A Thousand Times by E Janetulip

Chapter 10

"When I look into your eyes, I'm curious to know what you see?"

⭐

Half of the year 2016, he told me what he felt.

-Aurora (오로라)

2016. 07. 02.

Last night after making a quick run in the  7/11 store, San and I had a sleepover in our house to have a movie night.

     In the middle of watching a movie, we had a conversation.

     "오로라야 (Aurora-ya)."

     "음? [Hm?]" I replied, my eyes not leaving the screen of the television.

     San, he then suddenly asked me a question I didn't expect him to ask me. Words that are enough for me to start feeling my heart beating faster than usual. And I could still remember the exact words clearly.

     "너의 파트너 성화형... 무슨 사이야? [What's with you and Seonghwa?]" 

     The moment he asked me, I froze and was reminded of what happened after class ended yesterday. I was so caught in the moment, it was a lot for me to take in. What made him ask me that? I couldn't help but his sudden question made me ask myself: Does he... does he know anything?

     Every second that passed by, the sound of my heartbeat started to get louder and louder and it felt as if the guy beside me could hear it as well. Like my heart was connected to some speaker and had the volume all the way up. It was loud!

     My eyes left the screen of the television to look at my best friend and saw him seriously looking at me, observing my expression.

     "뭐? (Mwo?)" I asked playing dumb trying not to make myself obvious: the only way I knew at that time to get away from getting caught. I know I can't let him know I like Seonghwa, he will for sure tease me.

     "그게 무슨 말이야? [What do you mean what?]" he was confused with my reply. "넌 그를 좋아하니? [Do you like him?]"

     I opened my mouth but then closed it a second after. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't find the right words to answer his question. I mean... what would you do if you were in my position? How would you answer that? How would you answer a question you never expected to answer?

     "너 그 남자 좋아해? (Neo geu namja johahae?)" he asked again and I knew right there I had to tell him because there was no way out. But I was still kind of hesitant.

     "I... I don't know, he's just... 몰라 (molla)," then let out a deep sigh I didn't know I was holding. I was about to tell him but my mouth couldn't.

      Hearing my response to his question, he had a puzzled face and looked so unsatisfied. Like he wanted to hear specific words, words that my mouth couldn't say.

     "왜 그걸 물어보는 거야? [Why are you even asking me that?]" I tried to laugh, but it came out as a nervous laugh.