet - lightly stomping on the ground. "Perfect."

Just then, an unpleasant sound was heard. The sound of fake vomiting came from Chanhee who looked so done eyeing us from a distance. Once in a while, he would roll his eyes and scoff to express his dissatisfaction.

Why am I single? His face said.

He walked up to us, arms crossed over his chest as he darted his gaze at my shoes, snickering next. "You two surely exaggerating things. Why does wearing shoes need to be so romantic?"

"Envy enough?" I challenged, mirroring his posture.

"Shut up!" He stomped one foot on the ground as he whipped his head to where another couple - Evelyn and Jacob, with Faye were. "Let's go! It's hot here!"

Scoffs and retaliation were heard from the three which then got backfired by this penguin again. At one point, it sounded like a military training base that I had to block my ears with my hands - disclaimer: I'd never been to one either, it was just an assumption.

"Why are you so grumpy today?" Evelyn spoke up as she strode towards us, pointing the question to Chanhee. "Be patient, can you?"

"It's scorching hot!" The boy was again enraged for no reason. "Let's go play in the water faster!"

Childish Chanhee. Did he just throw the tantrum just because he couldn't wait to dive into the water?

Then, all of us decided to leave the dormitory before Chanhee could go insane from the heat. Summer must have completely arrived, it was quite crazy to be under the sun just for a short time.

"Wait..." Kevin grabbed my hand before I could start walking. Confusingly I looked back, he then spread open an umbrella and stood closer to me so that the two of us could fit under it. "Alright, now, let's go."

I giggled, quite taken aback at his action. But, then, I realized that I must have been the luckiest girl on Earth to be able to receive such a treatment. Because, the next thing I noticed was Evelyn side-eyeing Jacob for not doing the same thing and Faye was typing on her phone, mumbling to get him to hold the umbrella. And Chanhee seemed to curse under his breath.

I undeniably felt cocky.

The owner of this dormitory told us that there was a stream nearer which would be so perfect if we wanted to play with nature. The water was clean, cold even, and it was safe in case any one of us couldn't swim. So, we decided to have our second day here occupied with playing there.

Walking there only needed about 6 minutes but maybe could be shorter hadn't Chanhee made a fuss about bugs flying around. I mean, he was 10 thousand bigger than the bugs, so why... why did he scream like a bear on the mountain at the sight of the insects?

"Ivy, come in!" Evelyn beckoned me to join them in the water which they had run into as soon as we reached. "It's cold."

But, I preferred to be on the land, comfortably sitting on the matted ground under the tree, painting the picture Kevin had drawn for me.

"Enjoy without me..." I dragged my remark just like how I dragged my finger on Kevin's iPad which then made me gasp at the outcome of the picture - though not even halfway done. "I never knew that I could do this either. So, I am artistic."

Kevin peeked his head to see and he seemed to be satisfied as well.

"Not bad..." He said with a nod before he jolted up, dusting off fine dust from his shorts. "Are you sure you don't want to get in the water?"

I shook my head rather vigorously, watching him nod his head - as to agree, without further retaliation before he dashed forward into the water.

I won't deny that it looked super fun but I strongly refused to get wet for... no reason.

"It's a stream! Oh my god!"

Wait a minute...

The voice... sounded... too familiar.

Instinctively, I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of Ju Haknyeon excitedly running towards our spot. For a brief moment, I was doubting my eyesight - there was a probability that I was seeing things because it had been so long since the last time we met.

But, when I heard all of my friends were welcoming him, I knew my nightmare was about to start.

I trailed my gaze further to the back, catching Sangyeon and Rosie with plastic bags and then, my face fell. Hong Joochan was here as well.

Not a good start to the day.

A while later all of them finally reached - Haknyeon already dipped his feet into the water, Rosie settled down on the same mat I sat and we hugged movingly. Sangyeon skimmed the area and Joochan... I noticed his gaze lingered on me.

But, I didn't focus on him. I made myself busy with Rosie - asking some unnecessary questions like how was the journey and what time did they leave.

Truly unnecessary.

"I found your favourite snack at the rest stop!" The girl beamed and started rummaging through the plastic bags they brought. "Where did I put it?"

"Oh, it's with me," Hong Joochan remarked, taking out a bag of flavoured corn crackers from the plastic in his hand.

Honest thought: he could just pass the snack to Rosie, he could even throw it toward us. But why... why must he duck down on the ground in front of me, slowly shoving it into my hand while flashing a bright smile?

Why?!

Hadn't he done that, I wouldn't be panicked to find Kevin somewhere in the water. And I absolutely needn't have shivers sent down my spine when I saw him somewhat looking distressed.

Worried about such a reaction, I passed Kevin's iPad onto Rosie's lap before I rose to my feet and dashed to the edge barefooted - totally pretending like Joochan's presence was invisible.

"Hold me," I spread my hand forward, just for anyone in the water to catch. "I'm scared to go in."

My friends seemed to understand the abrupt precaution I did was nothing but to catch Kevin's attention or they simply could tell from the way my eyes lingered only on him. Because, the next thing that happened was, Evelyn and Faye beckoned for my boyfriend to help me out.

"You said you don't want to go in?" Kevin complained as soon as he reached for my hand and firmly held me as I dipped my feet in the water, slightly freezing when the coldness hit my receptors.

God, I hate it.

"I change my mind," I said and he chuckled. "Don't let me fall, Kevin."

"I won't," he was glancing over my shoulder when I looked up at him, his gaze kind of sharp darted on Joochan who was still at the last position where I left him. "I wouldn't even let you get hurt. Let alone fall."