Grown With Love

Realisation

All 10 of them were enjoying their meals in the cafeteria. Usually, Joy and Sungjae will sat next to each other but today she got no choice since she's being pushed by Changsub to the other side which cause the lad to received a smack from the girl. " Come on, just for today. Don't worry Joy, I won't steal your precious from you. "

" So as I'm saying, maybe you can join us this weekend. " " That would be great hyung. I've always wanna try fishing. " " Good. Let's find something that  you can use this weekend after school. " " Hyung, can we do it some other day ? Maybe tomorrow cause I don't think I can make it today. " " Wae ? Do you have any plan with Joy today ? It's ok, we can just tag her along if she want. " " No, no. Not Joy. It's my friend. " Changsub was confused at first since as far as he knew Sungjae didn't have any other close friend than Joy. " Your friend ? Who ? " Sungjae could not even open up his mouth to answer since he's being cut by Minhyuk who out of sudden gave a light smack on Changsub's hand, " Yah, why are you so nosy ? He got plan today, let's just hang out tomorrow. "

Little that they knew, someone had been listening to their conversations till now and couldn't help but to feel curious at who has been he talked about even though deep inside she knew who is the person but she try not to make any assumptions. It's not her right to tell who should he be friend with or not but deep inside she knew that she wanna be selfish when it comes to him. So when she heard that he's gonna be out there with someone else other than her, she couldn't help but to feel annoyed and anxious.

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" Are you sure ? " " Yeah, you can go ahead. Besides, it's been awhile since you guys hang out together. " Sungjae just smiled at his best friend, " I'll get going then. I'll see you at school tomorrow. " " Yeah, sure. " She bid a bye while watching him walked away. * Now I feel regret ... *

It wasn't her original plan but once she realised how excited Sungjae is upon meeting his friend, she couldn't help but to step out from her idea of being clingy to him today. She had everything ready in minds, the thoughts of making sure that Sungjae's attention are on her all the time had suddenly faded when she saw the smiles that he put once that person's name left out from his mouth. He definitely looking up for this day and she knew it.

" Ms Park .. " Her daze were broken with Hyun's voice calling out for her. " Yeah ? " " Are you alright ? " " Y-Yeah .. I'm fine. What is it Hyun ? " She asked since felt Hyun might have something to tell. " Your mom ask for you to stop by her boutique. Should I bring you there ? " She thinks for a while before nodded. " I don't have any plan for today. Sure, why not. " Truth is, she's not in the mood but to think that she doesn't have anything good to be done at home or anywhere else, she just agreed.

She hoped out from the car, standing while looking at the shop in front her. It's been awhile since she been here and she noticed that not much changes happens. She noticed someone were approaching the glass door and smiles lightly when realised it was her mother. " Why didn't you come in ? " " I was about to. "

She looked around, trying not to be so awkward with her mother when suddenly a soft chuckle bring back her attention. " You didn't feel at home don't you ? " There's a short silence before she open up her mouth to answer, " Well, it's been awhile ... " " I understand. I wasn't paying much attention on you. " " So, why are you calling me anyway ? " Her mother just heaved a sigh, knowing that her daughter wasn't comfortable when those topic being brought up. " Well, I'm kinda stuck with one of my design and I just thought maybe you can help me with it. " " Mom, I think you choose a wrong person. I don't have skill when it comes to my hands. " " Silly, I'm not asking you to design it. I just want some idea from you. And besides, I just thought that we need to spend some time together. Who knows when will we have the chance like this again. " Somehow her mom's words had made her felt weird. Will they not seeing each other again? Why would she said things like that ?

" Maybe a clean cut would be better. She will look attractive and not over doing it. " Her mother nodded while roughly sketch whatever that came out from Joy's mouth on the paper. " Yes, it looks better this way. I'll make the color changes later for it appears bold. " " Yeah, you know that kind of strong vibe that she's gonna pull. " " We're done I think. Thanks dear. "

She watched as her mother tidying the table, putting all her sketches in one file and bring another file that filled with samples of colour towards the shelf at her back. Once she was done, she sits back and start to work on her emails and all. Joy didn't know for how long had she been staring but her mother's voice had brought her back from daze, " Is there anything that you wanna ask Sooyoung ? " " Huh ? " " You've been staring at me. "

She was hesitated but decides to just speak her minds. " Were you going somewhere ? " Abruptly, that happen to cause her mom to stop doing her work and gave her attention to Joy. " You should go home now. You must be tired. " She patted the younger girl hand lightly while gave an assurance smiles. " Are you alright mom ? " Mrs Park's eyes were glistening when she heard that coming from her daughter. It been so long since Joy shows her concern and today she was happy when she sees her soft side again and she was even happier when she felt her hand reaching out for her, squeezing it lightly as if she's telling that things gonna be alright and she will be there for her.

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The Park's Mansion

She's staring blankly at the street, trying to find any sort of distraction from her thoughts but as she keep doing so, the more will come back to her. Usually at times like this, there's always one person that popped in her minds and she knew her troubles will fade away once she get to talk to him but how can she when he is also playing part in the troubles.

She turn to look at the dressing table and think hard whether she should violate her promise to him or not. Hesitantly, she walk towards it, and slowly pull the drawer where a jewellery box can be seen. Behind that box was the thing that she've been looking for. She cursed herself for still keeping it and not just get rid of it when he said so. She don't want to go back to her old-self but maybe one couldn't harm her. " Just one, only one Joy. " She took out a cigarette and light it up immediately without thinking further.

" I must be out of my mind. What if Sungjae knew that I touched this thing again. " She puffed another one, inhale it deeply making mental notes that this should be her last cigarette. " At least my stress is gone ... for tonight. " She was about to throw the cigarette box when a call coming in, startled her crazily when she realised who's the caller. " Did he got some sixth sense or something? Why must he call now ? "

She tried to calm herself, putting all the guilt aside before get his call, " Sungjae-ah .. " " Mwo-hae ? " Her face reddened upon hearing his question and she try to loosen up by fanning herself as if it's working that way. " Nothing. I just being lazy on my bed. " " I thought you were sleeping since you didn't bother me ever since we came back from school. " Giggles could be heard on the other line, making her smiles with the image of Sungjae's witty smiles on his face while teasing her. " Why ? Do you like me that much that you wanna be bother all the time by your Sooyoungie ? " She teased back, feeling glad that she didn't sound awkward or guilty. " Haha. Funny. "

They talked till late night after that, chatting about random things that some they finds nonsense but she hardly care since he was there when things stresses her minds which she thought wasn't going to work at the first place and that's why she choose the cigarette earlier. If she knew he is always her cure for everything from the beginning, she will not choose to broke her promise just now. And one thing for sure, she was glad when he choose not to bring up So-hyun in their conversation because she's afraid that she couldn't take it well and appear too obvious with her feelings. Yes, she knew, deep inside, even its tiny bit, she had fallen for her best friend and she realised it when she's longing for his voice and comfort just now.

" Sungjae-ah ... " " Wae ? " She paused for awhile, smiling all by herself when she thought about her feelings towards him. " I .. " * I've made my mind. * " Sooyoung-ah, something wrong ? " " I'm glad that you called. " * I'm so out of my mind. * " Aigoo, you scared me pabo-ah. " " Goodnight precious. " " Goodnight fish. " " Yahhh!! "