Nocturnal Buddies ✩ Yang Jeongin

Chapter 81

A cozy fireplace played on the flat screen T.V. in the living room as Christmas music danced around the apartment. The delightful scent of candles and freshly baked cookies filled the air, bringing holiday joy to the small home. Fairy lights lined the walls of the living room, shining brightly.

Hyunjoo and Areum were in the corner of the room decorating the Christmas tree. Their concentration was solely on making it look nice while sharing a laugh here and there. When they were done, they stepped back to see the final product. A smile graced both of their lips, happy with the outcome.

"We got the beer!" Jaehyun announced, drawing both of their attention to the door.

"And the other stuff," Taeyoung added as he slipped off his shoes.

"I guess that's my cue to go pick up Jeongin then," Hyunjoo hummed as she made her way to the door.

She grabbed her coat off the rack and slipped it on. The older girl waved to her friends as she put on her shoes. Hyunjoo departed from the apartment shortly after and headed towards the elevator. As soon as she exited the complex, the air embraced her in its cold, winter arms. Shivers ran down her body as she hugged herself, hoping to persevere her fleeting warmth.

The cold nipped at her face, causing it to turn red. A small cloud formed each time she exhaled from her lips before disappearing soon after. Hyunjoo hurried into her car before turning it on, hoping to fend off the wintry weather. She sat there for a while, letting the heater's warmth slowly pull her into its safety, before making her way to JYPE.

When she arrived at the parking lot, she noticed the silhouette of the boy standing outside. He was blowing on his cold hands, attempting to warm them up, before rubbing them together to conduct heat. The small clouds that formed by his breath disappeared the second his eyes flickered up. She pulled off onto the side before unlocking the door. Jeongin was quick to enter the car, seeking the warmth it provided. Hyunjoo looked over at her boyfriend, her lips pulling into a smile.

"You should've waited inside until I told you I was here," Hyunjoo commented.

"I know but I wanted to enjoy the winter air, I just didn't think it'll be this cold," Jeongin said as he put his hand in front of the heater.

She hummed in acknowledgment, yet couldn't get the image of him out of her head. "Your nose was so red though," she breathed out a brief chuckle. "You should audition for Rudolph, Santa might mistake you as his reindeer."

He rolled his eyes at the girl's comment. "I'm surprised he hasn't called you back to the North Pole to help make the presents yet. You must be on vacation or something because Santa needs his elves."

Hyunjoo let out an audible gasp as her mouth fell agape. She looked over at her boyfriend, offended by his comment. The boy pulled his lips together as he tried to stifle his laughter, happy that his joke landed so well. Despite his attempts, he couldn't stop the proud smile that appeared on his face. She reached over to slap him in the arm while returning her attention back to the road. His laughter broke out in an instant, causing her lips to tug into a smile.

The two continued to talk all the way to Areum's apartment. When they arrived, they hurried inside the complex. They made it up to her floor shortly after before Hyunjoo punched in the code to the keypad. Their arrival immediately drew the attention of the three friends, who were already enjoying a cup of hot chocolate without them. Hyunjoo slipped off her coat before hanging it on the rack, Jeongin copying her.

"I can't believe you guys are drinking a warm drink while Jeongin and I were fighting for our lives outside," Hyunjoo jokingly complained while shaking her head in disbelief.