20 cm || Choi Yeonjun

11

"Jesus Christ." The girls said all at the same time.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let's just pay the bill and go home." Eunbi frustratingly scratched her head, eyes avoiding mine as if what I said irritated her. "Really. After I talk to him, I'll let you guys know the gist of what our conversation might be about." I tried again. After only getting short hums from their end, I too started packing my stuff.

"Yah, unnie... that conversation might not happen if you don't arrive there on time. It's already 8:30." I almost gaped at our maknae's words. I hastily fished out my phone from my bag. Shit.

The large numbers that displayed on the screen seem to be mocking me. I only had thirty minutes left to go there and at this time, the main road is still heavy with traffic. And knowing Yeonjun, he tends to be on time all the time. If not, he'll be there early.

"Crap, crap, crap. I have to go. See you all at the dorm." I hastily waved at them, scrambling straight for the door. "Good luck! And don't say anything stupid!" Ria shouted from behind. I just shot her a thumbs up without turning back.

Hailing a taxi is one thing but getting stuck in the middle of the unending sea of cars is a another. Oh god, we're not even moving!

"Thank you!" I told the driver once we arrived. I didn't spare another minute. After I rashly chucked a 1,000 bill in his hands, I began running. I continued to push my short legs even when the driver started shouting that I forgot to collect my change. "Keep it!" I shouted back.

"Yeonjun-ah!" I called when I finally got to the entrance. I continued calling for him, not caring about the handful of people that was now staring at me. I know I'm late but I can't help but hope that he waited. Even just for a few more minutes.

No answer.

After double checking this part of the park, I ran to the pathway leading to the kid's playground. "Yeonjun!" I shouted, scanning the whole place. I couldn't help but let out a frustrated groan. He isn't here. He must have left already.

Checking the time, it was already 9:17 in the evening. He must have grown tired. I made him wait for more than an hour. With this kind of weather, he probably got too cold and finally left when he couldn't stand the biting winds. Dejected, I weakly plopped myself on the swing. I didn't even notice that I was still out of breath. My hair no doubt looks unflattering from getting mussed by my sweat and from the winds. Not my best look but who fucking cares. I missed Yeonjun.

Aish. I don't even know why I feel so disheartened. My throat feels painfully thicker and my eyes started to heat from the sides. Hell no. I'm not going to cry now.

"Yeonjun oppa." I tried to shout again but my voice barely come out as a whisper.

"Took you long enough." Someone suddenly said from behind, making me jump. I turned around and there, crossing his arms was Yeonjun. He was wearing a black turtle neck sweater matching it with ripped jeans and his all too familiar piercings. He finished his look with a long coat.

He was beautiful.

"You're here." I said lowly, still not believing that he's now in front of me. He only nodded. Without breaking eye contact he started walking until there was only a few inches between us.

"But wait..... why didn't you show up earlier? You had me searching for you in this entire place!" I shrieked once the realization finally dawned on me. "I ran around the huge perimeter like a mad woman! The guards almost stepped in!"

He only shrugged his shoulders. "I already told you. I'll only respond if you call me oppa." I stared at him for a few moments, mouth agape and eyes dead set on his face. He must have found the situation funny because he threw his head back, his laughter disrupting the peacefulness of the night. On normal days I would coo at how his eyes adorably turn to half moons but now I have this urge to strangle his exposed neck.

Everything happened so fast, all I know is that I reached for my shoe and Yeonjun was now on the ground, clutching his shin. "Aw! What the hell, Jiwon!" He cried out.

"Serves you right! I thought you were kidnapped or chased by a fan! You had me worried!" I fumed, jabbing a finger on his chest.

"Haha! How cute." He cooed, cupping my chin and squishing my cheeks with his fingers. I felt my cheeks turning a harsh tinge of pink at the heat of his eyes. They were locked on mine as he flashed me a heart-stopping grin. I just dumbly froze in his presence. Unmoving.

"So what did you want us to talk about?" I said once I found the courage to step back. My hands subconsciously gripped the ends of my sweater when he cocked his head to the side. The action making me want to pinch his cheeks so I gripped the fabric tighter in my hands, desperately trying to get them occupied. I can only imagine the horror if I failed to stop my hands from reaching his soft and warm cheeks. I mentally cringe. I couldn't look at him now. He's eyes are solely trained on me.

He cleared his throat. "Remember when Kai introduced me to you back at the convenience store?" He asked, eyes lowering awkwardly. This time he was the one who couldn't look at me. He started nibbling on his pink lips. A little thing he does when he was nervous.

"He was right. I only used him to get to you." With that I lifted my eyes to meet his. He had a faint pinkish tint on his cheeks and his ears. I'm speechless. Did I hear him right?

"I like you, Jiwon." He muttered softly looking at me with so much emotions swirling in his eyes.

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Word Count: 1034