Permanent Substitute [SHINHWA]

Bed Weather

I walked aimlessly towards the university's student lounge. I am one odd ball here since everyone's with their friends and people are happily busy with their own business. I am glad that they don't pay too much attention to a stranger like me.

Their designated sanctuary is interesting for a newbie like me. Unlike my former school which has all the gadgets and equipped play set that can tame boredom, their resting place have mini tents, to-borrow board games, comic books and most of all a bubble maker ventilators which eases your senses for relaxation. Whoever thought about this is a genius.

I poke each bubble that will pass in front of me while I roam around trying to find a vacant spot. All the tents were occupied and as well as I can see, students inside are all on study mode while taking a rest and some were taking a nap having their bags as a pillow.

It was then when I realized that there is no available space for me so I just decided to stand next to the bubble maker and watch closely how each of it will pop by themselves. I am enjoying like an idiot. I don't know why but it brings me peace and happiness.

I intended to stay like this for a very long time when my sight began to blackout without a warning. I can feel those delicate fingers trying to block my vision and I heard a voice whisper –

"Guess who?" Andy tried hard to alter his voice but he lost his focus at the end of his sentence. I was not able to help myself but to laugh at his failed shot.

I withdrawn from his grasp and held his wrist away from my face to look at him only to find that he's awfully embarrassed. His rosy cheeks were screaming with shyness and I laughed at him even more. He was so cute while he tries his best to avoid eye contact.

My eyeglasses still reflect his finger prints and I took it off to wipe it. While doing so, I asked him –

"Are you done with your class?" I need to grab my timing before awkwardness ruin the atmosphere.

"Oh I'm done. I'm sorry that you waited." He paused briefly to gather his thoughts and continued.

"Sam told me that she needed to go somewhere. I figured out that I shall go and look for you after my class. I'm glad you went here first." He smiled with relief.

"To tell you honestly, I was about to go home and try it by myself but the rain poured like there is no tomorrow." I told him as I put my glasses back and saw his expression that made me puzzled.

He was shaking his head from left to right and had crossed his arms in front of me while saying a soundless "NO".

"Why not?" I got frustrated.

"Because I'll get scolded if that happens." Andy's tone became serious.

"This is your first time here and we can't take the risk for you to get lost. We promised to take care of you and a promise is a promise. It's just that this might make you uncomfortable but this is how we take care of our princess." And he shot a wink before throwing a heart sign gesture towards me.

It made me cringe, especially when I heard the word 'princess'. It does not fit me and it's pretty obvious too.

"I'm sure that you haven't had your lunch, so let's go and eat first before going home." Andy guessed right but how are we going to eat when the cafeteria is full of students.

I can see him reading my frowning face. I hope he can sense what I am thinking about. I wanted to skip eating. I just want to go straight home and sleep. It's cold and it makes me want to give up my stomach responsibility and just cuddle with my pillows instead.

"Ahhh.." he probed. His eyes were squinting at me and slowly lifted his chin and nodded.

"You don't want to eat here? Then let's go somewhere else? I have our lunch ready inside my bag so I guess we can go eat anywhere?" He didn't get my telepathic message.