Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 50: Lemonade At The Han River

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The Han River stretched out before them, shimmering under the afternoon sun. Narae strolled alongside Mark, their footsteps falling into an easy rhythm. The gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh water and the distant aroma of street food from nearby vendors, a reminder that the city thrived just beyond this bubble of tranquility. She glanced around, taking in the scene — families picnicking on the grassy banks, cyclists whizzing past, and couples sitting close on benches, whispering secrets only they could hear. It was a perfect day to be outdoors, to bask in the warm sunlight with someone you liked.

"So," Mark said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes reflecting the sunlight like pools of melted chocolate. "How's it feel to be back in Seoul? You've been gone for so long, it felt like you would've just decided to live there."

Narae laughed, the sound light and easy, like the breeze that played with her hair. "The Maldives was amazing, though. The water was so blue, and the beaches were perfect. I could've stayed there forever."

"Yeah?" Mark asked, genuine curiosity in his voice. "What did you do all day? Just lie on the beach and sip fancy drinks?"

Narae shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "No. My mom and I went on speedboat rides, explored different islands, did some shopping. I took a lot of pictures with my camera. And we ate so much good food. It was relaxing. Like a real escape from everything."

"Sounds like you had the time of your life," Mark said, a soft smile on his face. "I bet you have some great photos. You'll have to show me sometime."

"I will," Narae promised. "There's this one picture my mom took without me knowing. I was just staring at the ocean. I surprisingly like it a lot. She's got this secret talent for catching moments like that, I guess."

"I'd love to see them," Mark said, his voice sincere. "Next time you go somewhere amazing, take me with you. I could use a break from reality, too." He gave her a playful nudge, his shoulder bumping against hers.

Narae laughed, the sound mingling with the hum of the city around them. "I'll keep that in mind. Maybe we'll end up somewhere with even better beaches."

They continued walking, the river's calm presence beside them, the path stretching out ahead. Narae felt a sense of contentment settle over her, like a warm blanket on a cold night. It was easy being with Mark, easy to laugh and talk without feeling the pressure to be anything other than herself. She liked that about him — how he made everything feel natural, like this was exactly where she was supposed to be.

"What about you?" she asked, glancing over at him. "What did you do while I was gone? Did you miss me?" The question came out teasingly, but there was a hint of curiosity behind her tone.

Mark grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Miss you? Every second," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "It was awful, honestly. I had to distract myself with video games, hanging out with the guys, and eating a ridiculous amount of ramyeon."

Narae rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Sounds like you had a rough time. How did you survive?"

"Barely," Mark replied, a mock-serious look on his face. "I'm just glad you're back now. Things are more fun when you're around."

Narae felt a small flutter in her chest at his words. "You're just saying that because you want someone to buy you food," she teased.

"Well, there is this one new chicken place that just opened up nearby," Mark said, his eyes lighting up. "I've heard their fried chicken is to die for. We could go, you know, if you're free sometime."

Narae laughed, shaking her head. "Always about food with you. But okay, I'll think about it. Maybe this weekend?"

"Deal," Mark said, grinning widely. They continued their leisurely stroll, talking about everything and nothing — school, music, their favorite places to eat. The conversation flowed easily, like a river finding its way to the sea. Narae found herself relaxing more with each step, her worries and thoughts drifting away like leaves on the water.

They stopped at a small kiosk by the riverbank, where an elderly woman was selling snacks and drinks. Mark bought two cups of iced lemonade, handing one to Narae. "Here's to a perfect afternoon," he said, raising his cup in a toast.

Narae clinked her cup against his, smiling. "To perfect afternoons," she agreed, taking a sip. The lemonade was sweet and tangy, refreshing against the warmth of the day. She glanced over at Mark, watching him take a long drink, his Adam's apple bobbing with each swallow. There was something about the way he looked, standing there with the sun on his face, that made her heart beat a little faster.

They found a bench near the water's edge, sitting down to watch the boats glide by. The river sparkled under the late afternoon sun, the light dancing on the surface like a thousand tiny diamonds. Narae leaned back, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over her.

"You know," Mark said after a while, his voice soft, "we should do this more often. Just hang out, you and me. I like spending time with you, Narae."

Narae turned to look at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. There was no teasing smile, no playful glint in his eyes. He was serious. Her heart did a little flip, the kind you get when you're standing on the edge of something new and exciting. "I like spending time with you too," she said softly. "It's nice just being here."

Mark smiled, his expression warm and genuine. "Yeah, it is. You know, I feel like I can be myself around you. No pressure, no expectations."

Narae nodded, feeling a sense of understanding settle between them. It was true; there was something easy about being with Mark, something that made her feel at ease. But as much as she enjoyed his company, as much as she liked the way he made her laugh, there was still a part of her that felt uncertain. Like she was standing at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take.

They sat in comfortable silence, the kind that doesn't need to be filled with words. Narae watched the river flow, her thoughts drifting with the current. She thought about the past few weeks, about the time she had spent with Mark, the way he had been there, always reaching out. It was nice to feel wanted, to know someone cared. But even as she tried to convince herself of that, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

"Hey," Mark said suddenly, breaking the silence. "What's on your mind?"

Narae blinked, pulled from her thoughts. "Nothing. Just thinking about stuff. You know how it is."

Mark nodded, his expression understanding. "Yeah, I get it. Life's a lot sometimes. But you can always talk to me, you know? About anything."

Narae felt a rush of affection for him, for his kindness and his willingness to listen. "Thanks, Mark," she said, her voice soft. "That means a lot."

They sat there for a while longer, the sun sinking lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the river. Narae felt a sense of peace settle over her, a moment of clarity in the confusion of her feelings. Maybe she didn't have all the answers right now. Maybe she was still figuring things out. But here, with Mark by her side, she felt like she was in the right place, even if she wasn't sure where that place would lead.

As the sky turned a dusky pink, Mark stood up, holding out his hand to her. "Come on," he said, his smile bright. "Let's keep walking. We've got the whole evening ahead of us."

Narae took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. They continued down the path, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the distance, the river a ribbon of silver under the darkening sky. Narae felt a sense of anticipation, like something new was just around the corner. She didn't know what the future held, didn't know what would happen with Mark, or with her own heart. But as they walked together, their hands brushing occasionally, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, everything would work out the way it was supposed to.

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1410 words