A Wind Of Change [1] || EXO ✓

002: The Neighbour

***

Hazel roused to the loud beeping of her alarm in the morning. School was to reopen tomorrow, so today had to be spent in carefree wander along the streets of Seoul with Kyungsoo if at all the latter happened to drop by her house. Or else it would be a day spent like usual - loitering in the house, reading books, sitting by the window sill and gazing into a distance thinking of sad things, or writing poems.

True that she was born with a silver spoon in mouth, parents who gave her whatever she asked of them, several maids helping her out in her daily needs. Yet, she felt like a spoilt brat for feeling dissatisfied. She had never had siblings or a nice friend, and she had a lot to grouse about that.

Opening her large bedroom windows, she let in the pleasant morning breeze sway past her long hair. The maid excused herself into the bedroom and set a cup of milk on the bedside table.

"Hey, Ari!" Hazel greeted the maid, who in return gave a bow and a curt smile.

Ever since a week's stay, she had attempted to befriend the maids that worked at home, but it always seemed to her that they drew clear boundaries and regarded her with respect. Nothing more, nothing less.

***

Wearing a full-sleeved, floral shirt tucked into her lilac pleated-skirt, Hazel rushed down the spiral staircase to the hallway and towards the dining where breakfast was served. Just then, the door bell rang.

"Kyungsoo!" she exclaimed, embracing him into a warm hug.

He stood there, perplexed and flustered from her sudden welcoming gesture. Hazel released the hug, sensing his awkwardness with a small chuckle. "So..." she trailed off, watching him stare at her without a word.

He jolted out of his reverie and brought his hands forward, showing her a box.

"Oh! What's this?" she asked, excitedly.

"S-Sweets. . .fo-for you," he stuttered, not meeting her eyes and failing miserably at concealing the smile that erupted across his face.

Hazel giggled and received it with a thank you. She began to wonder if she overdid things. Kyungsoo and she had known each other since childhood. At the age of five, she remembered his tear stained face and her hiccupping as she cried in the airport while she left for San Francisco. Her little pinkie curling with his as they swore to stay in touch. They both had been close, and they still were. Except that it had all been in the virtual world.

Presently, standing face to face, Kyungsoo being the pubescent boy he was, and given the vast cultural differences of the west and the east, it became apparent to her that she had gone a little - no, very much - overboard with her welcoming gesture.

"Who's this handsome boy that we have here?" A voice chimed and Hazel turned back to see Bianca approaching the doorway. Kyungsoo let out a shy laugh in response. "How are you dear?"