It was the very first time for the students to go on a field trip by plane. When Jinyoung arrived at the departure gate, Jaebum and Jackson were already there.
They had their backpacks on their back and so did the other students both from their class and from the other majors. Some were having a chat with their friends and some texting on their phones or doing other things. But all seemed thrilled by this trip; after all, no one was here unwillingly.
"You late, man," Jackson said, as Jinyoung took a seat next to him. "What took you so long?"
"He's not late, Jackson. Stop being dramatic," said Jaebum, irritably.
Jackson took a glance at Jaebum and then turned to Jinyoung, "Don't mind him. He's just grumpy that he'll be away from his Youngjae for five eternal days."
"Youngjae is also on a field trip, right?" Jinyoung asked.
"Yes," Jaebum said, "I wish I could be there with him."
"Go back to second year then," Jackson said.
"You should've waited for me. Seriously, you two," Jinyoung said, eying both Jaebum and Jackson.
"When your line was busy and we didn't even know whether you were already here, at the airport or not?" Jaebum said.
"I was on the phone with my Mom. She was telling me to take care of myself and all that jazz. Then I called you and you were already on your way. What kind of friends do I have?"
"How long were you on the phone with your Mom, by the way?" Jackson asked.
"Why, only twenty minutes."
"Well, I won't say anymore," Jackson said, sarcastically resigned.
They had to wait for another half an hour, before the announcer called the passengers' attenion, telling them to get ready to board the plane.
About two hours were all it took before the plane landed at the Jeju airport. Three buses were already there, having been awaiting the group's arrival, as to take them to the designated hotel.
As it had been just a few-hour journey, the students were still as much active and excited as when they had left home. The hotel reserved for them, was just a moderately nice one, which was understandable, given that all their expenses, except the transport fees, had been covered by the university.
There were two teachers from each class; all of them were males, except Mrs. Jang and another female teacher of Mrs. Jang's age, from the Zoology class. It was a relief for the students that they did not have to go through that rollcall process again when entering the hotel as it had already been done before them getting on the buses.
The students were given four-bed rooms, and Jinyoung, Jaebum and Jackson were in one room, together with one of their classmates, Cheolmin.
The three friends remained in the room, while Cheolmin was in the bathroom, cleaning himself.
"Jeju weather is so fine," Jinyoung commented, dreamily, staring at outside through the window, "That nostalgia."
There was not much sunshine here but this difference it had from Seoul, was to be appreciated.
"Let's go to the beach this evening," Jackson suggested, eagerly, "I want to go to and explore the maze park. I've never been there."
"The maze?" Jaebum asked, "You'll get lost there till it gets dark and the maze is closed. The idea rejected."
"Can we even go out at all though? The teachers are going to keep eyes on us," Jinyoung mused.
"Come on, we're all adults already. Will just inform them and it'll be alright."
At around four in the afternoon, the three were together, on their way to the beach. They all had been here in Jeju, at least for once, but this was the very first time for them to be together there.
There were the breeze, rocks of different shapes and sizes, the sight of the sea and the sound of the waves. There were other students there as well, in their own friend-groups, taking photos of each other and playing around.
"If only Youngjae was here," Jaebum said, longingly, as he gazed at some couples having fun there.
"Take him here when he's yours then," Jinyoung said.
"I miss him already. Does he even remember me? He's probably having a lot of fun with his friends."
"Man, if you're jeal-"
"I'm not jealous," Jaebum cut Jackson's sentence short, "It's good if he's enjoying himself. I just want him to miss me like I do him."
"Anyway, why aren't you confessing to him yet? Both you and Jinyoung are hesitant when it comes to such stuff."
"Hey, don't involve me. And Jackson, you're talking like that as if you were any good at it."
"Well, it's only because I haven't found someone I can feel like devoting myself to. What was I saying to Jaebum? Oh, yes, why haven't you just told him that you like him, already, Jaebum?"
"Because I don't even know if he swings this way," Jaebum said, resignedly.
"Of course, because it's not at all obvious," Jackson said, with sarcasm.
"And you flirt with each other every time your meet," Jinyoung said.
"Do we flirt that much though?"
"I said 'every time'."
"He said 'every time' and I agree," Jackson said.
"Okay, whatever. I want to make sure that he likes me before confessing to him and risking our friendship."
"It's understandable," Jinyoung said, "But just to let you know, he's as much into you as you're into him, if we're not mistaken."
"Yes," Jackson agreed, "I can bet my life on it."
"Thanks, men, for this encouragement," Jaebum said. Then after a moment, he continued, "But does it mean you guys've always been watching and judging us?"
"Yes, because you two are too subtle to notice," Jackson said, rolling his eyes.
The sun was already approaching the horizon as they walked further along the beach, talking and feeling the freshness in the air that calmed their mind.
