How It Should Have Ended Part2 (The Continuation)

Chapter 18 (Bonus Chapter): The Trip

Chapter 18: The Trip

Ji Hoo woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside. He smiled to himself, eyes still shut. He dreamt that Jan Di was sleeping beside him – and that they had gone away to a remote island together. He turned to his right and slowly opened his eyes.

Woo Bin's face greeted him as his eyes widened. Their faces were inches away from each other, dangerously close to touching lips. He pulled his head back so quickly that he hit Yi Jung's head behind him.

"Aish!" Yi Jung screamed, as he clutched his throbbing head. "What's the big deal? You into head-butting so early in the morning?"

Ji Hoo sat up and looked at the other two. They were all huddled closely in the middle of the tent. "You guys ever heard of personal space?"

"It got cold at night," Woo Bin replied drowsily. "Body heat helps, you know."

Ji Hoo opened his mouth to reply but thought better about it. He did wonder why he felt quite warm (and maybe even comfortable, though he hated to admit it out loud) the previous night.

He sat up, ran a hand through his already messy hair, and sighed. He considered suggesting they head back to civilization that day, but he didn't want to be the one who gave up first. Maybe he should talk to Jan Di first and ask her what she wanted to do.

He heard movement outside the tent and decided he should get up. He examined his clothes and decided to change. He put on a fresh pair of sweats and a pale green long-sleeved shirt.

He found the girls busy stirring a pot of oatmeal over the fire. A fresh stack of dried wood was piled high near it.

"How long have you girls been up?" He asked, as he walked over to Jan Di.

"Not long," she replied. She was humming happily as she stirred. Ga Eul was busy putting some bowls on top of the small table they had taken out of the cabin, while Hye Jin seemed to busy replenishing their wood pile.

"Hey," he whispered, careful not to be heard by the others. "Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, are you having fun? Because we can probably convince them to go home now if you girls are uncomfortable."

Jan Di shook her head, and then smiled. "We're actually having a blast."

Ji Hoo was a little surprised to hear her answer. "Oh. That's great to hear." He forced a smile. "I'm glad you girls are having fun."

"Are you guys having fun?" Jan Di asked hesitantly.

"We're always having fun," Yi Jung answered before he could, as he stepped outside their tent. "What's for breakfast?"

...

After everyone had eaten breakfast, they all decided to go for a quick morning hike. Ji Hoo made sure to wear his watch because it had a built-in compass – to ensure there was no repeat of the previous day's events. He also gave the other two boys a can of bear spray that he found in the packs. They walked further up the mountain, following the small stream that ran alongside it, with Yi Jung and Ga Eul leading the way, Ji Hoo and Jan Di in the middle, and Woo Bin and Hye Jin in the rear. The couples held hands as they walked, admiring the tranquility of the place, marveling at all the wildflowers that dotted the path.

"Isn't this wonderful?" Jan Di smiled at him as they walked holding hands. "I like being cut off from the world. No pager beeping at you every 5 minutes, no one calling you to come to work at two in the morning. All this fresh air and just the sound of nature all around you. It's amazing, isn't it?" Her face was bright and cheery and Ji Hoo couldn't help but smile at her.