philophobia | j.hoseok

43

*the next day/ evening time*

"and where are you going?" my mother suddenly asked as i slipped on my shoes.

"um, i'm going to someone's house. going to go watch an outdoor play," i replied.

"oh? with who?"
"a friend."

"oH! right, friend," she winked.

"no, mom. stop," i said pleadingly. she gave a small laugh before covering her mouth.

"is it hoseok?"

i groaned. "yes, mom."

"he's such a nice boy. no matter what, he's always smiling. it's good that he smiles like that. maybe you can learn a thing or two from him," she grinned.

"oh, gosh. please mom," i said covering my face feeling embarrassed. "i have to go!"

"wait, make sure you bundle up! i believe it's going to get chilly tonight," she told me. she got up quickly and ran off somewhere before i looked down at the screen of my phone.

i heard the shuffling of her feet before she came back out from my room along with a scarf in her hand.

"mom.. what are you doing–"
"here's your scarf. i found it in your room. it's beautiful by the way. where did you buy it?"

my cheeks flushed light pink before snatching the burgundy scarf from her. "somewhere. okay, i got to go now. bye mom."

"bye, have fun," she smiled. before she could make any other embarrassing remarks, i stepped out the front door and locked it quickly.

i took the bus quickly to hoseok's named address. when i was finally close by, i ended up walking just a few blocks until i reached what seemed to be the correct house. i walked up to the front door before ringing the doorbell. there were a few voices coming from the inside.

it wasn't until the front door swung open and hoseok's sister, hyejin, appeared in the doorway first. she had a huge smile on her face, just like how her brother would always smile.

"hey haesoo!"

"hi," i smiled.

just then, a small bark filled the house when a small dog came by the door and barked at me with its tail wagging back and forth.

"mickey, no!" she said. she scooted mickey away before looking back at me.

"he's almost ready," she said. "hOSEOK!!!"

i froze from her sudden outburst. "your date is here!!"

i choked slightly on her comment when another voice spoke up from behind hyejin.

"what date? who's going on a date?" a woman's voice asked. suddenly, a lady, maybe in her early 40s, appeared beside hyejin and saw me. she looked like she was hurting physical as she had her walker in front of her but still presented a warm smile towards me. it reminded me so much of hoseok.

"oh, my. it's my scarf!"
"yes, mom." hyejin smiled at her mom and then looked at me.

i awkwardly stood there but greeted the woman politely with a smile. just then, there was a rush of feet down the stairs from inside until i saw hoseok. but his eyes slightly widened.

"oh, eomma. be careful! you should be resting," he said to the lady.

"i'm fine dear. is this your date?" she asked her voice slightly hoarse.

hoseok shyly smiled and nodded his head.

"alright, you two get going before you become late," hyejin said scooting hoseok out the house.

"take care of mom," hoseok told his noona.

"mm, you take care of haesoo. and you both be careful now," she said smiling at us.

"thank you," i said to her before smiling. i waved goodbye to their mother before hoseok and i walked to the bus station where we hitched a ride on one of the public buses.

"was that your mom?" i softly asked. he gave a nod of his head, but then smiled.

"you're wearing the scarf i gave you."

i looked down at it before looking up to smile at him.

"funny story actually."

------
boom-sha-ka-la-ka!

what's a bad habit of your's?
i bite my nails, peel the skin of my lips, and pick at my face a lot. (ik, that's bad😂)