Spring Moon

48

One last glance on my phone screen and I shut off the internet. Harshly, I tossed it, did not even care where it landed - but I managed to catch the sight; right on the couch of my living room.

Normally girls would do this when they sent a text message to their crush and scared to get a reply. But, that wasn't my case because my crush was already my boyfriend - caught the cockiness.

"Never mind, Ivy... We have to calm down," I spoke to myself as I tied my hair into a high bun, comfortably sitting on the floor with a straight body, and I closed my eyes. "Breathe in..."

But, despite the scariness clouded over, I was curious as well. Did any reply come in? Should I turn on the internet again? No, it's scary!

"Breathe out..."

Wait... what if it would be important and they couldn't contact me because I was unreachable?

I opened my eyes and looked straight at the flat device; my eyes were twitching.

"No!" I shut my eyes again, resuming what I did. "Breathe in..."

"What are you doing?"

"Gah!" I flinched, immediately whipping my head in a certain direction and catching a glimpse of a figure leaning sideways against the wall - his white shirt fittingly hugged his lean body. I swore white should be banned for Sangyeon to wear. "You're scaring me!"

He chuckled before he zoomed further into my living room and plopped down on the long couch. That dramatic pose - legs crossed and one arm draped over the seat rest, would deserve praise. However, it was a shame that he's still single.

"Answer me first, Ivy," he instructed, a brow raised as he skimmed my outfit. "Is it yoga that you do?"

"No..." I denied, stretching my long arms. "It's my therapy to reduce... the anxiety."

His face was judging, I could tell easily. The moment we awkwardly looked at each other in silence felt like a crow was passing by with 3 squeaks - 3 seconds gaps in between. But, then, Sangyeon shook off the act and changed the conversation.

"Where is Kevin?"

"On his way..." I popped my neck to both sides. "Probably will be here in any minute."

Silence...

It seemed like both of us had something playing in our heads. Well, I did have and perhaps he too. And we probably were giving way to each other without saying it aloud, which seemed to be the dumbest thing we'd done so far.

"Go ahead, Ivy..." Sangyeon gave up. "I know you have something to ask. Is it related to why you turn off your phone?"

Crap. How did he know?

I sighed, miserably tugging my hair as I planted my forehead on my knees. From the moment I came home 3 days ago from the trip until right at this moment, I couldn't even live well. I was too scared and too worried about something that hadn't happened yet.

All this therapy, as claimed, was actually one of my distractions, but of course, as you can see, it was a failure.

"Nothing happened... right?" I lifted my head just to find Sangyeon pursed his lips while shaking his head. "But, it has been 2 hours!"

"Still no update from Evelyn?" He then queried, understanding what I was talking about.

"If there is any, would I be looking like a mess right now?"

"Hmm..." He leaned forward, supporting his weight on his thighs as both of his elbows planted on them. "Now that you said it, you look like a mess."

I screamed - dramatically, before I fell backwards, imprinting myself on the floor like a starfish. I felt so discouraged. I couldn't even come up with any idea as my friends wished while on the car ride the other day. This led Evelyn to proceed with her plan to meet Daisy that I wished would do her no harm.

"If only I can think of something... maybe she won't go."

Sangyeon seemed to understand the emotion that was now engulfing me. So, he remained silent on the couch and let me stare at the ceiling with zero thought in my head.

The rising and falling of my chest as I breathed in and out were what made it more dramatic. For, it looked like I was enjoying the last moment of my life. And that might have scared everyone in the house - well, maybe for the time being, it was only one person.

The demeanour suddenly appeared in my sight, worriedly looking down at me as he stood above my head. He seemed to hold back his breath but when he saw me responding, he breathed out in relief.

"For a moment, Ivy... I thought Sangyeon killed you," Kevin rubbed his chest, easing the tension. "I mean, why are you on the floor and he looked so leisurely on the couch?"

"Because... we are chilling?" I shrugged, still on the floor, and then Sangyeon's laughter echoed making Kevin look at him.

"You know your girl is dramatic," the older said, jolting up from the couch next. "I'm checking the kitchen, so you two can have your own time."

He walked past me, where I raised a hand high, and we dramatically exchanged a high-five before I let my hand fall back, hitting the floor. Kevin moved to my side, still staring down at me.

"Why?" He asked. Too short that I might have trouble digesting it. But, I managed to at last.

"Has Evelyn reported anything back in the group chat? How's the meeting with Daisy?" I questioned and Kevin shook his head. That was enough to bring back the misery into my head; unknowingly, I kicked the air and cried, "What happened?!"

Even when I threw the tantrum, Kevin remained unspoken. He calmly looked at me, crying, though no tears even dripped down. And as soon as I looked calm, then only he extended his hand, beckoning me to grab.

He lifted me, pulling all my weight with all his might, making me sit, and a while later, he got down, mirroring my posture as well.

"You look discouraged. Is it really because of Evelyn?" He started, slightly pouting which made his lips look just a little bit thick. I didn't know for what reason he did that, but I found myself cackling. "What's so funny? I'm serious right now."

"Seriously... unserious."

"Ivy, don't start..."

"Okay, sorry," I hugged my knees as I let out another sigh. "I don't know Kev... it's something about Evelyn meeting Daisy that makes me super uneasy."

"Elaborate."

Another sigh released as I closed my eyes, absorbing the darkness.

"The two of them have contrasting personalities. While Daisy is vocal about everything, Evelyn is more on the quiet side," I paused, starting to imagine something I did not want to imagine in the first place at all. "I can't help worrying if their meeting is more about Daisy spitting nonsense and Evelyn is just there enduring the pain."

He chuckled. Too loud I immediately glared, ready to devour him like a hideous beast.

"No offence, my dear. I'm about to praise you."

"Shoot it," I chinned at him rather cockily.

Another chuckle escaped before he leaned in closer to me, his hand reached for strands of my hair, swiftly tucking it behind my ear.

"You know... your friendship with Evelyn back in school was admirable. But, now I realized that your friendship is not only a friendship. You guys value it more than one could imagine," he widened his monolid eyes in admiration. "And that is amazing! I mean, I never imagined to see such a friendship lasted for more than a decade."

"Tch..." I reacted rather randomly, slightly feeling cocky. "If I can wait for my love interest to finally fall for me for a decade, what makes me can't hold onto a friendship?"

He seemed taken aback by my speech, nonetheless, he didn't say anything.

But...

Did I ever mention that I was observant? I tended to study one's expression and body language to understand them better and I probably had done it again right now. Which made me so uneasy.

For, from a glance, I could tell that Kevin was plotting something.