[no reason] - eric sohn

sixteen: the bet

Eric had news for Jihyun, if only he could find her in the giant room breakfast was being held in. 

"Looking for someone?" . 

Hyunjoon, 22, future engineer and Eric's best friend since middle school sat across the table from him.

"No, well, kind of." Eric took a bite from his own plate. "do you know someone named Jihyun? Same faculty same year."

His friend shook his head.

"Yeah, thought so. Forget I asked."

The two continued to eat but Eric made sure to take occasional glances around the room. 

It was when his plate was almost wiped clean that Jihyun finally entered the hall.

"I'll meet you back at the room" He told Hyunjoon while quickly shoveling the last of his food.

Eric didn't know if he should make eye contact or wave from afar to catch her attention. He decided against and instead quietly weaved through the crowds to her table.

Quietly, he slipped into the empty seat beside her and tapped her on the shoulder opposite to him. Jihyun flinched at the touch and looked to her left, seeing no one she turned to the right.

"Oh," She stared at him blankly, "it's you." 

He can't tell what the look on her face is. He spotted a hint of surprise, maybe some frustration mixed inside, and a dash of apprehension.

"Someone's a lil grumpy this morning." A girl piped in from across the table. It was the same girl from last night's activities, Ryujin was her name if he remembered correctly. The girl cupped her mouth in a whisper, "had a little too much to drink last night."

"Hey! No I didn't." Jihyun defended.

"Your roommate told me you came back to the room at 2:00am then threw up in the bathtub." Ryujin countered. 

Jihyun had nothing to say to that

Eric's brows furrowed. She had taken the elevator back to her room at 11:30, what was she doing going back so late.

"2:00am?" He asked.

"I uh..." Jihyun paused, "headed to the party afterwards to find you... FOMO am right?" She laughed.

"Oh."

"Yeah, looked everywhere but you weren't there but they offered me food and drinks so I stayed for a while." She took a bite of her breakfast food, "anyways what are you here for? I doubt you just wanted to hear about my night."

"Right." He had news for her that's why, not because he wanted to see her and talk to her and ask her if she slept well or not. "So..." He cleared his throat. "guess who I saw this morning."

"Who?"

"Dojung leaving Michelle's room."

"No. Way. I was right!" She pumped her fists into the air in victory. "I TOLD you it'd be her room."

If it was anyone else, Eric would've been upset. He had always been told he was a little competitive. (Little as in would go batshit crazy if he lost). But somehow, with Jihyun, he was willing to take any excuse to strike up a conversation. And if it meant he had to suffer a blow to his ego? So be it.

"Which means you won the bet." Eric began, "But... I don't have any cash on me right now."

Jihyun shrugged. "It's fine, I'm happy with just bragging rights."

This was not the answer he wanted.

"The original deal was ten wasn't it? I'm a man of my word." He tried. "how about you come to my room with me and I'll grab it then."

"Do you think I'm someone who'd be this petty over loose change? I already said it's fine, I didn't even remember we made the bet."

"Then how about you make a stop with me at a café on the way back and I'll get you something."

"I'd rather not. Honestly, I've never see someone try so hard to prove that they've lost a bet it's always been the opposite."

"Well-"

"Come on" Ryujin intervened with an exasperated sigh. "Jihyun, just take him up on his offer okay? Grab lunch with him back on campus and you can call it even."

"But-" Jihyun began to argue.

"How about this Wednesday?" He quickly interrupted.

"Yeah sure fine whatever." Jihyun muttered.

Ryujin shooed Eric away. "Now go. I came down here for some food to soothe my hangover but your bickering just made it 10 times worse."