Peppermint

Chapter 5: Enchanted

Tokyo

Sunday began with me feeling the most excited I'd felt in a long time. It had only been two days, but I was already getting used to the new house and positively in love with my new room. Yesterday when I'd gone shopping with Mom and Dad, I'd gotten a taste of what the town of Silverton was like, and I admit I was pretty smitten with it too. But...there was something else I was smitten with...something that may or not have been the main reason for my morning happiness.

I rolled over in bed and picked up my phone, finding new texts from him.

Good morning, the first one read, leading into the second one which was a slightly more playful. How do you feel about donuts and coffee? My stomach felt like a flying hamster swooped into it when I noticed the little winky face he placed at the end.

I think it's only the absolute best way to have breakfast. Grinning to myself, I pressed send and then shoved the phone under my pillow and began a deranged flailing dance under the covers. When I heard the slight, short vibration signaling his response, muffled from the pillow, I squeaked and sent my poor blanket flying off the bed with a powerful kick. My heartbeat surged to a speed of a-billion-and-two miles an hour when I retrieved my phone and read his reply.

Then how do you feel about meeting me outside for a minute or two? My brother bought donuts and he said I could have extra!!!!!!!!

I giggled at the cuteness of his excessive exclamation point use, then choked at what I realize he'd just suggested.

On the verge of hyperventilation, I nearly fell out of bed in my haste to hurry up and get to the bathroom. Fast, fast, fast, I chanted in my head, as if I could somehow conjure speed by thinking it. My teeth got brushed in about one and a half minutes, and my hair got thrown into a messy ponytail, but makeup was definitely out of the question. I only had time to slip my shoes on before Hyungwon sent another text.

Can you come? I'm kinda already on your doorstep...

Meep! I hadn't even changed out of my pajamas! Hopefully he wouldn't be too put off by my Care Bear t-shirt and candy cane shorts...

Sure. I'll be right there. I sent the reply right as I was setting foot on the first step of our staircase. It was still really early in the morning—not even seven yet—so I moved as quietly as I could, hoping my parents were still sleeping and stayed that way for a good while.

Hyungwon's tall, slim silhouette could be seen through the panes of decorative glass set into the front door. I took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob, pulling it open slowly. I was grateful our house was still fairly new, guaranteeing that the doors would be squeak-free.

Slipping quietly through the door, I made sure I closed it with utmost quietness before finally turning around to face Hyungwon, my high ponytail flying in the minty breeze.

"Hi." I smiled, the word leaving my lips with a delighted sigh. Once again I was reminded of how tall he was.

And of how wildly gorgeous he was. Even in pajamas he was a prince. Actually, the wrinkles in his robe and lounge pants, the tousled locks of dark brown hair on his head, and even the drowsy heaviness of his eyelids just made him even cuter. He smiled gently, a bashful curve of his soft lips that made me feel like I was freefalling through space.

"Good morning," he said, the sleepiness in his voice making me swoon even more. He held out a box with the Dunkin Donuts logo on it, and smiled bigger, flashing a few of his flawless straight teeth.