sand&strangers [ JHS ] √

4 | Corals&Us

The noise was a little louder now that it was 6 in the morning. Jaehwa was still buried under the sheets as people outside were already playing in the shore. Meanwhile, Hoseok was already showering in the bathroom as he woke up a little too early.

Having only four hours of sleep, Jaehwa was soon woken by the ringing telephone on the nightstand. Yawning as she took the call, a female voice greeted her. "Good morning, the complimentary breakfast has been served at the dining hall."

Muttering a 'thanks', she once again, tried to go back to sleep. Jaehwa couldn't remember how she demanded for soju last night while Hoseok had to just watch her get worn out 'til 2am. It was easier for her to sleep, that way she didn't have to listen to the quietness ruled by waves.

Groaning, she dragged herself to stand up and peeked through the curtains, enthusiasted as how she saw the beach as if it was enticing her to come. An adventurous smile crept up on his lips as she rummaged through her suitcase.

The bathroom door opening caused her to cock her head to the direction of the sound, seeing Hoseok drying his hair with a towel. He was already dressed neatly in a Hawaiian-styled outfit. He saw her and faked a smile, mumbling a faint 'good morning'.

Not bothering to talk, she ran into the bathroom, replacing him as she got changed. Jaehwa stepped out of the bathroom in a conservative rashguard under a white beach cover-up. It was enough to protect her skin to avoid sunburn since the sun was blazing in this place.

Hoseok didn't even spare her a glance, or maybe he did. But she just didn't completely still his attention. He was not the romantic type - really. Jung Hoseok was no expert at love, or so he thought.

"Do you have plans today?" She suddenly asks, wearing her strappy slippers. Hoseok shrugged, "why? Do you want to come with me?" He wasn't expecting her answer to be yes; he was only joking.

He grew flustered realizing that the girl was quite clingy for starters. Didn't know that a stranger would join another stranger's vacation. As much as he knew though, he didn't mind having company.

"Come on, breakfast is waiting!" She opened the door, happily sprinting across the hallway while Hoseok was still locking the door. She was quite excited to stay next to the sea, and it becomes even more exciting with the idea of her spending it with a stranger.

She wondered if this was conspired to happen or purely coincidental. Whatever it was, she was sure that Hoseok earned his trust after last night.

The breakfast was scrumptious enough to fill their empty stomach. Now it was time for the real fun, the sea. Jaehwa spotted a kayak boat that was on the shore, tied to a post. Up for some paddling, Jaehwa ran ahead Hoseok and asked the tenant if it was available to borrow.

Hoseok squinted his eyes and placed a hand above his eyebrows, blocking the sunlight that disturbed his vision. There she was, gesturing for him to hurry up as she already held two paddles in her hands. She was even wearing a life jacket.

The clear boat totally showed whatever was under them, especially the clear aquamarine waters that could see through the sand. Hoseok and Jaehwa paddled to the farther ends of the sea, until they reached where the corals were at.

Wearing the snorkling gears, she fearlessly jumped off the boat - not considering she had taken off her life jacket. Colorful corals were seen as she gazed through the goggles, seeing little fished down there too.

Noticing that Hoseok wasn't joining, she tossed her head up and looked at him, taking off the tube in her mouth. "Come on! Don't be a killjoy. First one to spot Nemo gets to dare the other!"

Hoseok rolled his eyes and wore the snorkling gears, lazily jumping off the boat as he snorkeled deeper. Unable to mumble through the tube, he could only let out gargling noises as he pointed at a clownfish near the coral.

Grabbing Jaehwa's wrist, Hoseok pulled her to see the clownfish which was almost swimming away. They both swam to the surface upon seeing that the clownfish was gone. Hoseok took off the gears and climbed up to the boat.

"Gotcha! I win." He smirked, finally looking like he was having fun rather than a guy forced to mingle with seawater. Jaehwa reached her hand out for help to get up, so Hoseok fell into her bait - pulled off the boat by her as they both sink into the water.

Quickly swimming up to the surface, two of them could only burst into laughter, unknowingly creating a bond that was meant or not meant to last. It was up to the ruthless fate to decide.

They just had to live in the moment to appreciate the presence of each other, even though it's only been a day. Because maybe, just maybe — they were conspired to find each other. From strangers to something more, undecided if they were to end up as strangers too.