The Tomb Of My Heart | SF9

四

The number of days separating me from the final-year expedition was getting smaller and smaller with each second, it seemed. I could feel the excitement rushing trough my veins. I've already been to China once as a child, since my parents had some work meetings there, but this trip would still be an entirely new experience for me. Plus, I didn't want to admit, but I couldn't stop thinking about my bet with Juho and what would become of it.

On the day of the trip, I was running like crazy around my room, trying to check if I packed everything that I needed.

"Okay. The jacket is here... Some shoes that are more comfortable for walking, flashligh... I mean, we'd be given those once we're there, right?" I talked to myself, not being aware that someone has been listening to me all along. "My phone! Oh, my God, where is it?! I'm going to be late if I don't find it!"

I already started to panic, but then I heard a giggle behind me. I turned around to see Juho standing at the door.

"What?!" I nervously asked, and he just kept laughing and pointed at my hands.

"Your phone, Jaein. It's in your hands."

*

After about half an hour, we said goodbye to our family and drove to the airport in Juho's car.

"Feels nice driving in this car of yours, Juho. Can't wait to have it for a whole month." I teased him.

"Don't test me, Jaein. You know I'm not usually competitive, but I am the one who'll win this bet and you know it. So just accept your fate already and pick which guy's attention you'd like to have the most for these two weeks." He said.

"As far as I'm conserned, I can have all of their attentions. It still means nothing if they don't have mine."

"Modest as always, I see." He smirked. Then, we arrived.

"I'm gonna send someone to pick up the car later." He said, and then mumbled under his breath. "And hide it from you, just in case."

*

Everyone else had already arrived by the time Juho and I got out of the car. I took a moment to examine everyone once again. They were all dressed in comfortable, yet expensive-looking clothes.

The lineup was also pretty much the same as it was last week. Jaeyoon, Sanghyuk and Youngbin were talking with each other, pointing at something that seemed like class notes. Once they saw us, they greeted us and invited us to talk to them.

"So, are you guys ready?" Jaeyoon asked.

"Totally." Juho answered, since I was too busy staring at the other participants.

Youngkyun, Seokwoo and Chanhee were together again, only this time, Inseong was with them, too. I couldn't exactly tell what they were talking about, but I noticed that Inseong was involved in the conversation just as much as I was. His gaze was aimlessly roaming around the place, and in one moment, it met with mine.

I didn't really know how to react, since the whole situation was rather awkward, but I decided to give him a small, polite smile. I immediately noticed that he wasn't expecting that, but he slightly smiled back nonetheless.

I felt a burning feeling in my chest all of a sudden. What the hell was that, I though to myself. I turned to Juho to check whether or not he had seen my interaction with the "Prince of Korea", but fortunately, he was now too busy talking with Youngbin.