Angels and Devils (JeongCheol)

Can We Hang Out?

Seungcheol's POV

I laid on my bed, staring at my phone screen. My thumb lingered over the send button of my text. I know Jeonghan probably wants nothing to do with me right now, but I really like him and I really really want to at least be friends with him. I decided to take my chances and hit send.

Seungcheol:
Are you busy? Could we hang out?

Does that sound too eager? Ugh, am I being too forward or something. I feel like I'm throwing myself on him, which is the last thing I want him to think. But within minutes, he answered.

Jeonghan:
If you don't think our friends will tear us to shreds if they find out, sure, why not. Meet me at the local park in fifteen minutes.

I smiled at the text. I launched myself out of bed and ran at my room door. I swung it open to find my little four year old brother, Kaden, standing there, looking up at me.

"Why are you so happy?" he asked. I crouched down so that I was at eye level with him.

"How do you feel about Winter babysitting you today?" I asked him.

"Where are you going?" asked Kaden.

"I'm gonna go hang out with someone." I said.

"On a date?" he asked.

"I wish." I said, ruffling his hair.

"Can I come?" he asked with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"Sorry, buddy." I said.

"But Jun likes me." he said with a saddened expression.

"It's not Jun." I said.

"Mingyu?" he asked. I shook my head. "Wonwoo?" shook my head. "Vernon?" shook my head. "Dino?" shook my head. "Seungkwan?" shook my head. "But you don't have any other friends."

"Heyy." I said, flicking his forehead. I scooped him up and placed him on my shoulders. "I'm hanging out with someone else today."

"Who?" asked Kaden.

"Gee, you sure are a curious fella, aren't you?" I said, making him giggle. We walked down to the kitchen where Winter was eating a sandwich at the counter. I put him down so he could play with his homemade toy and I walked over to her. The death glare she was giving him wasn't making me think that this was going to be easy.

"Mind babysitting today?" I asked. She turned her death glare towards me.

"He killed our eomma." Winter growled, with tears building up in her eyes.

"Look. I know. I'm upset too. But it happened four years ago. And we can't blame him. Lots of women die at birth. Besides, eomma wouldn't have wanted you to hate him. Do you really think she's looking down on you saying 'oh wow I'm so proud of Winter for completely blocking Kaden out of her life.' We're a family. We need to learn to help each other." I said. Winter looked down and didn't say anything. "Try not to murder him while I'm gone."

"He chased appa away." she said with a cold voice.

"Appa didn't leave us because of Kaden. He left because eomma left." I clarified. "Please, just.. try to accept him. For me."

"Why did auntie have to leave us too? If she didn't leave you wouldn't have to take on three jobs to pay bills and take care of two kids at the age of 18. It's not fair!" ranted Winter.

"Auntie wasn't strong enough to win her battle against cancer." I said. "Did any of the restaurants you applied for call back?" I asked as I grabbed a coat and scarf.