[Hellion Brothers: Book #5] Verglas

Twenty Three

Valentine's day special update!!!!!

It was a silent drive to our home with Sarang just quietly looking outside the window. Like always, she didn't bother to put on her seat belt and I had to remind her. It was a very chaotic night, so I guessed all she wanted was some silence and to go back to sleep. I didn't speak or put on any music, so she could fall asleep in the car if she wished, but she was wide awake, probably pondering over something.

"Sarang," I called out. She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at me.

"Hmm?"

"Did you eat something since this afternoon?" I asked.

"No, I wasn't hungry." She replied, her voice quieter than I've ever heard her speak. I really wanted to ask her how she was feeling, tell her that I'm here if she needed someone to talk to, I wanted to help, to take away all her worries, but I didn't know how. When I glanced at her once again, she was still looking outside the window. Suddenly, we heard a loud growl of protest, the type that indicates hunger. It was my stomach. I hadn't eaten my lunch because I had to quickly head to the coffee shop with that girl from college and the rest of the day passed by while looking for Sarang. She looked at me and then back outside the window. "Xiumin," She called out, drawing my attention from the road ahead. "Let's get something to eat. I'm hungry right now." She said in a hushed voice.

"Okay, sure." I couldn't help but smile. She was just so... thoughtful.

It was as if I was an absolutely different guy around her. I wasn't the polite-and-smart, bold student-council-member who spoke sparingly. I was Minseok; the guy who got a little nervous while talking to other people, the guy who was stubborn and curious when it came to something that bothered her, the guy who could flirt a little bit if he tried. I loved being around her. The very sound of her voice filled my ears like music. What was it about her that drew me in like a magnet?

I stopped by near a 24/7 restaurant and then turned to look at her. "What do you want to eat?" I asked, but she barely responded, still looking outside the window.

"Anything."

"Noodles?" I waited. "Sandwich maybe?" No response. "Ice cream and cookies?" I said expectantly. She slightly turned to glance in my direction. I internally laughed when I realized I had her at ice cream. "Shall we get sandwich first and then ice cream and cookies? I don't want you skipping dinner." I suggested, to which she simply agreed. It was strange to see this side of her where she didn't talk much, just said 'yes' to whatever I asked. This wasn't her at all. I resisted the urge to torture her with more questions and let her stay inside the car as I went to get the food.

When I came back outside, her phone was lying on the ground with its screen cracked and parts all broken. She probably threw it on the ground out of frustration. I watched how she wiped her face as soon as she saw me and rubbed her hand against her black skirt. I let out a deep sigh when I saw the corner of her eyes stained with tears. Her lips were dry, her nose and cheeks flushed red. "Just-" Sarang said in her nasal voice. "Just drop me back home. I want to be left alone." It sounded like she was trying hard to swallow her tears.

I knew I had to choose my words carefully. If I forced her to not stay alone, then she would feel like I'm taking away her freedom of letting her choose what she wants, but I didn't want to leave her like that. She clearly needed someone to stay and listen. To comfort her while she cried and reassure her that she didn't have to be by herself all the time.

"I bought all this food so that you wouldn't go to sleep with an empty stomach." I started. "Maybe we can eat and then I'll drop you home safely?" She sniffled and then pushed her hair back as she took deep, shaky breaths.