The Guardian

One Warm Morning

Irene brushed her hair with her fingers as she holds her luggage's handle while she waits for the train to arrive. In her left hand she holds tight of her train ticket. She was slightly nervous and excited knowing that she'll finally meet her grandparents-the ones she considers her parents-once again. The warmth of the sun enveloped her while she still put a little more warmer clothes knowing that the air is slightly more colder than it used to.

The train roars from far away, making Irene be alerted that the train's already arriving. She stood up fixed herself before she turned to the side where she'll get in. She thanked the people who helped her get into a great seat but what caught her attention is the touch of the man in her arms, guiding her to the seat. She thanked him after catching Suho's voice that said, "I'll put your luggage up."

She sat down and helped herself in the train. She's still holding on to her ticket and she sighed when Suho said, "I guess I'll accompany you then."

"Why?"

"I don't have someone to accompany with." His voice on a cute way said, "I'm sad and alone."

Irene smiled at his act. Irene just turned her head down thinking of ways she could make the conversation and perhaps, the long ride, would be interesting enough for them. Suho just looked at the girl and pouted watching her reaction. He then shook his head unknowingly while thinking how could she be so cute and pretty at the same time?

Irene cleared her throat but Suho have already voiced out, "I think that we should give our tickets now."

"Oh, alright," she handed her ticket to her company and the latter willing get it to give to the conductor that she didn't notice that came.

"Two tickets to Daegu," said the conductor giving the two their copy of their tickets. He scribbled more to his notebook, noticing the pretty girl that Suho is with, "Couples must be on a trip, eh?"

"Oh, not a couple, sir," Suho corrected. "We are friends and are on our way to our hometown."

"Oh," the conductor, confused but said, "You make a great couple tho. A young handsome fellow and a pretty young woman."

"She is," Suho said and rested his arms on the right armrest, leaning closer to Irene. Irene felt her shoulder touched Suho's making her flurry-not just because of the slight touch of their skin (indirectly though because of their clothes)-but also because Suho implied that she really is pretty. Irene, even she is shy and indirect, is also normal to feel fluttered to be said pretty. She doesn't even know if she is really pretty.

"Are you doing well, Irene?" asked Suho as the conductor walked out. Irene just nodded at Suho after. A long silence came to both of them. Suho, unable to sleep during the long ride, was more busy in observing the train and the people around. He's alert and he wanted to make sure that him, and of course Irene are fine.

Irene, taking a deep breath and is overwhelmed by the sound of the train's sounds clashing the rails spoke, "So you're also going to Daegu?"

When Suho heard Irene's question, his attention fully shifted to her while she is facing the window, "Yes. I am currently staying there."

"Is it not because—" she stumbled on her own words. She just tried to shift her face away from the stranger's look. She became silent for a while until she passed out and slept.

"THANK you," she heard Suho's voice after she gained consciousness. She felt Suho's shoulders in the side of her head after he moved a slight making it possible for Irene to know she's leaning to the guy next to her. So she get up from the position and sit well while she caught Suho's attention.