Summer Detour [Book 2] | Pentagon ✔

Chapter 17

Chapter 17
Home Sweet Home
HYUNJOO

Hongseok stopped a few blocks away from mine according to my request. I gathered my things at the back of the van and he got off to help me even though I didn't need it. My heart was nowhere near calm. I couldn't help but feel like this is good bye. And I don't know how my family would react about me coming back, about me running away in the first place. I faced him and his smile was tight when he stepped closer to embrace me. "I don't know how they'd accept me again." I said.

"They'd be glad you came back." he said, caressing the back of my hair.

"I hope so."

He kissed my forehead sofly. "Call me when everything's settled down."

I nodded and hugged him again. "Thanks for everything." And I meant everything.

He chuckled and kissed me passionately that just made me feel more like this is our good bye. I tried to shake off the thought from my head. "I'm going back home too. Wish me a lot of luck. Before I left, my dad told me I could never step in the house again." he said.

I looked at him in shock. "He just probably said that because he was angry..."

"Do you think he would be less angry now?"

I shrugged and hugged him again, not getting enough of him. "I'm just here whenever you need me."

"I guess that means no."

I chuckled. "I'm sure they'd understand if you explain."

He tucked strands of hair behind my ear and said, "Hope so."

"You'll keep in touch, right?"

He grinned. "Told you. Literally and figuratively."

I smiled. "I'll go now."

I let go of him and started my way back home when he called me again. "Hyunjoo?"

"Yeah?" I turned almost immediately. We laughed in tension.

"I miss you already."

I smiled and ran back to hug him one more time. "Maybe I'll be grounded but I'll try to see you again soon."

"A grounded twenty-year-old girl? Hm,"

My cheeks heated up in shame. Sometimes, I still forget that I'm actually an adult adult.

He kissed my cheek and said, "Just teasing. Go."

"Okay."

I went for real this time. I pushed the doorbell to ring it and my mom's voice answered, Who is it?

"It's me. Hyunjoo."

"Oh my God."

And the gate clicked open. I turned to look at Hongseok. He waved me good bye but he didn't leave until I got inside.

#

The door opened and my mom stared at me wide-eyed before it traveled all over me as if searching for any bruises or wounds. Her eyes filled with tears as she rushed to hug me tightly. My eyes warmed up with tears but I tried not to cry.

"Mom," I mumbled against her shirt. "I'm sorry."

We hugged like that for a while. Jinho came behind her and when mom and I pulled apart, he hugged me as well. "Aigoo, our Hyunjoo." he said, caressing my head.

"I'm really sorry for making you guys worry..." I told them, keeping my head down.

Mom grabbed me on both shoulders and smiled, her eyes still shining with tears. "I'm just glad you're back in one piece."