Lost In You

Chapter 22 - Teasing

📝 NOTE FROM MEOWINGHAM – Sorry for the delayed and slower update on the chapter, I have been really swarmed and busy at the moment (writing novel is not the primary focus of life) but I'll try to update as much chapters as I can in one go!

Aneung

"Ah..." Soft, breathy sounds slipped from my mouth.

"Ar-Neung, it... hurts..." I whispered, my voice catching. "Ah..."

"Just a little more," she murmured close to my ear, her breath warm against my skin. "It'll be over soon."

Her eyes gleamed as she held my gaze, a playful sparkle beneath her calm intensity. She brought her hand to her lips, blowing lightly across her fingers before sliding her hand to my wrist, taking it firmly in hers.

"It's coming..." she growled, her voice low and husky, each word laced with a teasing promise.

Slap!

"Oho! That was crispy, loud, and clear!" She chuckled, grinning wide, her eyes sparkling. "Game over—I win!"

"Ugh... Ar-Neung, that really stings! Look at my wrist; it's all red now!" I grumbled, clutching my throbbing hand.

What started as a quick card game before bed had turned unexpectedly intense. The penalty for losing? A slap on the wrist. I'd had my turn winning, so maybe this was her revenge, and she was ruthless.

"Ha! Bleh." She stuck out her tongue, tauntingly.

"You're doing this for revenge!" I sulked, rubbing my wrist, still stinging but mostly back to normal.

"Oho... it must hurt..." Her voice softened, though she didn't sound too remorseful. "Come here, let me soothe it."

"No way—you're just gonna slap me again!" I pulled back quickly, not falling for it.

She laughed. "Oh, come on. I'm not that mean. You slapped me plenty and didn't bother to soothe mine." Her fingers trailed over my wrist as she gently blew cool air on it, coaxing away the sting.

"That's it. I'm never playing this game with you again. You're ruthless, Ar-Neung." I groaned, a smile betraying me.

"Oh, don't be such a sore loser," she teased. Then, without warning, she leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my wrist. "There, all better."

Her kiss took me off guard, and my cheeks heated. What was that? Was this really just for fun? Who was the one who'd insisted we couldn't be more than friends? I could feel my mind reeling back to her birthday, though my memories of that night were blurry.

"Ar-Neung..." I murmured, awkwardly rubbing the spot where her lips had brushed my skin.

She raised an eyebrow. "What, can't handle it?"

"It's not that," I muttered, clearing my throat. "It's just... you... Never mind." I looked away, afraid that asking would ruin the light mood.

She chuckled softly and ruffled my hair. "I know what you're trying to ask."

"You do?" I glanced back at her.

She gave a little nod. "You want to know why I'm being this gentle, right?"

I nodded, cautious but hopeful.

She hesitated, her eyes softening. "I don't know either... Being here with you, laughing, reminds me of... well, when things were simple. It's comfortable."

"So does that mean you'd consider getting back together?" My heart raced, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in, trying for a hug—only for her to put her hand out, stopping me.

"Slow down." She held me back with one arm, effortlessly keeping me at a distance. "I meant as friends."

Friends...? Friends don't kiss their friend's wrists, do they?

"Ar-Neung, you're confusing me," I admitted, frowning.

"Too bad," she said with a light smile, moving to put away the cards in the cupboard. "I'm going to shower."

"Okay. I'll join you!" I chimed, following close behind, only to smack right into her back as she stopped.

"Ow!"

She turned, glaring playfully. "Friends don't shower together."

"Oh, just thought I'd save you a little on the water bill." I teased, shrugging.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly retreated into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her, the lock clicking shut.

Neung

Perhaps there's truly a chance for us to be together again. My heart feels lighter than usual, and being around Aneung brings back memories of the good times we shared.

I nudged her arm as she sat at the foot of my bed, engrossed in her phone. "Hey, go shower. What's got you so busy?"

"Hmm?" She glanced up, smirking. "Oh, just setting a personal reminder." Her eyes sparkled in that way they always did when we were alone, making it hard to look away.

"A reminder? For what?"

"For something very important." She grinned proudly. "Starting tomorrow, I'm going to call you every night at 10:14 pm for twenty-one days."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why on earth would you do that?"

"There's a theory from a novel I read. The student calls her teacher every night for twenty-one days to say, 'I love you.' By the twenty-first night, the teacher's fallen head over heels. So I'm going to do that with you," she declared, holding her phone up like it was some grand revelation. "My Ar-Neung will fall in love all over again."

I scoffed, drying my hair at the dresser. "You really think that would work in real life? If love were that easy, we'd all be falling in love every twenty-one days."

She said nothing, just smirked, tucking her phone away as she headed to shower.

Later, we found ourselves lying in the same bed, preparing to sleep. I wasn't quite sure how it happened, but somehow, it felt natural—almost too natural. Turning my back to her, I closed my eyes, determined to keep my distance and ignore the faint warmth between us.

"Goodnight, Ar-Neung. I love you," she murmured softly in the dark, her face suddenly close, her breath warm against the nape of my neck. I flinched slightly, startled by her sudden nearness.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, a bit sharper than intended.

"Just saying goodnight," she replied innocently.

"You're... close. Really close. Why?"

"Just wanted to make sure you heard me."

I rolled my eyes, though my heart raced. "Whatever. Goodnight."

As I lay there, I tried to ignore the heat creeping into my cheeks and the flutter in my chest. 

"It's just twenty-one days. It doesn't mean anything, I told myself firmly. No way something like that could work on me... right?"