Aurora | park seonghwa

15: Home

Silence consumed us, a gentle weight settling onto my shoulders. Occasionally, Seonghwa's fingers drummed against the leather of the steering wheel, no rhythm whatsoever.

We had no rhythm either.

I was aware of his glances at me from time to time, he was aware of mine. Our flushed faces didn't lie.

"So...any place you had in mind or are we going to keep circling around?" Seonghwa uttered as he made another turn around the school.

I leaned my head against the glass window, shrugging. "Anywhere but here." I whispered.

I just wanted to get away, away from everything.

"Still..." He trailed off as we turned away from the school.

At that moment, my stomach rumbled and I cleared my throat, hoping that he didn't hear anything. It wasn't that loud anyway.

I should've grabbed something, anything from the snack table.

The houses blurred past, so did the other cars that were on the road. It was almost 9:00pm, the sun had gone down long ago, leaving the sky an inky black canvas. Almost dark blue, if not for the shimmering specks of stars scattered across the sky.

Some other time, I would've marvelled at the sight but right now, their presence paled in comparison.

I turned my head to Seonghwa's side, his eyes focused on the road ahead as mine followed his silhouette.

Guilt tugged at my heart as I eyed the disheveled state of his ebony hair, the way he kept blinking his eyes to remove the remnants of his slumber.

His pullover sweater was on the wrong way, the tag sticking out from the front of his neck. His converse were put on half-way, like slippers as I let out a small chuckle.

"What?" Seonghwa smiled, looking around as we reached a red light.

I pointed and he looked down, shaking his head with a smile.

"I came in a hurry, don't judge." He stated as we begun moving again, the light turning green.

I frowned a little, guilt gnawing at my insides.

You're so stupid, Aurora.

Why did I have to call him? I could've gone straight to Mingi and the rest. They could've helped handle it.

"Are you okay? You didn't say much on the phone...even when I reached you and when..." Seonghwa trailed off, scratching his ear.

My face warmed when I remembered the phone call, cringing at myself as the words replayed. Even worse, I practically clung onto him when I saw him exit the car just as he pulled up.

I massaged my temples, hoping to somehow magically omit the imagery from my mind.

"I didn't think you would actually come..." I let out after a while. My heart dropped when Seonghwa remained silent and I feared I had offended him.

"You sounded like you were sleeping so I thought–I don't know...I...I mean you came still but—"

"Okay but I—"