asthma | ss

7

seokmin and joshua were eating ice cream, enjoying the unexpected day off since school was canceled.

“chocolate ice cream is yummy,” joshua said with a smile, watching seokmin.

seokmin swung his legs back and forth, nodding. “i like strawberry!” he said, beaming, though not too much.

“i agree,” joshua replied, always in agreement with whatever seokmin said.

they both watched the beautiful sky, admiring the clouds and the shapes they made, quietly savoring the peaceful moment.

after a while, seokmin broke the silence. “d-does your mom n-not scold you?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly from his asthma, a common occurrence when he talked too much.

joshua shook his head, still gazing at the sky. seokmin did the same. “she’s mostly out of the city, letting me enjoy myself and… get new friends.”

seokmin nodded, a small smile appearing on his face. “she seems… c-cool!” he said, his excitement clear.

seokmin’s gaze shifted to his lap, feeling nervous about what he was about to ask. would joshua say yes? he wondered.

still, he gathered his courage and asked, “n-next week… do you w-want to… come and s-sleepover at my... house?”

joshua turned to him, a smile on his face. “yes.”