Doodles || hjc.

◐ thirty-eight ◑

In the end, I didn't get to answer. Bomin left first since his mother was already pestering him to come home, so Joochan and I were bound to be together alone whether we liked it or not.

I actually thought that Joochan and I would be awkward when we were left alone, but Joochan proved me wrong. We were actually comfortable with each other. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy; our memories when we were kids all coming back to me as I converse with him with ease.

"Wow, it got late pretty fast," I comment as I see '8:00' on the top part of my lockscreen of my phone. I didn't even sense that we talked for about an hour. Just the two of us. I'm still wondering how I survived that without melting into a puddle. "We should go home..."

Joochan grins, leaning on the table so his face is closer to mine. "You want me to walk you home?"

My eyes widen. "Wait, I'm not ready for that!" I blurt out suddenly without thinking.

Joochan only lets out a chuckle, his eyes crinkling. Man, he's so cute. "You didn't have to get so flustered. We're just going to walk."

I cross my arms and look to the side. Is he teasing me? "But you're house is far away. You should just head home now."

Joochan thinks for a bit. Maybe he's considering it. But if he did, I may get a little disappointed. Just a bit.

"Hmm..." he hums. "Nah, I think I'll still walk with you. I'll worry about getting home later."

"Why?"

"Because I want to...? Should I make up an excuse just so I can do so?"

This boy is so confusing, really. Sometimes he can be so straightforward, but other times he's just a plain jerk. Stop messing with my feelings please. I'm not sure if I can handle it.

After paying for the bill, we left the restaurant.

I think our house is just a ten-minute walk from here. Since our driver initially thought I was going home - how did he even think of that when my friends were inside the car? - he drove all the way here, so without a choice, we just chose a restaurant near our subdivision. Our subdivision was too far from the university, so how can Joochan get back home? Was he maybe thinking he can stay at their house across mine? That is a possibility. If so, then my guilt of taking Joochan's time (by walking with him) will be erased.

"Thank you for the treat," Joochan says while walking. "It was fun."

"Yeah, I enjoyed too." I shoot him a smile. "That'll be the first and the last."

He looks betrayed. "Huh? Why?"

"You drained my fucking wallet."

"It's Bomin's fault for ordering everything."

"But you ate a lot too."

I'm loving how light the conversation was. How often was it when Joochan and I get to spend some lone time together? Back when we were young, it was almost everyday that we met and played together. But after Joochan and his mom had left abruptly, we didn't get the chance to catch up. At least until second year of college, where I had become close with him again. All because of that damned doodle notebook.

Wait. The doodle notebook! I forgot all about that.

"Hey, Joochan, I just remembered something." My eyebrow twitches, burning with frustration.

"Hmm? What is it?"

I smile bitterly. "When are you returning my doodle notebook? It's been ages!"

"Ah, that..." Joochan suddenly laughs nervously, avoiding my gaze. "Why did you have to remember it today of all times..."

"Are you kidding me? I want it back!"